Happy New Year

It certainly has been an interesting year. I would like to end the year with a prayer. I'm not very good with this so bear with me:

"Dear God - thank you for everything. You have blessed us with wonderful family and friends, good health and employment. We pray for all the people who are in need and hope that all who are lost will find You in the new year. Please be with us as we struggle with issues in our lives and guide us in the right direction. Help us to make good decisions. Amen."

Christmas

I hope everyone had a good Christmas. We did except for having the flu for a few days. Luckily the kids didn't get it. We went to Rozel to see Grandpa, Aunt Mary, Uncle Mark and Cousin Walter. I didn't take many pictures because at one point I lost my camera and used my new phone and I'm having a hard time getting the pictures off of it. Here are a few pictures. Here is Jarrett and his present from Grandpa. Here is our little monkey climbing on the coffee table. He is quite the little climber.

One of Jackson's favorite toys is Grandpa's walker.

Jarrett really liked the new DVD Daddy bought him for the trip. Jackson was just happy to be on the couch.

If I figure out how to get the pictures from my camera, I will post more.

Christmas with Thomas

For Christmas Matt made the boys a table so they could have a place to play trains. To say that they love it would be an understatement. We found Thomas stickers to put on the table so it looks like a train table. The top of it is actually a wall mural but it works well on the table. I turned the picture so that the mural is right side up.

Somehow we ended up with 4 different kinds of Thomas track (how does that work? not very well) so we improvised. Jarrett had a buyers guide from one of the boxes with every possible Thomas thing you could buy. He called it a "map" and kept telling us we were putting the track together wrong. We kept on trying to get the best layout possible and Jarrett just went back up stairs. He eventually came back downstairs.

They also got Little Einstein, WonderPets and McQueen toys. Just an FYI for Julie- yes, we took down the scrapbooking table. Sorry.

Jackson's Christmas Program

Jackson's program was VERY cute. his class dressed as elves and sang (I use that term loosely) with the 2 year old class. They shook jingle bells, jumped up and down and danced. Jackson ended up with 2 sets of bells. I think he was the best bell player there.

He was really funny to watch. He wandered around the stage and almost walked off of it a few times. I think there were at least 6 adults on stage and 4 in front of the stage making sure no one fell off.

They were all very sweet but I think he was the cutest one there.

Jarrett's Christmas Program

Jarrett had his Christmas program today. He had to be persuaded to join his class and seemed to be doing well waiting with his friends.

He was looking at the playground outside and wanted to go and play. I told him if he went out and sang with his class then he could play in the playground.

He said ok. We lined up last and followed everyone else to the stage. Here is his class on stage.Do you see Jarrett? No? He decided not to sing. He didn't even want his picture taken. Oh well. He wasn't the only one who didn't want to participate.

He was still the cutest one there.

Will Jarrett Be Left Handed?

Jarrett was coloring in the kitchen this weekend. His teachers say he uses both hands to write with. In this picture he is using his left. Now, he is using his left.

He does go back and forth but you know what? If he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, he is left handed.

He looks like Grandpa he might as well be left handed like Grandpa.

Sit By Your Brother

I was cleaning the kitchen Saturday when I noticed that the boys were sitting together on the couch watching cartoons. Every time I walked by Jackson would crawl to the other end on the couch. I went and got my camera and said, "Sit by your brother.""No, sit BY your brother." "Not ON him, BY him."Close enough.

I had to take the pictures without the flash so Jarrett would keep his eyes open. He still closed them.

Jarrett at the mall

Sunday Jarrett, Chris and I went shopping at Towne West. Jarrett wasn't excited about shopping until he saw the train. He also liked the carousel until it started going full speed. I had to ride with him because Chris said he would get sick. I get motion sick easily but someone had to ride with him.

We both survived and then he wanted to ride the train again.

We went to Sears to buy some jeans for Jarrett. He said he didn't need any pants because he already had some. He tried on 2 different pairs but took them off immediately because he didn't need them, he was already wearing some pants. He was funny.

