Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

After the excitement of Baby Jesus's birthday and the visit by Santa Claus, we were ready for some breakfast.  I have yet to find a breakfast tradition, but we might have one now.  We got a waffle maker, so we decided to test it out.  Waffles and bacon - yum!  We will see if it sticks. 

Both of the boys had so much fun opening their presents.  Braden wanted to stop and play with each one and would take it to daddy to open.  Just look at those smiles . . .

Both boys got some Legos - one likes to build Star Wars and the other likes to build tall towers. 

The rest of the day was spent building with Legos, dancing with Just Dance 4, playing with Tech Deck mini skateboards, and just enjoying the day as a family.  Before we knew it, it was time to head to the airport to fly to Mississippi to see the whole family.  It was truly a blessed day!

Santa Claus Came to Town

We continued our Christmas Eve traditions except for one part . . . we didn't have a Johnson representative on stage for the preschool bell performance.  Next year, Braden will get his turn to ring those bells!  We went to church, ate dinner at Sweetwater Tavern, and then headed downtown to see the National Christmas tree.  It was cold and rainy, but we persevered and didn't stay too long. 

We then rushed home to get prepared for jolly Ole St. Nick.  Instead of sugar cookies this year, we opted for chocolate chip. 

Apparently the boys were really good this year, because Santa left quite a bit!  Jackson's pile had a lot of Star Wars, a couple of Wii games, a remote control car, a 3DS case, and a mini video recorder. 

It was so much fun to watch Braden come down the stairs this year! He had been talking about Ho HO all month long, so I think he might have understood a little of it.  His eyes got so big and his smile got so wide! Santa left him a dancing Mickey, bristle blocks, a couple of books, a grocery cart, Yoda, a rocking police car, and stacking blocks. 

 

We had a wonderful Christmas day, but you will have to wait until the next post to read about it! 

Making a List and Checking it Twice

Another Christmas, another trip to see the Tyson's Santa!  I was a little worried that Braden might freak out and cry, but obviously we got a smile.   I think it helped that Jackson was right beside him and that we had talked about Santa the entire way there! 

We went early in December and I was really worried that the lists would change multiple times - poor Santa.  However, we made it the whole month with no changes!  Jackson asked for a 3 DS case, a remote control car, and Just Dance 4 for the Wii.  Since Braden didn't really have a clue, Jackson gave him a little help.  He thought Braden would like Yoda and books. 

Only time will tell if Santa really listened!  

Jackson's new pool

After much searching I finally found a pool for Jackson to go on our back deck. Who would have thought that it would be so hard to find a baby pool in the middle of the summer? Not this native from Mississippi where you can probably find a pool for Christmas! I am glad that I kept hunting, because it has already provided much entertainment. We now spend a portion of our day splashing, kicking, and "watering" our deck when momma doesn't want to go to the "big" pool. It is also very hard for Jackson to walk past the pool and resist the urge to stick his hand in the water while walking to the car. He has only satisfied this urge a couple of times which I think is pretty darn good. Now he just walks by and says, "bye pool, bye!"

Checking out his pool for the first time.

Watering seems to be his favorite pool activity. Now if I could just get him to remember to water the flowers by our front door . . . .


Splashing around having a great time!

Wednesday Fun Days

This summer my friends and I have decided to explore DC and the surrounding areas on a quest to find the best this area has to offer. So far, we have done pretty good! Most of our outings have been quite cheap if not free which is always nice. Our first adventure took us to Frying Pan Park. Kidwell Farm is a working farm of the 1930's that provides a glimpse of family farming in northern Virginia. It was hard to believe that we were just outside of DC.

And on the farm we had a pig, e-i-e-i-o! With an oink oink here . . . .

Doesn't he look a pro tractor driver? I think he gets it from his Papa who claims he grew up on a farm?!?!

The whole gang (well actually just half the gang) on the hay ride around the farm land.

Then next week we went to Burke Lake Park, and Jackson was in pure heaven! We got to ride an actual Choo Choo! He would not play until he rode the train. He had his mind set that he was going to ride that train, and he was going to ride it now. He is still talking about choo choos and tunnels. I guess we might just have to head back for round two!

Jackson is admiring the choo choo engine while heading to pick out his seat!

Seriously mom, when is this thing going to start moving?

Hanging on tight while the choo choo is chugging along.

To finish the day we rode on a "neigh neigh" - life can't get much better than that!

Tomorrow the tradition continues - a water day at a friend's house. It should be a wet and wild one!