Happy Birthday Jackson!!!

Today is Jackson's 6th birthday!!! I can't believe he's 6 years old already. We had a great day with a party in the park and then dinner with Ninny and PawPaw at our house. Even though it was quite chilly outside (it was only about 40-45 during the party, but it was supposed to have been about 50), we still had a good time. We had his party at Kids' Kastle but we moved out of the pavilion (it was even colder in there) to the tables in the sun and that helped make it more tolerable. Trent and Grady were able to join us and there were two kids from Jackson's class who were with us, too -- Kyle and Savannah. Christian and Autumn couldn't make it today, but we were thinking about them and missed them. Gigi and Jack weren't able to travel here from Florida for the party, but Ninny and PawPaw and Grandma and Grandpa were there along with NaeNae, TD, Uncle Troy and Aunt Amber. Other friends had planned to be there but were unable to for various reasons, with the weather probably being part of the problem. We had cake, ice cream (you have to have ice cream with cake, even when it is only 45!), chips and dip, Chex mix, chocolate doughnuts, mixed nuts and mandarin oranges. The kids ate, played in Kids' Kastle and then Jackson opened his gifts. He got lots of clothes, some cars and trucks, a wallet, new programs for the Leap Pad, a game for his Gameboy, money, a bubble wand and lots of bubbles, fishing rod, noise putty (fart maker), a rocket launcher and a giant stuffed Alabama elephant with red and white balloons tied to it!! He really enjoyed answering the door this morning when it arrived via special delivery and knowing this his Gigi had it sent to him. We invited the family to come eat dinner with us, but some were tired or not feeling well and some had other plans, so only Ninny and PawPaw came over. We had good food, though, and enjoyed a little more time with them. Now, we're all just settling down for the evening and getting ready for bed. All in all, it was a very good day. Here's PawPaw enjoying the fart putty!

Catching up and camping out

I'm trying to catch up (again) on the things that have taken place with us over the last 5-6 weeks. I've wanted to post an update many times, but just didn't take or have the time to sit down and do it. So, now I'll update on a few things that have happened in the last month.

During my last post, Trent was spending the night with us and the boys were all enjoying time together and fireworks. He ended up staying with us a second night since he was going to be spending the next day with us and he would have to be here early in the morning. We just saved the time and hassle of having to get up and out in the cold, early morning and the boys actually slept in! The second night, they all camped out in the playroom floor and, believe it or not, all four of them went to sleep and stayed there all night!! And that's with Adam telling them the story of Max McGoogan -- an imaginary man who supposedly lived in our basement. Of course, Adam was making the story up as he went, so I don't remember the details and he probably doesn't, either. However, the boys remember a lot about it (especially Trent and John-William) and I think they've added to it a little along the way! Here are a few pictures of them camping out: