Pictures of Christmas

Pre Christmas Eve

Ainsley Standing

Ok so one day we are just starting to crawl and a few days later we are standing at the train table, standing holding on to anything, and then even standing and letting go so that she can stand on her own. The latter she only did for a few seconds but I got to hand it to her she wants to move.

Santa

I took Ainsley to get her first Christmas Santa picture done this morning, no screaming, no tears, just no smiles. The best part of the event was hearing Camden say, " Mama don't tell Bracken I got candy cane and a bear OK Mama OK." OK Camden.

Christmas Card

From Our Home to Yours

Video of Ainsley

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Ainsley is officially crawling, I haven't got video of the event yet but it will come.

Thanksgiving

To start the Thanksgiving festivities off, Bracken had a feast at school, were they had a chicken nugget meal, with mash potatoes and carrots and apple sauce. The kids had lots of fun. Then the class sang and danced to the parents 3 silly songs, Hello Mr. Turkey how are you, A turkey is a funny bird, and last but not least the Chicken dance, that they all danced to and then yes Mommy too had to dance, oh what fun!

This year my sister and her family as well as Great Grandma Jack got to come to our first thanksgiving. I say our first because we do two Thanksgivings on Thanksgiving day, Lunch and Dinner, the Shell side, the Hay side. Usually my sister from Colorado comes for Christmas but they are unable to make it this year due to work schedules so we got an extra special Thanksgiving with them all this year. So there we all were 9 grandchildren, 3 siblings and spouses, Grandma Jackson and Grammie and Pop at Grammie and Pop's house for Thanksgiving. Let me just say if you think it is hard to take the picture of 3 kids 5-7 months try taking pictures of 9 kids 12-7months.

Thanksgiving #2 was at Matt's parents house, and there too we had special guests, and what do you know from Colorado also. Matt's Aunt Rita and Uncle Jack joined us for our yummy dinner. We had a great time, but now are so full we can't move.

Bracken's 5Th Birthday Party

Calling all Lego fans, Bracken wanted a Lego Party so that is what we had, we had Legos Legos and more Legos. We delayed celebrating Bracken's birthday this year so that Auntie Shawn, Uncle Jeff, Jesse, Jenna and Shanna, could make it since they were coming in from Colorado for Thanksgiving. The kids all had a blast playing with each other and the Legos. Mommy was stressed of coarse making a all things Lego, and I now see why it is just so much easier to have a party not at home. Bracken loved it though so I guess that is all that matters.

Happy Birthday Bracken!

Happy 5Th Birthday Bracken. What a joy it has been to be your Mommy and Daddy. We love you lots and can't believe how fast the time has gone by. It seems like it was just yesterday that our little golden child was born, and now here we are 5 years later and the things you know amazes us daily. We love you, and can't wait to celebrate many more birthdays with you. Happy Birthday dude!

Loop Left or Loop Right

So Bracken decided to learn how to tie his shoes this morning, so we started him off with the basics, step 1 cross and through the whole. Next we had our dilemma, do you loop left or loop right first. Mommy(Right Handed) loops left, Daddy(Right Handed) loops right, and Bracken was just confused, depending on who was helping him he was all backwards until Daddy realized that Mommy does it different. So we had Bracken pick which way to learn and he picked Mommy's way. Now after and hour or trying Bracken can officially tie his own shoes. When he gets to be a daddy he will have the same dilemma unless his wife is left handed like Grammie. Auntie Shawn and Mommy laugh about looping left considering we are both right handed, but growing up in the house of Left hands I guess that is what you get.

Bob the Pooper

OK so we had and eventful night in our house, with no help from us. Camden who is still in diapers, the stubborn little guy, was getting ready for his shower and every night before shower he stands and goes pee in the toilet like a big boy well tonight he went pee then turned around sat down and went poop in the potty. Yeah Camden, now we just have to convince him this is what he wants to do all the time.

