Happy Birthday Trey!

March 23, 2009

9 lbs. 14.7 oz. 21.5 inches

Dennis Dale Jackson III, aka Trey

First Birthday!

2 years old

Wow! I can't believe he is already 3! This little big boy has been such a blessing in our life! He is a spitting image of his daddy with a little of me mix in. But just a little! He was so excited about his 3rd birthday for a couple of reasons: he became a big boy, he got presents and he got birthday cake!

3rd Birthday Picture!

A couple of days before his birthday we started potty training! This was something we talked up for a while. When you turn 3 you are no longer a baby who wears diapers but a big boy who wears underwear! He liked this. He has been doing very well with potty training too.

 On his birthday we decided to make him some cupcakes so he would feel special on his birthday. We were not having his party until the next weekend. He was my big helper and helped me measure and mix the batter. That night he enjoyed the cupcakes with my brother and his family. The kids spent the night at his house while DJ and I went on a date! I know, parents of the year! But we don't get to have them as often as we would like and when the offer comes to have a kid free night we take it!

The Saturday after his birthday we took the kids to the Museum of Discovery. This was our birthday gift to Trey. (He has enough toys!) They had never been and LOVED it!

 They were excited to see the dinosaur bones. I wasn't sure they would have some but the didn't disappoint!

 There were so many things for the kids and adults to do. I didn't get as many photos as I would have liked because I was busy doing the things too. This was the "kids" play area and so I was able to get them playing.

 The dinosaur area. Hannah really liked seeing all the different bones and skeletons.

The triceratops' head was pretty big!

 This was an area where the kids got to see their shadows in different colors. Hannah enjoyed dancing in front of the lights!

We had Trey's family party on the 31st. I get stressed out when hosting big parties. So to help with my anxiety I broke the birthday party in two: one family and later one with his friends.

 He loves Mickey Mouse. So we did a Mickey theme. While I decorated his cake, we sang the theme song to his favorite show, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

 Blowing out the candles. Daddy eventually had to help!

 Digging right into his presents!

 He got a lot of cool things! Dress up costumes for boys! Yay! Some cool car toys and some Toy Story toys!

 Some of the family!

Since Trey got several dress up things, the other boys in the house wanted to dress up too. So they all got their own costumes. I didn't get a group shot, but here is one of Brandon Paul dressing up.

Update: Trey's friend party got canceled due to Trey getting the stomach bug the morning of. So I have to reschedule and will post pictures of it later!

Four Generations

Rosie, Cindy, DJ, Hannah & Trey

These past two weeks we have had the opportunity to visit with DJ's grandmother, Rosie. She lives in Iowa and we hardly get to see her. Last September we were informed that her advanced lung cancer was incurable and inoperable. She was placed in a nursing home and was given only months to live. We went up there to say our good-byes. Even explained to Hannah that she would not live much longer and would go be with Jesus. She understood as well as a 5 year old could. Then the amazing happened, God intervened! She was taken off some medications and started to get better. She was able to go home and live alone. A nurse came by daily at first, but eventually that stopped too. She still has cancer, but isn't doing anything about it. So her time is limited. But isn't all of ours! God has us here for such a short time to do the things he has made us for and to bring Him glory! So, maybe her time is just spent her on earth and Jesus needs her home! Time will tell, but I am so thankful that He hasn't taken her and we got to see her again.

Grandchildren or Great Grandchildren? You decide. 

 These girls are crazy! We planned a bon fire over at DJ's parents house before Rosie had to leave for Iowa. I dressed Hannah like this and when we arrived, we noticed Iva was dressed exactly the same! They were twins, separated at birth. Well sort of!

And their main goal for life is to torture Trey! :) But he loves the attention too!

Four Wheeler Muddin'

Some of our friends invited our family along with a few others to go mudding. I haven't ridden a four wheeler since high school. I did ride it through some mud and it did splash up on us. But I had no idea that our friends idea of mudding and mine were two completely different things. When they say mudding, they mean go through ponds of mud. Well not really ponds, but pretty deep mud holes! Thankfully we were able to borrow DJ's dad's four wheeler. And we didn't get it stuck!!! All four of us were able to fit on it, with the kids wedged in between and me on the back with a comfy seat. I know, really roughing it!

Just before we took off!

About half way through. And as you can see, this city girl got muddy!

I have not always been a city girl. Growing up in east Texas in the country, I lived beside cows and farms, went bare foot to my grandma's house and lived in the middle of now where (just out side of town). When we moved to Arkansas, we still lived in the middle of no where (in the middle of town) in the woods on 170 acres. We would go fishing and encounter snakes on the way home. This was also were I rode the four wheeler in high school. Then I moved out and got an apartment. That is when I started my journey into city life. I enjoyed pavement and pretty gardens. I enjoyed not having to dodge snakes. I enjoyed having neighbors.

Disclaimer: We didn't go very fast with the kids and we didn't go up steep hill sides. The kids were snug in between us and there was no real danger. Please to do not lecture me on four wheeler safety, I know it already and recited it to my husband the entire trip! We had a fun safe trip! 

Our 8th Anniversary

DJ and I have been married 8 wonderful years! How time flies by when your having fun! I love this man with all my heart! He is my rock and my best friend. A wonderful father and husband. The love of my life!

After Hannah's talent show, we decided to go out to eat with a few family members! Hannah shot this photo of us!

Hannah and Iva riding the horse saddle at Colton's.

Iva wanted a turn using the camera. So this is one she shot.

And this one of her mom.

Cindy and DJ's grandma from Iowa. Rosie is here for a two week visit.

We do plan on having a more private dinner date with just the two of us. But that will have to be later on, maybe the weekend. I love you dearly, honey bunny! :)

Hannah's First Talent Show

Hannah's school holds an annual talent show to raise money. Her PE teacher put to gather an act for all the kindergartners who wanted to participate. Of course I signed Hannah up! They performed a line dance to country western music. It was really cute.

We didn't have a cowboy hat. We did have some boots (her Jessie boots from Toy Story) and a jean skirt. She had to wear her school shirt and I added some ribbon to her shirt and hair that would match the cowboy theme.

The video is about 5 minutes long. You will not see Hannah until about a minute into it. DJ had a hard time finding her since she was in the back and behind taller kids. Grrr! However, she did manage to pop through and we were able to see her most of the time. Enjoy!

Wye Mountain Daffodils

Today after church we decided to visit Wye Mountain to see the daffodils and get some pictures. It was very sunny and windy. But I think we made out OK. The kids did their best to comply to my photography instructions. Not really! Everyone did have a good time though.

Sun was in their eyes but turned the otherway the wind would blow Hannah's hair in her face. Can't win either way!

 I just love this picture. Trey decided he would lean against DJ. I didn't have to tell him or anything.

 Daddy's girl!

 Mama's boy!

 Hannah took this picture for us.

After the "formal" pictures, the kids ran around and I just started snapping photos. Here are some of my favorite.

 Hannah playing hide and seek!