Sorry it's been so long!

Just wait 'til you hear what all has been going on! First of all, belated Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Now, on to the good stuff!

I had a great first birthday at home with my family! I know what you're thinking, "Jax already posted about his birthday". Well, I posted about my party, but my birthday was three weeks later and guess what? MORE CAKE AND BALLOONS AND PRESENTS!!! Mommy cooked spaghetti and had the family over for dinner. I even ate some spaghetti, now that I have more teeth....yummy! Then I got a tractor cake, and more presents! Uncle Bubba tried to get me to play in the cake, but I totally don't get why I would want to ruin a perfectly good piece of cake like that! I got a whole bag full of books and a learning laptop. Here are a few pictures!

We also went to the East Ridge Christmas Parade. Now, aside form being bundled up so much that I could hardly move, this was a fun night! I got to ride in my car, and dad took me up the road where they were lining all the vehicles up. There were all kinds of cars and trucks, flashing lights and sirens, dancers, a band, horses and people kept offering me candy...Mommy kept saying No Thank You. Boo Hiss! Granny and Granddaddy went with us and Granddaddy bought me a red balloon! I just love balloons!

Aunt Nelda is retiring, so we planned a surprise party. We told her it was a surprise party for Granny and Granddaddy's birthday and she bought it! She was totally surprised and said she will never trust Mommy again! And guess what....MORE CAKE hehehe!
Then along came Thanksgiving. Holy Cow! Can you say Smorgasbord? OK, neither can I, but there was tons of gooooood food . I ate Turkey, broccoli casserole, sweet potato casserole, fruit, chicken and dressing, rolls with butter, green beans, macaroni and cheese and corn on the cob! I'm gonna have to practice on the corn on the cob. Then I ate pecan pie and apple cake (you knew there would be cake). Oh yeah, the highlight of MY day...Mom dressed me in a Turkey suit. Enjoy it while you can Mama, next year I'll be able to talk and say "NO TURKEY SUIT!"
I Love a Parade, and Gatlinburg ain't bad either! We headed up for the first weekend in December as a special way to celebrate Granny and Granddaddy's 60th Birthdays! (Thank You Uncle Bubba and Aunt Audi!) Yep, you guessed it, there was cake! Mommy must have thought we were moving to Gatlinburg, because it took forever to load the truck. After a couple of hours packed in like sardines, we stopped in Knoxville at the Apple Cake Tearoom for lunch. It is one of Granny's favorite places and it was yummy. They have these little muffins...with a little butter....mmmm, not cake, but good! Then back on the road to the tip of Gatlinburg. Guess What, is had snowed earlier that week, and while the town was clear, way up where our cabin was in the mountains, there was still snow on the trees and in the woods. It was beautiful! Then we had dinner, bundled up again and watched the Gatlinburg Christmas Parade. The rest of the weekend was filled with shopping, eating and a few candid moments.

And now for Christmas! What a whirlwind! As if the parades and trip to Gatlinburg and shopping and stuff didn't kick off the season, we had a wonderful Christmas Brunch at The Mountain City Club and there was a Santa there! I was dressed to the nines, but at least I could move this time...no snow overalls and coat and boots! We ate wonderful goodies, but no cake. I didn't want to get in the car when it was time to leave!
Then came Christmas Eve, Mommy stayed home and worked on some "project" all morning while Daddy was at work. Then we baked cookies for Santa until Daddy got home, then Mommy dashed out for a couple of last minute things and left Daddy to dress me for church. He did a great job and we met Mommy at church. I was mostly good during the Christmas Eve service. I ate animal crackers and fruit chews and went back and forth between Daddy, Mommy and Granny. Then we went to Nanny's house for dinner, good food, but again no cake! I am beginning to think my family doesn't realize just how important cake is! I was so tired when we got home that I went straight to bed after setting out Santa's cookies and milk. The next morning, the whole living room was full of presents! Mommy and Daddy hed to help me with the wrapping paper. I just don't understan how come I can't tear the paper in my books or Mommy's magazines but they want me to tear the paper off of the presents? It was worth it though, there were so many fun things inside that paper! Then we went to Granny and Granddaddy's....more presents and Monkey Bread (I think I love Monkey's). I took a quick nap with Granddaddy and then we went to Nonna's...more presents and she has a dog that barks alot! Then back to Granny and Granddaddy's for Christmas dinner. Chicken Casserole, Broccoli Casserole, Squash Casserole, Macaroni and Cheese and Buttermilk Pie (helloooo.....cake?). When I began to get crazy, we headed home and ahhah, sweet sleep!

The next day, The Walker's and Aunt Nelda, Uncle Steve and Nanny all came to Granny and Granddaddy's for dinner. Hamuburgers all around! OK, I don't have that many teeth, so I had Vegetable Beef Dinner a la Gerber. Not too shabby! After dinner...MORE PRESENTS!! Lawton, Kate and Maggie were all there, so there were lots of toys and noise! Nobody seemed to mind very much and it was just a really nice evening of family and fellowship. After all the warpping paper was cleaned up, it was time for dessert...Buttermilk Pie, Derby Pie with Cool Whip (MMMmmm) and CAKE! Yes, finally, Granny made a wonderful moist, fresh Apple Cake. Whhoooo, all that food, three days of presents and family and running around, I need a nap... a very long nap! Wait, did someone say Mommy's Birthday is next month? That means Cake right? I can't wait! OK, enough for now. I'm sure you're tired of reading and Mommy is wanting to check her email. Here's a few more pictures of the family Christmas and a few candid shots! Yes, that is me in the fridge! I just learned how to step up, and that was the perfect step!

