Can't get enough of this face

Can you blame me?

Jack goes to Kindergarten

For history's sake I want to rewind and remember that my big kid started kindergarten this year!  I won't lie, I was pretty devastated about it.  I put on a super excited and brave face with Jack who could hardly wait for the first day of school while in bed at night I counted down each night till the first day of school like the world was ending.

 

Jack, I know the time will come when you hate going to school, but I want you to know how much you love Kindergarten.  The biggest threat we have over you right now is not loss of wii, tv, or going to bed early, it's not being able to go to school the next day.  (I know I should be ashamed that I threaten that some days... awesome parenting at work!) 

I love you big kid and your father and I are super proud of who you are!

Brothers

I worried a lot about the age gap between our children.   Not that we could have done anything about it, but I mourned each passing year both for myself and for Jack.  That's why moments like these touch my heart so much. 

And the great thing is...they happen all the time these days.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (oh and Thanksgiving)

Thanksgiving was wonderful because of our guests.  Dorothy flew out to help me negotiate Jack's week home and a Thanksgiving dinner for 11 to be prepared.  She was a joy and the week got even better as soon as Grandpa showed up.  Jack got to make not just one, but two trips to Build A Bear, a trip to Ceramic Cafe, swimming with Grandpa and Papa and a quick trip to the beach.  It was like Christmas come early for that little boy.   Other highlights include me and Grandma cutting Williams "party in the back" hair.  It really is a lot more even and he doesn't look more bald then he did before.  Success.

The meal preparation spanned three days and was full of flops.  I won't name them all here, but a sleepy mind and a little baby made me have to redo more then a few dishes!  By the time we sat down to eat I think I may have had a few bites off of Zack's plate, but I didn't even bother to fill mine.  William fell asleep in my arms and words do not express how grateful I was this Thanksgiving to have my baby in my arms, my big kid to my right and my love to my left.  I am truly blessed.

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving Football players

You can't beat a Holiday Season in sunny California!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we headed out to pick out a Christmas tree.

"Gee Jack look how small this tree is...I think we need an even bigger one to make Christmas that much merrier!"

I got a real kick out of this picture.  The Zackrison men standing around critiquing the Christmas tree netting process.  Love these guys!

 There's nothing in the world like Grandparents!

This is how William felt about the whole Christmas tree shopping experience.  Big old beautiful stink face.

It took us a few days to actually get lights on the tree (much to Jack's dismay) but then it was finally time to decorate the tree.  Let's just say it was not the picture perfect experience.  Jack kept dropping and breaking ornaments and then running upstairs to cry and hide about it despite the fact that we didn't get upset with him.  William was crying and spitting up (the norm) and the first ornament I picked up I dropped and broke.  Maybe the years will fade the edges of our memories and we will remember how perfect it really was.