Summer: going, going, gone...

Where has the summer gone?!

June and July were busy at the Jackson house, for sure. We started off our summer by celebrating --Vegas style! I turned 34 and we celebrated 6 years of marriage.

It was a great time with precious friends and lots of memories made.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas...

And, even the mannequins are TOPLESS in Vegas!

Then, we had C's dance recital. And, of course she was a hit (and the cutest, to boot!)

Followed by a week at "Fairy Camp." She now OFFICIALLY a fairy...with dust and all! (Like she needed any encouragement, right?)

July is not complete without kicking it off at the Lake for the Fourth. Good times had by all. And, this year, we made several HUGE milestones...

She jumped off the dock, tubed, and rode on the seadoo!

We then celebrated Caroline's 4th birthday in mid-July. This year she wanted a Peter Pan theme, and I had the most AWESOME cake made for her by Shannon at For Cakes Sake. It tasted as good as it looked!

The kids had a blast playing at the Little Gym. All the activities were set to Peter Pan songs...too cute!

On the 20th, we took her to eat at her favorite "Mexico," and then to see Beauty and the Beast. Let's just say she felt like a very special Birthday girl!

On top of everything else, we added a new member to the Jackson clan...Raider Rich. He is a tabby. Caroline, of course, named him after her favorite team, and character on "Imagination Movers."

He is keeping us quite busy. And, honestly, looking forward to ridding our house of the litter box, soon. Ewwww....
Summer would not be complete without a few concert in the park,

and of course, the Rangers!

To end the summer, we are taking swimming lessons, and gearing up for "big girl" school starting in two weeks! And, before we know it, football season will be here...bring on the cooler weather! And, of course, my girl is ready to cheer on her Red Raiders!

Six Years!

This past weekend, Josh and I celebrated our 6th Anniversary! I cannot believe that it has been this long...






AND, we are still having fun!

We are gearing up for a busy summer, and will keep you posted as it rocks along. We are celebrating birthdays (Caroline's #4 and my #!) VBS and "Fairy Camp" in June, swimming lessons and escaping the TX heat to the mountains in July. So, Stay tuned...

Happy Memorial Day to you all! Celebrate, but remember to give thanks for those who sacrificed, so that we may have ALL that we have!

Blessings,

The Jacksons

Long Time No See...

OK, it's official--I think this is the LONGEST I have gone without updating our blog. Things have been busy, but not "un-eventful" at the Jackson house.

Therefore, I have ALOT to share with everyone!

July was a large month as we celebrated Caroline's third birthday...several times! We began her "birthday weekend" by taking her to see Dora, Live!

SHE LOVED IT!

Earlier that week, Caroline also got her new "Big Girl" room for her birthday. We moved her from her nursery in the front bedroom.

She loves her blue room...a big change from her pink! Her nursery is now the "Playroom." Mom and Dad LOVE it! We finally have OUR crash room back without all of the toys, even though she still drags them across the house.

Now, we need to work on cleaning up! She definitely has the song down...

"Clean up, clean up--everybody clean up!" (Dora, of course)

The following Saturday, we had her Princess / Frog party at Happy Hopperz. Lots of kids came, and she had a blast. What's a party without a jumphouse?

In August, we started pre-school, and has made plenty of new friends, as well as starting dance...she thinks she is a "real" ballerina. June will be her BIG dance recital, and she cannot wait to dance on the stage...my little performer!The fall came, and of COURSE, we cheered on the Red Raiders. Caroline has become the BIGGEST Tech fan!

We traveled to Lubbock to see a game in October. We should have left after Caroline shook Raider Red's hand, and the masked rider waved at her...because we lost miserably to the Aggies! UGH.

We will definitely back to visit Lubbock in the Fall!

Christmas came and went...and Santa came! This year, Caroline really liked Santa. A dramatic change from years passed. As usual, he left more than any child could need. I guess that means we have a good little girl?

Or, just spoiled!?