Halloween 2008

Ainsley's 1st Halloween, and she was a Pumpkin Fairy, and was as good as can be, no fussing or anything. Camden aka Bob the Builder, once again didn't like putting on his costume that he begged for, but after some bribing it worked as long as we didn't talk about it. Bracken (SWAT guy) on the other had loves wearing costumes and as usual he was another community service person. Thanks to Grammie and Pop for the costumes, they were a hit. Normally we just walk our street and back since the kids don't really eat candy but this year we joined our neighbors of the walk of the neighborhood, Ainsley fell asleep, Camden was so excited he really got the hang of it, his bag was so heavy he and to tell him it was OK to let us carry it, and Bracken as usual was all over the place running from house to house with his friends. Over all it was a good night, nice weather too.

Carving Pumpkins 2008

We had lots of fun carving pumpkins this year. A bunch of neighbors get together for a carving party and dinner. Thank you Randy and Christine for letting us use your house. This year we had 13 pumpkins but we only carved 3, which was a task all in itself. We had to be ready this year so I have the designs drawn out and punched out on the pumpkins before we even started. For the first time ever, we were one of the first ones done, and boy are they cute. Pooh=Camden, Tigger=Bracken and Piglet=Ainsley.

Solid Food

Okay so I am a little behind on feeding Ainsley solids but I thought whats the rush, she isn't acting like she isn't getting enough milk and we haven't increased any of her feedings so what is the rush. Well considering tomorrow is her 6 month well check at the Dr, and not wanting to get yelled at, I decided to try Ainsley at cereal today. She was a champ, after she figured out that I was not going to let her do it herself she enjoyed it, and not to messy either.

Camden's 1st Dentist Visit

Camden went to the Dentist for the first time today, he is finally getting one of his missing teeth and we were concerned if the rest were even there to come in. Dentist said yes at least 3 of the others were in there, but wasn't sure about the 4Th so maybe he will have one less tooth than everyone else. I am going to sure miss his toothless smile tough when his teeth do come it. Maybe by the time he is 3 he will have them all.(Camden has his 2 middle bottom teeth, 2 missing teeth on each side of that then he has his molars) Silly Boy!

Attempts at Christmas Photo

I have a goal to get my Christmas cards ordered by the end of October so that I can take advantage of a great discount, so I have started to take the kids pictures when ever I can. Hopefully soon I will get a good one but the process of getting there is pretty funny to see. Bracken and his almost 5 if you want to call that a smile look. Camden I know I am cute and I am just silly looks, and Ainsley I don't like the grass, what are you doing to me and I am so done look.

More Kids with their Pumpkins

Pumpkins

This weekend we went out to Lombardi's Ranch to pick our pumpkins, the boys love going out there to see all the pumpkins and the animals. Let me just say that I have never seen so many people there in my life like this day, and it was hot. So much for the weather saying it was going to be a nice 74, no it was 92. So it was hot we have to park a long walk away, and brilliant me thinking about how much fun it is to push a stroller through the dirt and rock and rows of pumpkins let alone crowds decided to put Ainsley in her carrier, bad idea. The kids loved it though, and we were quick in and out and 12 pumpkins later, Yes I know never let your kids pick the pumpkins, Camden just kept putting them in the wagon. It was fun though and I will try to take the kids back during the week to get more pictures.

Ainsley is 6 months

From New photos

Can you believe how fast time goes, it seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home and now she is 6 months old and sits all by herself and can scoot and turn all around. We love you Princess Pickles!

We have been busy around here!

We had fall break last week so things have been a little busy around here, and let me just say I am so glad that school is back in. We started the weekend off with a trip to the beach, it was too hot at home so we had to escape and lucky for us our neighbors were camping in Ventura so we spent Saturday with them. Then we were home for 3 days so to keep the kids occupied I had them clean out there toys for Goodwill since we have a birthday and Christmas coming. Thursday couldn't come soon enough, the boys were crazy all week, and we just had 1 more thing to do before we left for Lego Land, the Dentist. Bracken did great, no cavities, he was a champ x-rays and all. We finally got to leave Thursday afternoon and got down to San Diego that evening just in time for dinner and bed, but not soon enough for the boys because they were on a high thinking about going to Lego Land the next day. So we hit Lego land Friday, and the Wild Animal Park Saturday, and then home again Sunday. The kids were great and had a blast, and now I am so thankful that school is back in.

