April Showers...Bring May Flowers

Sorry that it has been over a month since I updated. I am amazed how quickly time goes by. My mother always told me that time goes faster the older we get. And, whew...has it flown!

Caroline never ceases to amaze us at things she learns, and now is able to say. She is now talking in sentences. She has been doing this for about 2 weeks now. They are very simple, but she definitely can communicate with us...especially when she wants something.

Wouldn't you know that one of her first phrases would be "TV show on." She said it one morning when she woke earlier than Mommy & Josh wanted to get up (yes, she still calls Josh by his first name). She is now great at saying "No, Mommy!" too, with all the personality that goes along with it. She also knows her ABCs, and is starting to identify colors. Her animal sounds are hilarious, as well. Our favorite is the elephant. She raises her arm as if it were a trunk when she makes the sound! Too cute.

She is starting to be VERY independent, wanting to do things on her own. She can now climb into her highchair, buckle herself into the carseat, request what she does and doesn't want to eat, and even pick up after herself (with a little prompting). Life has gotten easier on that end. On the otherhand, she is beginning to express herself by throwing little fits. It should be an interesting several months as we approach "2." I cannot believe that she will be TWO in nearly two months!


This past month, we celebrated Josh' Birthday (a little late) by going to Edelweiss. It's Josh's fav!

I could not resist putting Caroline in her little German dress. She looked precious! You know...Caroline is German for "petite woman."This dress was sent to ME (in the 70s) by our family friends in Germany. It fits her perfect now. While we were there, Caroline tore up the dance floor (she gets that from her mother), and even made a new friend. And...don't forget the cake!

Caroline has also discovered Minnie Mouse. Her Aunt LeLe bought her a Minnie dress on a trip to Disney World, when she was first born. It finally fits her, and she loves to play in it along with her glittery, red shoes from Nan (Aunt Diane).

Chheese!

We attempted to have our family portraits and Caroline's "2" pictures done TWICE this month...to no avail! The weather has not cooperated with us. We want to take them at the Botanical Gardens sometime soon...we are going to try for May. Hopefully, the showers we have had will make for beautiful pictures!

Happy Easter!

Caroline definitely had a great Easter this year! She somewhat understood the whole "hunting eggs thing." She even approached the Easter Bunny with no fear. I had no idea how she would do because we were so afraid of Santa.

On Friday, we had her school hunt with her class. The hunt lasted only a few minutes, and then they were all more interested in playing instead of hunting!

"Paying on the Side"

On Saturday morning, we went with Cousin Alex to Colonial for their annual Easter egg hunt. It was pretty crazy, but I think Caroline had a grand time! More pics to come...

Sunday was low-key with my parents here for the day. Caroline (of course) looked like a "living doll" in her Easter dress.

"KI-CAT"

Caroline is really talking now. Her vocabulary has more than doubled since Christmas. She is also a ham more and more everyday. She still loves to play dress up, and take care of her babies

. In particular, Mimi gave her a hat recently that she plays in all the time...it is too cute!

Hope all of you had a wonderful Easter!

It's Snowing...in Texas!

Needless to say, February was just as busy as January, and looks as if March will be the same. Will it ever slow down? I think I already know the answer to that.

This past month proved to be a memorable one. Caroline had several birthday parties, which always makes for interesting Saturday afternoons. Her favorite was Sara Jane's cowgirl party. Here is my little cowgirl.

We also discovered that Caroline loves to "dip" her food. She really just sucks the sauce off her food, and dips again. She now wants to have sauce for everything she eats.

She does continue to be a good eater--mess and all.

Notice the green bean beard!

Two weeks ago, we escaped for a few days to enjoy beautiful Angel Fire. We spent the time with The Bells--Kim, Bryan, Avery & Drew. We had a great time getting away to the serenity only found in the mountains. The kids had a great time playing in the snow, as well as each other.

Josh & Caroline dug a hole in the snow to play in. She loved to shovel!

On Sunday, Avery took her first ski lessons, and did great! She was beat when she got home. Later that day, we hung out at the house because the weather turned, and starting snowing non-stop to the next morning.

Drew playing & my baby girl "snuggy"

On the morning we left, there was so much snow. It was so beautiful! We always hate to leave this winter wonderland, but you know--after today, you never know! "Wait a minute, and the weather in Texas can change." So much for going to NM. It's snowing...in Texas!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter, and stay warm!

