Hold on to Your Hat

There are a few things Jared and I really miss about Kansas.  Friends and Family of course, but we also miss the Kansas weather.  In Kansas if you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes and it will change.  In Southern California, if you don't like the weather, then wait a few months and you might see a change :)

While on our drive back to Vassar, KS from the Davidson Farm we ran into some of that weather that we enjoy.  We could have done without the hard rain, but the sky was beautiful.  As if we were some dorky California tourists, Jared and I took pictures from the car.

Kansas or Bust

We went back to Kansas this past week for a few weddings and Jackson's birthday.  While it was a very busy trip, it was so good to see our family and friends.  As with our last trip home, we wish we had more time to spend with everyone.

We started our trip out with a great flight from San Diego to Kansas City with Jackson spending the majority of the time looking out the window.  He has never had the chance to look out the window, as he's always been facing backward in his car seat.

My brother picked us up from the airport on Friday and we headed to his place in Vassar, or as Jared and I refer to it "home base" because that is where we keep all of our stuff as we make the rounds around Kansas.  My nephew, Kendall, was met with a surprise as Jackson came through the door.  He was a little bigger and more boisterous than the last time he had seen him at Christmas.  They played really well together during the week, only having two fights over toys, which consisted of both boys slapping their hands at each other like they were in a cat fight.

The following day, Saturday, we headed up to Kansas City for a birthday party for Jackson at 810 Zone on the plaza.  Several friends and family showed up to help us celebrate.  Jackson was pretty reserved and clingy to me the entire party, but I can't blame him since he is used to quiet days with mom and Oliver, not 45 people all wanting to hold and snuggle him.  I'm hoping the next time we are back he will be over his shy and mommy stage so more people get to interact with him.

The party was a baseball themed party complete with baseball balloons, a baseball smash cake, KC royals and San Diego Padres cakes and the birthday boy wearing a baseball jersey.  We asked everyone to bring a plush toy or stuffed animal to donate to Children's Mercy Hospital instead of a gift for Jackson.  This was a huge success and we were able to donate 10 bags of toys to the hospital!!  Big thanks to everyone for their generosity.

The birthday cakes.  The one that looks like Jackson go to it was actually
dropped on the floor by yours truly. Doh! 

Birthday Boy's shirt- Back 

Birthday Boy's shirt- Front

Surveying the situation. 

Mommy helping him out. 

Now he gets the idea.  

YUM.  

I'm pretty impressed with his work.  

Such a big boy!

Saturday night we headed to my friend Jimi Sato's wedding reception in my home town, Madison.  Jared and I were pretty exhausted so we only stayed for a little while, but it was so good to see her and catch up.

On Sunday we headed to Salina, KS to see Jared's dad, Jim, and celebrate Father's Day.  We had a nice relaxing time at his place and had our first, but not last, BBQ of the week :)  Jim has a cat and Jackson was obsessed with it.  All he did was chase the cat around the entire time.  Poor cat had a little less hair once we left :(  

Jackson chasing the cat.

Jackson showing Great-Grandma and Grandpa Teach how to use the computer. 

On Monday we headed out to Hope, KS to the Davidson Family Farm to see Jared's mom's side of the family.  Jackson got to meet his new cousin, Dalton, and got a tour of the farm, complete with goats, pigs, cows and a ride in the Combine!  

Monday night we headed back to Vassar to spend the night.  Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in Kansas City visiting with some friends and driving to Greeley, KS to see my Grandparents.  

Thursday and Friday we went to Topeka, KS to see Ann and Nancy, Jackson's Grandma and Aunt.  Needless to say he was spoiled with lots of hugs, kisses and many trips outside to roam around.  We cooked out Thursday night and had yummy Belgium waffles on Friday morning.  We hit up Taco Villa, a T-town favorite, on Friday afternoon before heading back to Vassar.  

Jackson showing off his computer skills.

Jackson's full-length K-State bib!  Where was this on macaroni night?  

