Lilly Claire's First Tooth!

LC...Hey You Know Me

Lilly Claire was feeling kind of grumpy today and when I checked her little mouth, there was a little corner of a tooth poking through! She is 9 1/2 months old!

The Presidential Inauguration 2009

Lilly Claire all warm and snuggly

Standing in front of the capital on Inauguration Day

People sitting on Port-a-Pottys

This is where we stood on Inauguration Day!

Old Town Alexandria and the frozen Potomac river

President George Bush landing at the White House

The Inaugural Celebration Concert

Savannah Grace, Jody and Lilly Claire in front of the White House

Before Jackson was ever even born, Jody and I discussed things that we wanted to expose our children to while they were growing up...and Presidential Inaugurations happened to be on that list! So, way before the actual election was decided, we booked our flights and hotel for Washington, D.C. Either way, we figured, January 20th 2009 was going to be a historical day...either the first female vice president or the first African American President.

We left for Washington on January 17th and spent a few days in the area before the Inauguration. The kids got to see the white house, the dinosaur bones at the Natural History museum, and Lincoln's hat at the American History museum. We spent a day in Old Town Alexandria and we joined the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial for the Inauguration Celebration Concert. The energy of hope was palpable in Washington, D.C. Even though we didn't vote for Obama, we were able to put our political differences aside for a few days and celebrate our country, where all people are free and all people are equal.

On Inauguration Day, we joined the 2 million people who gathered in the National Mall to witness history being made. The ceremony was to start at 10:30am. We left our hotel around 9am, thinking that maybe by going a little late, we would miss the big crowd in the subway. We were able to get on the subway without much problem, but when we got off the subway at L'Enfant Plaza...it was a different story. We stood body to body for about 45 minutes...just trying to get out of the subway station! Even though it was hot and slightly irritating, people were so happy and nice! They were careful not to push our kids, and would let us go in front of them at times. This was the air of Washington the entire time we were there.

We finally made it to the Washington Monument area around 10:45. People were in the tops of trees, sitting on top of port-a-pottys, and seriously squishing in everywhere. Our view of the actual ceremony came in the form of a side view of a far away jumbo tron. However, in our minds, the journey to this moment was the destination, not merely the destination itself. Thank goodness we thought that...since we couldn't see a thing.

When Obama was sworn in, we cheered along with the rest of our fellow squished-in Americans, we listened while he spoke and then we high-tailed it out of there. Somehow, by the grace of God, we walked down a street that was lined with Metro buses. We ended up hopping on a bus and arriving back at the hotel within 30 minutes of the end of the ceremony. There was no need to even try to watch the parade. People who had bleacher seat tickets were not even making it thru the enormous lines! So we watched the parade from our comfy hotel room.

On Wednesday, when we arrived at the airport, over 2 hours early, we walked into a line that was approximately 1500 people long! People had been standing in line for 3 hours and were only half way thru the line! At this point, I was feeling hopeless and helpless and trying to plan a "next step". As we were standing in the long line, Jody decided that he would go and check things out closer to the front of the line. Several minutes later, I see Jody RUNNING thru the airport! When he gets to us, he says "Hurry, right now, I cut a deal!" Jody had gone to the front of the line and spoken with a US Air Employee and said something like, "Sir, we've got 3 little kids...what should we do?" The man sent him to an open kiosk and Jody was able to check in right then! Jody is my hero!

My hope is that someday, Jackson, Savannah Grace, and Lilly Claire will look back at this event and think about why their parents thought that it was so important that they be there. First of all, the fact that we should be so proud to live in a country that has arrived at a place in history where the color of your skin doesn't prohibit you from becoming anything you want to be. Secondly, that the people of America are much more the same than they are different...and that is worth celebrating. Thirdly, during this trip, we told Jackson and Savannah Grace several times that we didn't vote for Obama because we didn't agree with everything he wants to do. I want them to grow up and understand that our country needs strong, Christian people to be in government and that the idea of being a public servant is attainable to them, if they so choose.

So, as of the end of our trip, Jackson is contemplating becoming President, and Savannah Grace would like to be a puppy.

Goodbye...for now

My dear friend, Sharon Swan, and her husband, Todd, and kids Jason and Sarah, are moving to Luftkin tommorrow. I will miss her terribly and Savannah Grace will miss her best friend! We wish you the best and we hope that you can truly feel at home in Luftkin. Thanks for all the memories!

Twin Day at TCS!

Jackson and Jackson...I mean Tate

Today was "Twin Day" at Texoma Christian School. Jackson and his best bud, Tate, decided to be twins. They dressed in jeans, cowboy boots, and John Deer sweatshirts. In addition, Tate dyed his white blonde hair....brown! The boys thought they were so cool!

Happy 4th Birthday, Savannah Grace!

Queen Googie comforting a sad princess

Prince Nicklas enjoying himself

Snow White and Prince Charming

The Castle Cake

Little Princesses'

The Cinderella Carriage

Snow White and Queen Jen

Savannah Grace and Googie building a bear...or pig

All the Little Princesses'

The Birthday Girl

The Bibbidy-Bobbidy Boutique

On January 7th, our precious Savannah Grace turned 4! It is hard to believe that it has already been 4 years since we were blessed with this wonderful little girl. She brings us so much joy, every single day. Happy birthday, beautiful, wonderful daughter.

