Catching Up with 2008

This is it! 2008 is almost over and we are behind on our updates! Jackson is within days of being 18 months old and there is so much to be said about how great he is! I am going to do a quick update in a few days and for now - just post a bunch of pictures.
Enjoy!!

Super Man at

HalloweenCarving Mega Pumpkin with Daddy

Stuck!!

Touchdown!!

Where has time gone?

Wow! I can't believe it is almost October and I have not been very good at keeping up with posting news and updates! Sorry! Seriously! Where has time gone?
I have started back to school with the determination to get 'er done! If I stay on schedule, I will graduate in July of 2009 with my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. My biggest reasoning for going back to school is to appease the people! I was turned down for eight jobs last year because of my lack of a BA Degree! It was noted that I had more than enough experience, but their policy stated all new applicants must have a BA degree! I figure a few really hard months and it will all be over!
Jared is travelling a lot more lately and getting into his busy season. He is great at what he does and loves his job! Who could ask for more?! He will be home for another week and then he is off to another state. I am thinking of going with him to Vegas in November. We'll see when we get closer to that date.
And on to our most important news: Jackson is absolutely amazing!! He is growing so fast and learning and discovering so much! His recent thing is his climbing on and over everything. Two weeks ago he climbed on to a folding chair and fell - giving himself a black eye. He also LOVES to put the dish towel over his face and walk around until he hits something. Then he laughs hysterically and does it again. Just the other day, he couldn't find the dish towel, so he grabbed Jared's clean boxers out of the basket and put them on his head. Where is our camera at those moments?! He also loves to shake his finger back at you when you tell him no! His favorite game around the house is to chase me around the kitchen and then stop, laugh, and then run after me some more. After he catches me, he'll hug me, pat me on the back, and then kiss me! He is such a great kid! So full of love and happiness!
Please make sure to send up a prayer for Jackson. He is going in for a CT Scan and ultrasound of his kidneys on Monday morning. This is just a foundation CT scan to rule out any chances of PPB in his lungs or kidneys, but he does have to be sedated and Jared and I are really stressed and anxious about this. No one wants to see their little ones in situations like this and we are a bit scared at the possibility of PPB being evident in his body! Please pray for clear scans and a quick and successful sedation.
We will update when we have the results!
Other than this big update - our lives are chaotically blessed (is that a word)? Well, we are very busy, but blessed and love it! Have a great weekend!

Brussels to Germany - Day 5 - 7/28/08

Grand'Place, Brussels
Mannekin Pis
"Large" Coffee in Brussels
Enjoying a Krusovice Bier in Heidelberg, Germany
Official Cukoo Clock Shop in Black Forest Area, Germany

We began our early morning with a great breakfast and quickly loaded the bus to tour Brussels on our way to Black Forest Area, Germany. Our Tour Director, Babette (Hungary), took us to the Grand'Place in the center of Brussels. We walked to the Mannekin Pis to view the well-known art piece. It pees water on regular days, dressed up for special occasions, and has been known to pee beer for the people to drink during all special occasions. After the tour, we were given an hour of time on our own. It was raining so we made our way to a Cafe' and Jared ordered a large coffee. It was smaller then his four fingers put together. A large coffee in Europe is comparable to a small taste test cup in the US. They would think our Venti is HUGE!

We loaded the bus to make our way to THE Cukoo Clock Shop. Here they make authentic, hand-made cukoo clocks. With an average price of 500 Euro, we decided to purchase a beautiful hand-blown necklace for my mom. We missed the large Cukoo Clock (seen in picture above) in action because we were touring the shop. It would have been great to see the scene in action.

After 30 minutes on our own, we loaded the bus again and headed to Heidelberg, Germany. We stayed the night in a wonderful, family-owned hotel. We were served a lamb stew and enjoyed shots of Jagermeister-our tour director encouraged we try the local liquor and many of us did.

Since this hotel was located in the middle of the Black Forest, we had no access to phones, email, tv and the small village was shut down. We knew Jackson was in great hands so we decided to enjoy ourselves and take in the fact we were in Germany. We sat outside on the stoop and enjoyed a couple rounds of German beer with a couple of our new friends on our tour before heading to bed at midnight again.

Brussels, Begium - Day 4 - 7/27/08

The view from our ferry
Arriving in Calais, France - waiting to go through Customs
World Fair Atomium from 1958
The beds in our hotel in Brussels, Belgium

We took in the beautiful view of the English Channel from the top deck of the ferry before heading below for lunch. We had Fish and Chips again - least expensive item on the menu. We quickly realized in London that the US Dollar was weak in Europe (2.25USD to 1Pound, 1.65USD to 1 Euro). After we landed in Calais, France, we went through customs and experienced the harsh French border patrol. We stood behind five men and one woman from Pakistan and the French Customs Guards were not hiding their racial profiling. They first made a comment to one man that he did not look like his passport, saying his cheeks were too chubby. They took their precious time reviewing each passport and re-reviewing each passport, then telling each other to really make sure these people are okay to go through. After all that, I got up to the desk and the French Customs Guard didn't really look at my passport, stamped it, and said welcome to France.

We made a quick stop at the Atomium in Brussels before heading to our hotel. Jared and I were both caught off guard at the site of our room. First of all, it was tiny and second of all, the bed was actually two beds and we had to push them together at night. We went out for dinner on our own and of course, tried the local cuisine and drank Grimbergen double dark (mine) and Duvel (Jared). We sat out on the terrace and were soon hit up by a young gypsy girl asking for money. Fortunately a local woman and her family yelled for her to leave us alone. I have a weak heart for kids, but know better than to give money to beggers in foreign countries.

With an early wake up call - we decided to head in at midnight.

