HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY JAXON!!

A year has passed already - we can't hardly believe it. I joked shortly after I had Jaxon that I should start planning his birthday party because it would be here before we knew it, and it definitely was. We planned his party for Sunday, the 12th @ 1:00 PM at Franklin Park in Spokane. It has a large covered area that we reserved, playground equipment and a splash pad (which Jaxon loves) close by. The weather the week before his birthday was cold and very unlike the first part of September in Spokane, so I was a little worried, but the day of Jaxon's birthday it was blue skies and beautiful (of course it would be - it was Jaxon's special day!!) :-) Anyway, I probably went a bit overboard, but since I have been planning parties as part of my job for the past 10 years - why not do it all up, right? We probably didn't need centerpieces for all the tables, enough food to last us over a week after the party, a banner that welcomed the guests into the gazebo, picture collages of Jaxon's first year on each post, and suvenior towels with handmade cards for all the kids, but we did it and it was great. I had read all the books about making sure the first birthday party isn't overwhelming, don't invite too many guests, etc. etc. So to be honest I was a little nervous that I had gone overboard, but Jaxon LOVED it. He loved the attention, the loved all the people and he had a marvelous day. I guess with parents like Jason and I, this kid doesn't have a chance at being shy - he LOVES, LOVES, LOVES, to be the center of attention. The cutest thing is that at the end of the day when I was rocking Jaxon to bed, I was singing him songs as I always do and I just happened to start singing "If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands", Jaxon lifted his head looked me right in the eyes, got a big smile on his face and clapped his hands. It was like a light bulb had clicke din his little mind - "Yes Mommy, I'm happy!" I must admit that was the highlight of my day. He had never done that before to that song, he had just had such a great day - he thought he would let me know. Definitely brought tears to my eyes. All and all it was a beautiful day with all the people that have made this first year with Jaxon so special. Warning - there are lots of pictures below, so hope you have a few minutes!!

Ready for the party!!

Grandma Kim getting all the food ready.

I love this party!!!!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Jaxon!

Greeting all the guests.

Loved the party hat (I thought for sure he would take it right off, but he loved it!)

We are so lucky to have such great family and friends. Thank you so much to everyone who came - it means a lot to us. Here's a great picture of all the kids at the party (minus Chase who was there too, but he was sleeping - he's only 3 months old!)

Listening to everyone sing "Happy Birthday"

Getting ready to make a wish and blow out the candle. (Ok, so Mommy blew out the candle before Jaxon could grab it!)

Taking a little bite.

Taking some big bites.

That was good!

After the cake, we rinsed Jaxon off in the splash pad.

So glad Kayla was ready to get wet. She took Jaxon through the Splash Pad. He really enjoyed it.

Whoa!

Jaxon absolutely adores Kayla, she is so good with him too!

Drying off after we were through with the water.

Cameron at the playground equipment. Seems like we were just at his first birthday party. Where does the time go?

Sadie showing off her climbing skills.

Jaxon's First Birthday Party....continued...

All the kids helped him open his presents.

Loving his new table and chairs from Aunt Heidi.

Loves to read the cards!!!

Getting a ride in his new wagon from Grandpa John.

What was left of his cake at the end of the party. This picture about says it all, doesn't it ?

First Birthday Special Breakfast

What's the best way to start your first birthday? With an awesome first birthday breakfast!! Daddy made Jaxon a special breakfast of french toast for this birthday and Jaxon loved it!!! What a great way to start an incredible day.

I love my first birthday!!!

I just love this picture!

Checking out the french toast.

DELICIOUS!

First Haircut!

Jaxon's hair was getting quite long, so we decided to get his haircut the day before his birthday. So, on Saturday, September 11th we took him to Kids Kut and had his first haircut. When we first got there there was a kid screaming - and I mean SCREAMING during his haircut, so we went for a walk outside and waited until he was done so Jaxon didn't get freaked out. Jaxon is such a good boy though, when we went back in he was such a little man and just did an awesome job. He transformed from a baby to a toddler with one quick haircut. When he was done they gave him a certificate that reads "Jaxon has bravely met all of the requirements of receiving his first haircut and has graduated from babyhood on the 11th day of September in the year of 2010." How cute is that??

As you can see, his hair was getting pretty long!

Look at me!

All set up with toys in the train.

Big boy after he's all done with daddy's glasses on.

Family shot - although Jaxon's not quite sure what we just did...LOL!

Uncle Jesse Goes to College~

On Thursday, August 26 we left our house at 4 AM to drive Jesse down to start college at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, ID. We chose to leave really early so that Jaxon would be sleeping for most of the ride. It was a beautiful day and we stopped a few times along the way to let Jaxon move around. It's really hard to believe that Jesse is off to college - Jason and I started dating when he was four years old. So it's really pretty cool to be able to remember his first day of kindgergarten, soccer games in elementary school, all the high school days, and now college! We miss him tons and show pictures to Jaxon every day of Uncle Jesse so that he'll remember when Jesse's home for the holidays. It's exciting for Jesse to be starting his college journey and we were so glad we could travel down with him to move into the dorms. I'm sure it won't be our last trip to Nampa, ID! Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Somewhere along the way - Jesse posing for the camera!

Are we there yet?

Jesse and Kim.

Jaxon exploring the Student Union Building (not sure what their name for it is?) Flash forward 18 years and Jaxon will be exploring his own college Student Union Building - YIKES. As fast as this first year went, it'll be here before we know it!

Uncle Jesse making Jaxon's hair stand up with his balloon from Red Robin.

More pictures from our Nampa Trip.

Welcome to Uncle Jesse's Dorm Room!

Uncle Jesse had an inflatable football that Jaxon loved carrying around.

Walking from the dorms over to the bookstore. Jesse and Reid are in Culver Hall (the one of the right)

Enjoying lunch at the hotel.

Posing for a picture just before we left. Jesse - we are so excited for you on your new adventure. We hope you have lots of fun meeting new people, don't forget to study hard and pass your classes too :-) Looking forward to our next trip down to see you!

Last Stop Before Home!!

On the way home, we travelled during Jaxon's normal "awake time" which probably wasn't the best idea. But he did very well, especially since Grandma was sitting in the back seat with him and kept him busy. Our last stop was the large produce stand/restaurant/ gift shop outside of Tri Cities (I can't remember what it was called), but it had lots of things for Jaxon to look at and explore.

SO HAPPY to be out of the car! Freedom!!!!

He just learned how to smell things and he now loves smelling everything - especially produce, flowers and feet! (He thinks it's hilarious if you smell his feet and then tell him that they are stinky, LOL - he'll laugh and laugh after you tell him that!)

Loves to wear Mommy sunglasses!

Time to play in the grass while we eat.

First time on a tractor.