Jackson's 6th Birthday

Jackson turned 6 on July 1st. We had his party at my grandparent's house. He asked my grandparents if he could have his birthday party in their backyard for all of his birthdays! We invited a few of his friends (Jack & Antonio Tuttle, Micah, Jacob, Benjamin & Peyton Laing, Eden Panster) and ALL of our family was there. This year we decided to order pizzas, and this was Lou didn't have to be behind the BBQ all day.

Jackson picked his cake this year. Transformers...Chocolate with chocolate fudge filling and whipped cream topping. It was very tasty.

Jackson opened all his presents with his friends around him. He was most excited about his Nintento DS that Lou and I bought him. He got a great big Lego ship from Grandma Gail and Grandpa Larry (another cute story: my grandma was asking Jackson what he wanted for his birthday and he named a few things. She said, "Do you think you would just like money?" Jackson said, "No...I like toys." At his age it's just too much fun opening up all those toys.) Anyway, he got a Transformer's Bumble Bee helmet from my brother, Bobby. He got some more Lego's from my cousin, Katelyn. He got some games, the wolverine claw and remote control Hovercrafts from his Grandma Bev. Grandma Donna bought him a Terminator arm. The Tuttle's got him a game for his DS. Overall he did great! He still has a couple of things he hasn't played with/opened yet...almost a month later. This year Jackson surprised us and jumped off the diving board. We were shocked, but he had a great time. He did it over and over again.
Here's a picture of Jackson with Brittany and Eden.

I didn't take as many pictures this year. I don't know why.

Jackson, we love you so much and are so proud that you are our son. You are so sweet and polite. You are becoming so independent and are enjoying so many things these days: video games, Legos, cars, most things Star Wars, cuddling with your dad, saying goodnight to your dogs, Pizza (homemade is your favorite right now), corn dogs, teriyaki anything, and so much more.

We love you Jackson!

Counting Crows

Most people probably don't know this, but my husband's FAVORITE band is Counting Crows. I mean he knows more stuff about Adam Duritz than most people I think. He has followed this band from it's birth in 199? (That's terrible I should know...we totally talked about it). I think it's 1993, but if I'm wrong I'll stick to my original 199?.

Anyway, last night we got to see Counting Crows LIVE at Table Mountain Casino and I have to tell you...I can't stop talking about what an AMAZING show it was. I was not a CRAZY fan when we left the house, but I tell you what...Bobby and Lou had to practically drag me out of there last night. It was THAT good! I totally heart Adam Duritz after that concert.

Okay so...I swear this is how it went down. (I should add now: my brother, Bobby, is a BIG BIG Counting Crows fan too, but this shouldn't surprise me since he's borderline music geek too.) So I pick up dinner and pull in the driveway of our home...Bobby and Lou are sitting in the living room (just a few hours prior to the concert) WATCHING a Counting Crows concert on TV. I think they called it, "Getting Ready." I called it "Geeking Out!"

We eat dinner in front of the TV and finish watching the concert. Since we hadn't been to Table Mountain Casino for a concert before we thought we ought to give ourselves plenty of time so we headed out a couple hours early. We got to Table Mountain about 6:30 or so, but the parking was kind of crazy...so I think we were all glad we were early. We made it into the casino and I headed right for Will Call while the guys got in line. I had no problem getting our tickets and before long we were In!

The room/hall where they do concerts is SMALL. I mean smaller than any concert I've ever been to. There were probably about 1,000 people there...It was packed, but not much more than 1,000 people. Now because my husband (and brother) are such BIG fans...they knew to be there RIGHT ON TIME because all three bands were going to be on stage right at 8:00. We had plenty of time...we bought shirts and had some good people watching before the lights went down.

Right about 8:00 the lights went down and the stage was filled with 18 guys (well 17 guys and 1 girl). Counting Crows, Augustana, and Michael Franti & Spearhead were all on stage. Yes...I was particularly looking forward to Augustana, but I was really just excited to be there. I was smack dab in the middle of two HUGE Counting Crows fans...both Lou and Bobby sang, danced and maybe even cried they were so happy to be there. It was so fun to watch!

