Thanksgiving

We had the perfect set up this Thanksgiving. I was very thankful for that. :) We didn't have to rush at all. My family was at 11am and Dave's side of the family at 5. Perfect. We were able to go home in between and Jaxson was even able to nap.

Carol was the hostess this morning. Everyone joined besides a few who were at other functions. It was our first family gathering at Carols new house and I think everyone fit perfect. And of course Uncle Phil found a place to snooze after turkey as he does every year and this year his daughter Emma joined him.




Aunt Sue was the hostess for our evening event. She had both her side and her husband Bob's family all together and set up two long tables in their heated garage. With all their festive touches you couldn't even tell you were in a garage. The food was great and I was almost hungry again. Luckily Aunt Sue wasn't short on any food because Dave and I forgot the 50 deviled eggs we made for the dinner. Oops. Anyone want to stop over for a deviled egg party, we have some extra???

I didn't take many pictures, I am not sure what got into me. I usually take a ton. I will share what I do have. Enjoy!

No Excuses

I don't work out much (at all) but I always say I would love to. Don't we all. But after watching Jaxson I don't really have many excuses. I keep some weights under the coffee table upstairs so just in case I use a workout video they are convenient. It doesn't really help. Anyway, Jaxson found them and thought they were toys. He played with them until I thought that maybe he could hurt himself but in the mean time he pretty much worked out with them. Lift up and down. Over and over. Maybe my one year old son will be my inspiration!

Oh Yeah Baby, Check out my guns.

A Day with Uncle Dan

Today I got a rare opportunity. Elaine and Sue were going to see The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock. We talked about it last weekend and since Dave had to work today I wasn't sure I was going to be able to go. That was until Dan volunteered to watch Jaxson this afternoon all on his own. Now that Jaxson is a little less babyish it isn't as much of a daunting task to watch him. (Not that Dan couldn't have done it when he was a baby-baby) They played from 1pm to 4pm. Since Jaxson didn't wake up until 10am he wasn't ready for a nap at his usual time and was raring to go the entire time Uncle Dan was over. Dan took a few photos with his phone to document the big day. You know I like that!

Jaxson learned how to crawl into his shopping cart all on his own.

Built a lego tower taller than himself

He downed about 3 bottles of water.. which led to....

A very stinky diaper. I received a few messages from Dan that made me laugh out loud even during those emotional moments of the movie. It read as follows:

Dan: He's been playing the whole time and he just got really quiet. Now I just caught a wiff of something pretty nasty!
Dan: I'm washing up and here we go!
Me: Good luck! You might need to save the washing up until after. :)
Dan: WOW
Dan: Does he need powder or just a new diaper?
Dan: Oops. Also which side is the front?
Me: He doesn't need powder. There is no pictures on back of diaper, only on the front.
Dan: It's done.
Dan: The day after the biggest meal of his life, WOW.. Well he clearly ate some corn yesterday!

Hilarious. When I got home Jaxson was happy, fresh smelling, and well taken care of. He kind of looked like this. If I am not mistaken that may be a "I gotcha" smile.

Dinner with Gramps

Generally I meet my dad out for lunch somewhere but as Jaxson gets older it is more fun to have him over so they can play and interact more. This night it was all about Legos, megablock style. My dad was having just as much fun as Jaxson building them up and knocking them over I think. They sat and played all the way up until dinner then right back at it after cleaning their plates.

Man's Best Friend

Jaxson is coming into an age where the dogs are more fun to play with than to look at from a distance. He instantly gives them loves (hugs) when they come inside and will throw the tennis ball for Niley for hours. It occupies them both, perfect for me! But Jaxson's best friend is Bandana, the yellow one. He lets Jaxson do just about anything to him and doesn't put up much of a fuss. Niley won't put up with it and will move to a different room. Bandana will nearly fall asleep while be crawled on, poked, and prodded. The other night Jaxson had gotten into his diaper bag and found a perfect place to put his diapers, on Bandana. Bandana didn't seem to mind as he just layed there and relaxed. Jaxson followed up the dress up session with a goodnight kiss on Bandana's cheek.

Friendsgiving

Every holiday season comes and you find time to go to each family event and sometimes trying to cram 2 or more in in just one day. The one downfall to this season is we don't get that same experience with the group of friends and many times they are like one big family themselves. Luckily for us we have great friends that put together the big family feast for all the friends. Marty and Meghan Blount bravely make a huge turkey, giant pot of mashed potatoes and all the other trimmings for about 25 friends. Some we knew, some we didn't. Some had kids, some didn't. It was perfect. Each guest brought something to add to the feast. Dave made green bean casserole that everyone told ME how great it was. I of course gave all the credit to Dave and then they were even more impressed. He is the cook in our family. I did make the deviled eggs and there were no more of either when we left. That is a good sign.What a great idea to have a Friendsgiving. I hope they keep the tradition going.

