A big THANKS for all the wonderful gifts from our friends and family. It was harder than I thought it was going to be to be away from home for Christmas. Thank goodness for Skype.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Let 'er rip
Jackson is still too young to understand who Santa is and what Christmas traditions are; however, he isn't too young to rip wrapping paper off of presents.
A big THANKS for all the wonderful gifts from our friends and family. It was harder than I thought it was going to be to be away from home for Christmas. Thank goodness for Skype.
A big THANKS for all the wonderful gifts from our friends and family. It was harder than I thought it was going to be to be away from home for Christmas. Thank goodness for Skype.
Christmas Crab Boil
Nothing says Christmas like a crab boil. We had the traditional ham, rolls and sides on Christmas Eve so we decided to spice it up a bit for our Christmas dinner.
Jared worked his magic and made us a delicious meal, complete with crab, shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn.
Jared worked his magic and made us a delicious meal, complete with crab, shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn.
Jared preparing the meal
The feast
Yummy
Lets dig in!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Help I'm Stuck
Oliver has found a new hiding place ... under Jackson's crib.
Problem is that he can only get under the crib, he can't get out. Kind of like when a child gets his head between the stair rails but can't get his head out.
When we can't find Oliver he's usually stuck under the crib and I have to lift it up to let him out.
Problem is that he can only get under the crib, he can't get out. Kind of like when a child gets his head between the stair rails but can't get his head out.
When we can't find Oliver he's usually stuck under the crib and I have to lift it up to let him out.
Fun with Boxes
I recently read a blog post about the top five gifts for toddlers. I can't remember the exact order of the gifts, but they were:
a box
dirt
a rock
kitchen utensils
junk mail ...
... or something to that effect.
I'm pretty sure Jackson's favorite things to play with, aside from his train table, are on that list.
So, if you are having trouble figuring out what to get Jackson for Christmas or his Birthday, just make sure the present is in a box and he will love it. Or forget the present and just get him the box.
a box
dirt
a rock
kitchen utensils
junk mail ...
... or something to that effect.
I'm pretty sure Jackson's favorite things to play with, aside from his train table, are on that list.
So, if you are having trouble figuring out what to get Jackson for Christmas or his Birthday, just make sure the present is in a box and he will love it. Or forget the present and just get him the box.
Monday, December 19, 2011
A SeaWorld Christmas
We went to SeaWorld this weekend to see their Christmas decorations and play in the fake snow! We originally went to go see the Christmas Shamu show; however, when we arrived we learned the show was 2 hours later than what we originally thought and we knew Jackson wasn't going to last that long.
We hit up some of Jackson's favorite exhibits- the sharks, walruses and beluga whales. We also visited their Winter Wonderland which had fake snow and sledding. Jackson didn't know what to think of the snow- especially when he fell on his behind :)
What is this stuff ???
Daddy ... get me outta here!!!
Show me the beach, not the snow!
Checking out the beluga whales
Bedtime Routine
Recently we have added a new activity to our bedtime routine.
No, it's not a bath or reading another book or brushing our teeth.
It's a quick game or two on the iPad. **Sigh**
It's usually a game of Angry Birds or a Thomas the Train game.
Gotta love technology.
T is for Train
Jackson LOVES trains. We were at the mall the other day and he caught eye of the children's train and went berzerk. He ran over to the train, held up his toy train he was carrying and pointed. I knew there was no way we were getting out of there without a train ride. And of course an adult has to ride with the child, so I was forced to got to ride along.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Andrea Bocelli
There is only one word that can describe the Andrea Bocelli concert we went to last night ... AMAZING. Ok, maybe there are a few other words as well ... enlightening, moving, beautiful. You get the idea.
Go here to learn all about Andrea.
Here are a few pics from the concert.
Go here to learn all about Andrea.
Here are a few pics from the concert.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Wine tasting in Temecula
This weekend we went wine tasting in Temecula with some friends. Temecula is about 45 minutes northeast of where we live and it is known for it's wineries. There are over 30 wineries in Temecula and their specialty is a Syrah (red wine), which Jared and I are both fans of.
We took a Limo from San Diego to Temecula and went to three wineries; Ponte, Wiens and Leoness. My favorite wine was at Ponte, but Leoness had an amazing atmosphere and view.
We took a Limo from San Diego to Temecula and went to three wineries; Ponte, Wiens and Leoness. My favorite wine was at Ponte, but Leoness had an amazing atmosphere and view.
