27 Boys & 6 Girls!!!

That is how many kids were at Jackson's 8th birthday party! A party it was too! Jackson's actual birthday is December 28th and his good friend Bryce's is January 28th. So they had their party together right in the middle on January 16th. It was an indoor swim party this year! It really was a lot of fun and no one got hurt and no fights between any of the boys. It was great!! There are a lot of pictures because when I got home and looked through them I had to laugh at Jackson. He is doing some pretty great poses in these pictures. It made me happy that he had so much fun at his party and he has really great little friends that he is so comfortable with.

What's next?...... A Birthday and a Baptism!!

December 28th Jackson turned 8. A big year for Jackson boy!! Not only did he turn 8 but he got baptized too. We were lucky enough to have our parents and Uncle Craig and Aunt Tara here for the big day. Thanks again guys for making the long trip. Two trips to Texas in 7 months is a lot to expect but you all came and we are so glad you did! We really appreciate it and love you all bunches. The 2nd of January was the big day.

Uncle Craig and Aunt Tara came from Kentucky and Florida.

Grandpa and Grandma Buchanan came from Utah.

Granddaddy and Grandmother Richardson came from Kentucky.

It was a very special day! Jackson good job for making the decision to be baptized. You are a sweet boy and we enjoy you every minute of the day. You bring a lot of fun to our home. Your personality is so fun and happy. We are so blessed and grateful to have you in our home.

Another post and pics of Jackson's crazy fun birthday party to come.

A visit with Santa, making Gingerbread Houses, & Christmas Morning!!

Our activities in December were many. Here is just a glimpse of 3 of them. We had a visit with Santa Claus. The kids were sure to tell him everything they wanted. Santa was a very good listener! Jackson asked Santa what his address was at the North Pole?? His answer 1 North Pole. That seemed to satisfy Jackson - thank goodness!Next we had a gingerbread house making/decorating night at our house with friends. The kids had fun and did a great job decorating their houses. I didn't get a picture of the finished products - shoot! Christmas morning was exciting as always! The kids were full of excitement and happy with what they worked so hard to be good for all year. Rylie got her big mountain bike (pink of course) and Jackson got a BB gun and enough Dallas Cowboys football deco to cover his whole room from top to bottom. Seriously you should see his room. It is hard to believe another Christmas season has come and gone. We have so much to be thankful for.

Don't you just love Rylie's pose showing off her stuff? Price is Right here she comes. What a ham!

Christmas Caroling in Castle Hills!

Some of Rylie's friends and their families got together this year and went caroling in the neighborhood. One of the families rented a trailer and we piled bean bags, blankets and lots of kids into it and went caroling. We went house to house for 3 hours and sang them a song and left them candy canes. It was freezing.... but so much fun! The girls had a great time and so did the adults. Jingle Bells!

Rylie's Spelling Bee!!

Rylie had her UIL Spelling competition in December. There were 3 school districts participating. She did a great job and ended up placing 7th overall. She had a lot of fun and learned a lot of new words. She is a bright girl and we are so proud of her determination and hard work!

Clear back in November!

The 2nd grade put on a musical in November about Thanksgiving. Jackson's class had to sing 3 songs about being thankful. Jackson was thrilled let me tell you. His least favorite thing to do is sing - and having to do it in front of everyone almost put him over the edge. He was so nervous and you could tell because he was practically doing the sprattles. Not sure if that is how to spell that but it is those middle splits you do when you spread your legs out to each side and hit the ground. I am not kidding his legs were so far apart the whole time he was on stage. He looked like he was stretching to go for a run or something. It was quite funny and cute at the same time. Poor thing! He did it though and they were so cute.

Another GREAT sports Season for Jackson!

I am really really behind! Anyhoo, Jackson finished up soccer, baseball, and football in November. 3 sports was 1 to many for one season but we made it! Jackson of course loved it all.

BASEBALL - was tough this season. They were playing 3rd grade boys from select teams. They learned alot and will be better prepared this Spring when they go back to playing for the city league. Their team was the Sea Dogs. He played short stop and 2nd base.FOOTBALL - was just the opposite, they played 1st graders which made it a little to easy for them. They won every game but still he loved being out there. He played quarterback for his team this season! His team was the Aggies (of course he would have preferred being the Cowboys). Next season he will be playing tackle football. I am not sure if I am ready for that - but he is - in case you didn't know he is going to be a professional football player when he grows up! :)SOCCER - was again awesome! Jackson's soccer team the Knights have been playing together for 5 seasons (Spring and Fall) and some indoor soccer as well. They have a great coach and have really learned to play well together. They won all of their games this season and only had 5 goals scored against them all season. They went to the playoffs and won the championship game. It was a really fun season! This was the last season the boys will be together as a team. Some of them are moving on to select teams. Jackson is moving on to FC Dallas which is a select team that will challenge him more and will travel. He will miss playing with all his friends but he is moving on with 3 of them. We are glad he will stay together with some of them. We had a 2 week break after all that awesome-ness and now we are in 2 games of basketball and indoor soccer, with 6 weeks to go. Gotta love sports!!!