Nothing Much Going On.

Here is the annual picture of Barry and Jackson by our favorite tree!!! It is now... looking pretty sad. The color is less than vibrant... and the flowers are almost gone. Blink and you would miss this tree bloom!

Jackson, camping and the ocean... in North Dakota?

Jackson wanted to put his feet in the "ocean"...yah.. it really is the river. Actually.. it is cool because it is the only place in the world where three rivers meet.. It is very cool. You know what else we have that is unique to Wahpeton... The WHOPPER!! It is the largest catfish in the world.. Yep.. look it up.. seriously. We have people come from all over to see it. Jackson is under the fish.. but really hard to see him... gives you an idea of how big this fish is. After our BIG trip to the ocean.. giggle giggle... we went and collected flowers.. Yep.. I think Jackson needs to be paid for getting rid of weeds. He loves to pick them and yep.. I get lots of bouquets of flowers. Then it was time for our picnic... but there are no pictures because I was trying to hold down plates, kids and me... it was windy and I was totally frustrated since Jenna would not eat.. ok.. worried and frustrated. Anyway.. got through it and Jenna and I landed in the camper for the rest of the night. She just could not be out in that weather. We got to watch everyone else running around having fun and roasting marshmellows from inside the camper... could almost TASTE those marshmellows.... almost. Oh well.. just made our own campfire pit in our yard so hope to be able to participate in some campfires yet this year. Jackson had a blast!! He even got to sleep over in the camper.. yep, his first camping trip. He did wonderful according to grandma and bumpa. He told me all about it and he did have a blast... I see a camper in our future..well at least camping "grandma style". Thanks Grandma and Bumpa for the experience for Jackson... he had a blast!!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY JENNA

You mean it is OK for me to rip this paper??? Are you sure!! So.. I am NOT going to get in trouble.. Dad...is this a trick!! Jenna was soo nervous about opening the wrapping paper.. we are always trying to get her to stop ripping paper...
Tada... strawberry shortcake doll!!!! Yes.. the theme even went through to her gifts. She got a big strawberry shortcake doll.. she does smell sooo good. She also got a small barbie like doll that is one of Strawberry Shortcakes friends, a book about monkeys that comes with the dress up ears (see picture below) and some strawberry shortcake bubble bath. We do a BIG birthday party.. but just like any other "holiday" we don't focus on the presents... but more the reason for celebration!
BUT I DONT WANT TO WEAR THESE EARS... Hey.. don't you remember I was the one throwing up a few short hours ago.... fever.... cranky.. You STILL expect me to wear these dumb things!!
By Sunday night Jenna was smiling again.. not eating or drinking much but smiling.. that was a welcome change by Mom and Dad. Every year I take a picture of the kids by this tree in our front yard. Don't know what kind of tree it is.. but when it blooms it is BEAUTIFUL... for a bout a week... it is the shortest bloom on EARTH! I need to get a picture of Jackson today... it is our tradition. I love this tree!!! All in all Jenna's ACTUAL birthday was better. She is feeling better. We hung out for a while, went to visit grandma and bumpa at their RV... it is this BEAUTIFUL HUGE 5th wheel... (they parked one and a half miles from our home at the camp site. It was fun. We had a camp out in winds I am pretty sure are classified as tornato force winds.. went on a few hikes, put our feet in the ocean (that is what Jackson called it.. it is just a river) and Jackson even had a sleep over. I will post those pictures next. Happy first birthday Jenna... as I have tears in my eyes thinking of our decision to have another child... the moment that I sat on the deck praying that we could have another one and asking the Lord for a healthy girl... I know I know... you ask for healthy babies.. I DONT CARE what sex it is.. and I didn't, but I read a book that stated .... ask the Lord for the desires in your heart. I desired to have a girl. I asked for a beautiful baby girl, with curly red hair, blue eyes and an easy personallity (jackson doesn't have an "easy" personallity.. so I hoped to have a little easier going child this go round). So.. God DID hear me... the desires in my heart (except for the red hair and blue eyes... but those are just the small details :) He is a good Lord... I still don't feel deserving of all the blessings he has given us. We are blessed beyond belief!

