Another Busy Month!

It's been another busy month for us.  We've made a visit to Choo Choo Bob's and the Children's Museum.  Scott was able to get away with friends, once for a hockey weekend in Madison and another time to go ice-fishing.  It's been a fun month and everyone has been relatively healthy!  Yeah!

Jackson has also learned a few new words, some of which are so adorable and a couple ("No" and "Mine") I wish he could have waited a few more months to learn.  He is really growing and developing all the time and it's so much fun to watch!

For Valentine's Day, Jackson got a few more Thomas trains to play with.  Thomas is truly his favorite thing.  We could play with trains and watch videos all day long and he would never get bored with it.

Making sure Annie and Clarabel are in working order.

Come on, how can you resist that smile?

The weekend that Scott went to Madison with the boys, Danielle and I took Jackson and Zachary to Choo Choo Bob's for some train time.  This store is wonderful!  They have a train show and little train tables in the back for the littler ones to play.  If you're into trains, this is the place to be.

Jackson and Zachary checking out the Thomas stuff.

They have a big electric train set in front that Jackson just loved.

So much for a cute picture of the cousins.  This will have to do.  The trains were just too interesting.

We also made a visit to the Children's Museum.  I've heard so much about this place.  It definitely lived up to the hype.  Jackson loved it!

He was fascinated with the huge fish hanging from the ceiling in the atrium.

One of his favorite things was the city bus.  I wasn't sure we were ever going to get out.

Is the bus driver supposed to be able to see above the steering wheel?

Checking out the factory area

He loved the water tables too!

They had a special Castle exhibit with Legos.  It was pretty cool!  Everything was made out of Legos.

They also have an area dedicated specifically to infants and toddlers.  Lots of little things to play with and climb.  The puppets were fun!

Working on his fishing skills

Checking out the giant fish from above.

We're looking forward to warmer weather and the possibility of spending more time outside.  I think we're all going a little stir crazy this winter.

This week we have Jackson's parent/teacher conference at his daycare.  I love the idea of conferences for toddlers!  Makes me laugh!  It is a good opportunity to sit down and talk with his teachers and learn about any issues that are going on.  We are SO HAPPY with his school.  The teachers are wonderful and the fact that he gets upset when it's time to go home is a good sign too.  I have a feeling they are going to want to talk about potty training though which really makes me nervous.  I am not ready for that and I don't think Jackson is either. 

Until next time, take care!

Waiting For Warmer Weather

This time of year it's always hard to concentrate.  The winter has gotten long, the novelty of the snow has worn off (especially this year), the mind starts to wander toward blue skies, bright sunshine and the sound of waves lapping against the shore.  Yes, folks, cabin fever has set in.  We are dreaming about days spent Up North and I can't wait!

In the meantime, not a whole lot has been going on with us.  After a VERY busy December we mostly spent January just trying to stay warm and relax.  We've all been sick at various times -- Jackson with a nasty case of RSV (a respiratory virus), me with Strep Throat and Scott with a cold that seemed to linger for weeks.  Thankfully we are all feeling healthy again. 

If you can believe it (and I'm embarrassed to admit this), we didn't take a single picture the entire month!  Mark that down in the FAIL column of motherhood.  I promise I will try to do better although February isn't starting off too great in that regard.

That reminds me, I should go charge my camera battery!  Until next time, stay warm!

What's better than Christmas? Three Christmases!

Wow!  It's been a whirl-wind holiday season with lots of fun, family and festivities!  It was particularly fun this year because Jackson had some clue about what was going on.  He knew he was getting presents and he knew the toys were for him.  He was also able to open gifts (mostly) by himself!  It was so much fun watching him laugh and show off his new toys! 

Scott, Jackson and I celebrated our little family Christmas the weekend before Christmas at our home.  It just didn't make any sense to lug all the gifts down to Iowa only to haul them all back again. 

Here is Jackson checking out his stocking full of goodies from Santa.

Oh boy!  Thomas trains!  Is there anything better?  Not in Jackson's eyes.

A toddler version of a train track.  We're planning on getting him the full-size deal but thought we'd start out with a small track.  He loves it!  It's the first thing he wants to play with everyday.

What's better than a rocking horse?  A rocking, musical dinosaur!

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Iowa this year.  As is tradition, Christmas Eve is celebrated at Will and Sarah Cook's house with the whole family.  What a wonderful time!  It is always so much fun to get together with everyone!

Will, Rich, Jason and Grandpa Blair

Jean Cook and Scott

Jan Cook showing Jackson all around.  I'm not sure who was having more fun.

Kathleen and Tyler

Elizabeth and Dad

By far one of the best parts of the night was watching Jackson and Josie, the dog.  He was a little scared of her at first but definitely warmed up by the end of the night.  He would run by her, try to pet her and just giggle the whole time.  I really wish I would have taken a video of it!

The four Davids -- David Blair, William David Cook, David Cook and Jackson David Carter (in his pjs for the ride home)

Playtime with Grandma

This little rocking chair has been around forever!  It belonged to my Grandma Marcie when she was a little girl.  My mom used it, the three Blair girls used it and now Jackson is enjoying it too.  What is he reading do you ask?  Well, a very old book on medicine that belonged to my grandfather I believe.  Pretty interesting stuff, I'm sure!

I want more oyster crackers!

Christmas Day...and another stocking!  This little kitty has become Jackson's latest obsession.  He sleeps with it everynight and loves to cuddle with it.

Grandpa Blair teaching Jackson all of the wonderful aspects of Hawkeye football from his new book.

Look!  This Megablocks cart is big enough for me too!

Of course, an indoor, automated basketball hoop for the boys!  I think Jackson liked it as much as Scott.

The Blair girls in their Hawkeye gear from Santa.

On New Year's Day we celebrated Christmas #3 at Gramma and Grampa Carter's house.  More fun times of course.

Jackson and cousin Zachary

Scott working on his toy assembly skills.

Busy Ball Popper!!!

So, it was a wonderful holiday season!  We all had so much fun and it was great to be able to see so many friends and family.  Once Christmas is over I begin to have very little tolerance for that white stuff outside (remind me again why we live in Minnesota?).  I start looking forward to warmer weather, longer days and that view from the cabin down to the dock and out to Gunflint Lake.  Five months and counting!