Happy New Year!

What a blessed 2008 we have had here at the Callaway home! We hope that yours, too, has been full of joy. I consider this blog the journal I have always intended to have, so here is my journal post, of the top things I have been thankful for:

• good health (even if I did have my appendix removed), other than a few sniffles and coughs here and there, we are thankful for good health
• we are thankful for both of us having good jobs
• 2 wonderful children
• near and far we have friends and family that love and support us
• Jackson's enthusiasm for school and learning
• the happiness and laughter that fills our home daily

**and my personal favorite...being able to beat the boys in my home at Mario Kart :)

We pray that our 2009 is full of the same joy that 2008 gave us!

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

...and all through the house, Jackson's footsteps are pouncing around! I think I have made 12,000 trips upstairs to remind our excited little man that he needs to stay in bed. I love the excitement and anticipation of Santa's visit to our home. I can remember when I was a few years older than Jackson, wanting to sleep in the hallway so I could see Santa when he came down the chimney. If I remember correctly I actually made a palate on the floor, but by morning time I was in my bed, and never saw St. Nick. Oh, the magic that happens while we are snug in our bed.

We wish everyone a blessed Christmas and may we all remember the meaning of this special day!

Oops!

For those of you who carefully read our Christmas card, I have a correction to make. I am not sure how I missed it. Possibly it is due to the fact that I typed it all at 10:00pm on a school night! One of the statements on our card said, "spent the summer at the beach,"...I wish! It should have read, "spent the summer at the pool." I am not sure how many times have looked at it, and did not notice it until today. Anyways, we did not go to the beach this year, but possibly next year we will be able include that on our card...and it be true! And, since everyone wants to really just see a picture...

My friend Kristi summed up my feelings in one word....ahh...! Winter Break could not have come at a more needed time. It is time to catch-up at home and enjoy time with the fam! Here are a few highlights from the last few weeks.

We FINALLY were able to get a picture of Jackson with Santa. He is five-years-old and this is the first year he was willing to get close enough to capture a picture! We were going to go see the Santa in the mall, but Nordstrom had a Santa,and there was no line to wait in. It was time for Madelyn to eat, and she was all snug in here stroller, so we did not attempt getting a picture with here and Santa.

At school we were teaching Fairy Tales. My team decided to have a Fairy Tale parade. It was so much fun seeing the children dressed in their costumes. The teachers also had fun! From the left we have...The Gingerbread Man, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood (me), Peter Pan, The Frog Prince, a Princess, and The Big Bad Wolf from the 3 Little Pigs.

Last week we had our first freeze and ice storm. Our driveway and street was a sheet of solid ice. My school and Jackson's school was delayed 2 hours. Then at the last moment Jackson's school closed for the day! I had been calling my principal letting her know that it was much worse at my house, and she told me to just take my time and that I could bring Jackson with me if I needed to. So, Jackson was in Mrs. Callaways' class for a day.

And finally, our Christmas shopping is complete. I am not one of those smart people that have their shopping completed before Thanksgiving. I do, however, know what I am going to buy, I just choose to wait until the last week to get it. Hum, sounds a little like procrastinating; something I am pretty good at. I usually do my best work like that! Tomorrow, Jackson and I will be making cookies for Santa and a few other sweet yummys.

Madelyn had her 4 month check-up today. She weight 13lbs 10oz, and is 23 1/2 inches long. She has really blossomed in the last month. I love to hear her giggle when Jackson is doing something funny and silly.

Merry Christmas!