Playing a little basketball

Josie and Tyler

Marty Blount and Dave

Meghan Blount, hostess with the mostess

A Weekend At Berni's

Ok, so it wasn't a weekend and he wasn't out having a ball with Berni either but he was at Grandma's for the last couple days with a case of the pink eye and infection in his chest. After some breathing treatments, prednisone, and eye drops he is back to my adorable (but still a little cranky) Jaxson. We went to daycare on Monday and Mel noticed his eye looking a little red and didn't let him stay. Although I was stuck I was happy that I know she wouldn't let a sick kid walk into the doors. I called my boss, made a doctor appointment and was able to cuddle with my love-bug all day. Tuesday and Wednesday it was all grandma. They both had fun. Even through not feeling well he smiled for a picture. So cute!!

Dog Gone Wild

I have the day off today and Jaxson still went to daycare this morning so I spent the morning with my pups. I used to walk with them all the time and they have been downgraded in the attention catergory since June 26, 2008. Sorry guys! This morning it was all about them. We got the leashes out and headed straight for the park. My original plan was to lap around Grey's lake a couple times but I thought I would really treat them. I turned towards Raccoon River park and didn't stop until we were at the dog park. It is a total of 10 acres according to the website and it was as huge as it sounds. I ended up arriving at the same time as a women with a 12 week blue heeler puppy so we played with her in the small dog area. It was smaller so I could catch my dogs easier if needed. After 20 mintues or so they were doing wonderful and we ventured into the big dog area. Bandana quickly became friends with a dog named Charlie. Charlie's owner goes each day and knows every single dog that frequents the park. I walked around the park paths with the group he was with since Niley and Bandana were having a hayday with the 10+ pack of dogs. They played and they played hard. Bandana never slowing down for even a second. It was great and can't wait to go back. Next time I will get some pics of their smiling slobbering faces.

Fun Foods

I know we have all done this a time or two but Jaxson didn't stop at five, or even ten, he polished off the entire can of olives besides the few that I used for quesadillas. When we went to Essix's first birthday we put he raspberries on his fingers and he remembered that technique when he was faced with how to eat his olives. It was so much fun he wasn't happy when the can was empty. Although I considered opening another can because it was super cute and pretty hilarious watching him I resisted deciding that four rounds of olive fingers was plenty.

Forward we move!!!

So... Saturday did not exactly go as well as expected. Actually things went as bad as they possibly could have. As most of you know Iowa lost to Northwestern 17-10, ending our 9-0 perfect season and hopes of a national championship (still technically possible).

Almost worse than losing the game was the way we lost. We had a 10-0 lead and were looking like a lock to take down Northwestern, then the unthinkable happened. The heart and soul of our team fell victim to a devastating season ending ankle injury. Our backup QB Vandenberg looked rather lackluster to say the least.

It took over 36 hours to recover from the heartbreak that occurred on Saturday. I do believe I made it through without shedding a tear though. Although, I'm not quite sure because after the game I left the room without saying a word to Jamie. I took a long hot shower to rinse the filth that Northwestern is off of me, I'm not totally positive that there were no tears mixed in the water running down my face.

Now with the national title out of the picture (still technically possible) we look forward to Ohio State. Whoever wins Saturday is a lock for the Rose Bowl! This will be one of the biggest games in the history of The University of Iowa football program.

Facts:

Iowa has only won in Columbus 4 times in the last 60 years,last win 1991

Iowa has not been to the Rose Bowl since 1991

Iowa has never won the Rose Bowl in my lifetime

Iowa is a 16.5 point underdog, despite being ranked 10th to OSU's #11

Iowa has Freshman QB James Vandenberg starting his first game thanks to injury of Stanzi

Iowa will be starting 3rd string true Freshman Brandon Wegher at Running Back

I still have no doubt that the Hawks still have miracles left within!

IOWA WILL WIN THIS SATURDAY........ FACT

The Carving Champ!

I wanted to take a moment and thank all of the people who took a moment and voted in our contest. I carved pumpkin B, the Grim Reaper, Jamie's was pumpkin C and Jim had Pumpkin A.

It was a comeback for the ages, as I was down 15 or so votes with little time left! I plan on carrying this momentum into next year as I repeat and then onto a three-peat the year later in 2011!

Thanks again

Your Champion, Dave Barry


The final results. Total votes, 95. Pumpkin A, 28. Pumpkin B, 34. Pumpkin C, 33.