merrry christmas

Here we are, another year in the bag. And gearing up for another Christmas. This winter in Chicago (and across the Midwest) has been mild with very little snow. Jackson has been asking about snow and sledding often. One of the "upsides" to not having snow (and 40 degree weather today) is that we made a somewhat last minute decision to hit up the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights. Last year it came and went, and the Bouressas missed it. Lincoln Park Zoo is free and free parking is next to impossible but Daddy did the impossible and found a spot - you couldn't get any closer to the front gate.  

A story about tonight's visit. Jackson and Will had a chance to meet Santa. Jackson seemed to be excited about meeting Santa and talking to him about what he wanted to Christmas ... but we were pretty surprised by the very grown up conversation he had with Santa. After we took a few photos (below) and I took Will (because he was a little upset - not too bad) this is what I heard:

Santa: What would you like from Santa this Christmas?

Jackson: A, a, a sled and tow truck. 

Santa: A sled and tow truck. That's it?

Jackson: Yeah.

Santa: Have you been a good boy this year?

Jackson: Yeah.

Santa: Well, you keep being a good boy and maybe Santa will bring you a sled and tow truck.

Jackson: Thanks Santa. 

After the lights were over and we were all walking back to the car. Mommy and Daddy asked Jackson about meeting Santa again. We asked him what he asked Santa for Christmas this year and he said "sled and tow truck". Immediately following this, Jackson stated "I don't need many gifts just a sled and tow truck." I think Santa can make this happen! Jackson also said that his favorite part of today was SANTA. Tony and I were discussing this evening that Christmas is special once you become parents ... but its even more special and magical to see your child finally getting it. This is going to be one Christmas to remember!

 No snow was also clutch in that we could use our double stroller.

 Monkey lights welcoming visitors to the show.

 All of a sudden Daddy was laughing and asking Jackson "why he had his magnified glass?"

 He just wanted a closer look. That's all.

 Mama, Jackson and FROSTY!

 Daddy, Jackson and SANTA!

 Sweet shot of Jackson looking up at the lights.

 The tunnel lights were awesome.

Well, Hello there Sherlock. I spy with my little magnified glass.

 Chameleon.

 Gorilla.

 The guys! Love, love, love!

 Will's first visit with Santa.

 We never posted the picture of Jackson's first visit with Santa (when he was 1) in Ohio because it was too sad and funny. This time was starkly different.

 Fire breathing dragon.

 A zoo visit is not complete with out a ride on the carousal.

 

 Will enjoying his first taste of papaya+bananas. He loved them.

 Family = love (and a scary, happy Mama).

 I like this one because of Will's stare.

 Jackson in his Chanukah crown from school. All his schoolmates made them and wore them to Shabbat for the Chanukah party. Boy, were they cute. It was such a great party and I'm kicking myself for not bringing our camera. I can't say this enough but Jackson loves school (more about this when I have more time). 

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Holiday! You'll hear from us in 2012!

Jackson is in the lower right hand corner. He was mesmerized and so were Mom and Dad.

big brothers rule

Our family has always loved books and reading. Often times we will find Jackson tucked away reading one of his favorite books out loud. It stops and makes us smile every time ... not just because he is cute and that reading is important and fun but because its amazing to see how he remembers each story and how he interprets the pages and illustrations. Just recently Jackson has shown a great interest in reading to Will. I was able to capture quite a long series of him reading to Will over the course of 5-6 videos. I didn't want to post all of them for fear of overload (which I can be known to do). The video below I chose for a few reasons: Jackson is actually pretty clear (although the camera mic doesn't pick up everything), Jackson is reading one of his current favorite books (The Berenstain Bears The Big Road Race), and Will is just so adorable holding and fanning his book all the while listening to Jackson. Pure LOVE! (even after I literally just had a difficult 15 minutes of trying to get Jackson to stay quiet in his room because Will is asleep - they share the same room. I swear I need to chill out, what's the worse that could happen? He wakes up Will. Oh well, life moves on, right? Right. I'm working on getting through my parent tantrums). Enjoy the video and a huge shout out to Grandma Chris! It was her birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday Grandma!

