Jaden is semi-famous!

We recently participated in the Wings of Hope fundraiser.  The event raises money for Montgomery County Women's Center.  They publish a fundraising calendar every year that features children with/without angel wings and they decided to do an additional fundraiser photo shoot where anyone could donate $35 and get a free 5x7.  You get 15 minutes with the photographer and she tries to take as many pictures as possible.  Jaden was in a cheery mood, until we got there (he wanted to go look at the giant fish tank, not sit for pictures!) but we did get some cute pictures.  He's even featured on the photographers blog!  How cool!  Here's the link to take a look:  http://blog.lifesimages.com/2008/10/woodlands-wings-for-hope-peeks.html.  Just copy and paste in your internet search bar.  You may have to scroll down to the "Woodlands Wings for Hope Peeks".  The picture she posted was one of the last ones taken, without the wings.  The pictures of Jaden I liked the best were black and white, but we should have some others for you to see by Thanksgiving.  We missed the cutoff earlier in the year to get in the calendar (I'm sure Jaden would have made the cover!) but maybe next year? 

Future Photographer

The other morning before school, Jaden decided that he wanted to take some pictures.  He kept opening my desk drawing and saying, "Cheese, cheese".  Guess "cheese" means "camera" now....grreat.  Well, he went right for mommy's expensive camera and had a fit when I wouldn't let him play with it so I handed him my "back up" camera to pacify him.  He seemed to know what he was doing! Took a great picture of my feet!  =]  Also, he looked so cute in his outfit that I had to post a picture of him.  On a separate note, he learned a new animal sound!  I asked him, "What does a rooster say?" and he said "Ca Goo Goo".  His version of Cock-a-doodle-doo!  HOW CUTE IS THAT!  He was so proud of himself and happy that he made mommy laugh that he says it a lot now.  =]

Happy he got to hold the camera

Looking at the picture he took of my feet

In Memory of Jay Sr.

This picture of John with his mom Denise and his late father Jay Sr.  Jay passed away yesterday after a battle with cancer.  I wish he could have met Jaden.  Jaden is named after him and my father Aden.  This is one of the few pictures we have of Jay and I hope the family doesn't mind me posting it here on my blog.  Even though John's parents split when he was little, he and his brothers kept in touch with Jay periodically over the years.  I met him once.  Actually it was a trip we took to California, during which Jaden was conceived =].  He was very nice and had a quick wit!  He will be missed.

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Jaden's Internship

I was finally able to scan in some pictures we took while in Dallas during IKE.  Jaden and I visited Aunt Kathi at work!  She is the Director of Concessions for a cinema company and after Jaden made the rounds, saying hello to everyone, he went to work in her office.  REALLY hope that her computer worked when we left.  =]

So busy he needs 2 computers!

Surfing the Net.

Yee Haw!

Today John, Jaden and I went out to the Oil Ranch.  It's southwest of where we live.  They had a petting zoo, train rides, a hay ride out to hand feed the cows and pony rides for the kids. Pretty neat!  Jaden has never seen farm animals up close but one of his favorite books is "The Big Red Barn"  (with sound effects from mom), so now he can associate the animals in the story with the ones he saw today! Really an educational field trip of sorts!  We didn't get to hand feed the cows but from what I heard from the other moms out there, I don't think we missed out by not getting slobbered on by the cows.  =]

This goat thought that Jaden was going to open the gate for him and kept bleating at him.  Jaden thought that was so funny and giggled

Jaden & Dad relaxing on the train

Jaden is watching the engineer get ready to start the train ride

Mom & Jaden

Big boy riding the pony

A black swan

Free pumpkins for the kids

More Photos from Travels during IKE

Here are some extra photos from our trip to Oklahoma during Hurricane IKE.

We went to the Oklahoma Aquarium with my Aunt Kitty and Mom (Daddy surprised us there) and saw so many interesting exhibits.  The beavers were cool and WAY bigger than I thought they would be!  We watched the keepers feed the otters goldfish and we fed the turtles on the way out.  Did you know that Oklahoma has an alligator fish...or maybe it was a crocodile fish?  Either way it's this huge fish with a alligator/croc snout on the front.  Weird looking.  Makes me a little nervous thinking about the times we went to the lake....was that big scary thing eye- balling me???  Eeew!  

Feeding the turtles

Nemo

But Jaden kept saying Elmo - so it's Elmo the fish

Checking out the crocodile

Dancing to the music outside the restaurant after dinner

Adventures during IKE

Thursday before Hurricane IKE hit, Jaden and I drove up to Carrollton, TX to stay with John's Aunt Kathi & Uncle Lonnie.  Once John saw the trees blowing around and our power flickering Friday evening, he decided to join us and made it in around midnight with the cats in tow! We were so glad to see him and relieved that he didn't try to stick it out at home.  

