Magical Forest

A large fantasy of lights, is how I would describe the "Magical Forest." Jackson and I had a fun time last Tuesday evening at a "local" Las Vegas Christmas activity (I say local, but gracious...nothing in this town is close to us!)!! We enjoyed hot dogs, funnel cake, a carousel, putt putt with Frosty, a train ride and a walk through a "Magical Forest" of Christmas lights.






The only thing missing was Daddy.

Forgotten Events

If you haven't read the post below, that will catch you up...well, almost. I have just loaded the new pictures from the camera onto the computer, and it appears that I forgot two events that happened in December. Prior to our Half Marathon...like the night before...was our squadron Christmas party. Needless to say, we enjoyed water during the cocktail hour and then dinner until 9pm and then we dashed out of the Stratosphere to make it home in the hopes of getting a few hours of sleep before having to be up at 4:00am for the race. So, no "real" partying for us, but it was fun anyway. Here is a picture of the ladies in the squadron.


And then, I forgot to mention our traditional "sugar cookie making extravaganza" that we have here at Christmas time (and sometimes Valentine's Day and Easter). I noticed this year that the clean up afterwards wasn't as great...seems that's a sure sign that my son is older and can keep the sprinkles on the cookies instead of on everything and everywhere else!! Fun was had by both of us!




(Oooo, two posts in one day...that's a recent record!!)

Perpetually Behind

I've come to the conclusion that I am behind...in everything! I'm not Super Mom, Super Blogger, Super Wife or anything of the sort...and I'm still perpetually behind, especially with this blog!! I can't get it all together lately, except that I do have almost all of the Christmas gifts bought...which I suppose is good since Christmas is a week and a half away! Anywho...in an effort to update you (again), I'm going to stop with the "lots of words and pictures" posts and catch up in this post. A few words, one picture, and move on...so here it goes!!

Six days after our Disneyland vacation, Jackson and I traveled to Pennsylvania for a family reunion. It was a great time seeing all the family, to include aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles, grandparents, great grandma, cousins...and more cousins. Here's a picture of Jackson with his cousins (minus one who was asleep) and their Great Grandma!


We came back just in time to prepare for a Halloween party at our house...a kid-friendly one. We had what seemed like loads of kids racing around what began to feel like the smallest house in history that night!! The preparations included Jackson learning how to carve his first pumpkin (well, I carved it, he drew the eyes and nose and pulled out the insides).


Those loads of kids and at least one of their parents went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood on Halloween night. Jackson dressed as Anakin Skywalker.


Then we rolled around to Thanksgiving. As usual, we spent it just the three of us with a huge Thanksgiving day feast. Loads of fun frying a turkey again (Cody) and trying new recipes from the Food Network (me) and supervising the entire adventure (Jackson). (Two pictures this time)



The Blake Family Tradition continued this year as we decorated the house for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. This year, Jackson enjoyed hanging the Santas (and me moving them higher on the tree after he went to bed that night) on our Santa ornament tree and then hanging his own ornaments on his very own tree.


During all this time, Cody and I trained for our first Half Marathon...the "Rock n Roll Las Vegas Marathon/Half Marathon." We successfully crossed the finish line on December 5, 2010 after running 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 30 minutes. What a rush!! No pictures from this event, as we couldn't figure out how to carry a camera and run. With it being our first 13.1 mile run, we also didn't want any extra weight on our bodies!! We are slowly getting back into running after a week off in hopes that we will run another one sometime in the spring or summer.

This past weekend brought Cody and Jackson watching Santa arrive in an F-15, while I hosted a baby shower at our house. Tonight brings Jackson and me visiting Santa at a Forest of lights somewhere here in Vegas and Saturday morning brings the three of us going to have breakfast with Santa at our local community center. Busy times, busy times.

Ok, that's the Blakes in a "nutshell post" ... but now, at least you feel caught up with what's going on in Vegas.

Jackson's Birthday Trip~Part 2

We decided that this year we'd make Jackson's birthday extra special (especially since we took him house hunting last year on his birthday!) by having a Birthday Party with Mickey Mouse at Disneyland! He had been asking where Mickey lived and saying that he wanted to go visit him...so we did.

