Camp Jackson: Days 2 and 3

Jackson enjoyed lots of strolls in the neighborhood and in the backyard. He also loved playing with Lily. Most of the time, he just took in all of the fun that Charlie was having...he thought that was enough entertainment.

Charlie participated in swimming lessons three days this week.
We also met some friends at the beach and the zoo.

Some activities at Camp Jackson include building towers out of oatmeal boxes...

Playing at the park...

Charlie had so much fun climbing on a pirate ship and on the rocket ship that he created on the slide.

He also loved running in the "sprinkles."

Bambee and Little Jackson enjoy just watching all of the fun.

Charlie loved playing baseball in the "sprinkles" and the rain.

Here, Selah and Charlie play in the rain. Don't you love the fact that they want to be under the umbrella, yet they are already soaked from the sprinkler?

Jackson is just taking it all in..excuse the bug bite on his forehead....the flies or mosquitoes have eaten this child all over this week.

Camp Jackson: Day 1

After all of the Easter morning festivities, Charlie, Jackson and I stayed at Big Charlie and Bambee's house for the week. We have been calling this week Camp Jackson. Hopefully, this will be an annual visit for the grandchildren to stay and have fun and make many fun memories. Here, Charlie is dressed ready to look for some fish and to take Lily (Big Charlie and Bambee's spring spaniel) on a walk.

"Ready to go!"

Like Grandfather, Like Grandson...I love this pic!

And I love this one....

This one is my favorite! :)

Fun Fun Fun!

Coach teaching Little Charlie the fundamentals of baseball.

Jackson is wondering what is going on out on the deck.

Big Charlie and his little buddy, Jackson

Family Photos

More Easter Smiles

Easter Smiles

Shelby, Jackson and Charlie graciously posed for a couple of Easter day pictures. I never realized how hard it was to take a family picture until I had children. These were after church, so we will try some "pre-church" pictures next year.

Happy Jackson and Shelby

Silly Charlie

Silly Cousins

Easter Scavenger Hunt 2011

Jackson, Charlie and Shelby's Easter baskets on Easter morning

For a number of years when Gary and I were growing up, Dad created an Easter morning scavenger hunt for us. We would hunt some Easter eggs and in them would be some clues. We would read a clue and then be directed to another location where there were more eggs and more clues. At the end of the hunt, there would be a prize. I remember Gary got a baseball bat one year for Easter. This was such a fun memory for the two of us, so Dad has passed that tradition down to the grandchildren. Here a few scenes from Easter morning with Shelby and Charlie looking for eggs, clues and yes, the prizes!

Charlie received a Thomas coloring and sticker book...a highlight for sure!

Charlie on the hunt for clues and eggs!

Shelby and Charlie looking in the grill for one of the eggs.

Charlie once again carefully opens each egg to examine his prize.

One clue floated away. Big Charlie had to quickly give the hunters a hint for the next location.

At the end, Shelby received some precious Easter socks. Charlie got a wiffle ball and bat, and Jackson got a little stuffed animal dog. Thanks, Big Charlie and Bambee for this Easter morning fun!

One of Jackson's typical poses...

Just Jackson...

My buddy, Jackson, is nine months old and is just a delight! He is army-crawling everywhere and wants whatever Charlie has. This makes Charlie very jealous and possessive, but he is learning to "trade" toys with his brother. These two brothers have a bond like no other. They truly love each other more than anything. Charlie can come into the room, and Jackson just lights up! It is truly a blessing to see how God put them together as brothers.

Things that I want to remember about this stage of Jackson's life:
--he loves cheerios
--he is taking a bottle well and knows when it is "dinner time"
--he loves Charlie more than life itself
--he loves to splash in the tub with Charlie...getting out of the tub can produce many tears for both brothers...they want their own way :)
--he is laid back, but determined
--he is a serious thinker some of the time
--he has four teeth on the top and two coming in on the bottom
--he is a great napper (unlike someone else in the family)
--he still gets up once at night...we will have sleep boot camp when we get back to B'ham
--he loves everyone he meets
--he doesn't cry very much...usually only when he's hungry or sleepy or when I come get him in the church nursery
--he is a snuggle bug

We love our "Jackie!"

Egg Hunt...continued

Jackson preferred chewing on his bendable bunny instead of hunting for eggs.

Shelby hunted with the big kids and found 64 eggs.

Shelby unpacked all of her eggs and was enjoying being a bunny-for-a-day.

As usual, Jackson was just chilling out in his stroller.