Gaylord ICE Exhibit

It's been a few years since we visited the Gaylord ICE exhibit at the Gaylord Texan. We decided to add that to our fun things to do getting ready for Christmas. We have a number of Christmas traditions we like to do as a family. This year, we also decided to stay in Grapevine. We were going to stay at the Gaylord Texan, but sadly they are unable to accommodate a family of 5. So we stayed at the Embassy Suites five minutes from the Gaylord. We stayed the day after Thanksgiving and spent Saturday at the Gaylord. We adding ice sledding and snowball throwing to the list and the kids loved sliding down the ice the most. The ice exhibit was nice but very cold. I forgot to bring my kids hats and gloves so they were freezing. Mom fail. This year's theme was Santa Claus is Coming to Town. The Ice exhibit is fun to do every 2-3 years but not something we'd do every year. I think next year we're going to try and take the kids snowskiing. We will see.

Here are some pictures from the ICE.

Thanksgiving 2017

We have so many things to be thankful for. This year, we're especially thankful for good health for us and our children, our new home, and being able to share with others. 

This was our first Thanksgiving without Collin's mom here on earth. That was sad but we are thankful for her faithfulness and know she is having a great time in Heaven. 

We decided to host Thanksgiving and had our first Thanksgiving at our farm house. We invited my family over and had a nice group of about 14. We served ham and turkey from Honey Baked Ham, delicious and easy, everyone brough sides and desserts and it turned out lovely. 

We're hosting Christmas and will hopefully have twice as many people since my siblings will all be here. I hope your family had a great Thanksgiving.

Halloween 2017

This Fall has gone by so fast. You'd think time eventually would slow down but that never quite seems to be the case. 

Our old neighorhood was so much for at Halloween. The kids would all go trick or treating, some neighbors grilled hot dogs, so many people were out or opened their doors for the kids. We were blessed to know most of our neighbors since we were one of the first homes built in the neighborhood and every time someone moved in, we tried to meet them. Now that we're in the country, it would take forever to walk down one street. Not to mention, many people have gates on their driveways so we couldn't walk to the doors if we wanted. So this year for Halloween we took the kids to a local trunk or treat at a nearby church. Our church doesn't do trunk or treat and we missed our regular homeschool party since one of the new co-ops we attend meets on the same day.

This year, Caden dressed up as Red from Angry Birds. Jackson dressed up as Chuck from Angry Birds, and Grace dressed up as a doctor. That's what she really wanted to be. She's wanted to be a doctor since she was 2.

Jackson is 2!

Dear Jackson,

Happy 2nd birthday my awesome boy! We had a lot of fun celebrating your birthday. On your birthday, we went to Chick-fil-a for lunch. We met your grandparents there and then took them to our house to see our chicks and keets. We had pizza for dinner and I made brownies that I decorated with some trucks.

Saturday, we had your 2nd birthday party. It was a construction themed party that we had at our house. We invited your friends over and everyone had a great time. We served lunch and cake. Dad described your party as the ultimate playdate. What one could hope for when they invite lots of friends over.  We had 26 people over. 7 of your friends and their siblings (if they have them) and a parent or two. I set up stations inside and outside for kids to explore. Some of the favorite stations were the hammer and nails, playing with truck area, and just playing outside. Your friends got to see the chicken chicks and guniea keets and many of them got to go on a tractor ride around our property to see the animals. 

Favorites at 2:

Food: Crackers, macaroni and cheese (mamamoni); guacamole (mamamoli); pizza; banana (nana); grapes, oranges, watermelon, yogurt, chips, and hot sauce

Songs: "Jesus Loves Me" and "Happy Birthday"

Friends: Caden (Caycay), Grace, Brandon, and Emi

Books: You are really into books! I hope you develop a love of reading. Some of your favorite kind of books are the finger puppet books. For a while they made you laugh and laugh. Then you went through a stage of being terrified of them. Now you're back to loving them. You also like lift the flap books and books that I sing as well as interesting picture books.

Toys: Trucks, tractors, cars, and balls.

Outside Activity: Riding on the tractor or mowing with dad, playing in the sand, digging in the dirt, and playing in the backyard.

Inside: Playing with mom, brother or sister, reading, playing with toys, or eating.

Jackson, you are so smart and have a very good ear. When ever an airplane flies over us, you excitedly jump up and tell us, "plane! Plane!" as you point up toward the sky. When you hear a train, you excitedly, exclaim, "train! Train!" You will stop whatever you are doing to tell us about planes and trains. When we pass train tracks, you love looking for the trains. When we see a train, you love pointing at the trains. 

You also are very determined. If someone has something you want, you are not afraid to go and take it. Size doesn't seem to matter. I've even seen you become pretty aggressive, for example, you've pinch and even hit (not good) a few kids who refuse to give you what you want. We are trying to teach you to be kind and gentle. We pray you continue to learn self-control while keeping your determination for good things. 

You have a smile that can light up a room. You are quick to make friends and are a bit of a charmer. You love being our helper. You help mow, helped dad put in the circle driveway, help with the animals, help water the garden. In fact, another thing you love is WATER! You seem to always find a way to get wet. There's rarely a night that goes by that you are not wet from outside before bath time. You love water. If we had a pool, I'm pretty sure you'd already know how to swim. You are anxious to go under water.

Next week you'll have you two year check-up and I'll get your stats then. I'm thankful you have made it two years nursing. I'll be weaning you soon, which will be hard. But my ultimate goal was to try and nurse you until you were 2, if you wanted to. We made it! :)

We love you Jack! Happy birthday!

Love,
Mom

Birthday morning!

Your bedroom door

God put a beautiful rainbow in the sky to end your birthday.

You gave me a kiss!! :)

I caught you getting into these yummy things!

Party favors

We gave you the big digging toy

You love the digger!

Friends and their moms!
Ryder, Genevieve, Zeke, Jackson, Brandon, Emi, and Jackson
(Ellie and her mom weren't there yet when we took this)

Dads!

Food! Fruit, chips, and dips were on the othe side of the island

Ryder, Grace, Jackson, and Zeke
Hammering golf t's into styrofoam

Big brothers building Lego's

Ashlyn, Jackson, Ryder, Nickolas, Ellie, and Grace

Brandon, Nick, and Jackson

Zeke and Ellie