It's a Christmas Snow!

Something has happened that I both anticipate and dread every year. The first snow. I get so excited waiting, wondering when it's going to happen, because it means the beginning of the holiday season, drinking hot chocolate, making cookies, and driving around looking at Chrismas lights. I dread it because it means colds, coughs, sloshing through freezing water, and having frozen feet for the next 5 months.

On Saturday, we experienced the first real snow of the season. it started coming down around 4, and of course Bailee was so excited. She started yelling "It's a Christmas snow!" I didn't have the heart to tell her that Christmas is still 2 months away. She ran upstairs to get her little hat, and started putting her boots on. She of course was not dressed for the weather, but I let her go outside for a minute and run around in it until she started crying and saying "I'm too cold!" at which point I let her come back in the house. It snowed that night too, but luckily it has since melted, and we are promised warmer weather for the rest of the week.

Pumpkins

We haven't done anything too fun or exciting recently, which explains my lack of posts-we can't all be whisked away to New York on a moments notice like some people I know. Last night we took the kids to pick out pumpkins at the most exciting place on earth-the grocery store! It just goes to show how desperate I am for material that I took my camera along. I tried to take the pictures without anyone noticing, because it was a little embarassing to be snapping away in such a random place. I'm sure the other people there thought we were a strange family because we take pictures at the grocery store(we are a little weird)

Playing in their favorite thing about the grocery store-the carts!

Our lovely pumpkins. Bailee has the big one and Jackson has the smaller one

A Fun Picture

Parker took this picture of Bailee at Yellowstone. She is standing in front of Old Faithful with a typical Bailee look on her face. I think it's a really cute picture. Parker got this cool old camera at DI a few months ago and it takes really good pictures. Maybe I'll make him do our family pics.

Not a Natural Blonde?

Late thursday evening, paparazzi and fans alike were scandalized when Jackson Dietz was spotted at The High Chair, a popular hot spot for young celebrity pre-walkers. At first it seemed to onlookers that the tiny tot was merely gearing up for a typical night of wild partying, but after taking in his appearance, his devoted fans recieved a shock. Upon closer inspection, they realized that his hair was no longer blonde, as he had previously led his admirers to believe was his natural hair color, but instead a shocking shade of tomato red. What is more, he seems to have grown facial hair, casting doubt upon his previous assertions that he is only 1 year old.

"By the look of that beard, I would have to say that he is at least 18 months old." said one troubled fan.

Could this charming towhead really be a ginger in disguise? Or is this just another outlandish attempt by his shady mother/manager to get more publicity for her son? Meanwhile, all we can do is watch and wait, hoping that more evidence surfaces to shed new light on this sordid affair.

One shocked fan could barely control her devastation and outrage

When asked about this disturbing revelation, Jackson had no comment.

Party!!!

Jackson's first birthday went off without a hitch! He had an exciting day running around town with his mom and dad, picking out his birthday presents and looking for a new carseat(he wasn't able to find one that met his high standards). Then later, it was off to Grandma and Grandpa Stevens for his joint party with Aunt Janette. There were presents, cake, and lots of attention. What more could a little boy ask for?

Bailee wanted to be in on the picture taking

The birthday girl and boy

Time to blow out the candles!Daddys head got in the way a little

Before...

...After

This is just such a hot picture of Neil, I had to put it up. Obviously he likes it too, he's the one who took it

He was too anxious to play with his new toys to care about all the cute clothes he got. He just pushed those away

Little Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to my favorite little boy! I can't believe it has already been a year! I'm sad that he's not really going to be a baby for much longer. He is excited for tonight when he can open presents, eat cake, and make a big mess!(his big sister is excited to help him)

And Happy Birthday to Great Aunt Janette, who he was named for(sort of). We won't mention how old she's turning!

I am not toothless...

This is a representation of Jackson's mood for the last 2 weeks:

Unfortunately, the pictures don't have sound so you can't quite get the full effect. At 11 months of age he has FINALLY gotten his first tooth(or in his case, teeth). Keep in mind that the average baby gets their first tooth somewhere around 5-6 months, so for the past 5 months, Jackson has been gumming his mush, jealously eyeing the other babies as they bite into more delicious and substantial treats.

2 weeks ago, the first tooth(a top front one) decided to make an appearance, after much screaming and chewing(on me) from Jackson. It was quickly followed by 2 more(the bottom front ones), and will soon be joined by its neighbor(the other top front one)

Needless to say, Jackson's moods have been understandable, although extremely frustrating and tiring for his mommy.

I can't believe he's turning one in 2 days!

Life

I haven't posted much lately. It seems like I have had nothing exciting happening, and at the same time, way too much. Last Monday, we found out that my Grandma Olson (my mom's mom) has a brain tumor. It was the worst kind of news to get, and needless to say the whole family has been devastated by it. She is doing ok considering, and everyone is being really supportive. They will be moving here soon, which will be nice, the family here will be able to help a lot more, and get to see her a lot more often.

We took the kids swimming a while ago, and I have been meaning to put up these pictures. My camera still has no battery, I need to get on that!

Bailee, Dylan, Jackson, and my mom

Bailee is my little fish-she loves the water

Too bad I cut off the top of his head! He's still cute.

I would have taken a lot more, but the stupid lifeguard told me that there are no cameras allowed "To protect the other swimmers privacy". The way he said it made me feel like some perv. He acted like I was walking around taking pictures of random people for my personal collection. Yeah right! I go to the gym for that...

B-day pics

Here are a few pictures of Bailee's birthday that I took from Leslee. I had to use my mom's camera for the party because mine needs a new battery, and now she can't find it! I'm bummed because I want to get the pictures up, but here are a few for those of you who haven't seen them yet. Carlee helped me make little tutus for all the girls

Pinata Time!

We had a fish pond

Bailee blowing out the candles on her cupcake

Presents!

More coming soon...