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!