Preview of what is coming

So we finally got new pictures of the kids taken, not fun by the way, you can only do so much with a 5 month old a 2 year old and a 4.5 year old. I was determined to get a good picture of each of them so I did a sitting for each child 2 weeks ago and so far so good, I can't wait to get the actual pictures.

Sitting like a Big Girl

At 5 Months Ainsley is rolling, scooting and sitting all by her self these days. Hopefully she will not start crawling or my world as I know it will soon be over. Ainsley is still sleeping through the night, but has been doing that since almost the very beginning. Next step solid foods, and move into sleeping in her room.

Skunk

Okay so there are no pictures for this one but trust me it was a doozy. So tonight willow (the dog) was going crazy outside barking at this one bush. Matt finally goes out to see what the deal is and sees that there is some sort of animal in there. Not wanting to get too close he gets the floor mop and tries to shoe it out. Willow being willow was no help and was trying to attack whatever it was. Well it finally came out of the bush as Willow jumped in the bush and it was a skunk, it was kinda cute but still a skunk, and what do skunks do they spray. Willow got a direct hit, so it is now 11:20pm and we have just finished washing willow with some Internet recipe of how to get the skunk out of a dog, and airing out the house. Kinda funny until you smell my house. So much for watching a movie and having popcorn.

Fire Truck / Wa Wa

So according to Bracken this was one of the best days ever. Friday is soccer day so I try to get the boys namely Camden to take a nap since soccer is at 5pm. Camden doesn't normally take naps but if we go for a car ride it is a guaranteed nap. So we all got in the car and drove around to see all the Fire Stations, and true to form Camden fell asleep halfway through the 30 minute drive. So we head home move Camden to the couch and have quiet rest time. Not today though, today the fire truck from the station up the street came to visit our friend the fireman Randy. Anyone that knows the boys know that they are obsessed with Fire Trucks. Bracken got to go see the truck and climb all in and around it, he was in heaven. Camden still sleeping missing all the fun until the kids honk the horn and Camden wakes up saying I hear Wa Wa. So the boys both got to enjoy the truck and fireman though I only got pictures of Bracken, sorry Camden. Thanks Randy for being such a cool friend and fireman.

Patriot Day

In Remembrance of 9/11, Bracken was to wear Red, White and Blue to school today so we all did so we will never forget. We talked a little about it before he went to school today and what it means to be free. Bracken doesn't quite understand the entire actions of that day, but they talked about it at school, and it was an hour conversation when he got home, he said he was sad that all those people died. It is amazing how much he really does understand and the compassion he feels for others.

Aisnley & Emma

Ainsley had a play date with her friend Emma today while Daddy, Bracken, Camden, Our friend Brent and his little girl Karly went to the Dodger game. Emma is two months older than Ainsley, they are going to be great friends as long as Emma doesn't steal her bows.

Bracken's First Soccer Game

Since T-Ball is over we thought we would see how Bracken would like soccer. So far so good, he likes going to practice once a week, but I think that is because he gets to play at the park afterwards with his friends. He was excited for his first game, he likes his uniform and his cleats, still so far so good. Once he figured out which way he was to kick the ball all was good and he thinks who will do it again. Mommy on the other hand would like to look for an indoor sport next time, it is just too hot, Ainsley and Camden agree, we need air conditioning. Special Thanks to Grammie & Pop and Papa & Nana for coming his first game

Of course it had to be hot today

We have been planning on putting in a play structure for the kids in the backyard and have been putting it off all summer, but this week Matt got a bee in his bonnet and got the fence put around the spa, bought the fort and slide and said Sunday we are going to put it in. Well it was about 106 degrees at 3:30 today when he finally had enough. Of course today had to be so hot. Anyways the boys had fun helping Daddy and Papa put it together, I don't thing Daddy and Papa had as much fun.

