Fun Weekend!

Jackson finally got over his ear infection and is feeling much better so we took advantage of the nice weather and took Jackson and Chris to the zoo-a first for both of them. Apparently, everyone else thought they would go to the zoo on Saturday, too. It was super crowded and not many of the animals were out. But we did get to see some-girraffes, bears, fish, birds, monkeys...so that was fun. We had a nice picnic, too.

 





We rented the new Footloose movie after the zoo and had movie night.

Sunday we went to Cheyenne so Chris could shoot his new gun. He really liked it, but he got an awesome bruise on his shoulder. I even shot it once, too. It has a nice kick to it!! Jackson was so cute, he had his camos on, hat, sunglasses and ear plugs.  I wish I would have had my camera. But he had a lot of fun playing in the dirt.

While getting ready for a bath, Jackson decided to unroll the whole roll of toilet paper, then when he got caught he acted like he didn't do it....

   

After 3 weeks of hating bath time, he finally decided he likes them again!! Yay!!



Pool Time

 

Today, we had a playdate with my friend Ally and her son Conor. We originally had planned to go to the toddler open gym at the Windsor rec center, but it turns out it is spring break so they cancelled it so the big kids could play.  So we went to the Greeley Family Funplex to the water park.  Jackson loved playing in the water, standing in the fountains, going down the water slides, playing in the waterfalls and floating along the lazy river. I don't know who had more fun, me or Jackson, I love being in the water!!! He even fell asleep before we left the parking lot. Swinning wore him out! We will definately have to do it again soon.



Wordless Wednesday

One Year!!!!

Happy 1st Birthday, Jackson!!! I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by and how much you have changed. Your little personality is coming out more and more everyday. We had a wonderful John Deere birthday celebration with family and friends. We had BBQ sandwiches and dirt cups for dessert.  You are growing SOOO BIG, but you still have a lot of boot left to fill!

  At 1 year, Jackson, you:

~are walking all over the place

~love to read books

~are learning to communicate by signing, pointing, or saying "ah" or "yah" or "no no"

~recently decided you do not like bath time anymore

~love to brush your teeth (you now have 6, 3 bottom, 3 top)

~like to feed yourself and try drinking from a cup

~blow kisses and "wink" more like a blink-but sooo cute

~like to play at the park, climb on everything, swing and go down the slides

You got so many new toys, books, tractors, clothes, and puzzles.  we are going to have so much fun!

 You look so COOL in your new shades!! We are ready for summertime!!

 You even made the "I'm a Big Brother" announcement! Wht a surprise-you brought tears to everyone's eyes!

 Aunt Leanne helped make your dirt cake-with a tractor and worms! You seemed to thoroughly enjoy "diggin' in"

 After all that fun and excitement, you walked right over to grandpa, and he picked you up and you fell right to sleep in his arms. 

Jackson, you have brought so much joy into our lives, I can't even remember what it was like before you were born. I love to watch you learn and grow, you suprise me everyday with how much you observe and take in. I like trying to understand you, even though you don't say words it seems we can always figure out what your trying to say. You are the sweetest little boy! I love you!!!!!

xoxo

Valentine's Day

Today my husband made me feel very special, even though it is Valentine's Day and that what husbands are supposed to do, i suppose.  We made dinner together- chicken Parmesan and fresh green beans-it was delicious. It was nice just to spend time with him and Jackson and have a nice dinner all together.  Jackson was covered in strawberries, bananas and spaghetti sauce-he is so much fun. Unfortunately, family dinners rarely happen anymore, but after tonight that is definitely something we are going to do more often.  I also made chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. yummy.

Chris surprised me with a gift certificate for a Caribbean spa mani and pedi

"Waiting for Daddy to come home so I can show him my new balloon"



11 months

Jackson, you are 11 months now!! This year has flown by I can't believe we are planning your birthday already! You are still gowing, exporing, and changing everyday! 

You have the cutest expressions and a great big smile. You like to show off those 4 teeth.

You love the keys...somehow you always know exactly where they are and you have to have them.

We had some great weather last week before the snow storm so you got to play outside. You liked riding on your tractor and crawl all around exploring the back yard.

Jackson at 11 months you:

~ are full of giggles and laughs, especially when we tickle you

~ almost have 5 teeth

~ are becoming a pickier eater, and would prefer to feed yourself

~ are talking all the time, saying da da, ma ma, nana, uh-oh, woof woof

~ you can have quite the little temper if you don't get your way

~ love to stand and cruise along furniture, you have even taken a couple of steps on your own

~ love to play with your ball and roll it and chase it all over the house

~ dance anytime you hear music

~ still love to take baths, blow bubbles in the bath water, and throw your toys out and say uh-oh

~ graduated to the big boy car seat

You continue to bring us joy everyday and we are so thankful to have such a wonderful little boy!

 xoxo

Big Green Tractor

Here is Jakson pushing his John Deere 4 wheeler! He gets going so fast, so cute.

Guiness Cake

For Chris's birthday I made him a Chocolate Guiness Cake. We went to Cheyenne to celebrate his birthday with his family. It was a lot of fun, but I think he got spoiled! I bought him a new Savage rifle 30-06, so his family accessorized him with everything he would need to go hunting. Hopefully, he can go on his hunting trip next fall. 

Chocolate Guiness Cake
This cake is a wonderful, moist, dense cake. The frosting is made to mimic the pale head that sits on top of a glass of stout.
For the Cake
1 c Guiness
3/4 c sour cream
1 stick plus 2T unsalted butter
2 eggs
1 T vanilla
3/4 c unsweetened cocoa
2 c flour
2 c super fine sugar
2 1/2 t baking soda

For the Topping
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 c heavy cream
1 1/4 confectioner's sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and line a 9 in sringform pan. Pour the Guiness into a saucepan add the butter in slices and heat until butter is melted. Whisk in cocoa and sugar. In separate bowl, beat sour cream, eggs and vanilla. Add Guiness mixture and mix together. Finally, whisk in baking soda and flour.
Pour cake batter into pan and bake 45 minutes. Cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack. When it is cooled put on a cake stand or platter, then repare the frosting.
Whip the cream cheese until smooth, add confectioner's sugar anf beat together. Add the cream and beat together util it makes a sreadable consistency. Ice the top of the black cake so it resembles the frothy top of the famous pint.