11 months

Only 17 days until our baby girl turns one :( My how fast time flies when you have children. I still think of her as a tiny baby so it is so hard for me to believe she is about to be a walking, talking toddler! Here are a few things about Ella at 11 months...

She is on the verge of walking and takes several steps at a time. She is a champ at cruising around on furniture and gets brave and lets go from time to time. She is completely over her bottle and it is a fight to get her to take it. She says "Jaah" and we think she is trying to say "Jackson." She thinks bubba hung the moon. She loves Rusty and crawls all over until she finds him and then loves on him. She weighs 23 pounds. She loves baby dolls - she kisses them when she sees them. She loves to eat and gets very upset when she is all done. She points when she wants something. She lays her head down on your shoulder and acts bashful when people talk to her. She is the most precious baby girl we could have ever asked for! We are looking forward to all that is to come, but cherishing the few days left of her being a baby!

Visit with Santa

We took Jackson and Ella to see Santa today at the Gaylord Texan. It was beautiful and we really enjoyed walking around and seeing everything. Jackson actually sat with Santa (not on his lap, just close enough to hold sister's hand). He told him what he is wishing for...a guitar, a Batman racecar track and a Spiderman bicycle and helmet. The picture turned out really cute and I was so proud of both of them! It was a stress free event :) Last year Jackson would only talk to Santa, he refused to have his picture made with him. He decided that he needed chocolate ice cream instead of cookies and hot chocolate so here he is...lovin' some ice cream! Ella looked so sweet in her dress and I love this picture of her in the poinsettias. Notice her hand...when we would try to get her attention she would strike this pose everytime! We had a great morning and we are very much in the Christmas spirit! Jackson is on the count down for Santa and checks in with Rex the elf daily. 3 days left!

Happy Birthday Heston!

We celebrated sweet Heston's 2nd birthday this weekend and had so much fun! He came and spent the night with us on Friday and we took him to see his first movie, Madagascar 2. J and I were brave and took all 3 of the kids. Surprisingly, they all did very well. Heston did not move for the first 30 minutes, except to put popcorn into his mouth. Ella was pretty still, with the help of a few dum dums :) Towards the end of the movie, the boys got a little bit restless and began running laps down a few rows, laughing and running from Jason. Possibly from a sugar high?? We could not help but laugh, and thankfully there were only a few other people in the theater.



Ella crashed...


Saturday night was Heston's party and it was so neat! Shadie rented a little train that held 18 people and took us around to look at Christmas lights. We drank hot chocolate and it was a perfect evening. Heston loves trains and even wore a cute little conductor outfit that Shadie's dad had gotten him. It is hard to believe that our precious nephew is 2. He is a bright spot in our lives and more special to us than words can say. Happy Birthday Heston!

We may have a longhorn on our hands...

Our good friend Brad has taught Jackson a very bad thing. He taught him "Hook 'em Horns." When we tell him to get his guns up, he says, "NO! Buck up!" and put up his horns. The other day he yelled, "GO HOOKERS!!!" We laughed histerically. That child loves to get a reaction out of us and rooting for the Longhorns is a good way to do that.

**speaking of reactions...tonight when Jason asked him what he is thankful for he whispered, "Boogers." Nice.

Jackson's Christmas Program

Jackson had his Christmas program at school today and it was wonderful! They sang 3 songs and he knew the words to them all. He did so great, and looked like such a big boy! He stood beside 2 of his favorite buddies, Tyler and Cooper. We were proud of him! I love children's programs...always full of entertainment...kids looking around, picking their noses, dancing, giggling..so cute!




The only one of him smiling and it is blurry!


Working the crowd - J said he looks like he is running for president :)

Ella meets ravioli

Ella ate ravioli for the first time and it was hilarious! When she really likes something she does what we call "the goldfish smack." She makes a fish face and smacks her lips. So adorable. She was goldfish smacking the entire time she was eating. When she was done she had it everywhere. Under her arms, the creases in her legs, hair, ears, everywhere! We went straight to the bath tub and when she was done, there was an orange ring around the tub. She loved it and I loved watching her love it :)

Happy girl!


The goldfish smack


Sharing with Quin



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Thanksgiving

I am a few weeks late, but here are some pictures from Thanksgiving. We had a nice day at the Scotty and Cindy's, enjoying time spent with Maw Maw and Grandpa Ruall and the rest of our wonderful family. We ate, ate, and ate some more and then started a new tradition...the Irons pumpkin smash! When Jason and John were little, they would take their pumpkins into the backyard and throw rocks at it after Thanksgiving. We decided that being on the farm, we had plenty of room to let the boys throw rocks at their pumpkins. Well, throwing rocks turned into picking them up and hurling them into the air and smashing them! It was crazy and so much fun! We were all laughing and throwing pumpkins and saw Jackson running to the truck. ??? He comes back with his t-ball bat and started hitting the smashed ones. So funny and a memory that I will always remember! We are grateful for any time that we get to spend with each other, and Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to reflect on all that we have been blessed with throughout the year. I can start with a precious baby girl, a little boy who melts my heart, a hardworking, loving husband, wonderful parents and in-laws, amazing friends, health, our home, and countless other things. Even when times are difficult, I can count these blessings and realize that this is what matters in my life. I love Thanksgiving!

The boys attempting to throw rocks at the pumpkin


Here we go...









Jackson's first time to ride a horse!