Three words: C.P.A.

We are happy to announce that after many, many hours of hard work, study and dedication, John has passed all 4 of his CPA exams!

Congrats, babe! We are so proud of you.

Santa...

Merry Christmas!

Jackson was a little nervous when we sat him on Santa's lap, as you can tell he practically pulled himself into my arms. The photographer was quick and caught this just in time! No tears this year.

Snow Day...

It snowed pretty hard last week and well, I decided that it was time for Jackson to experience playing in the snow. Although this activity lasted about 5 minutes, it was well worth the 20 minutes getting both him and I ready for the below freezing temperature that day. I decided that a box, spatula, cups and 2 spoons would be enough to properly experience the snow. Turns out we didn't need anything but the snow!

He is just like an Andersen and does this crazy face when you want him to be serious and take a cute picture with you.

Snow day was so fun...until he realized how cold snow is when you get it on your face!

O Christmas Tree...

Jackson loves the Christmas Tree, unfortunately it's to the death of anything staying on it.

Enjoy our festive home and Jackson's decorating skills in action.

In & Out

In & Out...

This is Jackson's new favorite thing to do! Any box, drawer, lid or cubby and he will try to get in and out! He has developed a lot of new bruises trying out his new trick! It doesn't matter what is in the box or what was in it, he will find a way to squeeze in. Move over here he comes!

Diaper Box

Toy Box

Kitchen Drawer

Haircuts are for babies ;)

He was a little nervous...rightly so...but once he touched the clippers he decided that they might be okay. We took off about 2-3 inches, I can't believe we let it get so long. John and I compromised and agreed that after he turned 1 I could cut his hair. So here we are...

BEFORE

AFTER
He did cry a little bit when one of clippers was vibrating loudly, but overall he was a very good baby. He looks like a toddler now and not so reckless and wild, which we all know is just a facade.

A Jack-in-the-Box, an Army Soldier & a Half-Marathoner

Jackson was a Jack-in-the-Box for Halloween, complete with homemade "box," hand-crank, suspenders and hat. I was pleasantly surprised that he wore the costume for so long at John's work family Halloween parade. He was a hit right from the get go. John dressed up as a Army Soldier, his weapons consisted of a calculator, stapler and pens, very intimidating!

John and Jackson at work, before the idea of costume=candy got in Jackson's little head!

It took a few tries before he understood that you go up to strangers and hold out your pumpkin bucket for treats...he just wanted to say, "Hi," to everyone. Halloween really is a strange holiday.

Later he learned that you can actually keep the candy. Here he is showing off his spoils!

We visited Grandpa at work, this is were Jackson learned once you get the candy, you run to the next place to get the optimal stash of candy.

The crew, Jackson was a little pooped after a long day of lunging that box around. I'm sure he's thinking, "Thanks Mom!"

Too cute, I couldn't resist this picture as Daddy and Grandpa walking Jackson through his office building.

THE 1/2 MARATHON (13.1 miles)

The before picture, at the bottom of the race at 6:30 am YIKES!

The after picture! We made it! I am so proud of myself.

After 6 week of training, then 3 weeks off training for a foot injury and then 3 hard weeks of training after that, I made it. And in less than 10.6 minutes a mile!

Time: 2 hr. 18 min. 45 sec.

Thanks Babe for coming to cheer me on for the last 100 yds!

Halloween was an especially memorable one.

Happy Birthday Jackson!

Jackson is offically 1 year old!

We had such a fun birthday party, who knew that your child's birthday party could be SO much fun. We decided to have the whole extended family over and celebrate with cake and ice cream. He loved being the center of attention and people saying "Happy Birthday!" He loved opening presents, although it took awhile to catch on that he can tear the paper. I was pleasantly surprised that he wanted to play with most of the presents after he opened them and not just the wrapping paper. I made a cookie moster birthday cake with cupcakes for everyone else. It was a big hit for everyone. Jackson kept looking at me to make sure that it was okay to dive in and grab the birthday cake. He decided to taste is with a little finger swipe to the side. After a minute or two of careful consideration his instincts to make a mess took over and he smeared and devoured 1/3 of his 8 inch round cake! After the yummy cake tasting he went straight into the bath, I was pleased to note that the blue food coloring relented and left him pink and clean! After quick good byes to everyone, it was bed time. What a fun night!

Helping Mommy decorate for the party!

I couldn't get the picture to turn the right way?!?!?

Daddy couldn't just sit around, he had to "help!"

Sneaking in a last taste before the bath!
His loot! Thanks everyone for making his birthday so much fun!

Ta-Da!

Disclaimer: Please ignore the mismatched clothing, one sock, toys and such on the floor; it was the end of the day and Jackson loves to redecorate and redress himself.

Halloween is in the Air...

And in the water!

Happy Birthday John!

The big 29, enjoying the last year of the twenties! I am so grateful for this guy. He is constantly surprising me at his stellar fathering, husband and best friend skills. If John weren't in my life I would never enjoy:

.breakfast for dinner once a week

.laughing so hard that I almost pee my pants at least weekly

.being a parent, and with such a great partner in crime!

.the thought of blind dates

.spreadsheets

.staying at home with our children

.nacho libre and napoleon dynamite

.an igloo for a home

.having a worthy prietshood holder in my home

.the outdoors and gun-shooting

.the art of not catching a fish while fishing

.getting butterflies just by being around him after almost 4 years of marriage

We love you! Hope your day is so fun and can't wait to breakfast for dinner tonight!

The Tunnel!

Jackson has found a new favorite toy...a tunnel! I never thought a child could find so much to do with a tunnel, he loves it! He crawls in and out, hang out in the middle, plays chase and peek-a-boo, takes toys into it and pushes toys through it as well. John and I have a hard time fitting into it, you can imagine the caustraphobia affects.

Of course you can only play with the tunnel for so long when you have an empty tupperware to get into! Kids are so funny!

Don't you wish...

...you could enjoy bathtime like a kid again!
Jackson waits with high anticipation to literaly jump into the bath and splash around with fury and delight while chewing on various water toys and bath products, crying to stay in for a few more minutes, knowing that just after this he will be forced to sleep, only to dream of bathtime the next evening.

RDC

The whole Andersen Clan flew off the the beautiful and fun-filled camp in New Hampshire, Rockywold Deephaven Camp. My sister-in-law, Emily, and her family have a cute little cabin tucked up in the woods right outside of the family camp that has been around, and in her family, of over 100 years. Everyday was filled with activities, great company and yummy food.

All the babies were great travelers and the kids did really well too! ;)

Here is the "Log House" as the camp affectionately calls it. It was a fun cabin filled with Andersen "campers," complete with running water, a full kitchen, washer/dryer...okay everything a "non-camper/camper would need and want! Andersen camping is the best!

The walk down to camp is about 15 minutes. This is the driveway from the cabin, isn't is beautiful and serene.

RDC is located just off of the Squam Lake, it was always so still and calm.

Except of course, when we would make waves in it...Wahoo! Floating docks and diving boards were scattered throughout the shoreline. At night the would have fun family activities, storytellers (a personal favorite), glow-in-the-dark-frisbee (very cool), square dancing and of course family card games. It was a fun trip and we loved being around all of the family. Thanks for the fun trip family; can't wait for the next one!

Scroll down for a more in depth and much crazier preview of our trip to RDC!

The Plunge...

It's a long way up and even longer way down! The plunge off the "high-dive" was a highly anticipated event for all to watch. My family, the scare-dee-cats, took some convincing to even attempt the jump from the life guard chair...then again there are a few dare devils that made the jump even more thrilling. It's a must-do at RDC!

Dad

John

Sharon

Mom

Ryan

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