Happy Halloween / Boo at the Zoo

Happy Halloween from Jackson the Astronaut!

Earlier this week, we met some of my high school friends and their kids at the zoo. Thanks goodness Corbin and John Austin were in town - otherwise Jackson would have been the only boy! :)

Beth/Emery, Me/Jackson, Lauren/Sydney, Corbin/John Austin, Merrit/Greer
The Birthday Twins (Sydney liked J's flashlight)

All the kiddos

J and Emery

Halloween Carnival 2008

Our church had our Halloween carnival this past Sunday night. Jackson had a blast! Usually he is a little reserved (takes him a little bit to warm up), but he ran around the gym/carnival like he owned the place. Jeremy, Mandy and I had to take turns chasing him around. . .

Family picture with our little astronaut! Let's just say that it was a challenge to climb up this slide with Jackson. He started crying about halfway up - and I hauled him up anyway. It wore me out!!!
Mom, you made me do the slide -please just let me eat my sucker!

Happy 2nd Birthday Greer!

This past weekend, we went to Greer's 2nd birthday party! Merrit did such a great job - lots of planning and hard work definitely went into this party! The kids came in their costumes and the party had a carnival theme. Merrit did not overlook any details. . .

Jackson decorating his pumpkinPosing outside of the petting zoo
Greer on the pony!

Jackson with Mandy in the bounce house (not sure about it)

Thanks, Greer, for having such a fun party! Happy Birthday!

Mandy Visits

My college roommate/best friend came to visit us this past weekend. She came on Friday morning and stayed through Monday - we had so much fun! Here are a couple of pics from the weekend. . .

Jackson showed Aunt Mandy his favorite spots at the museum. . .

Mandy even helped Jackson decorate his pumpkin at Greer's party (more pics to come from that later). . .

Aunt Mandy - Thanks so much for coming to visit me! Thanks for playing blocks with me, taking me for rides outside in my car/wagon, going with me to a birthday party and a Halloween carnival, being silly with me, and laughing with me. My mommy loves when you come to visit. My mommy was right - you are so much fun! :) Love, Jackson.

P.S. Aunt Mandy - tell your mommy thank you for my piggy football!

State Fair

Mid-October at the State Fair was a little warm today, but we had a fun time. Despite the look on his face below, Jackson really did like seeing the animals. . .

The cows say "mooooo"
Jackson on one of the only rides he was tall enough to ride - he loved it (I wasn't sure what he would think when I strapped him in and left him alone!). Next year he'll be riding all the kiddie rides. :)

Jackson dancing at the Radio Disney show
Just a memory for us - Jeremy was wanting to win a stuffed Nemo (fish) for Jackson. The guy told us that it was $5. Jeremy started throwing darts and the guy set out a small monkey for Jackson. Then he told Jeremy it was $15 more to throw darts for the Nemo!!! Needless to say, we walked away with the monkey and Jackson didn't know the difference. :)

Pumpkin Patch

On our way back home on Sunday, we took a slightly different route - and I saw a sign for a pumpkin patch. Since the one we went to last year is no longer open, Jeremy and I decided to take a chance and try out this one (perfect timing as Jackson was waking up from his nap in his carseat). Turns out - this pumpkin patch got all their tips from the pumpkin patch that closed/sold (owners retired).

Family pic on a hayride (yes, those are Christmas trees behind us - this place has been a Christmas tree farm for the past 25 years, they just added the pumpkin patch this year!)

We got there just in time to see the pig races. Pretty funny. . .
Jackson picking out his own pumpkin

Cars and Costumes

We went to visit Jeremy's family this weekend and had a great time. Jackson and cousin Judson had such a great time playing outside - Judson loves to be outside, and he showed Jackson how to get dirty! :)
Trying on Uncle Jarrod's boots. . .

Aunt Glenda bought the boys this Radio Flyer car - Jackson LOVED it. He can be pushed, but can also navigate himself with his feet.
We tried to get the boys in their Halloween costumes for pictures. . .let's just say it was not an easy task to get them to sit/stand together in order to snap a picture. :)

The Skunk and the Astronaut. . .

These Boots Were Made for Walking. . .

Soccer Time

This weekend, my family from Louisiana was in town. My cousin, Becca, was playing in a soccer tournament here. Today we went out to watch a game and Jackson had a blast!

Becca is the one in the middle (blue/yellow jersey). Go Becca!At halftime, Uncle Matt played catch with J. Here he is trying to show Jackson how to hold his hands to catch the ball. Jackson just thought he was trying to give high fives.
J hanging out with Mama (his great-grandmother) in the chairs (for a short while).
Jackson learning how to score a goal.

Jackson flirting with the other soccer girls.

Jackson being silly with Aunt Debbie on Saturday night. (Aunt Deb - sorry that your eyes are closed). I took 3 pics and none of them turned out. J was a little hyper at this point.

Jackson worn out from all the excitement. . .he was reading his book and fell asleep.

Uncle Randy, Aunt Debbie, Becca and Mama - it was so good to see you guys this past weekend! Jackson had a great time seeing all of you. . .

Nemo Party

Happy Birthday, Virginia! She had a Nemo party and Jackson loves Nemo - so it was lot of fun. Virginia even had fun balloons that she sent home with everyone!

Fall Leaves

Mimi came over to watch Jackson while I went to a meeting at church. She brought a rake, basket, and leaves for Jackson. They raked up the leaves, threw them in the air, and practiced picking them up and putting them in the basket. Jackson laughed and laughed - he thought it was so much fun. Jeremy says soon we'll get him ouside to rake up some real leaves. :) Mimi - you'll have to bring the rake back over soon!