Our Baby is Growing up!

This past month, Caroline has began talking more & more, and with words we can finally understand! It is amazing how well she can mimic us. Therefore, we have to be ever so careful of what we say. Just tonight, I was telling Josh to "hush," and she started telling him to hush too!

It is not uncommon for me to yell for Josh across the house. Now, Caroline rarely calls Josh "Daddy," but by his first name! It is really precious. She will walk around the house before he gets home from work, looking for him, saying "Jawsh..."

In retaliation, Josh has taught her how to say my name too. I don't know if I can handle my baby calling me Amy. Hopefully, its just a phase. Overall, she has a vocabulary consisting of at least 25 audible, meaningful words, not to mention her animal sounds! Her favorite is the elephant, and of course, kitties!


We have also become very interested in the potty. I know it is too early to train, but she loves to sit on her princess potty and look at books (something she learned from her daddy). She now lets us know when she has a dirty. She will point to her pants, and say "shew," and sometimes runs to her room, bow-legged. WOW, how things have changed!


Several weeks ago we took Caroline out to my aunt's friends' home in Rockwall who raises "minis." Karol Larke & Caroline

Caroline did not know what to think! She kept pointing to the horses, saying puppies? These horses were so small! These pictures show how little they can be.

Caroline stands almost eye-level to the blonde female.

February will be a busy month for us. We have birthday parties (yes, birthday parties have started) for church & family friends, and then headed to Angel Fire later in the month.

We hope this finds you well, and we will try and keep you posted of any new happenings here at the Jacksons!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you! We hope that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas, and your stocking was overflowing!

We had a great Holiday spent with family in Odessa and in Angel Fire. Caroline definitely understood the whole "gift thing," and just wanted to open gift after gift...whether it was her's or not. As usual, she got everything a little girl could want...and then some. Needless to say, our house looks like a toy box that exploded.

Here are some of our favorite pictures from Christmas.

Santa CAME!

Oohhh...the square fits here!

I love my pony!

Big girl in her "Big girl" chair

Having a tea party with Daddy

Feeding her babies

After Christmas, we went to be with Mimi & Grandy in Angel Fire. Caroline had a blast sledding...she has no fear! It was very cold while we were there--negative 10 degrees!

On Sunday before the New Year, we went on a sleigh ride...it was NOT a good experience. It was a beautiful day, but the wind was so biting that we spent the entire ride hiding under blankets, and unable to enjoy the scenery! We will have to try it again another time.

Santa also came to Angel Fire for Caroline, and out of all the things she got she loved her dancing cow. "It's ladies night...and the feelin's right--oh what a night!" Here is a picture of her dancing with Maribell.

I tried a little something different, making a scrapbook with some pictures of Caroline playing in the snow--hope you enjoy!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

It's Official...

Josh is a licensed Professional Engineer for the state of Texas!

With great excitement, we found out this morning that Josh PASSED his PE Exam.

Thank you for all your prayers on his behalf. We are thrilled, and he is relieved...as you can imagine. What an incredible Christmas present!

Tis' the Season

I cannot believe that Christmas is less than a week away! I hope everyone is enjoying this time of year, and not feeling overwhelmed--HA!

This month has been crazy since I last blogged. We have had an out of town wedding, Holiday parties, and preparing to be gone through the New Year.

Caroline has a PINK Christmas tree this year, and she had a blast helping Mommy decorate it! Each time she sees it lit up she says: "Oooo" and runs to it.



Last week, we took Caroline to see Santa. We did not know how she would act. Last year, since she was only 5 months old, she had no clue about him...but, this year was completely different! She would have NOTHING to do with him. She had a death grip on Josh. I sat next to him myself, and tried to get her to sit with me...NO WAY! Maybe next year.

Also, last weekend was LeBus Christmas in Longview. Caroline was into the gift opening, as well as everyone else's gifts, rather than her own. I anticipate an exciting Christmas with her this year! We also took her to see the lights at SantaLand outside of Tyler. She was hanging out of the car to see them. It was such fun!

Here a few pics of "Miss Priss" in her Christmas dress. Enjoy!





I am not going to have all the pictures I want to post ready, but I promise to get them up soon.

Hope all of you have a wonderful and safe Christmas, and a wonderful New Year! Stay tuned for pictures!

Love,
Amy, Josh & Caroline