Merry Christmas!

We have had a fun and exciting past week. We went to Sea World, a ward Christmas party, work party, and took the elders (one from my lil' town of Cardston) out for dinner, etc... Here are the photos we've taken since our last post.

Jaxson, the studly little man he is.
I don't remember if I mentioned this, but Jaxson learned how to get out of his crib. blaaaahhh. Well, sometimes he won't stay in his toddler bed, and when I go in to his room to check on him, this is what I find. silly boy
Before Sea World, we stopped by the hospital for their big party in the parking lot. Kids got to see Santa, there were lots of vendors, and bounce houses etc... We saw this State Farm bear and told Jax to go stand by him. Well, Jax stood in front of the bear, then backed up till he right next to the bear, and then gave us a big Cheese! We thought it was quite a funny situation, because Ryan's Dad works for a different insurance company.

waiting in line for the bounce house.

Jaxson and his first experience driving a real fire truck.

At Sea World ... Jaxson loved the Sesame Street Show.

Jaxson waving and cheering for Elmo.

Seeing Cookie Monster towards the end of the performace. All the sudden, all the kids from the audience ran up to the stage, so we took Jax up too :)

One morning this week, Jaxson and I played baseball with wooden spoons, a tennis ball, and his safari hat. It was awesome!

Jaxson says "ready, set, go" and then I throw the ball to him and he hits it (or trys to anyway)

the same morning, he also pulled out the double paci. this kid is insane! haha :)

At our ward Christmas party -- Jaxson loves Santa. HO HO HO

We had a fun date night at Ryan's work party. Beautifully decorated, great food, danced with my hubby, no Jaxson to worry about -- it was an AWESOME night!

Thanksgiving & A Family Week

We've had a busy (but very fun!) past couple of weeks. After we got back from Utah, it was Thanksgiving week. We took Jaxson to Bass Pro Shop to get pictures with Santa, but the wait was 1.5 hrs ... so we played on the Merry-go-round and other games instead.

Jaxson riding the bear ... rooaaarrrhh
playing a hunting game. I think this picture is just precious!
they had pretty Christmas decorations all over the gigantic store

what Jaxson wants for Christmas ....

Jaxson saying "ROAR" in response to the question, "what does a lion say?"

Our Thanksgiving spread. For Ryan, Jaxson and I, I made ... turkey, turkey gravy, rolls, broccoli salad, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and stuffing. Yes, we had thanksgiving dinner for a week.

The Monday after Thanksgiving, Julie and Claire came to stay with us for a few days (brian was there for one night too!). We really enjoyed spending time with them! We made sugar cookies to decorate on Monday night --- we didn't get a lot of photos because both Jaxson and Claire were ready for bed! Jax about to take a bit of frosting

The kids drove the car(t) at HEB

We went to the kiddie friendly park a few times and Claire and Jax loved it. Jaxson now points out all the slides in the books he is reading

We went to the bounce house at the mall, but of course Jaxson's favorite thing was the basketball archade game. Notice the ball - he really does have a good shot.

Claire shooting some hoops

Jaxson loved this slide (after we coaxed him a lot to go up it- then he kept saying more!)

We went to the park again .... Love this photo of Jaxson

doing chin ups

Jaxson and Claire thought that getting water squirted into their mouths was the best thing ever. It was pretty fun to watch - they would both open their mouths while the other one was getting water. Julie told Jaxson it was basketball water, so he thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Tortue? Maybe. We thought it would be fun to let the kids walk around the kiddie pool. Reminded me of Waterton lake water. brrrrr. They thought it was pretty fun, until they each feel down and went wide-eyed because it was freezing! So fun.

after falling down. straight to a warm bath...

trying to get one last photo of them. I told Jax to give Claire a hug --- he has been doing this quick side version lately.

Just 2 hours after we dropped Julie & Claire off at the airport, Ryan's parents flew into town for Ryan's grad school graduation. Papa and Jaxson in Santa's big chair

Jaxson wants to ride this everytime we go to HEB. Luckily grandma had 2 quaters for him.

We took Jax to play at McDonalds when it was rainy outside. He thought this piano slide was pretty neat. Actually the whole play place was pretty awesome - let's just say we will be visiting this McDonalds in the future...

We went back to Bass Pro Shop and saw Santa. Is it weird that I am wearing short sleeves, shorts, and flip flops in December? Lucky for me, it has actually cooled down quite a lot this week!

HO HO HO

On Saturday morning, we drove to Austin for Ryan's University of Texas graduation. We are so proud of him and all he has accomplished! He did a great job on his thesis and he has a wonderful job- I appreciate and love him so very much!

Jaxson being silly during the ceremony

Jax thought Ryan's tassel was pretty cool

So proud of all your hard work hunny!

Proud parents

Handsome graduate

Walking to the reception after the ceremony. love my boys!

After our time in Austin, we drove a longer way home. We went though Burnet. Its a small town, but one of the churches there puts on this "Bethlahem" scene. They basically recreate the scene of Bethlahem at the time of Christ's birth. It was so neat to walk around and see everything they did- it was spectacular!

Jaxson petting a goose.

Roman soliders

riding a chariot

petting a camel

the navitity scene. so awesome! I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and what he has done for all mankind. Because of his life and sacrifice for us, all have the ability to repent and live with him and our families again.

Christmas photo

Jaxson likes to put his arm around both Ryan and I (super cute and I love it). Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!