Baby Jackson's First Christmas!!!

I can't believe it's Christmastime already! Last year at this time, I was wanting to hold Jackson - outside of my body - so badly! This year, it was so much fun to watch him enjoy opening and playing with his presents.

He and Maddie have had so much fun playing together while we have been visiting! I can't believe he'll be 1 year old in just a few days!!

More Christmas Morning Pics...

Here are a couple more pictures. Christmas sure was different for Parker and I this year. It was so much more fun watching Jackson enjoy Christmas!! Being a parent is awesome!

First Santa Pictures!

First Christmas means first Santa pictures!! My Mom was so good growing up... I have not missed a year yet with Santa - (except one Christmas in Brasil). Anyway, I was excited to start this tradition with Jackson. They turned out pretty cute! We took one of just Maddie and Jackson first, then our traditional "family Santa picture" with all of the kids. I think those of us who are technically adults are going to get kicked out soon because we hardly fit in the picture anymore. Plus, Santa just gets lost underneath all of us. It was fun to dress the kids up, though and go downtown Seattle and then out to dinner to the Spaghetti Factory - another annual Christmas tradition that we love and look forward to!

Christmas Ship in Seattle

We took some pictures on the Christmas ship... the Argosy Cruise ships go out on Lake Washington every Christmas season and tour around, stopping at ports where there are crowds of people waiting for us to come. On the main ship - The Spirit of Seattle - there is a different choir each evening. Their music is "speakered" onto the other 3 ships and then to the ports when we stop. It's a fun evening and very relaxed. We've been doing it every year and look forward to the annual tradition!

Early Christmas in Portland

We were in Portland before Christmas this year (we trade off every other year between Seattle and Portland). Anyway, Jackson worked really hard on opening up his gifts. It took him a really long time because he would pull off these tiny pieces of wrapping paper. Finally, he got it!
Yea!! A baby grand piano! Jackson played the piano all day, everyday after he opened it.

Daddy's 24!!

This blog is usually all about Jackson because he is the cutest of the three of us and Parker & I are pretty boring in comparison. However, I had to post a few pictures and say: HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY, Parker!!! We love you!

"Helping" Daddy with Christmas Tree Lights

Jackson has been fascinated with lights (and ceiling fans) since he was born. So... Christmas lights were the ultimate entertainment for him! He would get all tangled up in them (right after Daddy had untangled a strand) and then giggle with excitement because they were all around him and he couldn't "get away". It was really funny to watch (I think those videos are on Snapfish).

Walking!!! and PB&J...

Another PB & J picture... I know, I need to stop.

Also... this is a picture of Jackson taking off walking (it's from a video). I think I have the videos on Snapfish, so if you're that curious, look there. Anyway, he's finally doing it all by himself! He still trips sometimes because is balance isn't the greatest yet, but he just keeps getting back up and trying again! We are SO excited!

Saturday at the Park...

I guess we kind of had a busy Saturday! Football in the morning, then off to a birthday party, and then we played in the park. It was fun to take pictures of Jackson... he was giggling because the snow kept landing on his nose! How cute is that?!

Week-after Turkey Bowl...

Parker, Benjamin, and a bunch of their friends were really bummed about so many people being out of town during Thanksgiving weekend and therefore, not being able to participate in the local Turkey Bowl. So... they organized a "week-after Turkey Bowl", which obviously took place the Saturday after Thankgiving weekend. They had a blast and Jackson and I went to cheer for Daddy and his team!

A Birthday Party!

Jackson got invited to the birthday party of our friend, Bella. It was at the McDonald's playplace. Jackson loved the "playground", the french fries, and the cupcake!

Clapping!

We were at Benjamin's Football Banquet and Jackson was doing his best to be a good boy. He was SO bored! They just kept talking and there wasn't a whole lot to entertain him... except for Daddy and Daddy's hat... and Paddy-Cake. (Mom was trying hard to take pictures.) We survived... barely. It was a good banquet and they did a great job of highlighting each player, especially the seniors - which is why we were there.

Portland ZOO!

We finally took Jackson to the zoo! We had such good intentions to go this past spring and summer, but it never worked out. Finally, we made it a priority and had a blast - even though it was SO cold!

Jackson LOVED the animals! I think one of his favorites was the black bear because it kept walking back and forth over and over and over again right in front of Jackson. He was cracking up!!
I even got all of the boys to pose on/around the JD tractor so that I could take a cute picture of them together. I think it turned out pretty good!

More ZOO...

I have such a hard time narrowing down pictures! Maybe I'm not a very good "blogger".

Anyway, here are some more ZOO pictures. There was so much to see. I have to admit, I didn't think many animals would be out with it being so cold, but there was more than enough to see!

Even MORE ZOO...

~Grandpa Ussery~
Just a couple... I promise, this is it for the zoo! Jackson: with some of his favorite people - cause we're the ones who spoil him!!

Turkey Bowl in Portland!

I can't believe that I didn't get any pictures of Jackson's first Thanksgiving... but I didn't. I guess I was too busy feeding him and trying not to make a mess, that I forgot to grab my camera. However, I did take pictures at the Turkey Bowl that morning. Here are some picures of Jackson with Grandma Ussery and one of Parker playing his heart out. I think they all had a really good time.

Random at home

More peanut butter and jelly... Jackson can't seem to get enough these days. And I think he's pretty funny when he is all messy in his high chair.

He is SO close to full-fledged walking! Jackson already takes a few steps by himself, but then realizes he's walking alone and sits down. He just doesn't think he can do it yet. Silly boy! It sure is fun to watch him try over and over.