Jarrett's First Week of School

Jarrett had a rough first week at the new preschool. He really likes routine and this is a big change so we kind of expected it. It will take some time to get use to the new teacher and new surroundings. This year when they asked him what he was thankful for he said "Thomas". Just wait until Christmas. Mommy and Daddy have been working on a Thomas project for the boys. I'll post a picture when we are done.

Saftey First

Jackson has decided the protective eye wear Daddy uses when he changes diapers is now his. He brings it to us and he just laughs and laughs when we put them on him.

Visit With Santa

This morning we went to Cheri's Bakery and saw Santa. Jarrett didn't want to see Santa, he just wanted to eat the cookies and pretzels. He didn't even want me to take his picture.He did eventually take his hands off his face. Jackson wasn't too sure about him either but we were able to get him to sit long enough to take his picture.

When we first set him down he looked at Santa as if to say, "Who the heck are you?" Chris didn't want to sit on Santa's lap. Chicken.

Little wooden chair

A long time ago in a store far, far away . . . Grandma and Grandpa bought a little wooden chair. For years a bear sat in the chair. Then came the grandchildren. Chris was the first one to throw the bear out and sit in the chair. It isn't really big enough for a toddler to sit in but that didn't stop him. I think all the grandkids sat in that chair at one time or another. Jackson was latest to try it. His little hiney is just to big for that chair.

What's the matter? Can't see the chair? It's that wooden thing you can see just barely see behind his head.

We had to laugh at him. He was determined to sit there. Grandma got a plastic chair that was in the back yard and washed it out for him to sit in. It worked a lot better and it didn't stick with him when he stood up.

I have pictures of Jarrett and Chris sitting in the wooden chair somewhere. I will try to find them and put them on this post.

Thanksgiving

As usual Thanksgiving dinner was at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandpa cut the turkey . . and Grandma did the rest.Here is Chris, Grandma and Grandpa eating dinner along with . . .

Matt and Jackson (Jarrett just ate black olives and then went to play downstairs).

Roger, Krista, Skyler and Rodney.

Grandma made cookies and she and Chris decorated them to look like turkeys. They were very cute and tasty. Here is Chris decorating cookies. He works in a bakery you know . . . washing dishes.

The only person we were missing was Ryan. We love you Ryan and we miss you.

Jarrett's First Day Of School **UPDATED AGAIN**

Today is Jarrett's first day at preschool at Vermillion Primary. He is on the bus right now. Please pray for him, the bus driver and his new teachers. Pray that he accepts his new preschool and thrives in his new environment. Thank you.

**UPDATED** I talked to his teacher, Cassie, that rode with him on the bus this morning. She said he got scared a few times on the bus but was excited to go and was handed off to a para at the school and did great.

**UPDATED AGAIN** I got this email from Jarrett's teacher:

I wanted to write you and let you know how Jarrett’s first day went. He had a bit of a rough transition this morning and cried/fought back for the first thirty minutes. It was during our grouptime and first part of centers. I went over and talked with him for a little bit and he calmed down. He then found a toy and began to play with it. After that, he did a beautiful job of transitioning and going about the classroom and was happy. I think this morning it was all a bit overwhelming at first and a bit of a sensory overload (lots to looks at and noise). We told him at the end of the day that he would get to come play with us tomorrow, and he said “okay that sounds like a good idea.”

As for your prior email in regards to him biting…I did not see any of it today, however, for me I would like to be able to observe him some more and see if I can help with this issue. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to email or call. We look forward to seeing Jarrett tomorrow! He is a very sweet boy and lots of fun!

Happy Birthday Chris, Part II

We had a few people over Wednesday night to celebrate Chris's birthday. Kevin, Jarrett, Matt, Jackson and Grandpa.
Matt, Grandpa, Sara and Grandma. Chris was excited about his birthday cookie.

It was designed by his friend Sara.

Austin, Sara, Chris and friend.

Jackson really liked the cookie too.

Happy Birthday Chris

Here are a few pictures of him when we were in Branson.

Happy Birthday Chris!

I'd like to say that I got you a new car for your birthday but it's not April Fools Day. Sorry. I hope you have a good day!