Winter Beach Trip

Sometimes the adults get something called "cabin fever," and it makes them long to travel to exotic locations with great buffets.   In our case, we headed south to Myrtle Beach, where they practically pay YOU to come see them in the winter months.  For three days, we had a great time with the Roberts family.  It was not warm.   It was not even close to warm.  But it was the beach, and a cold day at the beach is still pretty darn awesome.

 A view from the breakfast table....

 Movies in the room with my friend Sabrina...  I'm 3 months older, and although our parents joke about our future together,  I can't let that influence me.  There's too much Jackers to be tied down to one (albeit lovely) woman.

Like I said, the beach was VERY cold.   Be we were determined to get out there and enjoy it.   The upside to arctic wind chills is NO crowds.

I call this one "solitude"....  

A man can really ponder the universe with the sound of waves crashing in the background.

On a sunny day later in the weekend, we were able to get get out and enjoy the boardwalk and Skywheel.

I've done it before, but this view never gets old!

NO COMMENT.    (Mom!  You weren't supposed to use this one!!!!)

All worn out, and ready to go home.    The beach was good to me, as always.   I'll see you again in the summer!!!

Foolin around with Mom

Funny faces are my specialty these days...

Some of the other things I'm up to right now:

1. "Spicy Chips"  Mom doesn't know where I got this, but it's what I call Salt and Vinegar Pringles, and I'm OBSESSED WITH THEM.  I ask for them for every meal.   And I'm denied them 9 times out of 10.
2.  The demon voice.   Imagine your best growly monster voice, and this is the disturbing voice I favor these days.  Most disturbing is that I like to say my nighttime prayers in this voice.  Mom says it's way creepy.
3.  Still obsessed with McDonalds.
4.  Afraid of the dark since, oh, right around Halloween time.  I've got three night lights in my room now.
5.  I'm still an extremely picky eater, but the bribe of Spicy Chips will get me to at least finish my meal.
6. I'm going to be 3 soon!
7.  I enjoy foot rubs with lotion.   Who doesn't?
8.  I take bath time seriously.   And I don't hesitate to ask for it any time of day. Morning, noon, night.  Doesn't matter.
9.  I have a bladder like a peanut.   I pee every 10 minutes.  Better  to be safe than sorry.
10.  I like to clean house.   Mom gives me all kinds of jobs, and I love to help! Cleaning the spots on the floor with Windex and a paper towel is my favorite.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is here!!!  And Santa came!!!

I got the castle that I wanted, and there are lots of presents for me to open!!

Before we can open presents, Mom makes us a delicious breakfast.   Aunt Sherri joined us, because Mom bribed her with biscuits and gravy!   Since I don't eat food like a normal human being, I got strawberries and pretzels.   Breakfast of champions, I say.

 The stocking produced Octonauts and Flashcards.   

I'm pretty sure education is NOT allowed on Christmas.

 Jesse and Kelli came through with the Legos I asked for!

Mom and Dad bought me the large Lego storage head.   Good thinking!

Aunt Sue bought me the dragon that goes with my castle!!

Dan and Christy know my love for all things vehicular, and got me Micro Machines!! 

Aunt Catherine bought me the weapons pack and coach that goes with the castle!   

Two words every mother wants to hear:   WEAPONS PACK

What a haul!  It was more than I ever hoped for, and I'm excited to play with all of it!  It's hard to know where to start!

I think I'll start by storming the castle!

What a wonderful morning.   My cousin Ryan is calling home from his mission at 12 noon, so we're going to hit the road and head to Grandma's house so we don't miss the call.

More presents at Grandmas?   I had forgotten that we get to do this twice!

MORE LEGOS!!!!  The look on my face says it all....

Thank you to ALL of my family near and far that thought of me this Christmas, and gave me some wonderful new things.  I'm a lucky boy to have so many people love me.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

P.S.  One memory my mom doesn't want to forget is that I can't say Christmas. 

 I say 'Mist-Mas' and it's the most adorable thing ever.

Christmas Eve

Christmas is ALLLLLLMOST here, and I can't be more excited.  Our family only travels for Christmas every other year, and this was our year to stay home.   The Barnes' have some very fun family traditions, and staying home allowed us to participate in some of them!

For a month or two now, I've been asking for a "castle."   I often get to visit the toys in Target, and I'm always drawn to the castle and horses section.  I love ALL the toys, but these really get my attention.   I visited Santa Claus at the mall, and I told him exactly what I wanted.   We will see if he comes through!!

We have an elf name Ernie that visits us every day, and reports back to Santa if I've been a good boy or not.   This has been an extremely effective motivator when my behavior becomes iffy.  I did not know that elves could fly, and that they report back to Santa.   When they say "Santa knows!" they are not kidding.

Christmas Eve always involves lots of yummy food, and our family re-enacting the Christmas story.  I'm too big to play baby Jesus, so I've finally graduated to shepherd!!

Aunt Lynnette doesn't mind when I help her play the Christmas carols.

I ate a lot of Christmas candy and yummy food tonight.   That with the excitement of Santa Claus is going to make it next to impossible to sleep tonight!   See you in the morning!!!

I love North Carolina!

It's a few days before Christmas, and I'm at the park in short sleeves!   I love this weather.

Earning my keep

I like to help out.   I know that Mom can't do it all on her own, so I'm trying to lighten the load.   I'm already very intrigued by cooking (ironic, since I don't like to eat anything).   Mom is always good sport about letting me "help."    She must value my assistance if she bought me my very own helper apron.

Thanksgiving in Texas!

Mom and I are flying on Thanksgiving day to see our family in Texas.   Mom's ENTIRE family will be there.  We are sad to not have Daddy with us, but next time for sure.  I like it when Mom and I go on big adventures together.   She's a great travel buddy.

Never fails.  Something about the vibrations of takeoff that make me fall asleep.   

Makes for a quick, easy flight.

Best part about cousins, is plenty of kids to play with!  

Hudson was a good sport to pull everyone around in Grandma's garden wagon.

Sitting at the kids table, like a big kid!!

Playing cards with Grandma....

I'm too little to ride the zipline by myself (Grandpa made it even faster!) 

So Uncle John helped me out.

Grandma and Grandpa and my cousins!  (And Woody the dog..)

Mom and her brother and sisters (minus Eadie).  Susan, Mom, John, Rebecca, and Catherine

Uncle John was a good sport to haul us around on the "tractor."  It's nice to have uncles that want to help us do "boy things."

A trip to Cabela's was made, and I tried really hard to get Mom to buy this hat.  

She said if we lived in Saskatchewan she would, but alas, we don't.

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for giving us a great week full of food and fun, and lots of cousin play time!   See you in the spring!

Gingerbread shakeup

Due to scheduling conflicts beyond everyone's control, the annual Gingerbread construction took place BEFORE Thanksgiving this year.    I must say, for only being 2+ years old, I really can hold my own with these amateurs.

Church

Time to wow the ladies in nursery with a carefree church look that says "I don't take singing time too seriously... but snacks are another story."