We were able to make our annual visit to Angel Fire at the beginning of the year for a little R &R and time away. It is always so incredibly beautiful and memories made... And, Caroline SKIIED for the first time!

Since the beginning of 2010, we have been busy with day-to-day life: work, school, and staying amused by Caroline!

Easter Sunday we stayed in Fort Worth, and celebrated with my family.

"The Girls"

And, again, for Mother's Day we spent the weekend celebrating my dad's 60th birthday, as well! On Sunday, we went to see Peter Pan...and (of course) Caroline had to dress up.

She was the cutest Tinkerbell there!

In this picture, we kept trying to get Caroline to smile. As you can see, she is doing right the opposite!Regardless...she is my "Stinker-bell!" I love you, my sweet baby.

With that thought--Caroline is becoming more and more a little girl, as the"baby" does slip away.

She will be FOUR in two months...where has the time gone?

3 year pictures... to 3 years & 9 months!

Thanks for your patience, in my absence...I'll try and do better in updating more than every 10 months!

An American Classic!

Lee's Creek Grocery "Run" for the essentials--a Coke & Tootsie Pop!

Happy Summer!

We kicked off this summer with Aunt Jordan's wedding. Caroline was precious coming down the aisle, making sure to drop all her flower petals. I was so impressed that she was not timid with the people there. She did sit with me during the ceremony. The first thing she asked me: "Where is the music coming from--the trees?" In an effort to hush her, I had a stash of M&Ms which did the trick! Then, she found Mimi & Grandy in the crowd, and had to wave. Not long after, she realized that Papa & Mama were sitting in front of us. Of course, she tapped them on the shoulder wanting their attention. Who doesn't need a little "entertainment" at a wedding, huh? Overall, everything went well and, Caroline (of course) was the cutest flower girl ever!

with Cousin Gabe

The following week we began a new school--Mountain Valley Child Development Center. We had "outgrown" Noah's Ark to say the least. Recently, she came home trying to tell me what they had done that day at school. "Apricot Piggy Frogs" is all I understood... So, the following day, I asked her teacher what she was talking about. She laughed explaining that the class got African Pigmy Frogs as their classroom pet! My silly girl...

I'll keep you posted on her new school. They certainly are keeping them busy from splash days to Spanish and more!

VBS came and went. She had a blast being in the "big girl" class this year. She learned a few new songs--one being the "Bullfrog song." Thanks, Gary! It's one of those that stays with you ALL day LONG!

Father's Day was a good weekend, as we celebrated with Josh and my parents. Caroline was so proud to give her Daddy a new ice cream maker. When we went to pick it out, I had to argue with an (almost) 3-year old why Josh would NOT like the pink one! My girly girl...She finally settled on red.

I gave Josh tickets to see Eric Clapton the following week. Caroline got to stay with Aunt LeLe & Emily. She had a grand time...they took her on the Uptown Trolley to get Popsicles!

All she can talk about these days is her birthday parties...that's right, parties! We are having her "jump" Princess party, and she wants to have a Dora party at the house on her real birthday. "Don't forget the balloons," she reminds me everyday! So--if any of you are wondering what to get her for this birthday, anything Dora or Disney Princesses, especially Little Mermaid, Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty.

The past two weekends have been busy travelling. We visited Theresa & Troy in Tulsa with a quick trip. It's always a great time with old, good friends! Caroline enjoyed the "big" pool. She was a bit unsure of herself and was satisfied staying on the top step, or drowning me or her daddy. We are just going to have to work with her more, and plan on swimming lessons for summer 2010!

July 4 was an eventful weekend visiting my family at the lake. It was beautiful, sunny & HOT! Caroline played for hours in the sprinklers, pool, and went on several boat rides.

She was so worn out when we got home on Sunday...she was sick today. I think she developed a rash from being in the heat and/or sun! She is better, but slept until 10A and then napped for nearly 3 hours this afternoon!

I will get pictures posted soon of all our summer adventures, and then--her BIG birthday weekend coming up!

Take care, and see you on the other side of THREE! Should I be scared?