As much as I love winter, I am glad spring is finally here! While Tom was in Nashville, Jackson and I spent some time at the park. He just loves the park, especially the slides. He also had a lot of fun on the swings. Before long, the baby swings will be too small for you, Jackson! I can't believe how much you've grown. It seems like just yesterday that I was worried that you'd fall out of the baby swing!
Jackson is a huge fan of glasses, which also includes swimming goggles. He found these on the shelf in my closet and decided that they were the "must-have" accessory for his church outfit. Thanks be to God for such a sweet little boy! 
I'm not quite sure how appliances do this, but our washer and dryer decided to quit at about the same time. The dryer had been going out slowly for the last 2-3 months (each load took around 3 hours to dry and the timer completely quit). We were trying to wash our comforter over last weekend, which was to be the first of MANY loads. Suddenly, we heard a really bad sound, and the washer completely stopped agitating. We decided it wasn't worth it to have a service call and just went out to buy new ones. We still laugh at ourselves because we didn't research it at all. We also told ourself that we didn't need anything fancy - just the basics. As you can see - that didn't last long....
Jackson started Amazing Athletes earlier this year, and he absolutely loves it. His favorite sport is soccer. Tom got him his own mini soccer ball, and we bring it everywhere. (We even had to bring it in the car to hold on our Spring Break trip). He is so cute kicking the ball. I cannot wait until he starts playing on a team. I'm really looking forward to being a soccer mom at the fields on Saturday mornings! 
I love this picture of Jackson and Tom cuddling on the couch reading together. Jackson is reading along.
I'm not quite sure why Jackson has this on his head. I came out in the living room, and found Jackson sitting here waiting to be found - apparently, he was hiding underneath the towel.
Road trip! For Spring Break, we made a quick trip over to Hot Springs to see John, Betty, and Ryan (plus Gramma and Papa). In the short time we were there, we had a full trip - lots of swimming, eating, horses, running, hiking, climbing and even more running! Jackson was pretty tired by the time we got home. We had such a good time. We missed you, Johnnie and Reese! We really hope you get to feeling better soon, Jenna.
Not even out of the QT parking lot, and he's already propped his feet up on the chair and opened up the strawberries. Jackson sure knows how to travel.
Jackson absolutely loved swimming in the hotel pool. You can't tell here, but the water was absolutely freezing! We ended up swimming three times in the short time we were there. We'll definitely be doing swimming lessons this spring/summer.
Jackson's new creation - ketchup on salad. He loved it. Actually, this was my mom's salad, and she let him have a few bites. Before she knew it, he had slyly pulled the salad plate in front of him so that it was all his! Thanks for "sharing", Gramma!
After dinner, we went back to John and Betty's house. We had fun watching Jackson play with all of their toys - Betty just kept going back to the closet bring back more and more! He really had fun kicking the soccer ball around the living room. He then practices his acting by pretending to lift the extremely heavy soccer ball. He's so dramatic! Betty also taught him lots of new things, especially how to make the action figures fight with each other! You're such a good influence, Betty! When he woke up the next morning, he immediately made Buzz and Woody fight with each other.
Jackson absolutely loved swimming in the hotel pool. You can't tell here, but the water was absolutely freezing! We ended up swimming three times in the short time we were there. We'll definitely be doing swimming lessons this spring/summer.Jackson's new creation - ketchup on salad. He loved it. Actually, this was my mom's salad, and she let him have a few bites. Before she knew it, he had slyly pulled the salad plate in front of him so that it was all his! Thanks for "sharing", Gramma!After dinner, we went back to John and Betty's house. We had fun watching Jackson play with all of their toys - Betty just kept going back to the closet bring back more and more! He really had fun kicking the soccer ball around the living room. He then practices his acting by pretending to lift the extremely heavy soccer ball. He's so dramatic! Betty also taught him lots of new things, especially how to make the action figures fight with each other! You're such a good influence, Betty! When he woke up the next morning, he immediately made Buzz and Woody fight with each other. The next day, we decided to fit in a little rock climbing and a hike before going to the races. Jackson was still a little small to do the climbing on his own - maybe next year!
Family pictures from the "summit"
Rock climbing with Papa.
It was so good to see you, Uncle John and Betty! Thanks for coming out with us to go rock climbing, hiking on our 7-mile hike, winning at the races and eating the best Italian food!
Hmm...are we all related? Even Jackson got in on the action!
What?? I can't hear you! He does this a lot lately....I'm trying not to take it personal.
Thumbs up!
We made it to the top (again)!
Starting off on Jackson's first 7 mile hike.
Going off the trail with Uncle John taking the lead.
Jackson wanted Papa to carry him back from the hike - I love listening to his giggle.Here they come! I don't think he could have leaned out anymore without being on the track!
Horsies!! Jackson absolutely loved them this year.
Jackson quickly learned how to cheer on the horses. Watch how excited he gets! After the very first race when they went by him, he immediately shouted "Do it again! Do it again!"
Horsies!! Jackson absolutely loved them this year.Jackson quickly learned how to cheer on the horses. Watch how excited he gets! After the very first race when they went by him, he immediately shouted "Do it again! Do it again!"Is it real? Wait...never mind. That's what you do with gold, not dollar bills...
I love the look of pure joy on his face. I sure wish I had his energy. I think Jackson must have run a mile during the day running back and forth to this wall. One of the spectators watching Jackson actually raced him one time, and then gave him a quarter when Jackson beat him. Jackson was pretty proud of it and had to put it in his pocket for safe keeping.
Look at that form!
Taking a breather in between runs.
Jackson's winning tickets.
I love the look of pure joy on his face. I sure wish I had his energy. I think Jackson must have run a mile during the day running back and forth to this wall. One of the spectators watching Jackson actually raced him one time, and then gave him a quarter when Jackson beat him. Jackson was pretty proud of it and had to put it in his pocket for safe keeping.Look at that form!Taking a breather in between runs.Jackson's winning tickets.
Is this going to be Jenna and me when we get older??
Jackson's sharing some of his racing tips...
A quick hug for Ms. BeeBee.
Cheering on Dad's winning exacta - way to go, Dad!!
Betty won the award for most races with Jackson. Can you come home with us, Betty??
Jackson kept pretending that he was stuck. Here you can see Jackson and Betty slowly wading through the sticky concrete. Jackson soon decided he wanted to race again. When he wanted to race, he'd crouch down and say "Ready, set...GO!" and run like the wind. Doing the bunny hop in between races - thank you for being such a good sport, Betty! Really, can you come live with us?
We had such a great day at the races!
For those who are wondering, we are standing in front of the BEST Italian Restaurant - Little Italy in Glenwood, AR. Papa highly recommends the Salmon ModoMio (I did that just so you'd remember for next time, Dad), though we'll have to take his word for it - he wouldn't share!
It was so good to see you, John and Betty (or Unc and BeeBee). We'll be back!
