New Look, New Year

Happy belated 2009! No, we haven't fallen off the face of the earth, but if it gets much colder here... Just kidding.

We are easing into the new year, a year of transition for me. Leaving my job after eight years has been difficult, but I am teaching off and on and looking for a full time position for next year. Addie is doing great a pre-school, what a difference winter break has made in her approach to school. No more tears - yeah. Jax is doing really well- he is getting his ear tubes put in Friday morning so keep us in your thoughts. It sounds pretty simple, we are hoping everything goes smoothly. He is doing wonderful in speech therapy, so the tubes should really help with his articulation. He is trying to say/mimic everything lately.

Our little guy is TWO - welcome toddlerhood. He has grown so much over the last four months at home with us. He has gained about 6.5 pounds, and has grown at least two inches. His hair is coming in thick and shiny, no more baby fuzz. We celebrated at our favorite Chinese restaurant. This is quite a change from last year when we celebrated there with his referral picture. Now we have the real thing and he is just the best son and little brother we could have ever dreamed of. We are doubly blessed.
We are looking forward to this new year with hope and optimism, we are definitely ready for some CHANGE! Only a week to go.

Merry Christmas

I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday. We certainly did. It was such a blessing to have our Jackson with us this holiday season. He made the most of every moment and still lit up with a smile when I turned on the tree today. He was probably wondering where the present where.

He is filled with such sweetness and love. Just like his big sister. We started our celebrating early this year with Great Grandma Bea's all family gathering, plus it was her 87th Birthday. The kids had fun seeing, and meeting their extended family and playing with their cousins. Lisa and Luke stayed with us for the weekend and we had our Christmas together as they were heading home to be with Luke's family this year.

Christmas Eve was nice and low key. I spent the day cooking/ prepping for Christmas while Brody hung out with the kids. We attended the childrens service at church and Addie was mesmerized by the live nativity and Christmas story, especially the angels. She even went up front by herself for the childrens liturgy, such a big girl this year. We came home, had a little supper and got ready for Santa - hand picked cookies (gingerbread man and reindeer), chocolate milk (it's the best), and food for the reindeer.

Addie woke at 6:50am Christmas morning, Jax likes to sleep until 8 or 8:30am. So we kept Addie entertained until 7:30 and brought down a very groggy Jackson for presents. He did great and was soon diving into the paper and tearing open presents like a champ. I think the favorite gifts are the Fur Real Panda and baby Chou Chou(Addie) and anything with wheels(Jackson).

Christmas day we had my parents, Brody's parents and our friend Russ over for dinner and of course, more presents. It was so special to be with our family and share this holiday, Jackson's first with us, with them as well. If I had to sum up our holiday season this year in just a few words they would be thankful and blessed - I feel this way everyday, but especially on Christmas.

Here are a few pictures from our holiday:

Make a Smilebox scrapbook