A Tucson Thanksgiving
This year it was our turn to make our way to Tucson to see the Harger Family. Last Thanksgiving they came to see us in San Diego (see post here). What a difference a year makes!
Campbell is the cutest, funniest, loudest and sassiest two-and-a-half year old I know. I didn't stop laughing at/with her the entire time I was there. This girl can wrap you around her fingers in seconds! She was in LOVE with Jackson. Unfortunately, Jackson did not feel the same way. As we all know, Jackson likes his personal space, and Campbell wanted to be 'all up in his business'. If she had her way, she would hug and kiss and dress Jackson up like he was her little doll. It was so precious listening to her say "JACKSON" in her sassy voice and trying to love on him.
Coleman has turned into the most lovable little man. He was so sweet and gentle with Jackson and was even understanding when Jackson didn't share or play by the rules. Jackson followed him around the entire trip wanting to know what he was doing- he loved having an older boy to follow. And boy oh boy, you should have seen his face when he saw Coleman going to the bathroom :) You could just hear him saying in his mind "So cool ... I want to do that!".
With three kids all four and under it was hard to even make it out of the house with everyone clothed, let alone trying to actually get out and do something. We went out a couple of times for lunch and, per the usual, we had a couple's night out. The rest of the time we spent at home with the kiddos and it was PERFECT! A few of the days I didn't even get out of my pajamas, which was nice because I was sick with allergies and a sinus infection :(
Thanksgiving dinner was delicious, complete with ham, turkey, cheesy potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes and the infamous strawberry pretzel cake. Cari did an amazing job with all of the food, as well as an amazing job of hosting!
Here are a few more pics from the week.
Campbell is the cutest, funniest, loudest and sassiest two-and-a-half year old I know. I didn't stop laughing at/with her the entire time I was there. This girl can wrap you around her fingers in seconds! She was in LOVE with Jackson. Unfortunately, Jackson did not feel the same way. As we all know, Jackson likes his personal space, and Campbell wanted to be 'all up in his business'. If she had her way, she would hug and kiss and dress Jackson up like he was her little doll. It was so precious listening to her say "JACKSON" in her sassy voice and trying to love on him.
Look at that face!!
This was the theme of the trip- Campbell trying to get Jackson's attention
Coleman has turned into the most lovable little man. He was so sweet and gentle with Jackson and was even understanding when Jackson didn't share or play by the rules. Jackson followed him around the entire trip wanting to know what he was doing- he loved having an older boy to follow. And boy oh boy, you should have seen his face when he saw Coleman going to the bathroom :) You could just hear him saying in his mind "So cool ... I want to do that!".
With three kids all four and under it was hard to even make it out of the house with everyone clothed, let alone trying to actually get out and do something. We went out a couple of times for lunch and, per the usual, we had a couple's night out. The rest of the time we spent at home with the kiddos and it was PERFECT! A few of the days I didn't even get out of my pajamas, which was nice because I was sick with allergies and a sinus infection :(
Thanksgiving dinner was delicious, complete with ham, turkey, cheesy potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes and the infamous strawberry pretzel cake. Cari did an amazing job with all of the food, as well as an amazing job of hosting!
Here are a few more pics from the week.
Playing outside. Look at the mountains in the background!
I taught Campbell how to put Olives on her fingers.
Coleman checking out the dessert.
Thanks for having us out Hargers. We had a great time and can't wait until next year. Love you!!!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Sponge Bob Square Pants
Have you ever watched Sponge Bob Square Pants (SBSP)? If you haven't, I don't recommend you do. But if you have, then I'm guessing you have no clue as well why kids LOVE this show. It has to be the bright colors and funny voices- it can't be the actual content. I mean, there are some funny cartoons out there; Phineas and Ferb, for example. But SBSP is not one of them.
Anyway, this is how my little guy likes to watch SBSP. Just put a cold beer in his other hand and he is set.
Anyway, this is how my little guy likes to watch SBSP. Just put a cold beer in his other hand and he is set.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Why is the Floor Crunchy?
Here is what I found when I came into the kitchen tonight. First I laughed and grabbed the video camera, then I told him no. Priorities, right?
If you can't see what he is doing, he is taking a piece of cereal out of his snack trap, putting it on the ground and stomping on it. He made his way through quite a few pieces of cereal before I caught him.
