Hot tub toddler!

Every day at the beach we'd have the same routine most days. We'd eat breakfast, head to the beach for a while and play in the sand and ocean, then off to the pool. Boy was Jackson a pro now in the ocean. He loved every second. We make our way to the pools (most of the time the indoor pool) and play for a little bit before lunch and nap. Once we went to the indoor pool, Jackson discovered the "hot pool" aka hot tub!

For the record I am not a bad mother. The hot tub was maybe 10 degrees warmer than the indoor pool itself...and who am I to deprive this sweet face time in the "hot pool"?!

Mommy and Daddy also really enjoyed the "hot pool" b/c this is how Jackson got after being in there for a few minutes... REALLY sleepy. Not that nap time or bedtime are ever a struggle, it just helped relax him and put him in the mood for night night time. :) Look at him,...he's practically almost asleep in the water!

Oh and more big boy news to share too! We had worked all week (plus at the beach with the friend family) on Jackson jumping into the boy by himself. By himself meaning that he wasn't holding on to anyone jumping into the water. Well on our last day in the pool Jackson just randomly decided he was going to be a big, brave little 2 year old and took off in the pool into my arms,...and then 50 times after that again! May not sound like a big deal, but this mommy was was beyond ecstatic and full of tears! My baby is not a baby at all anymore!

(*sniff sniff*)

So silly!

I think it's so hilarious that my 2 year old knows what silly bands are! Is that not crazy?! He doesn't necessarily want to wear them 24/7 however he loves playing and organizing them like so:

For the record, I do need to let it be known that I have not purchased 1 band! He has received several from other kiddos or has been given packs upon packs of them. I think it's cute he's into collecting them and distributing them. Just like I did with Pogs years ago! Anyone remember pogs?! If you're in denial right now acting like you didn't collect them or play them with your slammer, you just go on b/c your lying to yourself. Everyone played with pogs!

Testing time!

And no I'm not referring to school starting and it's time for some written tests. Salem is finally starting to drug test! I know I have been out of town for a week so I'm sure the whole valley has heard the buzz,...however if you haven't click below:

http://http//highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1113184

It's about time!

Myrtle Beach

We're back at the beach this week, this time at Myrtle. Here's a few pics from our first couple days!

Here's Meghann and Ryan with their matching glasses! Is she not the cutest?!

Jackson and Ryan chilling in the sand! Jackson is such a pro getting out in the ocean now. No fear! Loves running out there and throwing the ball with Daddy!

Making some sand castles!

Enjoying some crab legs at Captain George's seafood!

Ryan is crawling all over the place! Such a big girl!

More pics to come! :)

Too much to say Tuesday!

My hungry fellas enjoying some ribs in Gatlinburg!

I'm such a proud Mom and wife! :)

Has 2 years already gone by?

Dear Jackson,

It's hard to believe that you have already turned 2 years old. Man does time fly by when you're having fun. The entire 9months I was pregnant with you, every parent would tell me not to blink b/c if I did you would be graduating high school. I know you're not 16 and dating yet but it has FLOWN by me!

I don't think 2 years ago I'd realize what love a parent could have for a child. Don't get me wrong, your Daddy and I have unconditional love from all 6 of our parents but I never knew the "parent love" til you came along. Now that you are in our lives I can not imagine how I lived 23 years without you here.

You have been such an incredible blessing to us. You are such a busy boy like your Daddy...and-boy-are-you-a-Daddy's-boy! I can't help myself sometimes even being envious of the relationship you have with him then I seem to slap myself in the face at the thought, b/c the way you look at him is the sweetest thing I've seen in my entire life. You could make up football plays, practice corner kicks, help him cook tacos for dinner, wrestle,...etc. with Daddy ALL day long if you could! You are such a handsome and polite little man too with your "please" and "thank you"s and do you ever know how to work that pouty-pouchy lower lip when you're upset and want us ALL to know it. Must have learned that one from your Momma! Every night I love reading you a book before bed, saying sweet prayers together, and telling you Night Night. As I close your door, you're still not done reciprocating that,...screaming "SWEET DREAMS MOMMY!". I love curling up in our bed with you and watching "Nemo" with you. You could watch that movie 100 times and over! I love the fact that you have more patience for Ally than your father! I think it's extremely precious how you yell at her: "NO ALLY! QUIT BARKING" and then the next minute let her swim with you in your pool in our backyard. You think everything is yours: "mines playground", "mines remote", "mines ball", "mines phanone (phone)" ,...me me me me me,...hope that's a phase! I love the fact that on weekdays when we get home I can't get dinner or dishes done because the whole time you look up at me with those beautiful blues eyes saying "hold you mommy". What gal couldn't resist? I love the fact that when I hold you, you have started to tickle my neck so gently and play with my hair,...just another form of affection towards me that I adore and you probably don't even notice you're doing it. I love that you are SO close with all your grandparents. Child, you are so loved by them it's unreal. If they don't see you at least once a week they are calling you to talk to you. You already have so many friends at the age of 2! All your friends at your sitter's and Church friends. Especially all mine and daddy's friends that have kids your age. Yall are pals! Although I do think your best friend is your cousin Keira and your stuffed animal monkey named "Monkey". How original! You are such a good friend and good boy!

I could go on for hours buddy! Thank you so much for an amazing 2 years. I pray for you and love you every day and can't wait to spend every second I can with you. I truly believe that one of God's major plans for me in life was to be your Mom. You are beautiful inside and out baby!

Love you always,

Your Mommy

Two weeks down!

I am SO happy to announce that I have successfully completed 2 weeks of p90x! From back/legs, arms/shoulders, kenpo karate, yoga, and more I am worn out! Although I'm tired, I feel SO good. Man it's nice to exercise! By the way, always thought yoga was a relaxing thing when people would talk about it,...WRONG. I have done it twice now and I can't stand it-haha!

This little cutie wanted to join in since "Mommy was dancing". This was actually during my core day and we were doing "superman/banana".....

Now cooling down!

2 weeks down,....1 1/2 months to go!!!!