Texas Trip

Jackson went on his first trip to Texas! And let me warn you...this is a "Texas-size" post! Just be glad I didn't attach all 230 pictures that I took while we were in Texas :) Crazy, I know! But it's so hard to catch him in pictures that I often just click away until I get a decent shot :)

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This has nothing to do with our Texas trip, but thought it was too cute!

Jackson did pretty good on the flight to Texas. Fortunately, Walt was flying to New Jersey around the same time as our flight and therefore he was able to go through security with us! On the flight, I let Jackson lay down in my seat for a little bit so he could stretch out. I just sat on the edge of the seat for awhile.
This isn't a clear picture, but still thought it was cute.

My parents picked us up from the airport. On our drive to Palestine, we stopped at a Sonic so that Jackson could stretch out.

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Jackson sitting in Nonni's lap and smiling at Papa

Happy to be in Texas

Stretching out

Checking Nonni out

Jackson with Nonni & Papa

(even though he wasn't looking, I loved his grin)

We got to Palestine on Tuesday and just hung out around the house since Jackson had such a big trip. I don't think he had ever been in another house besides ours! How crazy is that? I guess that is what happens when you move somewhere and don't know many people.

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On Thursday we drove to Tyler to go shopping and see Meredith, Roy, Anna Grace, and Abigail and my aunt and uncle.

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Riding in his car seat

Anna Grace and Abigail were so excited to meet Jackson. And Jackson loved them!

Uncle Roy and Jackson

My aunt Beth with Jackson

Nonni & Jackson

Anna Grace, Abigail, and I

Meredith & Roy

Jackson at Nonni's & Papa's. At first, Jackson wasn't so sure about being away from home and wanted me to hold him a lot. But after the first couple of days, he could care less if I was in the room :)

Jackson's hair is kind of crazy. He has a bald spot and long strands of hair that I jokingly refer to as the "comb over". More to come on his hair.

My mom borrowed an exersaucer and bouncy seat. Jackson enjoyed playing in them. Although in this pic, he seems a little annoyed that I interrupted his playing for a photo op!

Jackson liked this bouncy seat even more than his!

My pictures are a little out of order :) On Wednesday, my mom had a meet and greet at her house. Some of her friends stopped by to meet Jackson. One of my friends from high school also just recently had a baby and therefore was also part of the meet and greet!

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Deann, Camille, Jackson, & I

(not pictured is Deann's other beautiful daughter Blaire who was asleep in the car)

I have a hard time getting Jackson to look at the camera, but I was the one who messed up this pic :)

Jackson & I

Jackson & his girl cousins on my side

Jackson enjoyed taking a picture with the ladies :)

Family pic

Having fun with mommy

Reading a book with mommy

Aunt Michelle & Jackson

Papa got Jackson some toys. He really liked them...especially the lizard!

On Monday, we drove to Arlington and went straight to my nephew, Henry's, 2nd birthday party. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures, but it was for a good reason...I got to hold my sweet precious niece, Margaret, whom I just met for the first time! She is 3 months old!

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Jackson with his cousin Ella

On Tuesday, Walt & I took Jackson to the Fort Worth botanical gardens. Jackson loves being outside and going for walks.

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Jackson is getting better at sitting up. Here are a few pics I thought were cute!

Some pictures of the beautiful gardens

Another family pic

Jackson with his Daddy

Here are a few pictures of Jackson & I

I love his sweet little hand on my face

I love the concentration on his face

As I mentioned earlier, Jackson is getting better at sitting up. He is sitting by himself in this picture...I am just "spotting" him :)

Jackson with Walt's grandmother

Walt's mom, Walt's grandmother, & Jackson

Another family pic...Jackson wishes I would stop with the family pictures!

Jackson taking a bath standing up

Aunt Kate & Jackson

Uncle Brent & Cousin Alice

Walt's family sang Happy Birthday to Tom & I who also had an April b-day

I went to Dallas to meet up with some of my friends. On Wednesday, I went to see Emily and her baby boy who is just 2 weeks older than Jackson. Then I met my friend, Stacey, and her baby Cooper who is just 5 weeks old. I forgot my camera when I met up with Stacey :( Then on Thursday when I went to lunch with my friend Kelly...I had my camera, but forgot to take a picture :(

Jackson having fun with Daddy

Jackson smiling at mommy

Yet another family pic...I think this is the last one :)

Jackson & Walt

Jackson got to meet his cousin, Margaret, who is just a couple of months younger than him. Margaret's mom / my friend, Rebekah, wanted to take pictures of the future friends / cousins. As you can imagine, it was quite difficult to catch a good picture of both of them!

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Jackson not playing very nice...sorry Margaret!

Margaret getting even...love her face!

At last...

For some reason, it is a thing in Walt's family for Walt's dad to take his grandsons to a local barber shop. At times, he has even taken them without their mother's permission. I was worried about this and sure enough, when we were in town, Walt and his dad tried to sneak off with Jackson. Luckily, I figured it out and insisted that if they must go...I was going, too. I also insisted that they could only cut a little bit and it could be from his "tail" in the back.

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Here is Jackson sitting in the chair

There were about a zillion pictures, but let me sum it up for you. Jackson & I both did fine until the barber got out the clippers! I tried to stop him, but it was too late...Jackson started crying and this is the haircut he ended up with. As you can tell..it is uneven. This is why you don't take 5 1/2 months old to get their hair cut! Oh well, it will grow back! At least that is what I keep telling myself :)

On Friday, we met up with my best friend, Jennifer, and her 2 boys at the park. Walt and Jennifer's mother came along so that we had help with the 3 boys. Jennifer's boys are 2yrs old and as you can imagine...very active :)

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Jackson & I

Jackson's first time in the swing...he loved it!

Luke, Jennifer, Preston, Jackson & I

Rebekah & Margaret

We had an absolutely wonderful time seeing family & friends in Texas. We are so blessed!

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While we were gone, we had the exterior of our house painted. I was so nervous coming home from the airport, but fortunately I love it. Our new front door is getting installed tomorrow! Once we paint it, I will post an updated picture as that will complete the look! But in the meantime, here are a couple of pics.