Holly jolly Holiday time!

I finally got around to getting Connor to his one year picture session (at 13 months old). Better late than never I suppose. One year session was a complete night and day experience compared to the previous sessions over his one year of life. We have a walker, talker, mover shaker on our hands so we didn't get too many "great" shots, but we got enough for Christmas cards and for some great print outs. Poor lil guy was hungry and tired, and considering those things on top of the studio's camera flash not working and our slow as molasses photographer who refused to snap those priceless shots- we did pretty good.

This week C has started signing on his own. We've been practicing this since he was about 6 months old, but this week we have gotten thank you and more signed to us at the correct time. I can't help but giggle when his lil fingers tap together to sign 'more' when he is eating. I love watching a child actually "grasp" an idea/subject. Amazing.

Still hasn't said "mama" yet, but has "dada" down perfectly. Can almost say "deer", can say "up" and point, and basically just points and grunts to everything he wants or needs. According to babycenter for 13 month old, we are right on track.

Mommy ran her first half marathon since having lil C man, and it was a great day for a 13.1 mile run. I shaved a few minutes off my last half time so that is something to celebrate. Still addicted to running, just going to take it slow during the winter and this DARKNESS. Is anyone else dreading these dark evenings? They make me so sleepy and lazy. Ugh.

Getting excited to see the Colorado mountains at Christmas-time, and for jolly old St. Nick to make an appearance at our home.

Until we blog again..

Living a life of Love!

Swing in the Fall

Rangers Win Division & Mommy Runs 5k

Turning One is FUN

Giving Thanks

One day a year is not enough time
to list my many blessings
so here in a blog I share my thoughts in a rhyme

I think of these blessings a few times each day
and to Him give thanks that he loves me this much
for with these blessings he asks not of me to repay

For When God gives, he also takes away, but the sun always shines a new
This, I have learned, is a great gift he has shared
His loves pour out each day, each day his blessings are true

Together, with one, we now make three
what a wonderful blessing of my little Family
I bring my praises to God, and hope he is proud of Me

A house, a job, clean clothes on our backs
a warm bed, food, and love
So many more blessings, it's hard to keep track

But if we count them at least once each and every day
God smiles upon us and our remembering of him
and his blessings rain down in a new and loving way.

Happy Thanksgiving to My friends and family. For I love you all, and count you a blessing each and every day. May God's light shine upon you today, tomorrow, and the days that follow.

Happy Halloween!

That was an original title, huh peeps? haha Anyways, today is Halloween, and it has been a fun day for the Jackson's. Daddy got to golf with buddies this morning, and mommy got to visit with her favorite family and Bff. Yesterday was Connors birthday party and WOW did we have fun!

My BFF, Shelly and her hubby and kiddo came to town, as well as my family from Ada and Edmond. I was overjoyed with the turnout at Cs party. It is truly a blessing to have people who love you and your child enough to make a 3 hour drive to come celebrate a very special day in a little one's life. C may not remember it, but I will for sure tell him how loved he was on this day. Feeling loved is something we all enjoy, and I thoroughly felt love this weekend. Couldn't have asked for more.

C's party was at Nanny and Pops' house with an Elmo theme and turned out super cute. Everyone wore Elmo-face shirts or cookie monster faced shirts, which made for some adorable pictures. (of which I will have to borrow from someone since this busy party planning mommy didn't have her camera nor the extra hands and arms to snap). Thankfully, my entire family owns the Canon Rebel camera so there are some pretty fun pics to share soon. Shel-bel helped me get everything together in time for the party to start and I couldn't have done it witout her! And thank you mom and dad for letting your house be party central!!!

Friday was C one year well baby appointment where he weighed 21lbs, 12 oz. Was 30 in long and his head was well, in the 70th % is all I remember. Doctor calls him perfect which makes mommy and daddy proud and grin big. We even shared the video of him eating his cookie monster cupcake, and she laughed and grinned as if she were family. Love our pediatrician! Unfortunately, C had to get FOUR shots at this appointment so needless to say he was a pretty upset lil guy. Understanding the doctor office and equating it with pain is not fun for a one year old, and C gets it. Luckily, this happy boy recovers quickly and was back to his care-free self pretty soon after. For his party day, though, we had bit of a struggle. C was not feeling well from his shots still, and naps were not happening so he was EXHAUSTED for his party. Funny, because aren't most one year olds cranky at their party?

As I look back over the weekend, i am just purely happy. It was just an all around great time.

I am looking forward to another amazing year with our angel and seeing his personality bloom, and maybe even hear a few real words. He's got DADA down pretty good, and I am starting to hear Ma once in a while when he is hurt of course. (hehe, but I will take it no matter what).

Thank you dear family for coming to celebrate this weekend. Each one of you made Connor's birthday a very memorable loving day, and I am so thankful. Having a family like ours can be crazy, wild, hilarious, loud, fun, and it takes a family just like mine to make the best memories you could ever make! (and when I say family, that of course includes my BFF and her fam too!!!)