Notes from the Hammans: 2011

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Visit with Santa!

Christmas is just 2 1/2 short weeks away! We have a lot of fun upcoming Holiday parties and Christmas activities planned. Last weekend we kicked it off and headed downtown to the Omni Hotel where they were having "Breakfast with Santa." We took Jackson there last Christmas for his 1st Christmas so we thought we would continue the tradition. We dressed him all up and headed out. Kyle and I were a little nervous about how the encounter with Santa would go. I mean, Jack is a REALLY friendly boy and will go to just about anyone, but he is also at that age where it could go either way. After we stood in line for a minute, we handed Jack off to Jolly Ole St. Nick! Jack did great. I think he was pretty indifferent about Santa. He didn't cry or freak out but wasn't really excited either. Afterward we had some yummy breakfast sandwiches and donuts and called it a morning. It was fun way to kick off the holiday spirit. It is so fun getting to experience Christmas through Jacks eyes and I am so looking forward to the years ahead when he really understands what Christmas is all about!

This Santa looked awesome!

Ho Ho Ho!!!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Happy Halloween..

Yesterday was Halloween but we have been celebrating Halloween, pumpkins and fall all month. Jackson was a scarecrow this year and despite hating his hat at first, he was such a trooper and looked soooo cute in his little costume. We went to a fun Halloween party at our friends the Olsons. All the kiddos there looked so sweet in their costumes. And then on Halloween night we had a yummy dinner and a little trick o treating with the Davis' fam. Jack's friend Emery was the cutest little peacock. They both did really good going up to people's houses. Emery was a PRO. Jack just wanted to go inside every house. Oops. Here are some pics of him all dressed up as well as our trip to the Pumpkin Patch with my nephew Bo! Happy Halloween...

At the pumpkin patch with my cousin!

So hot today....not much smiles, but still cute :)

I'll take this one...

Just chewing on some straw

Bo-bo!!!

My little scarecrow

Ready for some trick o treating!

Our 2nd Halloween together as a family

All the kiddos all dresses up!

Jack and his little peacock Emery

Lets do this!

Walking with the Daddies

One with Mom

On to the next one... Happy Halloween!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

New chair

Last weekend when Grammie was visiting she noticed that Jack stands so close to the T.V. to watch it. Despite telling him to "scoot back" 1000x, he would always come back and have his nose practically touching the screen whenever he watched anything! Ahhhhh. Not wanting to have my 19 month old's eyes go bad, we brainstormed what we should do. My Mom came up with the idea to get him his own "special chair" to sit in. That way, we could tell him to go to his chair when he got too close to the T.V. We headed to Pottery Barn Kids (love that place!) and found the perfect little one for him. When we got home, we were pleasantly surprised to see that he LOVED IT!! He sits in it every time he watches a show and even likes to read his books in it! He looks like such a big boy in his chair. Where did the time go? But, problem solved!!!!! Thank you Grammie! We love it.

Sitting in my new chair!

I can read my books in it too!

Thank you Grammie!

Monday, September 12, 2011

A year and a half...