Love you all, and I promise it won't be so long next time!

Stay Tuned!!

Update coming....as soon as Mommy catches Me!

Jax's First Birthday Party

Happy Birthday to ME! Happy Birthday to ME! Happy Birthday, dear Jax! Happy Birthday to ME!

Wow! On November 1st , we had my first birthday party. I heard Mom and Granny planning it for weeks, and Mom would tell me all about what to expect. Well all I can say is words do not do a birthday party justice!! First of all, how bad can anything be when you get tons of helium balloons!! Then, cake and presents and family and friends, being outside, something called a bonfire and pretty much getting away with whatever I wanted...Wooo Hoooo!!! Let's have a Birthday Party everyday! I am including some pictures so you can try to get an idea of how much fun it was!

Mom's getting my balloons ready!! I LOVE balloons!! I didn't even mind staying in my port-a-crib while Mom sat in the floor and blew them all up! She only let one get away, and she only popped one. Not bad Mom!

My first time on the John Deere with Dad! It wasn't running at the time, but I have learned to grunt and growl and make all kinds of vehicle noises, so I grunted and pretended it was on while Mom snapped away with the camera! Do you think my Daddy is proud of me?

Mom and Granny used some of my favorite things and LOTS of balloons for my centerpiece. It was such a beautiful warm fall day with a perfect breeze. Everything was just perfect and I am so grateful to everyone that got to come and celebrate with me!

Beautiful Aunt GG, Lillian and her Dad checking out the tractor and my precious friend Hayes. It is no coincidence that most of the children there were female...hey, I'm no fool!

Aunt Brenda, Uncle Gil and Uncle Bubba, My yummy cake!! and ME, checking out my cake! Not to discount everyone else that was there, but I really must rejoice at the picture of my Uncle Gil! Just three weeks earlier, he had brain surgery for an aneurysm!!! Praise the Lord he is still with us and on the mend! This was his first outing and we are all so grateful!! Check out that cake!! Mom didn't let me "play" in it because she decided it would be too hard to get me cleaned up in the pasture. But, to all you traditionalists, my actual birthday is November 24th and I am going to have my own cake to play in! Stay tuned for pictures!!


Mom, Dad and ME!! Me riding in the Barrels of Fun for the first time with Aunt GG. This was so much fun! i am so glad to be big enough to ride and that Aunt GG is still small enough to ride with me. If she were "grown up", I might have missed this chance, although, Aunt Cindy could probably have been persuaded to squeeze into a barrel one more time!

Checking out Caris' hair bow.

Ok, all my girlfriends wear these things on their heads, various sizes and colors, all made of ribbon. They must somehow be painful because every time I try to grab one, I get NO!! NO!! NO!! Whatever, I'll just stick to my hats...after all, I am a Hatmaker!

"Enjoying" some paper "Enjoying" my new DVD's

OK, presents? Absolutely Brilliant!! Tissue Paper? Pure Genius!! Honestly, this part was so much fun that at one point I turned around so far to see my presents that I fell out of my chair! Fortunately, Gingle was right there and got me situated for....more presents!!

I'm happy and I know it so I'm clapping my hands!

After "Happy Birthday", everyone sang "You are my Sunshine" and "If You're Happy and You Know it" what a memory! I was mesmerized-and Happy!

Checking out my "haul"! What a Party!

THANK YOU to everyone who came!! You are all part of my "village" and Mom and Dad could not do it without your prayers, love and support! Thank you for my gifts and for making my First Birthday very special! Love you lots!!

Jax

First Halloween

How come nobody tells us kids about Halloween? I would not have slept for weeks with anticipation! Mommy puts you in some silly suit, everyone, and I do mean everyone goes on and on about how cute you are plus you get candy! Really though, who thought up rubber noses?

Dad took the day off and we spent it doing some things at church, visiting Nanny at Siskin and then back to church for the Fall Carnival. Holy Cow! There were lots of people there in all sorts of suits! I saw Hannah Montana every time I turned my head! My firend Hayes came and brought her mom and dad. They are real troopers because they had to wait a long time on Granddaddy to get the barrells of fun unloaded before we could have dinner. Luckily Hayes and I can get away with not waiting. She was the cutest little pumpkin and she loves cheerios. Hey Hayes, just wait until you get some more teeth, you can eat all sorts of new things...goldfish, animal crackers, broccoli, chicken fingers and my personal favorite, french fries!!

Thank You McEwen's for my Cool New Playhouse!

Granddaddy works with a man named Warren McEwen. His kiddos are growing up and outgrowing some of their toys, specifically this really neat playhouse. They offered to pass it down and Granddaddy jumped at the offer. It is now on my screen porch and is a great way to burn some energy! Mom snapped these pictures a couple of months ago, and forgot to post them. I found them and must share! It has been so long ago that I can't even wear those jammies anymore!

I have so much fun climbing and poking my head through all the holes. Mom and Dad have to really watch me though because I don't know that I could fall right through one of those holes. I am not at all sure about the slide. It scares me going down, but it makes all the grown ups act silly saying things like "Wheeee" and "Whoo Hooo". Whatever makes 'em happy! One thing we have learned is that jammies and socks are not the best thing to wear when climbing. They are slippery and make it hard for a guy to stand up and make tracks! That's why I'm the nude dude in the last picture. (Don't worry, I do have a diaper on under those rolls!) Much better in my skin, except on the slide! My belly made a funny squeaky noise on the slide when I went down with no clothes on! Thank You Thank You Thank You McEwen Family!!! You made a little Hatmaker boy very happy!