I Told You So
Jackson goes to a mom's day out program on Tuesday and Friday mornings. It gives him the chance to interact with other kids his age and gives me a chance to run some much needed errands. The program had picture day a few weeks back and I chose to opt out of purchasing any pictures, as we had just a professional family photo session. Little to my knowledge, they require a picture of your child to be taken even if you are not going to order any photos. The minute we walked in to the area they were taking pictures and I got a look at the very loud, boisterous photographer waving her hands and a stuffed duck trying to get the kids to smile, I knew this was NOT going to go well. DEEP BREATH. I kept letting other moms go in front of me trying to put off the inevitable until Jack and I were the only ones left to go. DEEP BREATH.
I warned the photographer this wasn't going to go well and if she could just snap a few and we would be done that would be great. Her and her assistants in the room all said "Oh, no, he'll be just fine. We'll get him to smile. It will be just fine, mommy".
I reluctantly sat Jack on the chair and the furry of my son was unleashed. I believe at one point one of the assistants was plugging her ears. I wanted to say "I told you so" to the photographer, but decided that the ringing sensation in their ears from Jack's screams were punishment enough.
So how did the pictures turn out ... ? Well, lets just say this was the best picture they could find. On the positive side we got this neat card to keep in our wallets. I told Jared that if Jackson were to ever go missing, this would be a pretty accurate picture of what he would look like because he would more than likely be crying.
I warned the photographer this wasn't going to go well and if she could just snap a few and we would be done that would be great. Her and her assistants in the room all said "Oh, no, he'll be just fine. We'll get him to smile. It will be just fine, mommy".
I reluctantly sat Jack on the chair and the furry of my son was unleashed. I believe at one point one of the assistants was plugging her ears. I wanted to say "I told you so" to the photographer, but decided that the ringing sensation in their ears from Jack's screams were punishment enough.
So how did the pictures turn out ... ? Well, lets just say this was the best picture they could find. On the positive side we got this neat card to keep in our wallets. I told Jared that if Jackson were to ever go missing, this would be a pretty accurate picture of what he would look like because he would more than likely be crying.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Weekend Visitors
Our good friends, The Garretts, visited us this past weekend from Wisconsin. Their daughter Gisele is only 10 days older than Jackson, so we had our hands full!
First up on the list was the Legoland Sealife Aquarium. Jackson LOVES to watch fish in aquariums, so he was in heaven. He ran around the aquarium like he owned the place- pushing his way to the front of the displays and getting mad if anyone tried to get in 'his space'.
Next on the list was Sea World. Last time we went not all of the exhibits were open, so we got to see a lot more than we did last time. Before we began our Sea World adventure we stopped and got a few things at the snack bar. Gisele and Jackson saw some pigeons flying around picking up food so they took off chasing them. I think we could have went home right after that and they wouldn't have known the difference :)
The animals were very active when we were there. Shamu was out and about swimming in her tank and the walruses were very playful, even coming up and kissing the glass in front of Jackson.
First up on the list was the Legoland Sealife Aquarium. Jackson LOVES to watch fish in aquariums, so he was in heaven. He ran around the aquarium like he owned the place- pushing his way to the front of the displays and getting mad if anyone tried to get in 'his space'.
Octopus
SHARKS! Jackson was in the process of telling Gisele to move back b/c this was his area.
Finding out what shark, whale and eel skin feels like.
Next on the list was Sea World. Last time we went not all of the exhibits were open, so we got to see a lot more than we did last time. Before we began our Sea World adventure we stopped and got a few things at the snack bar. Gisele and Jackson saw some pigeons flying around picking up food so they took off chasing them. I think we could have went home right after that and they wouldn't have known the difference :)
The animals were very active when we were there. Shamu was out and about swimming in her tank and the walruses were very playful, even coming up and kissing the glass in front of Jackson.
Chasing pigeons
Polar Bear chillin'
The walrus giving the glass a kiss in front of us!
Walrus fun
Beluga Whales
Shamuuuuuuuuu
On Sunday Jared and Justin went to the Chargers/Packers football game down in San Diego. It was pouring outside so Tugce and I took the kiddos to the indoor mall play area to let off some steam. I guess everyone else in the area had the same idea because the play area was packed. Jackson decided to have a few meltdowns right in the middle of the play area, which was quite comical because the other kids just kept on going as if nothing was happening- a few of them evening jumping over him.
He was having fun until the truck started to move.
Melt ...
Down ...
City ...
All better!
After our trip to the mall we came home to relax, unwind and watch the Chargers/Packers game on tv.
Enjoying some snacks while watching the game.
Getting caught up on some paperwork
Taking turns with the toys
We had a blast with the Garretts and hope they come back to visit us soon!!!!
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