All Hallows Eve...Halloween!

(Jackson next to my masterpiece)

Well, Halloween is here. And, it is pouring, Jackson has a bit of a runny nose and a cough! So, we didn't do much!

Last year we didn't get a single trick-or-treater, so, this year we didn't expect much! And we didn't get a single one again. We have tons of kids in our neighborhood so it is shocking that we don't get any!

(Cookie Monster inspired)

We did carve a pumpkin this year though, so I thought we might get some. Nope. No luck. Oh well! Jackson was totally uninterested in carving the pumpkin! I thought for sure he would want to get all gooey, but no. He actually freaked out when I put goo on him!

(Getting ready to visit the neighbor—we brought them some candy)

(Jackson posing in his costume!)

I felt bad for our downstairs neighbor though. They didn't live here last year, and had their front porch area all decorated. So, I put Jackson in his costume (which he still hates) and walked him down stairs. The neighbors were thrilled!

Halloween Party at Gymboree!

(Jackson & Otto getting used to their costumes)

Last Wednesday, rather than our typical Gymboree play date we participated in the Halloween Party! Otto and Jackson both came dressed in full costume and really just wanted to go about their normal play routine.

(Jackson hates his costume)

However, Jackson hates his costume. Hates it. Hence the tears.

I was able to convince him to have some fun in the pumpkin decorating station. He found stickers that looked just like Charlie (my doxie in Portland) and Dog Dog (our Cat). He put them on, and then took them off, over and over and over again. He loved the little decorating table though, I think he liked the pint sized chairs.


After a little bit, he gave up the costume fight and tried to play in it, but I felt bad, he kept slipping and he could climb around like he usually does. So, I'm positive he will have more fun at Gymboree next week.

Pumpkin Patch

(Jackson inspecting his "dirty" fingers while we try to capture a photo of us)

We rounded out our Portland weekend with a family trip to the Pumpkin Patch. All of the Portland Dooley's and the Munsell/Modderman clan came out to the patch and then my mom hosted a great dinner!

We headed over to Lake View Pumpkin Patch early to avoid both the crowds and the rain, and were successful in avoiding both!

The first thing we checked out with Jackson when we got their was the animals. They had pigs, goats and a mini-horse! Jackson seemed a little interested but wasn't too sure what to think about them.

The pumpkin patch was really neat, they have it set up so you have to take a small boat ride out to get your pumpkin and then have to ride a train back. When you are on the boat, they have hidden things that pop-up out of the water as you pass by. Jackson didn't notice, but I thought they were a nice touch! Maybe next year he will take notice.

(Jackson, slightly tentative about the orange globes all around him, and yes, his shoes are on the wrong feet, we were in a hurry!)

Once we got to the pumpkin area, we all broke up and searched for our perfect pumpkins. Jackson even got down and scampered around for a bit. He only crashed and burned once! Which is pretty impressive for someone who has only been walking for two months!

(Trying to push the pumpkins, so cute)

The best part of the pumpkin stop, was Jackson approaching the pumpkin full wheel barrow, grabbing both handles and looking at the wheel barrow like he was going to be able to move it. It was priceless!

(Jackson yawning in my face—"get the hint mom, I'm ready to go!")

Then we made our way back on the train, passing through a spooky tunnel! Nap time quickly approached as we tried to grab a couple more photos, so we gave up and headed on our way! We had a great time and hopefully we can go back next year!

The night ended perfectly, with a fabulous dinner and a Yankee win sending them to the World Series! Daddy was very happy!

Jackson's Portland Party!

(Jackson playing in the play land)

We went a different route for the Portland party, and had it at a pizza party with an indoor play structure. It was actually a lot less work (throwing a party requires a lot of planning!) and since my catalog for Brooks went to the printer the Friday before the party, the less planning the better!

(Jackson mastering the wheel in play land)

We had a huge turnout and got to see so many friends and family that we hadn't seen in sooo long! We once again had two little kiddos to play with Jackson, Link (my friend Mikey's son) is about three months older than Jackson and they seemed to have fun running around the play area.

(Elmo & Cookie Monster)

Jackson looked utterly confused as 30 people sang to him, and he was once again passed a giant cupcake, but he wasn't complaining. That is, until it was time to open presents, where he once again melted down. Charlotte tried to cheer him up, so he gave her a hug and tried to hold her hand, but then went back to letting me know he had missed his nap!

(Jackson & Grandma Kathy)

Rick's mom was able to join us all the way from Florida as well! So, we had quite the family weekend! It was nice to spend time with my family and Rick's family together, we don't get too many opportunities to share the time together and it was a good experience.

We had a very eventful weekend celebrating!
Thanks to everyone for coming!

Steph & Jackson

Jackson's Seattle Birthday Party

(Jackson on the playground, sporting his Elmo birthday hat)

We had a great party at our local park (Lynndale) with many friends here in Seattle the day before his actual birthday! It was a lot of fun getting all of Jackson's "people" together in one place. In fact, he was fairly confused!

(Jackson post cupcake)

(My cupcakes)

He enjoyed some time on the play ground, didn't eat much lunch and enjoyed his juice and cupcake! The cupcakes have received rave reviews from all of our fans! I decorated them to look like Jackson's favorite characters: Cookie Monster and Elmo.

(Grace enjoying her Elmo cupcake after it was squished back together)

These were so "real" one of our younger guests got really upset when her mom cut Elmo in half to help her eat him. I am pretty sure she thought her mom had massacred Elmo. She cried and her mom tried to squish him back together!

(Jackson & Otto chit chatting and trying to share their snack)

Jackson seemed to enjoy seeing his buddy Otto from Gymboree! We have never seen them away from the Gym, so I think at first he was a bit confused but then was happy to have someone to boss around (Jack is exactly two months older).

Jackson melted down right around present time (of course!). But Grace was more than happy to help him!

We had a great time and were so glad everyone was able to make it!

Steph

Jackson Turned 1!

(Jackson's loot from us!)

I can't believe it has been a year. It is amazing how much Jackson has grown and learned in just one year. It is amazing. He is quite frankly a masterpiece. We adore him!

We threw Jackson two parties because we couldn't decided where to have the party, Portland or Seattle. So, we did both.

(Enjoying his birthday breakfast)

But on his actual birthday, we made him waffles (with a nice pile of whip cream on top!). Then we put him down for a nap and laid out all of his gifts from us so he could see them! We got him an activity puzzle mat to sit on, so we put that together and sat all his presents there with his left over balloons from his party! We got him a push trike, legos and a couple of other toys that he seems to love.

(Trying to sit on his new trike)

The trike is the best! It became very apparent that he has one of these at Laurie's house, because Rick put him on the seat, and he immediatly kicked his feet up and waited to be pushed! So, of course, Rick now pushes him around daily!

At his one year appointment. He was of course healthy. He weighs 28.5 lbs (98th percentile), he is 30.5 inches tall (75th percentile) and is developing ahead of schedule!

Anyhoo, more about the parties above! Lots of photos! Check our photo gallery if you haven't had a chance lately!

Love,
Steph & Jackson
(Rick sends his love too)

Wow...Where to begin?

So, work took over my life. Catalog season was miserable, and I really don't know how I got through it. I would go to work at 6:30am, go get Jackson at 4:30, have a quick dinner with the boys and then work from home for the remainder of the evening. It was rough. But, it is over.

So, here is my attempt to catch everyone up on what has been going in here with the family!

Steph