On January 10th, we hosted a "Royal Celebration" in her honor. 31 little people, including lots of family from Texarkana, girls from her school, dance class and gymnastics attended the party. All of the little girls dressed in princess attire. The party started with snacking on fancy food...chocolate covered strawberries, petit fours and drinking punch from a fountain in princess cups. Then, we headed upstairs to the "Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique" , where the girls got glitterized, nails painted, picked out some bling, and put on tiaras and wands. Then, we made "build-a-bears" and dressed them in tutus and t-shirts that said "Happy 4th birthday, Savannah Grace". We ate pieces of Castle Birthday Cake and then....the Cinderella Horse and Carriage arrived. Each princess got to ride on the carriage. It was OTT as I heard whispered....over the top. I loved it....and so did she!

New Years Eve at the Castle!

Jackson, Lilly Claire and Savannah Grace...the people who make our life "magical"!

Lilly Claire and the Mad Hatter

Savannah Grace and her Prince Charming


Tigger and the kiddos

We've spent New Years Eve in Times Square...so this year we decided to spend it at Cinderella's Castle. We left for Disney World on December 30th...our 13th anniversary... and came home on January 4th. We got to pre-celebrate Savannah Grace's 4th birthday while we were there as well. That meant cupcakes at every meal, hundreds of "happy birthday!" comments, and confetti on every table! We stayed at the Polynesian Resort, which was really nice. Jackson was tall enough to ride almost all of the roller coasters...yay!!!! Lilly Claire got to ride a lot of rides as well and I'm thinking that her favorite is the teacups...just like her sister! Everytime a character would come to our table, Lilly Claire would grab hold of me and whimper. Then, she would look around and stare at them until they were gone.

The highlight of the trip had to be New Years Eve. We were standing at the castle, and when the countdown to the new year started, it was simply amazing. Fireworks were going off everywhere and it was a moment that will be etched in my mind forever!

Christmas Morning 2008

New yard art...a tropical twist

The Beloved Cleaning Cart




The Cowboys Bike

Lilly Claire's 1st Christmas

We drove home from Texarkana late Christmas Eve, and thankfully, we made it home before Santa had arrived. The kids actually slept late, like 9ish !!!!! They must have been very good this year! Some of the presents of the year included a new swing set, computers, a Dallas Cowboy bike, a Cleaning Cart(SG's request)....a balance beam...to name a few. We stayed in our jommies all day and played! So fun!

Christmas in Texarkana

Nicklas, James, and Lilly Claire

Savannah Grace, Lexie, Jackson, James, Samuel, Lilly Claire, Emily, Holly, Bennett

Playing at Googies on Christmas Eve


Googie and Pappy's Family

Papaw and Jackson practicing with Jackson's new golf club

Mamaw and Lilly Claire

Christmas at Mamaw and Papaw's

Savannah Grace and Paige Garner

Making Cookies with Nee Nee

This Christmas was Lilly Claire's 1st Christmas! She was 8 months old. Savannah Grace was 3 and Jackson was 5. I think it may have been the best Christmas we have ever had. The kids were so caught up in the miracle and magic of Christmas. One of my favorite memories is on Christmas Eve, Uncle Matt had begun tracking where Santa Claus was on his new i-phone. Savannah Grace was all excited about watching it until Santa landed in North America. Then, she got nervous. That evening, as we would be unwrapping presents, Savannah Grace would pack all her presents up in a bag and say, "Mom, we better go!" She was very concerned that we needed to beat Santa home! Having Val and the boys in Texarkana for Christmas, made the holidays just that much better!

Welcome Home Val, Matt, Samuel, Bennett and James!

Savannah Grace and Bennett

Samuel and Jackson...Jackson has missed Samuel so much!

James and Lilly Claire...just meeting for the 1st time!

After 3 long years, Val and her boys have moved home from Germany. We met them at the airport waving American flags! We are so happy to have them back in the U.S.! We spent lots of quality time with them over the holidays, and now they have moved on to Georgia. When they were leaving, Samuel said, "Well, Aunt Jen, I guess I'll see you in a year or so." I said, "Whatever, Samo!!! Georgia is so close, I"ll be there in a few weeks!" I am not kidding!

Farewell to Texas Stadium

Jen, Jackson and Jody at the Farewell Ceremony after the game. Jen's face say's TO...Terrell Owens...my favorite player

Jackson and Jody

Grandfather and his beautiful food

Jackson

On December 20th, the Dallas Cowboys and their fans said farewell to Texas Stadium. This was the first game that I (Jen) have attended with my cowboys...Jody, Jackson, Grandfather and Wil...since we became season ticket holders. All that to say, I was VERY impressed with the tailgating set-up. These guys have got it going on! Jamie (cousin Allen's wife) and I decided to get our face painted. The painters told us that we were the ONLY girls that day to have our whole face painted! Hmmm. The Cowboys didn't make it to the play-0ffs this year, but we have high hopes that a big, new stadium will give them a fresh start. Go Cowboys!