giving thanks, getting baptized

Thanksgiving 2011

Another amazing Thanksgiving with the Carnot family. As always Grandma and Grandpa's house and great Grandma Mary's house were packed with family. But its cozy and crazy (good not crazy bad) and wonderful all rolled up together. Our little family is thankful for many things this year but what is at the top of that list is having healthy and happy children. This marks Will's first Thanksgiving and we are very fortunate to have him in our lives. What difficult news to hear during my pregnancy with Will regarding the Single Umbilical Artery (I realize that this is the first time posting about the SUA). Tony and I pulled together, along with the support and love of family and friends, to trust our doctors and their findings. There were many conversations with my midwife, who never broke and was always positive. Family/friends know that I'm not that religious of a person but I do have faith and belief and positive thinking. I was on a roller coaster of emotions but Tony was right there telling me that "you have to believe and trust that everything will be alright and that no matter what, we will have the courage to get through anything". His trust in God and my trust in our midwife settled me. But after a quick and easy labor Will arrived and he was beautiful. What a blessing! This Thanksgiving I was/am thankful for Will and his awesome big brother Jackson, who gave me many hugs and kisses last winter/spring!

Aunt Leslie, Grandma Mary, Aunt Lisa and Will!

Look at that smile!

Adam is so awesome. One night he stopped by to show Jackson his squad car. Jackson was very hesitate and unsure about the whole thing (which is unusual because he loves Adam and loves talking about how Adam is a police man but expected because its a bit intimidating and was pretty dark outside).

Okay, that's better. Jackson finally took a look. Look how happy Adam is!

One Halloween (long ago, like circa 2006) Grandma Chris made the Brewers sausage guys. Jackson found them one, early morning and recruited Aunt Becky and Daddy to join in. Becky is the best.

Aunt Molly and Will enjoying the Pack!

Look at all of those smiles. I wonder where Will gets it from?

"Come on Grandpa. You know better"

This Thanksgiving Kelly and Matt come with their children (Sean and Islay - that makes them third cousins to Will and Jackson, right?). 

Great Grandma with the babies. 

Its never a family function without whipping cream made of course by Grandpa.

I know this post will be long but I had to include this picture. I don't think people realize how many photos I have of Grandpa and Jackson licking the beaters ... on multiple occasions!

Some much needed time with Great Grandma Joyce.

Happy baby! Hi, hi, hi!

I love this shot. Something about the old and new, and the gentle touch. 

Jackson and Will get Baptized

Over Thanksgiving Jackson and Will were Baptized by Father Tim. We had most of the Carnot family there and got many, many pictures. Father Tim is really good at what he does and the ceremony was heartfelt. Some highlights: Jackson stayed still for most of it (don't mind the photo below, we were off to an interesting start but I think Jackson was getting silly because all the attention was on him. He quickly became interested and listened well.), Will didn't cry at all, Jackson dove right into the holy water and helped Father Tim stir (why not, right? Looks like fun. Father Tim was impressed and made a comment to Jackson about being a priest some day), Jackson chimed in here-and-there while we recited Our Father often prompting us with key words like "Our Father" "art" "heaven" "name", "dom (i.e. kingdom)", etc (we practiced a bit but we all were impressed again), and Father Tim referred to all the good and hard times to come as a family (for example he talked about butting heads with high schoolers and being able to pull together ... umm, lets talk about butting heads now. This whole week Jackson has been waking up at 5am. 5am! We often find ourselves pleading with Jackson to sleep in). Thank you all for making the ceremony special and supporting us as a family.

Here's Father Tim and Jackson stirring together. Hilarious! I'm not surprised one bit. I was actually waiting for him to do it ... I saw the "wheels turning" inside his head and I'm really proud he went for it. Curiosity in kids makes anyone smile!

"Really?"

"Alright? Really dude?"

Father Tim with Mommy, Daddy, Jackson, Will and Godparents (Tyler and Lucy = Jackson, Molly and Donny = Will).

Jackson looks like a little man in his dress slacks and white button up! He did a great job standing with Ty and Lucy.

LOVE!

Support Team!

Don't you love the placement of both Donny and Molly's hands on Will's foot? Love this picture!

Beautiful family, all together!

Great angle! Thanks to our cousin Patrick. Sign him up for photography classes.