Jenna's First Birthday Party

So... today was Jenna's Birthday party. Long story short.. she finally woke up at 2:45 right before her party (she had only been up for a total of an hour all day... we got her in her party clothes... and she was ok for 10 minutes or so..then she started to really fuss and just got lethargic... REALLY lethargic... laid in my arms and could not keep her eyes open. She had a fever and did not look good at all. I was getting really nervous since she had only had a few sips of juice all day and nothing else. REFUSED anything. So we called the ER for some advise. "Bring her in" is what they advised. So we rushed her out of her party and to the ER.... when wouldn't you know it... she perked up. I think the doctor thought we were all quack jobs.. he could tell she didn't look good, but why we brought her to the ER? Both my mom and I were like... ten minutes ago she wouldn't even lift her head... now she was playing peek a boo with grandpa. Well, the motrin had to have kicked in or something. So a $50 visit later... she was released with the orders to drink fluids.. THANKS! Anyway.. I felt better... so back to the party. She really didn't have much to do with opening her gifts... just not up to it. She got her cake.. but really took some help to get her to even try some. After that she laid down and slept again and Grandma and Grandpa J stayed with her while we got Barry to his surprise 30th birthday party. Fast forward 1 hour (Barry was very surprised and thanks to everyone who came) Jenna shows up with Grandma and Grandpa J.... I take her and am kinda keeping a distance from everyone since didn't want to spread what ever this was... well... she PUKES all down her and me. Barry grabs me some napkins and I take off with her home. (I think the cake did it to her). Got her home and in the bath tub... then cuddled and off to bed. Mom was then sure she was coming down with it... but realized that I had not had supper (did have some cake and ice cream but still... not the best choice) and me without food for long periods of time... NOT GOOD... So ate a little something, went to bed and today feeling good! Jenna woke up this morning crying again... not feeling good... but after a little bit after she woke up she was ok and even ate a little bit. She opened her gifts and is now taking a nap. Phew.. not the 1st birthday party you plan for... or you know that she wanted.. but what can you do. Poor baby... that is all I can say! Thanks to everyone who came by... we are soo blessed to have such great family and friends.


This is about the only smile we got all day.
I still think Jenna has the sadder face.
Bites of gluten free cake... she was less than thrilled to eat ANYTHING.
Ok... one more smile for mommy. She is sitting in her pretty pink princess chair from Papa and Nana.
The princess sleeps.

You won't BELIEVE.......

(The whole story is posted at the bottom.. I am too tired and lazy to get it switched with the pictures.. so go read the bottom first so you know what is going on)

Baby girl sleeping on the fold out couch downstairs so I could be by her and her her.

Her birthday cake.. Should have been two layers per layer.. oh well..
This was a picture of her from yesterday in her cute tank top.

I woke up this morning at 2am to the sound of my daughter puking. Poooooooor thing! I woke up Barry to help me while I cleaned up the mess and amazingly she was doing just fine. Got everything cleaned up and brought her downstairs. Now.. thinking at this point it may be the milk that I gave her for the first time... but it happened three more times since then. Not to mention she now has a 101.5 fever and is just sitting in my lap not doing anything. (VERY RARE) She kept some banana's, applesauce and pedialyte down thus far.. so heres to hoping we are done with the worst. Poor baby.. her BIG 1st birthday party is tomorrow and I don't think I will even let her eat her cake. Gluten free and all!!! (just hers, mine and Jackson.. every one else gets the real deal) So between taking care of her, sanitizing and playing with Jackson I managed to decorate two cakes. NOW.. I am usually a perfectionist and I am NOT happy with the way these cakes turned out.. AT ALL..but.. there are more important things to do... so they will have to do... NOT my best... or near my best work.... Not that she will even care. Blues clues cake still... well... takes the cake.