We booked 4 nights at a hotel right across from the entrance to Disney...it was awesome to be so close! When we got into our room, they had left balloons and a present for Jackson...making him smile from ear to ear! They also provided him with a birthday cake for him to pick up on his birthday! We couldn't have asked for more from our hotel.




We spent about 3 days at Disneyland and one at the "ever evolving" California Adventure Park, which is a Disney theme park as well. It has all the Pixar stuff (in case you didn't know, 'cause I sure didn't at first), so "Cars" was a great thing to see over there! There was also "A Bug's Life" area, and the World of Color night time show that was fabulous!



Jackson was excited to meet so many of his favorite Disney characters. He runs the gammant for favorites...we go from Handy Manny, to Mickey, to Minnie, Buzz and then Mary Poppins (which, I have to say was my all time favorite at the park). Mary Poppins taught Jackson how to properly escort a lady, as you can see in the picture below. It was so very precious! "Mary Poppins" is one of Jackson's favorite Disney movies...it's quite possible he's watched it a couple dozen times!



On the morning of his birthday, we made reservations at the Plaza Inn for a Character Breakfast with Minnie and her friends. Complete fun for all three of us, but Jackson had gotten so into getting the characters' autographs that it was neat to see him so excited when he saw them. He even got one from Geppedo from Pinnochio-another of his favorite Disney movies.




And then of course, there's visiting Toontown and Mickey Mouse's home where you must get a picture with Mickey.




And who could leave Disneyland without enjoying a chocolate Mickey Mouse ice cream bar!



There's also the famous ride, "It's a Small World," which was neat to be on after having visited so many of the places that are represented on that ride!


We watched the parade, the night time show, all the "usual" stuff!


We had so much fun...and for 6 days, we enjoyed being somewhere else for a change!


It was a truly magical vacation for all of us! And now, we have a Four-Year-Old...where did the four years go?!?!?! He's so grown up now.

Jackson Turns 4!! (Birthday Trip-Part 1)

Yes, I have finally come to the realization a month later that I am the mother of a four year old. It appears that my attempts to keep him from growing up are not working so I must succumb to the inevitable...he is no longer a baby or toddler but a proper boy now. So, to celebrate that, we surprised Jackson with a trip to Sea World and Disneyland this year! We thought it would be fun to have Mickey, Minnie and the gang join us in a Birthday Party for Jackson...and it didn't hurt that Cody and I were thoroughly excited about going to Disney as well!!

Jackson went to preschool on the morning before we drove to San Diego. We helped him celebrate his birthday there by providing chocolate muffins for his snack time in his room. (Although it looks like he is lonesome sitting at the table, don't worry, his friends were there with him...but, as usual, he takes forever to eat and is STILL eating his muffin!)



Then, off we went on a 6 hour drive to San Diego! The evening we got there, we drove down and spent some time at Seaport Village. I could live there...in the village! I loved it!




The next day, we headed off to Sea World! For the longest time, Jackson said he liked Sea World better than Disneyland. Guess it made an impression on him...he still talks about Shamu!






After Sea World, we went to dinner at a friend's house. They were the only other Americans stationed with us in Scotland, so naturally we got to be great friends! When they moved from Scotland, a month after we moved, they were stationed in San Diego...so very close to us!! It was wonderful to catch up and to let the boys play together. Here's a picture of the two boys! (Elizabeth H, we thought you might enjoy seeing the boys together again and how much they've grown since you kept them back in Scotland! We all miss you so very much!)



The next morning, we drove to Balboa Park and did a run there before hopping in the car and driving to Anaheim for our Disney adventure!

So...It's Been A While!

It has been a while since I've updated this blog...sorry. Lots been going on, so be looking for updates! OK, there, now I'm accountable!

Let's back up to the end of September. My parents started a 45 day road trip around the US, and we were their first stop! They came and visited us for 4 days. We had fun in the pool and celebrated Jackson's birthday a bit while they were here! It was a great time of relaxation with them and catching up.