Jackson, Aunt Nancy, Jared, Grannie Annie

Saturday my parents picked us up in Vassar and drove the family up to Kansas City to a friend's wedding.  My parents watched Jackson at our hotel (which happened to be the same hotel Jared proposed to me at) while Jared and I went to the wedding.  We got to see a lot of friends on our final night in Kansas City.

On the rooftop at The Terrace on Grand.  KC Plaza and Light District in the background.  

Sunday morning all of us were up early to catch our flight back to San Diego.  It was such a great trip and there were so many memories that reminded us of how much we love Kansas City.  Although the humidity was not one of them :)  

Our baby boy turns ONE

Jared and I can't believe how fast time has gone by.  But I guess with a little boy as great as ours it happens easily.

Jackson has just blossomed this past month.  He now says mama, dada and dog a bazillion times a day and has just picked up saying vroom, vroom while playing with his cars/trucks.  I think he might have picked that one up from cousin Kendall.

He can give you a high five, a kiss, wave goodbye (when he's in the mood) and I'm working on teaching him to give me knuckles.

He isn't quite walking yet, but he will walk if you hold his hands, although it is a very unstable, wobbly walk.  I am guessing another month and we'll have a runner, not a walker.

He is solely drinking out of sippy cups (we said goodbye to the bottle before our trip to Kansas) and is drinking whole milk instead of formula.  We have a downright toddler on our hands!

And I have a feeling that the terrible two's are not just two's, but more like 12 months to three years.  Jackson has already mastered the tantrum, complete with hand and head being thrown on the ground and some rolling around as if he's being tortured.  It's hard not to laugh during one of his tantrums.

Although he does have his moments, most of the time he is a sweet, sweet boy who loves to snuggle with mommy and daddy, play with his work bench and chase Oliver around pulling at his ears.

We could not have asked God for a better little man to bless us with.

Now on to the pictures ...

We were in California for Jackson's actual birthday, so we had a nice quiet dinner at home with a strawberry shortcake for Jackson to celebrate with.

Mac and Cheese Please.

It always gets a little crazy during feeding time at the Teach household.  You never know where (or who) the food is going to end up at (or on).

Beep Beep

Watch out world, Jackson is behind the wheel!

Jackson reaching for Oliver's leash so he can take him for a drive.  

Jackson making sure the leash can not be chewed through.  He is always thinking of Oliver's safety.  

Ok, locked and loaded.   

Beep, beep ... lets roll!  

Magazine Junkie

Jackson has really started to enjoy reading tearing up mom and dad's magazines.  I think we might need to find a new place to keep them.

Some of his favorites include Bloomberg Weekly and Star Magazine.  At least he understands the importance of keeping up with the economy and hollywood gossip- both equally important.  

Toy Overhaul

It's no secret that Jackson has a lot of toys.  And I mean a lot.  I won't mention any names, but a certain Grandma from Topeka spoils him rotten with toys and he LOVES it :)  That's what grandmas are for, right?

Lately he has stopped playing with some of his baby toys.  He's like "so what, it squeaks, big deal".  He's moved on to the toys that light up and make noises (lots of noise) and have handles and levers he can push and pull.

Jared and I decided we needed a toy overhaul.  It was time to put away the baby toys and upgrade.  We went to Toys R Us and may have gone a little overboard.  Ok, I may have gone a little overboard.  BUT- I am counting these new toys as his 1st birthday presents from mommy and daddy. He just got them a little early :)

Here he is enjoying his new grill and work bench.  The grill's mouth and eyes move and it says phrases like "fire me up" and "it aint done until the mustards on the bun".  When we walked by the grill Jared said, and I quote, "Why isn't that grill in our cart yet.  It is awesome!". 

Jackson's new water table.  It has slides and funnels to pour water down.  He likes putting his blocks down the slides.

Jackson also got a blow up pool, a ball pit and a few wind up trucks that zoom across the floor.   

His new toys, however, have not distracted him from some of his favorite past times, like chewing on mom's cell phone cord, banging on the computer keys, playing in the dog dishes and trying to open the trash can.