Escape Artist

This is Jackson contemplating life.

This is the amazing escape. I left Jackson swaddled in the blanket which is now lying next to him. He also turned himself 90 degrees and ended up with his little legs poking out of the railing.

I found him happy as can be about it.

Thursday

"There's no child so lovely that his mother doesn't like to see him asleep".

Steven and Elder Crabtree,

from Steven's home ward, serving in our area.

Christmas Tree Lighting

Hanging out next to dad sleeping on the floor.

Notice Jackson's first real Sunday outfit.

Last night we went to the Christmas Tree Lighting at a big outdoor mall.

Palm trees and Christmas Lights--probably more like the landscape of Christ's life.

We watched from the roof of the parking garage.

Duck Hunting in LA

Steven found a park nearby with a big pond and ducks. We took Jackson to feed the ducks and identify the different species:

Jackson licking his chops for some yummy duck.

STEVEN'S DUCK IDENTIFICATION COURSE:

RINGNECK

(center)

MANDARIN
(very beautiful, only one in the pond)
(related to the wood duck)

MALLARD
(notice the band on the leg)

AMERICAN WIDGEON

COOT

(mud hen)

SPIKE

Last night Steven and I played volleyball with some ward members and one of the second year dental students spiked the ball and Steven tried to block it with his face. Unfortunately the ball ended up in the net.

Jackson makes some really cute faces when he is mad, so it's hard to take him seriously.

We're working on our hand-to-mouth coordination here.

I made Jackson his own chair, I think he likes it.

super star jackson

Lately Jackson's big thing is sucking on his fists.

This is Jackson ready for his morning nap.

Today Jackson was sitting in his bouncer, and I noticed he was holding his binki waving it around. I tried to help him hold a little rattle, but that didn't last long. It did make him smile and giggle however.

Saturday we went for a little hike with some friends to another waterfall. This one had a little more water than the last one we visited. Jackson obviously isn't impressed.

TIDEPOOLS

Today dad had a short project at the dental school, so we all went together and afterward we went to the beach.

AT THE DENTAL SCHOOL:

This is an amazing picture of Jackson flexing his muscles.

Waiting for dad.

Jackson getting lots of attention from dad's class mates.

AT THE BEACH:

I think this is where they filmed Pirates of the Carribean.

This is one example of a tidepool full of starfish.

Shortly after seeing this sign, we saw a nude sunbather.

We threw a few beached starfish back into the ocean.

Not sure what Steven is looking at.

Jackson enjoying the shade. It was a hot day.

Family photo.

More of Jackson enjoying the shade.

More shade enjoyment.

Dad hiking around with Jackson.

Family Time

Here is Jackson helping mom with laundry.

Blurry picture because Jackson is wiggl'n and giggl'n.

Let it be known that I, Nicole, won my first game of chess.

Although, to Steven's credit, I lost my queen twice with poor moves in the beginning and convinced him to let me redo.


Jackson thinking about the possibility of Prop8 failing.

Sleepy baby.

Happy Halloween

We didn't take Jackson trick-or-treating, but I had some leftover fleece so I made him this little cheeta outfit and we took him with us to a little halloween party at the Kuchenmeister's home (they are first year dental students who have 2yr and 6mo old boys).

Jackson spitting up on dad.

Note, the tail.

Ready to go to the party.

Sorry, you'll have to tip your head for this one!
(By the way, JD, this picture was rightly situated until I uploaded it.)

Just hanging out being cute.