Merry Christmas! 
What a great morning! The boys slept until almost 7:00 (that is a gift in itself!), and they were so excited to see what Santa had brought. Jackson could hardly contain himself! Neither boy was disappointed in Santa's choices, and I think Jackson was stunned that Santa knew him so well!! Here he is showing you that Santa brought him Arthur the train and the Sodor Engine Wash. 
Harris loves his new car. He ran straight to it, got in, and started driving. After about 5 minutes, he got out and started up the stairs. When Jason tried to bring him back down, Harris threw a fit. We let him go up, and he came down a minute later with a play cell phone in his hand. He ran straight for the car, got in, and started talking. Hmmmmm.......
Jackson is showing us how the Sodor Engine Wash works to clean dirty trains.
Look waht Santa brought me... a 20-gauge shotgun! I was totally suprised, and now I am looking forward to getting out to use it. It won't be long until Jason is keeping the boys while I go out hunting!
We spent Christmas night with some good friends, the Aulers and the Smiths. The Aulers, with their two-year old Ashley, were brave enough to host us with our two boys and the Smiths with Fordham, and boy did we have a housefull!
Stephen and Caroline
The ever-gracious hosts, Mark and Clary
Harris loved Ashely's dust buster... maybe I need to give him mine...?
While we were all a bit sad not to be with our families on Christmas, we have all become like family since none of us has family in town. We enjoyed spending the holiday with our "extended" family. We feel so blessed to have them... thank you so much Smiths and Aulers!!
I am sitting here in disbelief, tears in my eyes, as I type this note to you today. You are FOUR YEARS OLD today, and I just can't believe it. It seems like yesterday that your daddy and I were walking the halls of St. Francis Hospital, waiting for your arrival. I can't believe that was four years ago... my oh my, the time flies. They say it's true, but I don't think you really realize it until you have children. Where did my baby go?
The past year has been monumental for you. My quiet three year old started talking, and I couldn't believe it the other day when I actually asked you to be quiet for a moment!! The things you say are so sweet... "Mommy, I'm lovin' you!" or "Thank you, Mommy, for that kiss!". There are the not-so-sweet moments too, though, like "Daddy, leave me alone" or "Mama go away". Of course those moments sting and aren't very nice, but I recognize them as you finally telling us what you want.
You have been a great big brother to Harris, and his eyes light up when he sees you every morning. I know that you don't always like sharing Thomas the Train with Harris, but you are always happy to share a hug or a night-night kiss. I love holding the two of you in my lap and reading to you, and it is even better when you put your arm around Harris or hold his hand... I know those will be moments that you and he will remember when you are older. It won't be long until the two of you are playing Candyland or Chutes and Ladders together... I promise he won't mess up the board forever!
You have brightened so many people's lives. I hear almost daily from school how sweet you are... everyone loves your cheeks and your hugs and kisses. You have amazed many with your ability to read (you have been doing it for almost a year now!!). It won't be long until you are reading novels! You have gone from 3-days a week to 5-days a week at Little School, and you have done so well. You have even started staying for karate once a week, and of course you have won Mr. Reggie's heart, too. I love to watch you and hear you do your super-cool karate moves... you tickle yourself as much as you tickle your daddy and me!
You have fallen in love with the beach and the water. Our trip to Edisto this summer was full of beach time... there were days I thought I'd never get you out. You are constantly asking for Nana and Papa T to take you to the beach or to go to Papa's waterhouse... I think you are going to be a swimmer, just like your mama!
You are a huge snuggler, often taking my hand, leading me to the couch, and asking me to snuggle with you. Of course, Daddy and I will take every moment we can to snuggle with you, as I know that one day you won't be interested. I hope that I am able to always remember the feel of your hand and the smell of your hair from our snuggles.
Hee hee... gotcha!
The other day in the car, I happened to look back at you, and you had a huge smile on your face. "What are you thinking about, Jackson? What is making you so happy?" I asked. With your huge grin, you said, "My Christmas tree. I love decorating my Christmas tree!". So sweet. I am so glad that things like that make you happy and that you are telling us about it.
You are an incredible little boy, and I can't believe that God chose us to be the ones who get to watch you grow. You have definitely given me a glimpse of His love for us, and it is hard to believe that He loves us more than I love you. My heart just wants to burst sometimes as I watch you play or read or laugh.
I am having a hard time putting into words how I feel on your fourth birthday. I think I might save the rest for a huge squeezy hug and squeezy kiss when you wake up from your nap (yes, you can have a butterfly kiss and an Eskimo kiss, too!).
My boys are dancers. They love dancing. We have been listening to music each night while we do dishes lately, and they are lovin' it! Jackson's current favorite? 'Angel' by Shaggy. Too funny. Come to dinner some night soon and join our Dance Party... Jackson and Harris would love to see you there!
The day after Thanksgiving, Jason took Dad, Dean, Terry, and Jackson out to his property to hunt and spend the night. Jason's dad, Jerry, joined them out there, too. While there were no deer killed, the guys had a great time riding the 4-wheeler, hanging out, and shooting skeet. Dad and Dean could only spend the afternoon and evening there on Friday, as Dean had an early flight home, but they had a great time nonetheless.
Granddaddy, Jackson and Papa T.
I was a little worried about how Jackson would do out there... he is not a fan of the 4-wheeler or of loud noises, but he had a great time. I think his favorite part was the skeet... he would load the skeet for every pull and thought it was the coolest job ever. If you ask him about it now, he will yell, "Pull!! Boom! Boom!!". He is constantly talking about the "farm" now and dying to go back. I am sure that he will have many, many days out there with his daddy in the future!
