Raspy Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving holiday took a turn at the last minute. Jackson has been fighting a cold and cough for the past few weeks and we were advised by his doctor Tuesday afternoon that we shouldn't be traveling. This would allow Jackson to relax at home with his own bed, toys and routine.

Jackson trys to say "mama, dada" but has a raspy little voice that we think is absolutely adorable, but you know he doesn't feel so hot.

To make this Thanksgiving holiday have some normalcy without our extended family, Pete and I decided to cook Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings...We got a quick learning curve in how to prepare our very first turkey...and it turned out perfect!

Jackson enjoyed eating turkey, stuffing, mashed taters and a little pumpkin pie!!

Here are a few of Jackson's latest pictures!


Having a good time eating Thanksgiving Dinner


Playful with the camera



Tired of the turkey, stuffing and the camera

We love Green Eggs and Ham with Dad!

Snotty noses when we don't feel good

Pumpkins, Pirates and two hours of driving

Pete and I have lived in the Sacramento area for almost 9 years now and have heard great things about Apple Hill but had never made the drive. With Halloween quickly approaching, we figured this was a great place for Jackson to run around, pick a pumpkin and experience all there is at Apple Hill.

However, I think just about everyone in Sacramento had the same idea as we did. What would have normally taken us 25 minutes to get there ended up taking us 1.5 hours. After numerous outbursts and hunger pains, Pete, Papa, Yaya, Jack and myself FINALLY made our way to Abel's Apple Orchard. We stood in line to buy food, stood in line to buy apples, and yes, stood in line to pay for Jack's pumpkin. After a couple of hours, we were quite sure we had seen all that Abel had to offer.

Here are a few pictures of this fabulous adventure! :)


Captain Jack Muir


Getting ready to pick the perfect pumpkin



We drove two hours to take our picture with a fake cow?????

Found it!

Wait, this is the one!

Tahoe Vacay

We decided to venture out of Sacramento for a much-needed 5 day vacation to North Lake Tahoe. In doing so, Jackson and Mishka were able to see and touch snow for the very first time. We enjoyed relaxing, watching movies, going on hikes and spending time together.

Here are a few pictures of our vacation.


Hikes are so much fun when you have a Sherpa Daddy!


Even Mishka made the trip



Taking in the snow...for the first time

Wearing Papa Wayne's beanie

Jackson's 1st Birthday

Jackson had a great 1st birthday. We spent the day with him at the Folsom Zoo and then followed it up by a little party at our house. He got to see Mimi, Jess, Zane, Yaya and Papa. He loves all of his new presents and has been playing with them non-stop.

Pete baked Jackson's cake and we thought he would love to dig his fingers in it and eat the frosting. But, it was quite anti-climatic. He took a couple of bites but didn't show too much interest in getting himself dirty--oh well!

We can't believe the year has come and gone, but at least one thing is for sure....We are sleep deprived!!


At the Folsom Zoo



Out for a stroll in the new wagon


So many presents to choose from


Very serious about things



Blowing out our candle

Botancial Gardens

Wow, two posts in one day!!! Last weekend we had some fabulous cool weather which allowed us to spend a lot of time outside. We again, frequented the park in our neighborhood, but also spent an afternoon with a picnic at the Botanical Gardens to celebrate Jackson's 11 month birthday. This picnic was full of walking, looking at trees, flowers, acorns and butterflys.

Jackson has been walking now for almost two months and on occasion thinks he can run. While at the Botanical Gardens he started running, got wobbily and fell. He had a little bruise on the side of his head for a few days but definitely did stop him from having fun.

Enjoy this latest group of pics!




Absolutely love this picture...Walking with daddy!



What? Sorry, I can't hear you tell me to turn around and come back...too busy!!



Taking a break with daddy AKA Baba.


Pointing to a butterfly at the Botanical Gardens


Silly daddy...I might just grab your glasses when you least expect it.

Fairytale Town

A few weeks back Mimi, Zane and Auntie Jess came to visit us and spent a Friday babysitting while mommy worked for a few hours. Jackson got to play with Zane a lot and took a walk to a fabulous little park located in our neighborhood. Jackson frequents this park with mommy or Yaya on a daily basis to swing, walk and throw the ball.

It was so great to have Jack and Zane together although Jackson did not stop giving him kisses the entire weekend. Zane was a good sport and just sat there while Jackson smooched away!! We spent the next day at Fairytale Town where Jackson got to give Humpty Dumpty a lot of kisses, walk around the park, listen to music and go down a few slides...with mommy of course.

Jackson is to the point where he absolutely loves being around kids and although he is usually the youngest one...he is also the bossiest. Here are a few from these two adventures!




Giving kisses to Humpty!


Very content just sitting in the grass--and holding a leaf.


Eyes are focused on Auntie JJ's Blackberry...Ready to swoop in and take that as soon as she is done with the picture.


On the swings with Mimi


At the end of the day..tired baby boy!

Where has the time gone?

Walking around like a big boy.


Playing in the sand in San Francisco


Hanging with Daddy


Celebrating Mommy's 28th birthday.

We have a lot going on with this little boy. He is now basically running around the house and only stopping to swipe something he shouldn't and carry it down the hall.





He loves to feed Mishka some of his food by dropping it on to the floor while sitting in this high chair. This is probably the only time that she shows some interest in him.





Jackson is now equipped with 7 teeth and sometimes likes to use these teeth for things other than chewing food. We are trying to break him of the biting, but even at 10 months, he is already defiant. :)





We are having so much fun and cherish all of his milestones.

These legs are made for walking...

Truly amazing! Jack is walking and sometimes on the verge of running around our house. He went from taking a few steps last week, to now walking across the room. He is a very good multi-tasker and can sometimes clap his hands while walking.

We had a great 4th of July and Jack absolutely loved his first fireworks experience. He clapped his hands and smiled the whole time. This after he was a perfect angel at our friend's pool and bbq.

Jack still says "mama" and stomps his feet when he is mad. We are trying to get him to say "dada" but think "Mishka" might be the next word.

Here are a few of Jack's latest pictures.

So smart at 9 months

Jackson is pretty amazing and has conquered so much in the last month. He finally cut two teeth, can stand on his own, can recognize and pick up specific toys you ask him about..and in the last week has starting saying "mama, mama"....so cute and adorable. Now if only Pete can get him to say "dada"

We spent the weekend in Santa Rosa and Bodega Bay in honor of my dad. It is hard to believe it has been two years. Although Jack never met Papa, he wrote him a note and got to send a balloon to him in heaven.

8 months

We have been a little lax about posting lately but thought since Jackson is 8 months old today that we would put up some new pictures. He is cruising right along with his crawling, and pushing his car all over the house. His latest thing is to crawl on his knees while pushing the car--hilarious to see.

Jackson is enjoying eating his Cheerios and baby food. We are hoping he will like to sleep through the night as well some time SOON!!

7 months of absolute cuteness!!

The cutest profile

We are in trouble


Love walks with mom and dad


That profile again..


DJ Jack with his new sunglasses


I know, we can't believe he is 7 months either! It seems like yesterday when we were so excited that Jackson could do tummy-time for 5 minutes. Now--if only we had 5 minutes!! He is crawling like crazy, pulling himself up on whatever he gets his hands on and enjoying walks facing frontwards in his stroller.