Bracken's 1st day of Preschool

Bracken started his 3rd year of preschool this past week, and was such a big boy no tears or anything. He should be an old pro by now but this year he is going to a new school and more days, 5 half days to be exact. He had a little nervous belly a few days before school started but once he got there he thought it was so cool. A plus for me, it down the street at the elementary school that he will attend next year, so no more driving across town at lunch time, yeah!

Happy Birthday

Matt's Birthday

Today is Matt's 32nd Birthday, so we wish him a Happy Birthday with lots of love. Hopefully we will be able to get out maybe this weekend to celebrate with a dinner or something, but until then he picked to have a take out sushi dinner tonight and I did get him an ice cream cake for desert. I would have made him a cake but since today was cleaning day I got off easy.

Camping

We all got away for a little summer trip before school starts and had a blast camping with our neighbors up at Flying Flags in Buelton. So call me crazy, but to add a few more days to the outing Matt drove us up and dropped me and the kids off for 2 days while he went back home for work. It was very overwhelming, but I survived with the help from our friends and me and 3 kids 4 and under made a trip to the pool and the beach. We were so happy to see daddy again on Friday afternoon for the rest of the weekend. This was Ainsley's first time camping and first time to the beach. As it so happens all three kids had there first real beach experience at the same beach.

All is quiet

Random Pictures

Camden can sleep anywhere.

Bison Buffalo Same Thing

So today we were lucky enough to have Matt work only a half day, so we went on a little outing eating lunch out and then on to Hart Park. Bracken was really excited about going to Hart Park, he likes seeing all the animals. Well we got there in the 104 degree temps and of course no animals out, they are building a new pin for all the animals, yah says Bracken I knew that. So we decided to go on the nature walk to the top of the hill, mind you the boys walking and Ainsley in a stroller being pushed up a hill that is not paved for the most part, but we did it, and it was worth it because when we got to the top we got to see all the Bison/Buffalo. We had a discussion on what they were actually called. They were all out and we got to see all the new babies, there has been six born since January this year. For Matt and I living here whole lives it was a first for us that we can remember, it was cool. I went to take pictures but of course forgot the camera in the car. Bracken then of course tells us yah I saw them already when we came with Pop and we shouldn't have come today since all the other animals were not out. I told him then he should of told us since he already knew that, so for him the afternoon was a total bust. When we got back to the car, the boys were dragging I was caring Camden and Bracken was ready to crash, but I wanted to get a picture to document our adventure, so got the kids all in place turn the camera on, dead battery so no pictures. The afternoon wasn't a total bust it was still so hot that we all went swimming at Papa and Nana's the rest of the afternoon. It was a great day.

Note: On the sign at the park it says American Bison. On the Hart Park website it says American Bison (Buffalo), and growing up here I was aways told buffalo.

Big Events

This evening was a big night for the boys well mostly for Bracken but we can't forget Camden. Bracken took off his training wheels and rode his bike, and he kept going and going and going he didn't want to stop the entire night. I actually had to bribe him to stop with a new lego that I have hidden away for special little gifts, but he kept on riding. Camden then wanted attention too so he was preforming for the camera. Hearing him say cheese gets me every time.

And just so Ainsley doesn't get left out check out her blue eyes

4th of July

We had a great 4Th. We celebrated with friends and neighbors with a BBQ, water slide, frozen drink machine, snow cones, games, and lots of fun. The kids had a blast, they stayed awake all day and crashed after the fireworks were over.

Pictures of Ainsley

Sorry I have been so bad about getting pictures out of Ainsley, She is growing so fast, and just seem to always forget to get the camera out. She is 10 weeks old can you believe it.