The McCarty Boys and Me

I don't know how he did it, but Santa Claus found me at Paw-Paw and Gigi's house on Christmas morning. And, somehow he knew exactly what I wanted...and it wasn't because I told him. I stayed at least 2 feet from that guy everytime Momma and Dada took me to the mall. He is one scary dude...but, he certainly came through on Christmas. Check out my new train table! I destroyed the track within minutes (that took Paw-Paw 3 hours to put together), but I love the choo-choos!
This is my new "bike"...from Santa too. I feel like such a big boy on this thing!
Paw-Paw and Gigi loaded me down with presents as well. I couldn't even open all of them! There were so many that Momma and Tata had to help me! Whew! I got a basketball goal, a baseball machine and bat, a camera, a Diego watch, and the most bad-you-know- what gift of all, the keyboard below (and too many more gifts to name).
Here's the basketball goal...it's just my size. And, I can put all kinds of things through this net- not just balls.
This is my favorite present by far. I jammed on this sucker all day...it plays tons of music and has a mic. You wouldn't believe how good my ABCs sound on this thing! How long before I can go on tour?

Jackson got to open his presents from Mommy & Daddy on Christmas Eve morning because we knew he would have present overload once he got to Paw-Paw and Gigi's on Christmas morning. It is so cool that he actually open his gifts and gets excited about what's inside, rather than just the wrapping paper. Although, I got a few looks when he had so many books to open. Sorry! Books are important too!
Sometimes you have to get creative with this unwrapping stuff...whatever it takes to get it open!
On Christmas Eve night, we went to the Bond's house for Christmas with Nathan's family. They had a fire outside (courtesy of Chris- the kick-butt boy scout-fire-maker) Jackson had fun destroying their monster-size playroom and helping Grandma pass out gifts...and opening his own, of course.
You will notice that Jackson is wearing a red hat in this picture. The picture I didn't get was 10 seconds later when Jackson threw it off his head upon realizing that it was a Texas Tech hat. He is already well aware that Texas Tech is the school people go to only if they do not get into A&M...and since that would never happen in Jackson's case, the hat was quickly discarded. But, thanks anyways Uncle Ben and Aunt Jenni...we will save it for your kiddos (which you need to hurry up with!!).

On Sunday, we headed to Kemah with Daddy's family. I know this isn't a great picture, but it was the only picture I got of his adorable Reindeer sweater! Even when I took this one, Jackson told me "Get away, Momma!" Evidently, he didn't like his sweater as much as I did.
This is howJackson spent most of the evening in Kemah. RUNNING everywhere! Luckily, there were lots of people to chase after him. It was cooooold, but Jackson had so much fun!

Jackson rode the carousel, the ferris wheel, and the train and he fed the sting rays and saw the alligators.
Eventually, we had to wrestle him into the stroller to leave. He was so upset that he cried half the way home. He was exhausted though and so were Nathan and I!

We finally had some holiday-ish weather in H-town this weekend! We enjoyed it by holiday shopping...therefore, a lot of the weekend was spent waiting in traffic and check-out lines. But, we got some playtime in too. We took Jackson to get a much needed haircut. I was trying to talk Nathan out of getting it cut. I was working on a rock star/hippie look for our little guy. But, in the end, I lost and we got it cut. I think the results are pretty good.
Handsome, huh? Daddy wishes he had that much hair...
We got some time to play outside too, of course. Jackson doesn't even seem to notice the cold. Maybe mom is just a wimp.
And finally, sheer exhaustion...

Jackson begging to go outside while wearing a samarai belt (aka- a belt to Mom's maternity shirt).
This is what I live with people...and I have another one on the way. Pray for me.

Daddy's Red Wings. These are steel-toed. You should have seen him trying to move in these suckers.

We were hoping that the bath would get him ready for bed...not likely...

Last weekend we went to play at Ethan & Audrey's house. The other kids decorated Christmas cookies, but Jackson just wanted to run around and wreck havoc. Luckily, we got to play outside a while. Here's a few pics- One of Miss Audrey climbing her favorite tree and then a couple of Jackson playing with the big boys.

I promised I would update weekly and then I went off this weekend and left my camera at Sarah's house! Nathan is supposed to pick it up for me today, so hopefully I will have new pics to post tomorrow of the weekend. And, wow, what a weekend it was...

First, Jackson was experiencing some severe poopy problems all weekend. I am sure he really appreciates me sharing that with all of you, but he can't read, so too bad. Hehehehe. Poor baby, he felt awful all weekend and just wasn't himself. I hate to see him sick, however, it is kinda nice because he wants lots of mommy and daddy snuggle time when he is sick. And, mommy and daddy love that! But, he is better now and back to his normal 2-year old boy self...with the exception of his newly developed separation anxiety. Every morning I have to pry him off of me in order to get to work. He cries, chokes, throws himself on the ground...it's awful. Tell me it's just a phase!

Then, on Sunday, we had to build an ark to make it from the living room to the front door of our house...our washing machine went nutso and flooded everything- including our brand new wood floors. But 4 1/2 hours and 75 gallons of water (from shop vacs) later, the only damage is a few boards pulling up in the dining room and playroom. But, seriously, this was no minor flood. We are just happy that we were home. I can't imagine the damage had we have been out! So, Nathan may not look like Noah, but Someone was watching over us just the same...

However, despite all of the poop and water, Jackson still got some play time with his homies on Saturday. I will post pics soon.

Today was birthday party day (see previous post)! The first party started at noon, but Jackson was ready to get "outside" the second he woke up. So, while Nathan hung Christmas lights, Jackson and I headed to the park in our PJs. Anything to get Jackson out of the house the minute he starts wrecking things! He cannot stand to be inside for very long. He's got the jungle gym down pat now. I can remember when I had to stand behind him every step that he made. Now, he climbs this thing like champ! I can sit on the bench and take pictures!