Christmas part 3

On Christmas Eve, we went to Grammy and Papa's house that evening to open presents and eat dinner. Jackson and Drew had a fun time. Afterwards we went home to get ready for Santa.

Ho Ho Ho...Jackson and Papa
Andrew with his ski goggles
Grammy and Jackson with his luggage for when he visits his grandparents.
Jackson and Drew
Jackson with his Tennessee helmet and jersey...he even has shoulder pads!
Drew in his wagon

Christmas part 2

On Christmas Eve, we celebrate with my dad's family at my grandparents' house. We have lunch, open presents, and play card games.

Granny and Grandaddy
Papa, Grammy, and Uncle Andrew
Sweet little Jackson is ready for some presents!
Drew with cousin Catheryne
Jackson helps Aunt Cary with some Christmas carols.

Christmas part 1

On Sunday, we celebrated Christmas with my Granny Evans and Aunt Gertie in Columbia. Granny cooked a wonderful lunch for everyone, and we all had fun together eating and watching football. Jackson played football in the den with my dad, Andy, and my brother.
Jackson eating my Granny's famous fudge pie. This is a favorite of Andy and my brother. Now Jackson can join them. She also made my favorite banana pudding. Hers is incredible. It has a meringue on top. Yummy!
Granny Evans and Drew

She had lots of health problems earlier in the year, but she is doing so much better. We are thankful to God for her recovery.
Aunt Gertie and Drew

She is 95 years old and has never been married. She and my grandmother have lived together for about 15 years. She is our third grandmother and has always been so good to us. We joke that she will outlive all of us.
Jackson with his new "tricycle" helmet. He was so excited. I thought he would wear it in the car on the way home. Somehow, we got him to take it off. Yes, it is like a size 5. We were actually worried that it would be too small. He has a rather large head. His head circumference is always in the 97 percentile at the doctor.

Christmas Program

This is Jackson's preschool Christmas program. He and the other 2 year olds are singing "Put you red bell in." They also sang "If you're happy and you know it."
All the children singing Jingle Bells and We wish you a Merry Christmas. It was so cute. I really wish I had video camera for moments like this...any recommendations?
Jackson in his jammies...he was unsure about wearing them to school.
Carter and Jackson
Our Family minus Drew...who was sleeping

Dancer and Prancer

Last Friday, we went to meet Santa and two of his reindeer, Dancer and Prancer. This is one of the elves showing Andy and Jackson the reindeer. Jackson loved every minute of it.
Jackson and Drew sitting in the sleigh with Santa. Jackson added a watch to his wish list that day. At first, he said a gold watch and then decided on a Cars movie watch.
Some of Santa's elves were also there. Jackson asked me if they had his presents made and wrapped and if they had brought them with them.

Two funny things about the day--one of the elves was wearing a Christmas tree skirt as a shawl...just when you think you have seen it all. A lady asked the elf with the reindeer where the reindeer were from. He gave her a dirty look and said, "the North Pole." It was humorous to me.
Jackson, Drew, and I before our annual outing to look at Christmas lights in Brentwood and Franklin. Everyone but Andy wears pajamas. He calls himself the "adult." We, except Drew, get a treat. Andy's is Mt. Dew, mine is something from Starbucks, and Jackson chose apple juice. Below is a picture at one of our usual stops in Sunnyside off Hillsboro Road. The owner's decorations and lights are spread over 7 yards. It is incredible, and Santa is there with candy canes every night.

Christmas Parties

Mike with his "instructions for the box" shirt, Clint with his "Welcome to the Gun Show" shirt, and Jeff with his "Don't Hassle the Hoff" shirt. They also got "Support Rabies Awareness" and "Scrantonicity" shirts (from The Office)
Jackson eating his yummy treats
On Monday night, Andy's audit team had a Christmas party at Jeff and Jill Castle's house. It was a fun evening with great food. We enjoy hanging out with all the people from Andy's office. They are some of Jackson's favorite babysitters. He would stay at Andy's office when I had doctor's appointment while I was pregnant. Jackson was so excited about his gifts. He does not even work there and he got presents. Drew also got presents. But the best presents were the t-shirts Andy got for Mike, Clint, and Jeff (picture above) and Lori's framed picture of Leon. I know Lori went home and immediately put it on her bedside table.

On Tuesday, Jackson's preschool class celebrated Christmas. Kelly Austin and Heather Brandt did a fabulous job. They had painted ornaments and buckets with goodies for the children. Jackson made the cutest reindeer board with his footprint and handprints that said "You are deer to me." I love it! He has loved school so much. Harpeth Hills Preschool is amazing!

Baby Drew Update

Baby Drew on Sunday before getting sick
Baby Drew on the C-PAP in ICU
Baby Drew in the head box
Here are some pictures of our family's crazy week at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. The nurses encouraged us to take pictures of Drew to show him someday. Last week, Drew started having cold symptons. On Friday night, he could not sleep because of all his congestion and cried all night. He stopped eating and peeing. I took him to the pediatrician on Saturday morning. She listened to him breathe and tested him for RSV. He tested positive. She sent us to the ER at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. While we were at the pediatrician's office, she examined Jackson and discovered he had a double ear infection. We had a roller coaster night in the ER with Drew. He begin having trouble breathing because of all of his congestion. By Sunday morning, he was in the ICU with a C-PAP supplying oxygen through his nose and being fed solely through IV fluids. By Tuesday, we were able to move him to the head box for oxygen and feed him formula through a feeding tube. Early Wednesday morning, he was moved to a regular room. Today, he resumed feeding from a bottle and we were able to take him home.

While we were at the hospital, we were overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support from our friends and family. They prayed, called, cared for Jackson (who is doing great now), brought us food to the hospital, brought food to our house, sent emails, etc. We are so blessed by them and all the staff at Vanderbilt. It made this extremely difficult week bearable. We never imagined our child would be there for almost a week or be in ICU, however he was at an amazing place with special people caring for him. Praise God that we are at home now with our precious sons. If you are reading this, please say a prayer for all the children at Vanderbilt tonight, their families, and the staff. Those people are all amazing!

Breakfast with Santa

Saturday was breakfast with Santa at BHCC. Jackson was so thrilled to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas. He is asking for a John Deer Gator (Power Wheels). He actually told Santa and Walt Leaver that he needed it so when Drew started crying he could put him in it and drive around. I think both of them were a little confused.

When Santa came into the auditorium, Jackson immediately asked where the doughnuts were. This is another reason breakfast with Santa is a highlight for him. Anything involving fun is usually exciting to him. This year he also enjoyed making the crafts. His favorite was the reindeer antlers.

Drew slept through the majority of the festivities, however he enjoyed Mrs. Claus holding him and rocking him. Hopefully next year, he will sit as still as did this time...doubtful!

This was a great start to our family's holiday season. We put up our Christmas tree Saturday afternoon and our Christmas lights Sunday afternoon. What a wonderful time of year!