So Sweet!!!

I Love...Daddy!

2 Years in One Place!

As of today, we have lived in the same home for 2 whole years! That is the longest Erik and I have lived in any one place since we have been married (not that we haven't tried to move again..note the "For Sale" sign (no longer there) in front of the stairs:)). We have owned 3 homes and rented 2 different apartments in less than 5 years of marriage. Ughhh..I'm exhausted just thinking about all the moves!

A New Look!

What do you think?

First Day of School

Now that Erik is back in town and Jackson is a little older, I have decided to go back to work full time. I start my new job next week! Jackson will be going to a great school/daycare near our house. We decided to start him there for a few hours a day a week early so that he (and I) could adjust, and so that I could get some things done (dr. appointments, etc.) before I start work. So, today was his first day of school! He was there from about 8:30 until noon today. He cried a little when I said goodbye, but his teacher said he was pretty happy the rest of the time. The kids were going down for naps when I picked him up. The teacher said, "Jackson, look who's here!", and he jumped up crying and ran to me. For some reason he always cries when we pick him up (from the church nursery, etc.) as if he's just remembering that we left him! His teacher gave us 4 pictures of his first day of him playing outside, eating, and finger painting! (The pictures will not be posted b/c I don't have a scanner...sorry!) Jackson was very tired when he got home and went right to sleep for his nap. It's going to be sad leaving him there everyday, all day :( ...but at least we have this week to slowly get used to it. Plus, I think he will have lots of fun, make new friends, and learn a lot!

We've Been Busy!

The last couple of weeks have been very busy! First, we (Mandi and Jackson) went to Mobile to visit family that came in town from Tokyo. (My cousin, Rae, and her kids, Mayu and Tomoki) While we were in Mobile, we went down to the beach for the day with several of my cousins, their kids, two aunts, and an uncle. It was the first time all 5 of my grandparents' great-grand kids have been together at the same time!

After hanging out in Mobile for a few more days, we headed to Oxford, Alabama for Scott's wedding. On the way, we stopped at a friend's house (Ellis) to see her, her two-year-old daughter and her new baby girl. Then we stayed in Birmingham with my friend, Cori, and her husband and son, both Daniels. Baby Daniel was born about a month-and-a-half after Jackson. We left there Friday morning (Aug. 1) to complete our trip to Oxford, where I had a relaxing bridesmaid luncheon to attend. Pop watched Jackson all day while my mom and I enjoyed food, manicures, and pedicures at Jessi's house! (Thanks Pop!)

Erik met us in Oxford Friday night, and we attended Scott and Jessi's fabulous rehearsal dinner! Erik went golfing Saturday morning with Scott and the groomsmen while Jackson and I hung out at the pool and around the hotel with the rest of my family. The wedding was Saturday night at 6:00, and everything was beautiful! It was a great weekend full of fun, lots of family, friends, food, and dancing!

I had a lot of blogging to catch up on, so when you have time, take a look at all of the posts below to see pictures of our eventful previous weeks!

Congratulations Scott and Jessi!

Bride and Groom

Bride with Bridesmaids

The Duvals

Scott and Jackson

Family of the Groom

The Reception

Cutting the cake

Mandi, Grandma, and Melissa

Family with the newlyweds

Taking off the garter

Tossing the bouquet

Dancing

First Dance

Mother and Groom

Jackson and Aunt Linda

Scott, Mayu, and Tomo

Melissa and Papa Ray

Saying Goodbye!

Last Dance

Jackson playing with bubbles

Leaving through a sea of bubbles

Off to their honeymoon!

Jackson was SO tired by the end of the night, and he actually fell asleep on Erik's shoulder. He NEVER lays his head on your shoulder, so we knew he had had a long day!

Scott and Jessi's Rehearsal Dinner

Bride and Groom

Jackson and Aunt Linda

Mimi, Pop, and Jackson

Daddy, Mommy, and Jackson

Extended Family

Jackson and Cayden Having Fun at the Rehearsal Dinner!

Visiting the Dillons

Daniel, Cayden, and Jackson

(Yoko and Cayden met us at the country club in Birmingham where Cori is a member)

Jackson loves to sit in chairs these days

Daniel and Jackson playing

Jackson's "fish face" he has been doing for the last few days

Trying to get Daniel and Jackson to pose for a picture

More Pictures in Mobile

Jackson is wearing his kimono that Rae gave him

Uncle Scott changing a dirty diaper!

Riding the carousel in the mall

A Day at the Beach

Enjoying a snack and a break from swimming

All the great-grandchildren

(Tomoki, Cayden, Mayu, Jackson, and Kyle)

Jackson with Uncle Scott and Aunt Jessi

Jackson and Mommy, Melissa and Kyle

Family Group Picture at Sea N Suds

First Kiss!

Jackson and Anne Margaret (the daughter of a family friend)

I didn't get the actual kiss, but this is right before it!

Visiting Family in Mobile

Jackson looking outside

Mommy, Jackson, and Mimi*

*After going back and forth on what she wants Jackson to call her, she has decided to change her name to Mimi because there are too many Grandma's...and because Jackson can say "Mimi" now!

Jackson, Mayu, Tomoki, and Cayden

(It was hard to get them all to sit down and look at the camera at the same time. This was the best we could get!)

17 Months Old!

Jackson turned 17 months old this past Saturday, August 2nd. (I think I'll stop counting the months once he turns 2!)