Proud parent moment: # 1,000,001 :P

This morning, after returning home from my exercise class at the Y, I said "goodbye" to Jason as he left for work, greeted all three kids with "good morning" wishes, and then went to take a shower.
After the 15 minutes needed to get myself ready for the day, I walked out into our living room to find this...

To my surprise, Jackson had taken it upon himself to "cook" (using the microwave)breakfast for all three of them!
And, as if that weren't enough to declare this a true proud parent moment, what's more is... They were all eating happily together!
There weren't any fights to break up, or scrambling to get breakfast out on the table because they were STARVING!... Nope, just peace and quiet, contentment, and smiling faces. It was such a great way to start the day!

Four Christmases

Our family had four Christmas celebrations this year. All occurring on different days, close to home, surrounded by loved ones...and of course, lots of presents, food, and three very excited children!

We were blessed with good health and many happy memories this year.

And, since pictures speak louder than words...

Christmas #1:
Sunday, December 23rd at Grandma Barb's and Grandpa Terry's.

Grandpa Terry made this doll house!...2 of them, actually. One doll house for Jessica and Lia, and one for cousin, Maddy as well.

Green Bay played the Tennessee Titans on this Sunday, giving our Packer family reason to sport all their Packer apparel.
Jason and I didn't dress up for the game, but those reindeer antlers have to count for something...:)

Christmas #2:
Tuesday, December 25th at home.
Christmas Day tradition for our family -- play with toys, play games, watch Christmas shows on TV, eat pancake breakfast, snack on Christmas cookies throughout the day, and stay comfy, cozy in our PJ's.

Stocking stuffers...

Christmas #3:
Wednesday, December 26th & Thursday, Decemeber 27th at Grandma Chris' and Grandpa Bob's

Jackson decorating his rice krispie train...

Ta-da!

"How many M&M's can I fit in my mouth?"...

Dress-up fun!

Grandpa Bob!...we always knew you were secretly a Packer fan...;)

All the girls...

Christmas #4:
Saturday, December 29th at our house with Grandpa Mark and Grandma Bonnie.

Lots of great gifts, including a scooter for Jackson...

Such a fun visit!

That's all folks!

Kickball, dodgeball, cake, and presents!...

...Best. Birthday. Ever!

--> If... you are a 7-year-old boy!

For your friends birthday party, we chose to do the "Games Galore" birthday package at the Onalska YMCA. Kickball, Dodgeball, and Scatterball (another version of dodgeball) were the three activities you chose to play in the gym with your friends.
Fourteen, out of the fifteen friends we invited, were able to come to your party!
After an hour of game play in the gym, we went into a private room to eat cake and open presents.
What a fun party!

Happy birthday little man!
We love you!

It's going to be a white Christmas

The snow began to fall sometime after midnight.

When the kids woke up on Thursday, December 20th, this is how it looked outside...

It was a snow day for our whole family. Jackson, Jessica, and Lia were in and out of the house all day. And, they had fun playing with neighbors, Ali and John.

The snowy blizzard ended up leaving us about 6-8 inches of the white stuff to play with!

Happy 7th Birthday Jackson!

Dear Jackson,

This year, your birthday was on a Monday. However, the celebrating began on Friday, December 14th, when you received your first birthday gift in the mail.
It was from Grandma and Grandpa Gundy. Thank you!

Sunday, Dec 16th...

Grandma Chris and Grandpa Bob served us a "birthday brunch" at their house. Always very tasty. And then, there was this surprise...

SKIS!!

...now, we just need some snow!

After brunch, we headed to Grandma Barb's and Grandpa Terry's house for a birthday lunch. Grandma Barb made you a very yummy birthday cake...

And, you opened a few presents as well!...

Monday, December 17th (your actual birth day)...


We decided to surprise you with breakfast in bed on your special day. And, you also were able to open your birthday gifts right away in the morning, before leaving for school.

After dinner, you frosted and decorated your birthday cake...

Ta-da!!...now that's a cake!

Happy 7th birthday to you, Jackson Terrence! We love you.