Dear Jackson,

Last week you turned 18 months. It is crazy that you are now closer to 2 than 1! It is definitely bittersweet. I love watching you change and become my "little man." You are still a tiny little thing in the 8 % percentile but that definitely doesn't stop you...you are so independent! But the time is flying by and I know you are more of a little boy now than a baby! I try to hold on to every moment as I know they pass so quickly. You make me laugh everyday. You are trying so hard to talk even though the words won't seem to come. Daddy swears you say, "Go Ducks" but it sounds more like "du, du, du." :) You get frustrated at times when you can't communicate, so instead you grab our hands and pull us to what or where you want (pretty clever!). You LOVE to be outdoors and you have the scrapes on your knees to prove it! We went up to Nana and Papa's last week and all you wanted to do was play outside with the buckets and water. You love going to the park and playing in the grass and watching all the dogs pass by. You never want to hold our hand anymore. You have your own independence now and you go where you want! You are very smart and know all your body parts and where things are in the house. You like to go into your room and play by yourself, but the moment you hear "Chica" from the Sunny Side Up Show, you come darting out to see the T.V. You love to look and talk to yourself in the mirror. Anytime we put your sunglasses on, you have to run back into your room to check yourself out! You are still the most loving and affectionate boy ever. You love to give hugs and kisses not only to Mommy and Daddy, but anyone in your path! :) My favorite time is right before bed when you snuggle up to me and lay in my lap! You are kind of a picky eater despite our best efforts to feed you everything. You would live on fruit if we let you! You are so happy and so friendly. We are amazed at how good you are. We know the next 6 months are going to go by even faster. But with every change and every new stage, we get to see more of who you are becoming! Always know how much we LOVE you Jackson. You are the light of our lives and our world is made complete because of you. I love you to the moon and back!

Love,

Mommy (and Daddy)

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Bo and Grammie's birthdays!

Whoa! I have really been MIA in the blogging world. The summer has just flown by. Where did July go? August is a very busy month in our family. Not only is it my sister and Mom's b-days two days apart, but last year my sweet nephew graced us with his presence when he was born August 2nd. This is a day I will never forget because I was there when that beautiful little boy came into this world. It really seems like yesterday that I was racing up to L.A. in order to get there in time. And now he is one! Last weekend we traveled up to my sister's house for the triple birthday celebration. Haley did an awesome job of planning and throwing an adorable party for Bo. His "under the sea" themed birthday was complete with "fish and chips," a kiddie pool for the small "guppies" and cupcakes topped with sand (brown sugar) and a life preserver! It was a beautiful day and a real treat celebrating our sweet Bo Mitchell. He and Jack had the best time playing together. They really are becoming best friends. Looking forward to watching them grow and enjoy more birthdays together. We love you Bo and we are so blessed to be your Aunt and Uncle. You bring us so much joy!

Bo's "under the sea" 1st birthday!

Beach cupcakes

Buckets for all Bo's buds!

My "smash cake" making skills.....under the sea style!

Family pic!

Proud parents!

Cake time!

Jack having a great time at his cousin's b-day!

Happy birthday Bo-Bo!!!

Monday, July 4, 2011

31!

So I have to admit, turning 30 was hard for me. I didn't exactly embrace it well. My 20's were such an amazing time: college, getting married, traveling, little responsibiliy! It was hard for me to see how my 30's would top it. But 31, didn't seem so bad. I think the band aid had already been ripped from the year before! In fact, I am really learning how to embrace my 30's and all that is to come :) Sharing my birthday with a national holiday is actually really fun. I mean, who doesn't like the 4th of July? Sun, BBQ's, fireworks....so much to love. This year, we headed up to Del Mar again (it has been quite the tradition the last few years) to the beach with our good friends. We set up camp and enjoyed the morning relaxing and enjoying our friends and their amazing kids. Jack had so much fun playing in the sand and water with Emery and Dillan (and baby Connor)! This year was even more fun because he is so much more independent. He loved watching the cold, ocean waves move over his feet! And he ate quite a bit of sand too! After a while, we packed the kids up for their naps and headed to the beach house. We spent the afternoon lounging in the sun, going in the jacuzzi, and just hanging out while the babies slept. All 4 babies down at the same time = amazing! My good friend Kim and her husband had gone to the store and gotten a feast for dinner. Salmon, steak, baked potatoes...the works. We had a wonderful dinner outside followed up by an incredible homemade "flag cake" for my birthday that Kim made. It was absolutely delicious! The fourth of July could not be complete without an evening firework show and we could see them from the house. It really was a perfect way to spend my 31st birthday. Surrounded by amazing people that make me feel so loved. The beach, yummy food, wonderful friends. What more could you ask for?! Happy 4th of July!