Jackson getting ready and Jenna walking.

Jackson is not a child that "gets ready". He is very low maintenance in that area. But for some reason this particular morning he HAD to get ready. He used one of my old makeup brushes, got it wet and was doing his hair. Now, I had to go and grab my camera because he was up there talking to himself and getting ready for 10 minutes already. I was trying to sneak up on him but if you know jackson you know he has the BEST sense of smell and sound so every time I tried to sneak up the stairs he heard me. He was soo cute.. It was his last day of school so he did go looking like a stud!

Here is a little video of Jenna walking with her tiger. She is getting really good at walking.. Just not ready to do it on her own yet.

Watermellon and Corn on the Cob!!

Yumm... what is THIS!!! Jenna has been eating watermellon but chopped up.... I decided to give her the whole piece I was eating (seedless watermellon) and BOY did she like it. Sunday we had our first of many meals with corn on the cob. Again, I gave Jenna her own piece of corn on the cob... and she LOVED that also! I have a feeling that this girl is going to eat anything and everything!

Jenna's First Birthday Cake

For those of you who know me know I like to do BIG BIRTHDAYS.. well at least fun birthday cakes. This is the cake I FELL IN LOVE WITH. I am making it myself as I have all Jacksons birthday cakes. I am going to do some modifications since in my trail run I could not get the rolled out butter cream frosting to do what I want!! GRR. So it will resemble more of a strawberry shortcake wedding cake! We'll see what the finished product looks like!

My first dentist appointment

I was quite nervous to take Jackson to this appointment. You are supposed to take your children to the dentist for the first time at age 3 but I just didn't think he could handle all the sensory stuff. Well, he did GREAT!!! Proved me wrong again! He did gag a few times.. was not thrilled with the gritty texture and the water gushing into his mouth.. which he kept swallowing and could not understand how to swish and let it get sucked out of his mouth. Oh well, for a first visit it went GREAT. Dentist said that his teeth look AMAZING!!! Don't need to see him for another year! Whoopie... Soo proud of my little man!

The assistant could see that Jackson was really bothered by the light shining in his face.. so she said.. I have something for you. Went out of the room and got him these glasses to wear. They have a GREAT staff...
Look how clean my teeth are.... yuck.. what IS that stuff!
After a successful trip to the dentist Jackson go to pick out of their cool selection of toys and prizes. One toothbrush, three pages of stickers and a toothbrush later.... we left the dentist with a great first experience. (oh... Rocky.. his new FAVORITE pet... got to go with and I am happy to report that he has no cavities... although Jackson said that "Rocky CANT have cavities.. he has NO teeth"... LAUGH LAUGH LAUGH....

Some video's of Jackson getting his groove on and working that MO JO!

Jackson "slow dancing" (slow walking around the dance floor) with his new girlfriend.

More booty shaking! Can't keep up with him!!

You can hardly see Jackson in the back dancing with his girl friend!!! They were soo cute. He kinda leads like his dad....

Our first wedding celebration

My step sister Cindy got married over the weekend so Jackson, Jenna and I packed up and traveled to "the Big City" (as Jackson calls it). We stayed at Papa and Nana's house on Friday night and played there on Saturday until it was time to head to the church. Since Daddy had to work I was a little stressed about taking care of both kids on my own during church and then trying to keep things under control at the reception. Well, not only was the ceremony beautiful, it went GREAT!! Jackson was very well behaved and played with the items I put in our activity bag. Jenna just loved looking around and watching everyone and everything. After that we took a break at Grandma and Grandpa Steves house and then went to the reception. AGAIN... very nervous!!!! But.. Jackson proved to me that he is growing up. He was very patient (keeping in mind he is a 4 year old) while wating for his kids food to come... he passed the time by clinking on the glasses like they do when they want the bride and groom to kiss.... but he made a game out of it and would clink the glasses and then he would have to kiss one of the family members at the table. It was very cute and welcomed by all! Jenna, again.. just loves noise, people and chaios.... so she was in heaven. Now by this time it was getting late and I was wondering how long the kids would hold out. We had supper (which was WONDERFUL) had cake and then waited for the DJ to start playing. Jackson was READY to dance!! Turns out there was a girl who was 3 1/2 there and had a webkins too... There was an INSTANT CONNECTION!!! :) Lord help us! Here are some pictures... the next post will have a few videos of Jackson and his girlfriend dancing. Happy Mothers Day to all of you. It also happens to be my hubbys birthday today... what a great day. Jenna surprised me with a great necklace with her birth stone in it! I am soo blessed to have such a great family. (Love the picture of Jackson loving up Jenna).. and the look on her face....

