Sunday, January 06, 2008

Christmas In Review

These first two pictures came from when I was in Houston a few weeks ago. My Memaw and Pappaw gave Jackson a ride-on train with a circular track. Jackson got so excited and said, "Choo choo! Choo choo! Yeah, yeah, yeah!" His reaction made me so happy. These pictures are dear to me.






The rest of these are from our time in Missouri. It would take all my pictures, together with my mother-in-law's, my sister-in-law's, and cousin Erin's to really capture the whole week, but here's what I have! We had a blast!

My little fam on Christmas Eve.


Jackson's amazing new stocking, sewed with lots of love and skill by Cinde! It is the coolest stocking I've ever seen. This picture doesn't even convey how sparkly it is.


I loved these fun wooden toys from Target's $1 aisle. And Jackson has always loved maracas.


Jackson's Aunt Lindsay, Uncle Matt, cousin Gavin, and the ever-present Beckham on Christmas morning. Jackson loves playing with Gavin!


Gavin was commissioned to hand out all the presents. Jackson was eager to assist.


This lucky boy also got a stocking from his grandparents. He had fun digging down in there and pulling out all the fun things.


Jackson loved his new books. One was in the shape of a car and had wheels. Another was in the shape of Diego's camera - Click. It provided many minutes, if not hours, of entertainment.


Jacks was never far from Gavin's side. There's the Click the Camera book.


First Pumas. Yesssss!


Sweet new kicks.


Look closely at his feet and you'll see that he immediately had to hop and dance in his new shoes. Even at 22 months, he really does believe that new shoes make him go faster and jump higher.


Jackson found some shredded paper/confetti and it might as well have been a pot of gold.


Seriously, Mom? Why you gotta put bows on my head?



We got Jackson a Little Tikes bounce house for Christmas. There was plenty of room for it in Nana and Pappaw's new house. It has been so much fun! When we took him downstairs to see it on Christmas morning, he squealed and did a dance. He was so happy. It's all on video, but unfortunately I couldn't capture that fun moment on my camera.


Going down the slide.


One of Jackson's special "things" with his Nana is playing the piano with her. When he was itty bitty, she would sit him in her lap and play for him. So we absolutely died when Jackson figured out how to climb up on the piano bench and play by himself, even turning the pages at regular intervals. Uncle Wayne, I thought you would appreciate this!


He was even looking at the music while playing! Isn't that hilarious?


Playing around with Pappaw Steve.


He nabbed Nana's iced tea and was not about to give it up.


Curt's Grandma Ilene, Jackson, and Pappaw.


Lindsay was the luckiest person in the house that day with a record twelve big hugs in a row from The Mister.


We took Jackson to meet Nana's new horse, Peaches. Peaches was a little muddy that day, but she is a lovely fox trotter. Jackson can't say horse yet, so he calls them all "Neigh!"

43 comments:

Cinde said...

What great photos and what a fun Christmas...so glad I could have a teeny, small part in a joyful celebration!

Profbaugh said...

Okay, I love all the pix, but the one of Jackson at the piano really got to me. Oh my!! He appears so intent as he's looking at the music. I think you may have a Travis Cottrell in training.

P.S. Your in-laws new diggs look pretty spiffy.

~Cheryl

Erin Ward said...

That picture of Lindsay and Jackson is just fabulous! And that bounce house? It's amazing.
I'm so glad we got to spend Christmas with you guys this year.

Ashley said...

What precious pictures! I can't believe how much he has changed. He is a good mixture of both of you! Glad to see that y'all had a great time! My kids love to play the piano with their Pawpaw and Lola.

Jessica said...

Looks like the little man had lots of fun! I just love the pure joy they get from all their gifts...even the little things!

kim said...

What a little man!! He's so darling, Amanda! I absolutely love the pix of him studying the music book while playing!! Too adorable!

Happy 2008!

debra parker said...

That slide looks like some serious fun.

jennyhope said...

YEAH! I love all of the pictures! Still waiting to see the do! We are so demanding!! =)

Holly said...

What a wonderful and fun time! I love the stocking and wish I could see it in its glittering goodness!

I grew up with fox trotters, went to shows and simply loved to watch them and ride (caring for them, no. too much trouble)! My Mom still has about 4 of them in E. Texas. They are spoiled and sadly, they are hardly ever ridden anymore.

I hope that no news is good news on your Sunday morning today :)

Linda said...

Great pictures! It looks like you all had a wonderful Christmas, especially Jackson :)

Deidre said...

The inflatable jumper/slide is the most fun! My girls LOVE theirs, but I haven't put it in the house yet. I would be the coolest Mom ever if I did that!

I loved the pics. Jackson has the most beautiful eyes and the longest eyelashes. So glad you had a nice Christmas, Amanda!

Oh, and that picture of him at the piano 'reading' music is darling.

Dena said...

Darling pictures!
Looking at your pictures took me back to when our oldest (of now 3), was a one and only.
He was about Jackson's age when his sister came along.
I wish I'd had a blog then to document the details, like you've done for Jackson. I just couldn't keep up with scrapbooking, and blogging is so much easier for me.
Anyway - enjoyed the pictures!

Toknowhim said...

Amanda,

You did capture the joy of Christmas through Jackson's eyes in your pictures. I adore the pictures of Jackson with his Pappaw (did I spell it right?).

Jackson's stocking turned out great... I remember several posts ago when you were in search of someone to make it for him.

Blessings to you this week!!

Kelly @ Love Well said...

My four-year-old son totally loved these pictures. He sat on my lap the whole time I was reading asking, "Who's that boy, Mommy? What's his name? Who's his brother? Look! A dog! Hey, we have one of those!" (The jumpy, although our new house is too small for it right now.)

It looks like a fun Christmas. And I realize I have baby on the brain, but something in me just makes me excited for when you have more of those little ones running around your house. There's so much love.

Jaclyn said...

Amanda- these are precious! My favorite are the piano pictures! Sweet Jackson "reading" music as he plays is priceless!

Fran said...

I almost cried over these pix Amanda! I had a flashback of my oldest son and him being this age at Christmas! I'm telling ya....they just grow too fast and how I would give anything to go back in time and just squeeze my 11yr old one more time at that age!

This Christmas looks heavenly and that little guy is just adorable.

Thanks for sharing with us. Hope the new year is full of His love and joy!

hugs~
Fran

Dionna said...

That's a great train. Jackson will love that for a long time, I'm betting! I love the picture of him and Lindsey! So sweet.
I'm glad you had such a special Christmas, Amanda!

Hillary said...

That bounce house is awesome!!! What a great gift!! Looks like Jackson had a great Christmas!

ncmama said...

Amanda,

Thanks for sharing the pictures. The joy of the Savior is evident in your family's celebration. I love it how it radiates so clearly in children! We try to nurture special traditions for our boys with their grandparents who live so far away. The distance from family is especially difficult at times, so we covet the special times we share together - especially Christmas and summer vacation. Glad you had a wonderful Christmas!

Amber said...

amanda, seriously, i wanted to say something about each picture! I bet Nana Cozy was totally loving Jackson on the piano! that is so GREAT! And the bounce house...curt told Vernon about it but i had NO IDEA how cool it really was! WOW! that is great! And the picture with Lindsy is so precious! She is going to love it!
Love the pumas, love the stocking and i cant believe how big Gavin is getting! oh and seriously, a ride on train...that rocks.
Okay sorry that was so many comments! HEHE!
I dropped Titus off at his first day of school today....he went right in and started playing...it was me that had the hard time! :) but I am better now!
Have a great day friend!

Patty said...

What great pictures! The one with Jackson at the piano was one of my favorites. Loved his new kicks!!

How did your Sunday go? Was the hair color a hit with your friends? I am sure it was! BTW..just popped over to LPM and saw the wonderful news about Melissa!! I am so happy for them. What a picture! She is so beautiful.

Love,
Patty

Anonymous said...

THanks for sharing your family fun with all of us who follow your blog. It appears you had a glorious celebration. May God continue to use you in His kingdom work thorughout the New Year. Blessings.

Unknown said...

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! What a great way to start my Monday - with pictures from Christmas!! Thank you. I love 'em!

ncmama said...

I couldn't help but wonder when reading your hair post if it would be Melissa's wedding that you'd be in this March. After checking in on the LPM blog today, now I know! What a wonderful time for the family.

The Schmidt Family said...

Jackson is so big opening those presents! Can't wait to see your hair!

Anonymous said...

Cool bouncy house...where did you get that? I'd love to find one like that in our area!

Darlene R. said...

Amanda,
He'll love those pictures with his great-grandpa, or grandpa-great(that's what my kids call them) when he gets older. So precious.

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

ocean mommy said...

Oh that piano picture warmed my heart! I looked at that and thought, there is a future worship leader.

Looks like you all had a wonderful visit!

Saw Melissa's announcement on the LPM Blog! Congrat's to Jackson on gaining an uncle!

Blessings to you all
steph.

jen said...

OH I love all the pictures and the stories with them. What a fun fun Christmas for you guys! Thank you for sharing :)

Living Beyond said...

I LOVE your photos and btw I LOVE your red coat!! Think I'll have to go get me one - adorable.

You are a blessed lady with a fabulous family!

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

OH MY GOODNESS, I'm in love with Jackson's stocking! Cinde could make a fortune making those for next Christmas for all the people who will be viewing it on babybangs!

And Ava wants to know when she can come get a train ride on Jackson's choo choo.

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas!! I have been try to talk my hubby into getting one of those bounce house for months...they look so fun!
Post a pic of the hair:) I'm a hair stylist I'll tell you if he did a good job;)

Missy said...

Thanks for sharing - those are precious. I just love the expression on his face with the bows on his head. That is so funny!
Missy

Nancy Mon said...

The pictures tell everything, a great Christmas! Love that the horse is a fox trotter. I had a horse and she was a fox trotter. She could go all day long in that gait.

With such great toys, your home will be popular with the play group.

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

a sunday post steeped with no mishaps just memories and are they ever precious! your pictures speak of such love for your little boy from Above

MamaCass said...

Great pics! My top three are Jackson dancing in his new shoes, his disconcerted look about the bows on his head, and his gleeful look with the the stolen iced tea. And the bounce house is way cool! I bet he is loving it!

Heather said...

Looks like a great time was had by all. I love family get togethers!

Michelle said...

So Jackson could have a musical bone in his body!! He did inherit from his daddy's mad guitar playing skills! I loved all the pics, and wow, that blow up playground is amazing!

Amy T said...

Great pics! And I too love the one of him "reading" music and playing the piano. He is such a cutie!

Janelle and Ella said...

I love all of these pictures!! They totally protray how much fun you guys had for Christmas in Missouri.
Ella can't wait to try out Jackson's bouncy house.

Katie said...

Those are the CUTEST pjs!! Gap... Old Navy? (I don't get out much since #3 came along. ) :)

LOVE the bows in the hair, hee hee.

connorcolesmom said...

Oh I love the pictures and I just can't pick one that is the best b/c they are all so CUTE!!
I am so glad you had a fun and blessed Christmas!!
God is so GOOD!
Kim

Anonymous said...

For some reason that picture of the home in Houston and I am thinking is Beth's where I see your Grandpaw and Jackson are putting together a cho cho train I sense peace, encouragement. Strange....