Maggie's Special Day...

Our Sweet Little Miss Maggie had a VERY Special Day on January 8, 2012 when she was Baptized at First United Methodist Church, our Home Church in Vancouver, WA.

(note: We were active members when Jackson was a baby, and then we moved to Gig Harbor and then back... Needless to say, after MUCH "church shopping", we just weren't finding what we had been looking for ... which was First United Methodist. :) The drive is about 30 minutes, but it is completely worth it! We love being back at FUMC, and are hopeful that maybe in the future (who knows when....), we'll be a bit closer!)

Our Sweet Girl!

After Church Service, all those who were able, joined us for Lunch to celebrate Maggie's Special Day! We went to Beaches Restaurant in Vancouver, and it was really fun. The kiddos had a great time finding treasures in the "treasure chest", and making their own ice cream sundaes!!!

Maggie is nothing but a Pure Joy in our Lives, and in all who she surrounds.

We are incredibly Thankful to all of our wonderful friends and family who were able to join us for such a special and memorable day (and, of course missed those who were unable to be with us). Maggie was spoiled too (of course) with some incredibly special gifts.

All, that I know she will cherish forever!

 Jackson's ready to make his own Ice Cream Sundae! With the supervision of Daddy, of course! :)

 Still Adorable, even with a stinker face! :)

 Making Ice Cream Sundaes!!!

 Treasure Hunting ... (fyi: they both chose those "dinosaur clencher thingies"... you know the kind with the dinosaur mouth that opens and closes with the little handle. they have not only been used to "pick up toys" (which takes FOOOOORRREEEEVERRR!!!! but, apparently they are also great "swords" for pirate fights.... Oh Goodness!)

So many special gifts!

We are so blessed in all the love and kindness given to our sweet little girl!

Big Brother, Jackson!

(he was just doing his part, in being "King" for Lunch... he played the role very well!)

The day prior to Maggie's Baptism, we spent some time at church with Pastor Tinney...

Jack and Maggie really LOVED being on stage and playing all of the musical instruments!

Marjorie Elizabeth Ann, you have blessed our lives more than you'll ever know! We love you more than any words could describe! We know you are going to continue to grow and be the most loving, sweet, kind and amazing girl, you've already shown us you are!

"Baptism is a sign of God's ever-present and ever-flowing grace." ~ Pastor David Tinney

Thank you all for loving our little Princess as much as we do!!!!

xoxo

The best day EVER according to Jackson!

... those exact words were heard coming out of our sweet boy's mouth more times than I could count yesterday. He, certainly did have the BEST day ever!

Here's a little peek at some of the FUN Jackson had over the Holiday Season !!! 

(We definitely have LOTS & LOTS more to share... there are TONS and TONS of pics to go through... not to mention, the mounds of laundry, decorations needing to be put away, homes to find for new toys, older toys to say goodbye to find new homes for, general de-cluttering, and a big clean sweep to make our home look a bit less like the Christmas explosion that it does, at this very moment...)

Our Christmas Tree!

Both Jackson and Maggie did such a great job helping decorate our tree this year... it was fun to tell them stories about each ornament and to add new, special ones!

Jackson's Preschool Christmas Program

December 2011

 One of Santa's new Reindeer's... Jackson! (seriously... so so so cute!!!)

 Our little Reindeer being such a good friend, watching the "4's and 5's" classes sing their special Christmas songs!

 Jackson with Santa! 

Santa was at Jackson's School Program... it was very very cool. Jack was super excited to have his picture taken with Santa! Maggie... well, Maggie wasn't so into Santa this year. She preferred waving to him from afar... anything closer than about 20 feet was considered DANGER Santa Zone to Miss Maggs... and I won't even begin to tell you how terrified our lil' Miss was, when thinking that Santa would be sneaking into HER house in the middle of the night. She could care less how many presents he may be leaving... she wanted nothing to do with the mere mention and/or fact that he would actually be in HER house, and therefore in that close of a proximity to her! Oy Vey.... we're hoping she'll outgrow her EXTREME distaste for Santa soon... (at least by next year!).

 Jackson and two of his great buddies from school, all enjoying some Santa time after their great Christmas Program. They all did such a great job, remembering all of their songs, the motions that went along with each, and just really enjoying being the "STARS of the night"!

Gingerbread House Making!!!

The munchkins and I had a fun afternoon last week, making a BIG Gingerbread House.

I'm fairly sure that Jackson consumed more of the "house" than actually made it on to the house... but that is the BEST part about building a Gingerbread House...

that and mixing all of the candy into the frosting (maggie....)!

 Jackson: aka: sugared up, silly monkey, Gingerbread house making machine!

Making cookies with Daddy for Santa!!! 