Little girls are made out of... piggy tails..

I really did not ever believe that I would be dressing up a little girl, doing piggy tails and fun girly things. Don't get me wrong, I love my son "to the moon and back" but I am loving the girly stuff. Here are just a few pictures of Jenna and her hair styles!

The first picture was my first attempt at piggy tails.. ever with Jenna. She looked more like an alien and less like a cute little girl. Second picture is my second attempt at piggy tails and they worked!!! But as you can see in the fourth picture.. that is what they look like after a 3 hour ride to the cities, with a bonnet on and a good nap! The third picture is just soo darn cute and my first style I tried on her for the wedding we attended for my step sister Cindy on Saturday.

Roller Skating and Butt Rash....

What a combination right! Jackson was sooo excited to get his roller skates out... and he did GREAT with them. We went up and down the road and visited our neighbors driveway which is really slanted so Jackson got a fun ride down the hill. On the way back he saw his speech teacher Patty and her daughter walking. "Who is dat girl Patty". Its my daughter. I said, her daughter is cute.. Jackson pipes up "YOU A HOT CHICKIE".... laugh laugh laugh!!! Her daughter loved that and asked if she could take Jackson home! Jenna went with us but just had fun watching her brother and taking in everything around her. Jenna is on her last day of antibiotics and just like last time she got a bad butt rash...BAD. So the last picture is of her sitting on a towel on our kitchen floor eating a gluten free muffin.... naked from waist down... Trying to give her some time to air out. Poor thing... it looks soo painful!

Dance Dance Dance

First I have to apologize for my constant laughing and the wiggling of the camera during this video but I had been watching Jenna dance and every time I got the camera out to film it she would stop. I finally got her on video. Watch her right leg.. she shakes it and it just cracks me up. After she figured out I was videoing her she started giving me attitude. I was laughing soo hard!

Soo many pictures... so little time

So this weekend we added some cypress mulch to our flower gardens, played baseball, enjoyed the sun and wonderful weather, baked and cooked a TON of gluten free stuff... yum and took our first of many trips to the ZOO!! It is 5 minutes away if that so we are frequent visitors through out the summer. Jackson and Jenna enjoyed it throughly!!! At one point I was nervous the bear was really trying to figure out how to eat Jenna for a snack. He kept coming right over to us and checking her out. Enjoy the pictures and video's!!!!

Spring is finally here????? I DO say that with some hesitation.

I have said it before... and we just got 15 inches of snow... dare I say it again.... spring is here?? Yesterday we were able to be outside for the better half of the day and enjoyed ourself soo much. We even got come cypress mulch for our flower gardens. We have wanted to do that for a long time. The kids loved being outside despite it is still a little wet. In some of the pictures you will see the pond behind our hedges.. hopefully that will dry up soon. Jackson is practicing up for t-ball this summer. I am excited since this is his first "big boy" activity. We have done swimming lessons and gymnastics.. but this is all about him!!! Jenna helped me plant my hanging flower pot. I KILL everything so I am going to give this a go. We'll see. And finally, pictures of toes in the grass.... my FAVORITE thing. I HATE HATE HATE shoes and socks... so in the summer we all go barefoot as much as possible.