Jackson's 1st Birthday

Jackson's first birthday was last Monday. I was a little anxious about doing the big huge 1st birthday party so we had a very low key "party" which included me (Denise) and Jackson. Jarrett was in Alaska fishing with Steve, so Jackson and I spent the day together. We played at the house, bought some peaches, played on the swing at the park, and made and ate a special birthday cake. All-in-all it was a very fun day! Here are some photos and a video of the momentous occasion.

"Hey guys, why aren't you singing 'Happy Birthday'?"

Taking out all the Tupperware

Riding in the New
Big Boy Seat

Swingin' at the Park

Tada! Jackson magically loses his pants.

CAKE TIME!!!

Look closely at all the cake in the seat.

"Whoa"

Happy Birthday Movie

Planes, Trains, & Automobiles

We started off the summer with a whirlwind adventure. We drove straight through to Arkansas, flew to California, and road the train to Montana (literally planes, trains, and automobiles, we can also throw in there tractors and a couple of boats). Here are some pictures of our craziness. Jackson was such a trooper. He just absorbed everything around him and had a great time. He learned lots of new tricks and met TONS of new people!

Arkansas

At The Farm

Jackson's First Tractor Ride

Oh, the Arkansas Heat

California

Jackson's First Plane Ride

Wine Country

Playing with flowers at Nana & Papa's

Inside a Redwood Tree

Tall Trees

Jet Boat Tour on the Rogue River

(Jackson was not a fan of getting wet!)

Battery Point Lighthouse

Inside the top of the Lighthouse

Ooooo Grass!

First Time Swimming

Swinging with Papa

Montana

On the Amtrak Train

(from Portland to West Glacier)

Glacier National Park

(obviously.....)

Avalanche Trail in the Backpack

Our Family at Avalanche Lake

Jackson Glacier

(that white thing in the background)

Lake McDonald Boat Tour

Canadian Bobsled

(it was pretty stationary, but still a mode of transportation)

Video

Here were Jackson's exciting new "tricks" during the trip. Also note we are riding in the car (that was one of the many times Jackson was in an automobile during the vacation).

Unrelated side-note.... that was an amazing restaurant,

called Di Bello Italian Restaurant in Medford, OR, at the end of the video.

Summer Fun

We have had an unusually busy summer this year. We have been blessed to take some fun trips and see lots of friends and family. Here are a few pictures of the last month and a half. These are just some fun pictures of Jackson around the house and a movie of some new discoveries. I will also be adding some pictures soon from the first part of the summer.

We have since moved the Kleenex box!

Waking up from a nap.

Got this idea from my friend Bekah. Brilliant!!!!

Cool Shades.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Jackson and his handlers are headed to California for two weeks.  This will be Junior's first airplane ride.  Here is Jackson giving his mom some pointers on packing.

Cabin Weekend

Last weekend we spent the weekend at my (Denise's) family's cabin up past the Rio Grande Reservior above Creede, CO.  We hung out with our buddies and had a great time!  Here are just a few pictures.

Jackson and Tiffany's Baracade

Watching the adults play horseshoe golf (aka "horse-balls").

Playing Horse-Balls in the Hail

Daddy & Jackson

The gang after throwing rocks into the river.

Our Family

New Trick & Stuff

Jackson is so fun. He learns new things all the time. Here a couple of his new tricks and cute pictures.

Jumping Jack - The Sequel

I would like to dedicate this video to Jackson's "Uncle" Chad (who is really his second cousin). I heard Chad loved his jumper when he was Jackson's age. Plus, Jackson was starting to look a little like a bull rider with his free arm waving around!

Sorry about the random background conversation.....we were trying to figure out the video feature on Grampa Jack's phone.

Baby "Pull-Ups

Jackson loves to do "pull-ups".  He tries to sit up or stand up next to everything.  I have to pay close attention to what he's doing these days.  Every time I turn around for a second he finds something new to get into or on top of.  Yesterday he climbed on top of a box and tried to pull a lamp over on top of himself....eek!  We have lots of tumbles, but he's tough.  Here's some pics of my cute baby boy.

I feel like Jackson changes every day.  He talks more and more all the time.  He is also very patient.  My mom and I took him to Farmington for a whole day this week and he was great!  I think he takes after his Daddy in that department.  I feel hugely blessed to have such a wonderful family.  As I look forward to my very first Mother's Day, I am reflecting on what an amazing gift I have been blessed with.  Jackson is such a joy and I can't imagine life without him.  Everyone always tells you when your pregnant that life will never be the same as before kids.  I always thought, "who wants life to be the same forever anyway?"  I am loving this new phase of life!  Granted, I don't get a shower every day and, therefore, smell like baby puke the majority of the time, but it's totally worth it.  When Jackson is asleep in your arms or gets excited to show you how high he can jump, you forget about what life was like before.  We are truly living in the here and now every day and enjoying each and every stage of Jackson's life.  I thank God every day for my amazing hubby and this miracle of life He has entrusted us with.  Jarrett, thanks for being the best husband, dad, and best friend a girl could ask for!  Isn't this a great adventure we're on together?  I hope all you other mother's out there are as blessed as I am, and have a very Happy Mother's Day.