Happy Memorial Day!

A special "Thank You!!" to all of those that have served in our military in the past, the present, and the future. It is because of them we are all able to enjoy spending this day doing what we want. For us, that included playing outside in our back yard with the sprinkler and slip n' slide! (Daddy was busy doing side jobs all day so this is how we entertained ourselves!) Don't worry... we heard plenty of fireworks going off all day as well- after all... we are surrounded by firework stores!

This afternoon we went with Mamaw Di, Abigail and Amelia to put some flags on one of our most beloved veteran that we knew... our Papaw Hoover that recently passed away in February.

The flags the kids put on Papaw's grave

Then tonight we went to a cook-out at Leslie's with some of our most favorite people!

Check out the kids sporting their red, white & blue!

My sweet, beautiful nieces, Amelia & Abigail

 Love!

So today as America celebrated Memorial Day, I hope that everyone stopped for a moment to pay tribute to those that have given their lives for our wonderful country!
Happy Memorial Day!!

Camping Party!

Last Sunday, May 20th, 2012, we celebrated Jackson turning 5! He wanted a camping theme party and we had so much fun celebrating with many of our family and friends. I have always said that once the kids turned 5 that that will be their last "big" party. We'll still let them have a couple of friends over and make them what kind of cake they want, but we just won't do the big party. So, thanks to everyone that came to help make his big day so special! He told me that it was "the best birthday, ever!"
Here are some of the decorations and a few special moments at his party:

"S'More For Later" Party Favors

The "Happy Trails" sticks that the "S'more for Later" was inside of!

"Camp Jackson"
Banner

Food

Drinks


"Take a Sheet & Have a Seat!"

My dad built these benches for the kids to sit on and roast marshmallows. Eric said they looked like Lincoln Logs! :) How cute are they?

This tent is one my mom and her siblings use to go camping in when they were little, we use to camp in it when I was little, and now the kids are getting to enjoy playing in it. Now that is a quality built tent!

Party Ready!

Signs on the mailboxes leading to the party!

My dad has been cutting down some trees to make a road up to their cabin and had all of these logs out waiting for them to come be picked up. So, we had to make a sign that said, "Welcome to Jackson's Lumber Camp!" :)

The Cake! (We even finished this one before 3am this year!) :)

Daddy did a great job decorating the cake!

Cake Time!









Jackson wanted the tree off the cake- what a mess it made!

Present Time!

Abigail wasn't a happy camper when her mommy said it was time to go home, but sweet cousin hugs always help one feel better!

Happy Trails To You!

Jackson with most of his new birthday toys!

What a loved little boy!

Cinco, Cinq, 伍, V, Five, 5!!!

Today, at exactly 1:43 pm, my "baby" boy will be 5 years old!
Five!!!

It seems like it was only a short time ago that we were going into the hospital to be induced, because the little guy (that still had no name) was in absolutely no hurry to come out on his own, and was already very late. Thankfully, even with an induction, it was a quick labor and delivery, and I had never been more excited as I was at that moment when they put that "little" 9 lbs. 10 oz. and 21 1/2 inches baby boy into my arms. For the first time I had become a mommy, and it was the proudest moment of my life.

I can remember bringing him home from the hospital and rocking him in his room and the tears just pouring down my face. I couldn't believe that this beautiful baby boy was mine! I was so proud of him then and couldn't imagine ever loving him more than I did at that moment. Was I ever wrong... daily my love for him increases and I am beyond proud of all that he does each and everyday (except for the fact that he refuses to EVER clean his room!) ;) Jackson loves to play outside, play with his many toys (especially his trucks), play in the creek, read (which he amazes us everyday with the new books that he will read all on his own), ride his bike and scooter, play at the park, "build" and figure things out, and being the best big brother EVER!

So today, on his fifth birthday, we will start out our day with our usual birthday pancakes (with Toy Story sprinkles per Jackson's request), and then do what Jackson wants. When I asked him what that was, his answer, to PLAY!   

I wish I could slow down time just a little bit, but I'm afraid that it is only going to go faster, especially since he is now five and getting ready to start school. (Which this mama is NOT ready for, and can't even think about without getting teary eyed!)
Here are some pictures of Jackson on his big day the past few years:

Turning One:

Turning Two:

 Turning Three:

Turning Four:

FIVE!!!

Jackson is so excited about his camping party this weekend, and hopefully we'll have some time to post a few pictures of it afterwards!

Happy birthday to my incredible, big boy. I love you to the moon and back, and then some more!