London, England - Days 2&3 - 7/25-7/26/08

Tony and Will - two English "blokes" we met at a pub on our first night.
Front of St. Paul Cathedral
Prince Charles and Lady Camilla's Guard
Buckingham Palace
Windsor Castle - Queen Elizabeth II courtyard

Day 1 was the 8.5 hour flight with unlimited movies, two meals, beer, wine, pop and a short 4 hour sleep...

Jared and I had a blast in London. We took in as much local cuisine (Fish and Chips) and beer (Strongbow) as we could. Our first night, we met three englishmen at a pub. They were discussing the ridiculous lyrics of Kid Rock's new song and we joined in after they began mentioning his destruction of two classic songs. We agreed with their comments and soon began our rounds of local ales with the englishmen - Tony, Will, & John. The next day we set out for two excursions through the city via local guides. We saw St. Paul Cathedral, St. James Palace, Windsor Castle, and Buckingham Palace. We drove by the River Thames and saw the Eye of London. We drove by Big Ben and the current residence of Prince Charles and Lady Camilla. We toured through Windsor Castle and took in the essence of where we were - we stood in places Kings and Queens have stood, we sat where Presidents and Prime Ministers have dined, and we walked through the bedrooms of some of the most historic figures of time.

After a very busy two days in London, England, we made our way via Ferry across the English Channel to Calais, France for the official beginning of our land tour.

Visiting the TRUE Swiss Miss!!

Today we finally visited our Swiss Miss, Nicole!! In her homeland of Switzerland! We spent the day with her and her mom and they showed us the best of Switzerland! - Lake Lucerne and Mount Pilatus! We ventured up the 7000 ft to the top of the mountain and took some of the most beautiful pictures-we will post when we return to the states. After enjoying the fresh air, beautiful view and a couple of bratwursts, we descended the mountain and travelled to Zug. We are so thankful to Nicole and her mom for showing us so much of the beautiful country! Thank you for the beautiful memories!!

We are now off to enjoy a barbecue of Swiss meats and great fellowship with friends! We will post more details of the whole trip when we return to the states and also post all the pictures from this fabulous trip.

Tomorrow we are off to Lausanne, Switzerland and then to Paris, France. Viva la France!!

First Birthday Pictures

Here they are!! Photos by Heather Gravley

In good hands

We are down to the final days before Jared and I head out to Europe! We are both a bit anxious and don't want to leave Jackson, but as many have reassured us - he is in good hands! He will be staying with my parents and Jared's parents throughout the 10 days we are away. He will most likely be spoiled rotten and not miss us as much as we'll miss him. Jackson has been walking for a bit now. His walk is more of a quick shuffle, shuffle, step, step, fall. But he is getting there! He walked across our livingroom and gets the urge to turn around, but usually falls back. Just the other day though he was walking so fast he turned himself around by taking too many steps to the left. It was so cute! He gets going faster than his feet can keep up and before he knew it, he was coming back to me when he meant to be going to the couch. Jackson also has this mischeivious smile - he smiles real big with his teeth crooked to one side. I'll post pics of it as soon as I get my camera downloaded again. He also smiles like that right before he is about to do something he thinks is funny. Then he laughs and waits for you to laugh with him. He has such a great sense of humor! Always wanting to make people laugh! He is such a bundle of love!

4th of July Parade

Last year at this time, we were in the hospital watching the fireworks through a barred window. Yes, when you choose the county hospital as a place to give birth, you never know what you'll get! I spent a week in that hospital healing after Jackson was born! It wasn't too busy (I was the only mom and baby there besides the occasional false alarms) so all the nurses spent their time and energy on us. Extra pudding, extra soda, extra pillows... It was great! Jared and I can't believe it has already been a year! What an amazing year! This year though, we watched the fireworks from the side of the road in St. Peter! Jackson wasn't too impressed after 5 minutes. After all, it was after 10pm and he was a bit restless.
Now that Jackson is a bit bigger - weighed in at 20.2lbs at his 1 Yr well baby check up and 30" long - we were able to take him out to his first parade! It was pretty hot out, but we stayed cool in the shade of his stroller. He also enjoyed the many freezie pops handed out at the parade!
Jackson loves his freezie pops! Next weekend we are set to go to the Fun Days parade and hit up a couple kiddie rides! Maybe even give Jackson a taste of the Footlong Pronto Pups!

Happy 4th!!

Happy First Birthday!!

What can we say? It has been an amazing year! Jackson is the most amazing little man and he is such a blessing! He has taught Jared and I so much about life; Live, Love and Laugh often!

Since Jackson has given us so much this last year, we decided to throw him the best first birthday ever! We shared the day with his grandparents, great-grand parents, uncle Jake, auntie Katie, cousin Doran, great-aunt and uncle Jay and Dorene and great cousin Roxie! Jared made a fabulous spread of beef roast, pork roast, chicken drummies, and grilled potatoes. Grandpa Chuck made his cookies and cream and Grama Anderson made seven layer salad. After dinner Jackson opened all his presents and focused on everything, but the gifts. He just loves to take in everything around him! We had to move right into the cake because Jackson was showing his tired, fussy side. There is a before (yes, I baked the cake) and after of the cake. Jackson wasn't sure at first if it was okay to stick his hand into it. He put his thumb in and then he'd look at me for reassurance. After all, I have been telling him no when he tries to smash his food all over his tray during dinner. After a little coaxing from uncle Jake, Jackson had no reservations about putting his entire hand into the cake. It was so fun to watch as he laughed and looked around to make sure everyone was paying attention to him. We finished the night with a bath in the sink and then hugs and kisses from everyone as he went down for bed. We are so grateful for such a wonderful blessing from God. Jackson is truly a gift and we cherish every moment we have with him.