I took a few pictures, but nothing spectacular. I took a few pictures from Adam's twitter posts...Here's Adam...singing his heart out...This guy is so passionate about music. On the big screen...This is Dan from Augustana...his voice is AMAZING...Michael Franti...tons of energy...I really liked him too...Okay...so they played non stop for about 3 hours. They went on and off stage, sang each other's songs, and we all sang along and had a great time. I was secretly plotting in my head the whole time how I was going to try to get backstage so that Lou could meet Adam. He's such a big fan and I knew that would just be awesome for him. Anyway, the show ended and I saw Adam and all the guys leaning off the stage and shaking hands with fans...Oh my gosh! I totally heart Adam by this time so I want to shake his hand just as bad as I want Lou to shake his hand...So I start pushing Lou to the front and keep saying "Go Honey Go!" I started acting like a teenage girl at a New Kids On The Block concert, and before I could catch myself I realized I was yelling, "Adam! Dan! Adam!" at the TOP of my lungs. We were so close, but we didn't get to shake his hand. We were SO CLOSE though...it was good enough for us. I did happen to let out one last, "Dan!" and Dan from Augustana winked at me.

Lou was able to get a set list and a guitar pick, and we all got posters...Lou was so thrilled. I can't really even describe it, but we were totally jazzed. I wanted to hang out and see if Adam showed back up, but Lou insisted that he had already gone to his bus...and he was probably right. We made our way to our car and headed home. I had trouble falling asleep last night...I just wanted to totally "geek out" with my husband and talk about that AWESOME concert. So yeah...after all that...I'm a geek too...I'm okay with it. We had fun! Here's a picture of our souvenirs....

Thanks Honey for sharing your love of music with me. I always felt like I loved music, but you have definitely showed me a greater appreciation. I love you.

Seriously...one of the BEST concerts I've been to (and we've been to alot).

Father's Day...2009

I know I'm a little late getting this up...but hey, better late than never...Right?

This year Jackson decided to take Lou to the Grizzlies game on Father's Day. We had a great time...despite the HOT weather. Before the game kids and Dad's got to play catch on the field.

I went up to our seats and cooled them down a little before Lou and Jackson got up there...I didn't even think about how hot the chairs would be sitting out there in the sun all afternoon. I just sat down in one and I swear I burned my butt. I knew it would be way too hot for Jackson so I sat in all three of our seats long enough for the initial burn to go away.

Here's Jackson and Lou watching the game....
They're so into it....
After the game kids and Dad's got to run the bases...I didn't get a picture, but it was the cutest thing ever. As soon as they got down on the field Jackson just took off running for the bases and Lou was running along side him. It was pretty cute watching them run around the bases.

We love you Lou. I know I should have posted this earlier...like on Father's Day. You are an amazing Dad! We hope you had a fun day.

Just for fun I posted a picture of Jackson from the last time we took Lou to a Grizzlies game for Father's Day....It was in 2005...Jackson wasn't even 2 years old yet.

Blog Party...In my head.

Okay I swear I am coming back on somewhat of a regular basis soon. I have a lot of blogs in my head right now that need to get out...Soon. So that I don't forget what I want to write about I am making a list:

1. Father's Day
2. Jackson's Birthday Party
3. Firework stand/4th of July
4. Turning 30...Yes I am turning the big 3-0
5. Some funny things Jackson is saying lately...this kid is forever cracking me up.
6. Free Stuff....this is a good one.

Get ready...They are coming soon...I promise.

Photo Shoot...Or something like that

I really enjoy taking pictures and I especially love taking pictures of my husband's band...I don't know why, but I usually get some cool shots at nightclubs when Lou's band is playing. A few weeks ago Lou's band, King Sugar, played two nights back to back. Most of these pictures are from our friend, Donelle's wedding.

My handsome husband...

King Sugar...Markus...I've never heard anyone else this good...

Eric...

Here's Donelle...she's not in King Sugar...she's in Monkey. They played at our wedding a couple years ago...

Here's another one of King Sugar....

Lou and Me snuck in one of ourselves...