He Is Risen! Easter 2014

Jackson's daycare was closed on Good Friday, so we packed up and headed South to God's country (aka McGehee).  There truly is something special about that place and I love the slower pace.  It's a nice, relaxing break after a busy time in the "city".  ha!  My dad was working at the drug store, so we picked up some lunch at Kelley's and went back to the store to have a picnic.  I always get the chicken salad plate with crackers - for probably about 20 years this has been my favorite and it didn't disappoint.  There's something about the cheese and pickle on the cracker with the chicken salad.  SO good!

My dad's store isn't fancy and it's looked like this since we moved in.  He actually doesn't work there except on the days when his pharmacist needs a day off.  He's usually at the hospital working as Director of Pharmacy.  But I grew up here counting pills, waiting on customers, and answering the phones.  

Jackson loves his Pops! 

We spent just about all day on Saturday outside (except that morning, but I'll save that for another post). I want this kind of backyard one day.  It's very peaceful. 

Then we had to hunt some Easter eggs.  He kept saying "Come on Mimi".  So we all took turns hiding and hunting eggs.  

Pops couldn't wait to get the 4-wheeler out for Jackson.  They had a good ride, but when it was over, Jackson was done.  He didn't want to go again.  I suspect one day he'll want to ride it more.  

Saturday night's dinner was at Hoots.  This little restaurant has gained some wonderful attention because the food is amazing.  Brent had a hamburger with BBQ pork and a fried egg, and I had a steak.  It was amazing! 

After dinner, we went on a little ride to the Rohwer Japanese Relocation Camp Memorial.  It's only about 10 miles from where I went to high school, and I had been there once a long time ago.  It's a group of trees and graves surrounded by farmland, but it used to serve as a camp for Japanese-Americans in the second World War.  It wasn't right now they were treated, but it's good to examine the past. 

It's pretty hard these days to get someone to sit down and cooperate, especially with Easter candy around. 

I actually made his yellow bow tie - very cute, cheap Pinterest project that Mimi helped me with. 

On Easter morning, my parents' church had a Resurrection breakfast for the kids and their families.  It was such a neat event.  They had breakfast, family pictures, games, and of course a message about the real meaning of Easter.  Jackson was enthralled by the people and kids (many of who's parents were my friends growing up). 

Jackson and Pops

Clapping for Jesus! 

After breakfast, we went to the playground to hunt eggs and get our prize of a New Testament.  What a great outreach for this community! 

Family picture. 

When we got back home after church, we opened Easter presents.  Not sure that I'm going to perpetuate the story of the Easter bunny because in our house that is not the focus of Easter.  But still it's fun to have a few new toys and goodies to open.  

Traditional family pictures in the yard.  Someone was about finished with the photography. 

He loved hunting eggs with Mimi.  When he'd find one, he'd yell "There it is!"  

The weather was perfect, and played a lot in the carport.  We played a lot with mine and Sarah's old toys.  

Like this relic from the past - the Sesame Street one man band.  They tried to send it home and I said no.  ha!

And finally - I saw something I've never seen before in my 34 years.  My dad loading the dishwasher when my mom was at home.  He must have wanted to buy something.  ha!  

Jackson's First Trip to Sunny Arizona

Back in March, we went on our first family plane ride to sunny Arizona to see Gamma, Aunt Kelly, Uncle Barry, and Caitlin.  We left Little Rock around 6:30, which meant we had to get up really early.  Jackson did really good in the airport, and I was a little concerned because we were delayed a few minutes.  But we had been talking about it for a while, so he was super excited to finally get on the plane.  

He had his player and headphones, although he wasn't too crazy about them.  As long as we had some snacks and a drink, he sat there and was good.  He did go potty, which is interesting lesson in how to get everybody in the bathroom (note:  I served as the door).  

Gamma was waiting on us when we got there and Jackson was excited to see her.  

So glad that we had Caitlin's old car seat to ride in.  That was one less thing that we had to pack.  

Ah - sun, palm trees, and low humidity!  It was still cold in Arkansas, so I was excited to break out my flip flops.  

Jackson kept saying "it feels good out here!"  Yes son, it does. 

When we got Gamma's house, the cousin's played for a little while, then we all settled down for a nap.  

Brent and I passed out for about an hour, and I don't remember if the kids went to sleep.  But after we woke up, we went outside to enjoy the beautiful weather.  Around the corner from their house is the neighborhood park, and we spent lots of time there during the week.  My only issue was that it had sand instead of wood chips, which got everywhere.  

The scenery was beautiful.  I loved seeing the mountains in the horizon.  

The next day, we all got dolled up and went to town for a photo session at JC Penney.  I would like to say that my child behaved wonderfully and that he was so cute, but he had a major meltdown.  We finally did get a few, but not as many as we wanted, and I was so aggravated.  

You can see the stress from the photo shoot wore everyone in the back seat completely out.  HA!  

When we got back, we headed back to the park.  I love this picture.  I hope they will always be friends.  

If I could find a shirt that said "Monkey See, Monkey Do", I would have bought two of them for these two.  Everything Caitlin did, Jackson wanted to do.  

I love this one.  They do favor quite a bit in my opinion, and they were pretty sweet to each other.  Nobody was fussing or fighting.  

Watching Veggie Tales with Caitlin.  

Arizona is in the Mountain Time Zone, and in their town they do not observe Daylight Savings Time.  This means that every day at 4:30 or 5 a.m. that Jackson was up and ready to start the day.  EVERY.DAY.  Glad Gamma got up too to help play and read while we snoozed.  

On Tuesday, we loaded up and drove 40 miles south to Tuscon.  The drive was fun and the scenery was also beautiful. 

We went to the Reed Park Zoo to see the animals.  It was perfect weather and the kids were excited (can't you tell).  ha! 

We did have to take a popcorn and dinosaur drink break.  What's a tourist stop without visiting the cafe and gift shop.  LOL. This kid loves popcorn.  

He also got an arm tattoo and was sad to see it go the next day. 

Look what hatched! 

Panthers. 

Rhino

Such a big boy!  

They got treats from the gift shop, and Caitlin's was named Diamond and was going to have babies.  I don't know where that came from, but we weren't ready for that conversation just yet.  

We had a great trip relaxing with Brent's family.  Jackson played so good with his older cousin and they never really got on each other's nerves yet.  (not yet at least).  Since it's been about 2 months since we've gotten back, we're excited to say that they are moving a little closer to us.  Kelly took a new job in San Antonio and they're moving this week!  It's going to be fun getting to explore SA, and it's about a 9 hour drive, so it's possible to get there without selling a kidney.  

Arizona, you're a lovely place to visit and I'd love to go back to Sedona and the Grand Canyon again one day.  Maybe we'll see each other again soon.