Then...two weeks after they left, we left...for Disneyland! Pictures and details of that trip to follow...but suffice it to say, we had a great time as we tried to make "All of Jackson's Dreams Come True" as we celebrated his 4th Birthday on October 12 with Mickey, Minnie and many other Disney Friends!

Life in These Parts

Life has been going along, day by day here, but not a whole lot of excitment...just normal days, I suppose. Which, is good, I always think! Jackson has readjusted to going to school and says "WhooHoo" every night when I tell him that the next morning is preschool. He also continues to get excited about gymnastics on Thursday mornings. He seems to have enjoyed his Bible Class, "TeamKID" (Kids In Discipleship) that he is attending on Wed evenings at our church and I am so very excited about my study on "Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted" that we will be studying in my Womens Bible Study.

We are also very excited (and I mean, "we", Cody and me) about our trip to Sea World in San Diego and Disneyland CA in a few weeks. I say only Cody and me because we have not told Jackson that we are going!! We have decided to keep it a surprise and are planning to let him know with a rolling suitcase filled with Mickey stuff about a week before his birthday. We have been wanting to take him, and he has been asking to see where Mickey lives, so we thought what better time to go than the middle of October and celebrate his 4th Birthday there! So, that is the plan. I believe I may be more excited to see his face when we tell him than the actual trip itself!! The tickets are purchased and the hotels booked, so now, I'm just sifting through info to make the most of our trip! I'm also thoroughly excited to have my husband with us the entire 6 days!! In Jackson's words, "WhooHoo!"

The other thing happening here...Cody and I believe that we may register for the Half Marathon here in Vegas on The Strip in December. I think I might be crazy!! Cody has run races like this before, but I have never...side note: I AM NOT A RUNNER!! I got pumped up about it and have worked my way up to 2.5-3.5 mile runs consistently throughout the week, to be able to start the training program next week. I'm not fast, by any means; in fact, it will probably take me the same amount of time to finish the Half as those completing the Full on the same day. But, my goal is simply to finish the race!! We'll see if we actually end up doing it, but it has been "fun," none the less, to challenge myself in this area.

And, that is all...no good pictures, just an update. Hope all is well with my faithful readers!! God bless you today!!

A Little Fun for the "Little" One

Our "little" boy is growing up (seems like I say that often...but he is, he really is!)!! Monday started this year of preschool. Because of his birth date, Jackson will be in preschool 2 years here, pre-kindergarten next year and then start kindergarten wherever we are next (well, in theory, that's how I see it...I've learned things change:)! )!! We have started a tradition in getting ice cream after the first day of school (I can't take credit for the idea...my sister-in-law does this with her boys every year. I thought it was a cool idea!) Here are a few pictures of our big boy before (and after) school on Monday.




This year, he will be attending 3 days a week. I do drive about 30 minutes to the preschool, which is also our church. So, this year, I'll also be making 2 trips on Wednesdays. We plan to start Jackson in an evening Bible Study for Kids on Wed evenings, and I will start attending a women's Bible Study on Wed evenings as well. So, I will spend half of my days driving to and from the church...but all worth it, as we love the preschool, and I have enjoyed the Women's Bible Studies in the past.

On Saturday, as one last "summer activity" Cody thought it would be fun to take advantage of living here in Vegas. We went down to Circus Circus and enjoyed adding to Jackson's stuffed animal collection as he played the little games they have in the hotel. It was a fun family time!

Is This For Real??

Do you remember the times when you've seen the people on the corners of streets "rockin'" signs that say things like, "Little Ceasar's Pizza $5" and it has an arrow pointing to the Little Ceasar's Pizza place... ... or at tax time they say, "Taxes filed for $29" or whatever they say.

Yesterday we saw one "rockin'" sign shaped like an arrow and pointing to a shopping center...and it said, "Medical Marijuana...Get It Here for Less!"

Aaaaaaaand, we are in Las Vegas!

Aaaaaaaand, we actually live here. fabulous.

My Little "Bob the Builder"

I found the best dollar store the other day...a recommendation from a friend (thanks, Jody!). I bought Jackson some new tools for his tool set from there. Kept him busy for some time! Here is my little "Bob the Builder!"


I loved that he put the hat on and everything! He totally played the part!