Happy Birthday!

Well, just about at this very time last year, I was sitting at my desk working when Jackson decided he wanted to make his grand debut! Things started happening quick so I called Zach and we raced to the hospital. Less than 1.5 hours after arriving at the hospital, he was here and has made his presence known ever since! It's hard to believe our little boy is ONE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACKSON!

Although we had Jackson's birthday party on Saturday, we wanted to do something with him today. Zach heard there was a zoo in Crossett, a small town nearby. Yes, a zoo in a town with a
population of 5,600. So we set out this afternoon and as we were driving through town, we
became suspicious when cars were everywhere and people were in lawn chairs lining Main Street. Of all days there was a rodeo parade (the rodeo is apparently a big deal in Crossett) and Crossett being a small town, every business closed early for the big parade--including the zoo.
Zach had called yesterday to check on the hours, but whoever he talked to failed to mention the parade. We tried. So, we came back home and did what most Americans do-we ate pizza and went to Wal-Mart. After we calmed down from our frustration, we headed over to the neighbors to have cupcakes!

Just a couple of pictures . . . what a difference a year makes!

Getting ready to come home and one of my favorite pictures!

Jackson's great-great grandmother made these booties in the 1960s long before they were ever worn; Zach and his brother, along with Jackson, wore these home from the hospital.

The new family one year ago

And the happy family now!

After returning from our zoo attempt

Daddy and Kade, the neighbor's great-granddaughter,
helping Jackson blow out the candle!

Video

We survived the week prior to Jackson's party with cleaning and getting everything together. There are a few pictures from the party on the post below. Jackson did so great at his party! I was worried he wouldn't since he's recently gotten to where he hates naps and gets so irritable. But, he did great yesterday morning with a nap and waking up not long before his party. We were all tuckered by the time he fell asleep last night!

Zach and I have news--we're moving! Nope, not a baby on the way! We're only moving about a mile from our current house, but the time has come to get in something a little larger. We'll certainly miss this little house and especially our neighbors, but we're excited about the new house. We'll get some pictures and post.

I've been working on this video for a little over a week now. I got the idea from a college friend, Meredith (The Meurriers to the right) who did one of their sweet daughter. Our's ended up a little longer than I had planned, but I just couldn't take out any more pictures! I'm not savvy enough to figure out how to put the video on this page, so just click the link below--

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=66cd69e492984a1464db8a&skin_id=0&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Party!

We celebrated Jackson's First Birthday yesterday!

We had a great time and Jackson got a bunch of

wonderful gifts! Thanks everyone for celebrating with us!

It's hard to believe we just had a first birthday party--

the year has flown by!

Emma loved the balloons!

Cake!

Jackson and Cassidy playing!

And he's off!

After several weeks of walking while holding onto
everything and taking a few steps here and there,
Jackson finally let go today! And yes, in the
video he’s after one of his favorite things—an electrical cord!

Little Travels

For a while now I've been wanting

to go to Oxford outside of football season

so I could actually see the town and campus.

Zach's mom and I, along with Jackson,

ended up there Friday.

Jackson's first visit to Taylor Grocery & Restaurant!
Forget the catfish, he LOVED the sausage and cheese.

Jackson's new toy. He loves getting his little
fingerprints all over the windshield and mirror.

On a side note, you think I would realize by now that
Jackson has to reach for and grab everything. Apparently, I
forgot, until now. We were at a grocery store and I was distracted
looking at something and all of the sudden peaches are going everywhere. While I wasn't paying attention, he grabbed a peach off of a display and caused a chain reaction. You think I would learn. About 30 minutes later I was distracted again. This time I heard him grabbing something off a shelf and as I turned around I heard a splat. He had grabbed a bottle of salad dressing--yep, a glass bottle. I learned my lesson.

Calm Before the Storm

Jackson took his first steps earlier this week.

Right now, he has to be distracted before he steps

without holding on. I'm sure we just think we're

constantly chasing after him right now!

Fireworks

We went to Lake Chicot last night so Jackson

could see the fireworks!

Cue that it's time to pack up!

Who needs a pool . . .

when you have a water hose!

I was going to fill his pool up and let the water warm for

a little while when I turned around and saw Jackson was standing

(without any help) and had grabbed the water hose out of the

pool. I didn't get the pool very full and needless to say, he

never made it into the pool today. The water hose was just

too much fun!

Always tastes better this way!

Do we really have to go inside?