Family Outing to the FW Zoo!

We could not have picked a more perfect time to venture out to the zoo. Yes it was hot, but we chose the Sunday before school started (Aug. 21), AND tax free weekend which equals a zoo to ourselves!!! I love Jackson at this age! (I hear this phrase coming around a lot in the future) I love the way he soaks everything in, and how it comes out in the biggest expressions. I would love to know what his little mind thinks sometimes...

Here is Matthew and Jackson ready to conquer the zoo!

First stop....some Rhinos!

These two chimps caught our eyes...they were playing so sweetly together. So cute!

Here is Matthew with the white tiger...this tiger LOVED Matthew. He got up on his back legs and scratched at the glass while Matthew did the same thing back to him. I wish the shot I took turned out...

cooling off in the heat...

Say cheese!

Checking out the bird exhibit...

After we filled our bellies with Dickies BBQ, our last stop was the train....

My two favorite people in the world! LOVE these boys...

Happy 4th of July!!

Sweet cousins!!!

Happy Father's Day Matthew

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY...WE LOVE YOU!

Happy 1st Birthday Jackson!!!

Saturday was Jackson's 1st Birthday....really, 1st Birthday? I know everyone says the first year goes by fast...and 'they' are right. We had such a fun time with the family...such great memories.

I want to give my sweet friend Kaylyn of Sweet Reality Cakes a big 'Thank You' for making Jackson's 'Yo Gabba Gabba' cake. LOVED it, and it was delicious!!! Thanks Girl...you rock!

Our little family (with all of us looking in different directions.)

LOVE his face...as if he's saying "This cake is the best cake ever!"

YUM-O!

Water break....

THE END! Not too messy...

I have more pictures to upload so stay tuned for part two of Jackson's 1st Birthday...

11 Months....

I can't believe how fast this month has gone by. I feel like his first birthday should still be months away, instead its in 2 DAYS!

Jackson has changed so much just in the past few weeks. He is OFFICIALLY eating normal food 3 times a day, and LOVES it. He's probably wondering where this has been for long....He is also on the cusp of walking. He takes a series of steps by himself, but not consistently. His personality is really coming through....silly, funny, questioning, all wrapped up in that sweet face!

A few weeks ago we discovered a new park, and a small ranch nearby. This day the horses were out and Jackson saw them up close and personal....

Here we are taking part in our first 5K.....I wasn't sure how long he would hang, but he let me run the whole thing without stopping. Such a fun morning....

Jackson's First Easter!

What a whirl-wind of an Easter weekend!! Jackson's 1st Easter was nothing short of fun....from the festival at church, to the family fun on Sunday.

Here is our wrap-up...Enjoy!

Maren and Jackson at the Easter Festival.

Nana was so happy to have these two to herself on Saturday!

Jackson's first Easter basket...

Checking it all out...

Of course he his favorite....bunny snacks!

Jackson's Easter basket from Nana and Gramps...filled with jammies, books, and snacks!

Hunting for eggs...

Mason and Maren counting their loot, with the help of Expy.

Sitting on Daddy's shoulders...LOVE it!

Girls Night Out...with a Twist!

Once I heard about this I had to try it.....Painting with a Twist. A perfect night for friends to get together, unwind, and paint. We did just that!!! Here is a wrap-up of our GNO!

Our sweet & salty treats.....Notice ALL the wine.

LOVE the rules...

The Crew....back row: Bonnie, Trinli, Mary, Lahoma, Bonnie

front row: Melissa, April, Hannah

About to get down to business...

Our sweet instructor Shannon

Our finished products!!!

So much fun....can't wait to do it again!!!