We saved all baking for the week before Christmas! It was so much fun! Both Jackson and Maggie LOVED each and every little craft and baking session. They were the best of helpers!

Christmas Eve!

After Church and Dinner, both kiddos got to open one gift. 

They were both beyond thrilled and excited.

Jackson received "THE MOST SUPER AWESOME BUZZ LIGHTYEAR EVER!"!!!!!

 Playing with Buzz on Christmas morning!

Again... this is just Post #1 (of many, I think...) of Christmas! We have so much more to share!

(and yes... Maggie had a WONDERFUL Christmas too... Jackson definitely was at the age this year of REALLY understanding Christmas, and to say he had the most Holiday Cheer, well... that would be an understatement! )!!!! 

xoxo

Just some fun pics to share...

We had a busy week, (it seems that is usual for us...).

I took some fun pictures too... so rather than telling you every detail of our week... I'll just share some fun photos... (and, I'll admit, I'm a bit tired... so I'd probably end up writing something incoherent with a lot of typos, so I'll save us all the pain... ).

 We hosted a playdate at our house on Monday, with some of our new and old friends (through the Mom's/Kiddo's Group we're in)... it was a lot of fun!

 Look at all those cuties!

 Maggie was very fond of Fritz... :)

 Not so sure he felt the same... :p

 He's showing a little interest (above picture...)...

 and Maggie dives right in... trying to give Fritz a smooch...

 I think he's trying very hard to politely tell her "no, thank you"...

 Jackson had so much fun with Griffin.

Griffin is my BF Niki's nephew... he is about 6 months younger than Jack... and they always have so much fun playing together! We are always happy when Niki is able to bring Griff along to playdates... he's such a cool kiddo.

 Miss Maggie taking a little break from all the action... and playing with "baby" Jackson's Giraffe, Sophie... I think he's gonna want it back, Maggs... don't get too attached.

 This is just PURE sweetness! Niki's little guy, Jackson... all tuckered out from lots and lots of playing... 

He is so cute! He literally, just fell asleep sitting on the couch with his Mama. He looks pretty content to me :)

 I found a spot... well, sort of ... for the "spring" wreath I made a few weeks ago. It is hanging in our front living room, over the fireplace. There isn't a mantle and it's brick, so the best I could do was use a suction cup, and "hang" it from the mirror. It looks ok... but, it isn't the exact right spot for it... not sure I'll ever find one... HA!

 I was just playing around with my camera this week (please don't take the below photo as an example... bad lighting, bad angle, bad ... well, just about everything - besides the plaque I was attempting to capture). I love this saying... Niki gave this to me a while back, and I have always loved it, and have always found a special place in our home for it.

 I LOVE Sunflowers! They are one of my favorite flowers! These ones are absolutely gorgeous.

I bought them at Trader Joe's for Easter, and they are still going strong. They are so beautiful, and they just remind me that spring really is here... just not exactly showing us much ... yet.

 Yes, flowers are so easy to photograph.

But, they are also so gorgeous.

So, all in all... these pictures make me happy... 

because I took them, and they are pretty. :)

But, again... flowers are pretty hard to not get a good picture of.

 This one (below) is my favorite. I love the flowers (of course), but also the pitcher they are in. My Grandmother gave me the pitcher, and I have always loved it. I never use it for what a pitcher is truly for... but, have always used it for a vase... and I think it does the job well!

 Again... just playing around with my camera... 

but, this little plaque (below) is another one of my favorite things we have.

Another thing from my Grandmother... hmm... she knows my taste :)

She gave this to Brian and I, this past year for Christmas, and I just adore it.

Hope you enjoyed the complete randomness of this post... :) And, the pictures...

I have many many many more where these came from. I'm also having a lot of fun with a new photo program, that allows you to change little things in a photo (ie. aging it, etc.). I'll have some fun ones to show you soon.

Lastly, have some WONDERFUL news to share... my Grandmother went from the hospital last week, to a Rehabilitation Center for her to receive some physical therapy for her knees, etc. after her surgery. Well... she only had to stay at the Center for 2 days, and was able to go home yesterday afternoon! I talked with her today, and she was so happy to be home, as I'm sure we can all imagine! She said she had slept really well last night, and was just overall very happy to be back home, and sleeping in her own bed. My Aunt, Kathy will be staying with her... until my Grandmother feels fully comfortable & strong enough to be alone. So, thank you to everyone who has held my Grandma in their thoughts and prayers. It has meant a lot... during a difficult and stressful time. I'm so relieved, happy and feeling blessed that she was able to regain her strength, and be able to be home where she can sleep, eat, etc. all comfortably and have some privacy... as we all know how hospitals are... :p

We love you, Grandma... and are beyond HAPPY you are home! xoxo

We hope each and every one of you have a wonderful weekend.

Love,

The Weeks