Rock Climbing

We joined an amazing gym that has an indoor and outdoor pool, a great kids area, and even a rock climbing wall.  Jackson was so excited to give it a try after convincing me that I need to climb right beside him.  After a few times climbing, he was on his own.

It wasn't long until he had climbed all the way to the top, but coming down is still a work in progress.

1st Haircut

After watching Jackson get his haircut, Braden was up next.  It's a good thing he was up for the challenge because he was beginning to look like a shaggy dog!

He sat in my lap and was so still the entire time.  Jackson was nice enough to capture the moment with my phone and even took a video!  

 

I think the end result aged him about 10 years. 

Happy Birthday Braden

I can't believe Braden is one!  It seems like yesterday that I was frantically trying to do laundry, clean up the house, run to Target, and pack my bags because Dr. Lashgari said you might come early.  And early it was!  I guess that should have been a good warning that you like to do things your own way and in your own time.  Of course we love it and wouldn't want it any other way! 

We decided to have a family birthday party in Mississippi while we were still there for Christmas.  We did wait until Jan. 1 so the party would at least be in correct year.  But don't worry, we celebrated again at Chick-fil-a on your actual birthday!

There wasn't really a theme, but I did want everything to be bright and colorful.  I made cupcakes and



a little something special for the guest of honor.

We had some balloons, but Jackson insisted that we needed more decorations.  So he helped Dee Dee make a paper chain and hung it up behind the presents. 




Since we had just celebrated Christmas, Braden was quite the pro at opening presents. 



He also took time to do some quick test driving.



After all the toys had been unwrapped and had been tested, it was time for the cake!  I had decorated his high chair for the occasion, but



these stinkin cute little feet kept popping out.



He didn't mind the singing, and we thought he would dive right in to his little cake. 

 But just like big, brother there were tears ! UNTIL . . .



Mommy helped him find the chocolate cake!   "Hmmm, this isn't so bad after all!"

 And then he took it from there! 

The end result . . . .  Not too bad, right?

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby boy! You are simply a joy to our family.  You make us smile and laugh every day.  I am not sure who loves you more - Daddy, Mommy, or Jackson!

Urban Cowboys

While we were in Missouri, we had a chance to go to my aunt and uncle's house to see their horses. When I was younger one of my favorite memories was riding horses with my Aunt Terri when we visited my extended family.  Now,  my cousin Payden competes in rodeos, so it was fun to have a real live cowboy on hand to show us his tricks!

I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to convince Jackson to ride one of the horses, but after many questions and much thought he was up for it!



After petting and leading the horses, it was time to saddle up and just get used to actually sitting on a horse.  



I eventually got on with him, and finally we were off.  We took it easy at first.  Then I might have "accidentally" kicked a little to hard, and we took off in a full gallop - FUN!!   When it was time to go, he didn't want to stop riding!  
 


Eventually, we let Braden in on all the fun. 

 Maybe one day, one of the Johnson boys will be in a rodeo like their momma!

Christmas

After breakfast was eaten and Santa toys were played with, it was time to move onto the rest of the presents.

Jackson was bouncing off the walls, so he was ready to go. It was definitely a Wii kind of Christmas for him along with a couple of books, puzzles, and action figures.



It didn't take long for Braden to understand this whole unwrapping present thing.



And as usual with this age the wrapping can be more fun than the actual present.



I tried so hard to surprise Mark this year with Guitar Hero, but once again he guessed it ahead of time! I'm not quite sure how he does it!


We ended the day with our 2nd annual prime rib dinner with the Kuda family. The whole day was a joy, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus!

Santa Claus Came to Town

Santa Claus spoiled the Johnson boys once again!

Santa brought everything Jackson asked for and more . . . .


a Mario Kart K'nex track, the Mario Sports Wii game, a Wii remote, 2 angry birds, Angry Birds the board game, Mario and Friends figurines, and a Razor scooter complete with helmet!

Braden didn't even ask for anything and still racked up . . . .


a Weeble Wobble tree house, a Fisher Price race track, and a musical ball.

Braden also got a catepillar tunnel, but Jackson quickly stated that Santa brought them a fun tunnel to share! Who would have thought?


After watching Jackson crawl through the tunnel a couple of times,


Braden quickly thought it looked like fun!


While I made another ho hum breakfast (still searching for that yummy Christmas morning breakfast) the boys played and played!




Matching Santa pajamas and I didn't even get a cute picture of them together! Maybe next year!

Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve was just like the last two except we had one more family member along for the ride.


I tried so hard to get a cute picture of the boys on Christmas Eve, but it just didn't happen!

We started the night by heading to eat at Sweet Water Tavern where we proceeded to eat our weight in rolls - yum yum! Then it was off to church for the family service where once again Jackson played the bells. I'm sad to say this will be his last year! I guess Jackson considered himself a pro, because we noticed that he was telling the kid next to him when and how to ring his bell!


After church we headed to DC to see the National Christmas Tree. Mark and I both started giggling when we got there and saw this . . . .


It looked like a miniature! Sometime last spring the original tree blew over, so they had to bring in a new one. Hopefully a couple more years of growth will help!



Jackson is so much fun to watch. As soon as we get out of the car he starts running and singing Christmas carols. He still gets so excited to see all trains, and try to pick out which ones are new.


When we were about all frozen, it was finally time to head home and prepare for Santa. Braden didn't wait up for the festivities, so Jackson got all the cookies, milk, and reindeer food ready.


We are already looking forward to the next Christmas Eve and all of our family traditions!