We're very thankful that we're all o.k. and that our house is still intact.  

Entertaining a toddler away from home is a challenge but Aunt Kathi told us about "Going Bonkers".  It's an indoor play land with video games, whack the mole, a sports car and jeep to drive/ride and big structures to climb up and slide down and around.  It was great!  We hung out at Bonkers on Friday before John got in town and then convinced him to go with us again on Saturday.  =]  

Sunday after the storm we drove on up to Tulsa, OK to stay with my parents for the week.  Then stopped in McKinney, TX on our way back home.  Here are some pics from our travels.

Jaden playing "Whack the Mole"

Cousin Cade helping out

Cousin Conley & Jaden cruising for chicks

Playing in Grandma Ashlock's garden

Great Grandpa & Great Grandma Yates, Grandma McKenna & Grandpa Don

with Jaden

It was great seeing our family and friends in Carrollton, Tulsa & McKinney.  Thanks to everyone for their help during this stressful time.  We love you all.  

First Playgroup at Our New House

After months of going to friend's houses for playgroups, we were finally able to have a playgroup at our house!  Amy & Riley, Pauline & Xavier and Michele & Emily (inner loop friends) made the drive up to The Woodlands to visit Jaden & I.  We really missed them so it was great to see how the kids have grown and catch up with the moms.  Here are a few pics from our playgroup.

Riley & Xavier checking out the foam puzzle blocks

Riley & Jaden playing in what is left of the blocks

Miss Emily

Jaden showing Emily his musical instruments

Some of the other moms were unable to make this get together so we're thinking of having a Halloween Party next month!  Can't wait to see everyone.

A Big Thank You!

When Jaden started MDO, the teachers suggested the kids bring a "lovey" from home to help with the transition/nap-time.  Jaden's lovey is Llama.  It was given to him by his cousins, Rylan, Cade, Conley and Corbin during his first visit to Oklahoma when he was 3 1/2 months old.  Now, we think it's a llama, could be a goat or maybe a giraffe (Ms. Amanda's suggestion)..who knows.  But Jaden has napped well (AMAZING!) since taking llama to school.  Here's a picture of Jaden and his Llama after school yesterday.

He's hugging llama but won't let go of his snack trap  =]

This is picture of Jaden with his cousins during his first visit to Oklahoma

Corbin, Cade, Conley being pulled backwards by Cade and Rylan holding Jaden

GO SOONERS!

This weekend Jaden and I hit the mall.  We were lucky enough to find a kiosk that sold OU shirts in kids sizes!  Yeah!  Jaden wore it home and surprised Daddy.  John was pretty excited and wanted me to get a picture of Jaden wearing his jersey on the blog asap....so here he is!  I think Jaden started to understand the concept of football a little bit because he started running back and forth across the new rug in the dining room and getting all excited.  This made getting him down for bedtime a little challenging. =]  Oh, and OU thumped Cincinnati, 52-26!

Future OU quarterback

Asked Jaden to say "cheese" and this is what I got.

May need to try something else next time. =]

Labor Day Weekend

Grandma McKenna, Grandpa Don, Aunt Renee & Uncle Jon came to visit over the weekend!  I loved all the extra attention!  But Mom was buzzing around the house so much that she forgot to take pictures of everyone!  Hard to believe, I know!  So Aunt Jennifer will have to email some over for her to post on the blog.  =]

During their visit, they stopped by Build a Bear and made a bear for me that says, "We love you Jaden", when you squeeze it!  That made me smile!  And the bear, "Sam", has the coolest car!  I think it's supposed to be a BMW but I think it looks like a Mini Cooper, which is WAY cooler. 

Checking out "Sam" and his cool car. 

I think I want to drive Sam's car

Hmmm, the Mini is too mini for me!

Tuesday was my first day at Mother's Day Out.  Mom drove me to "school" and then hung around probably too long, taking pictures and waving good-bye....started to get embarrassing!  The teachers were distracting us with snacks so we wouldn't notice the parents leaving.  I just wanted to play!  At lunchtime, I didn't eat much.  We had lasagna (new to me) and then I only napped about 45 minutes.  My "Toddler Tales" Progress Notes to Mom said, Socialization:  Played alone, listened and followed rules, Lunch:  Ate a little because I was busy playing with my neighbor, Visits:  played on the playground, Disposition:  Happy & Busy, Had 3 wet diapers, Special Notes:  Jaden had a great morning!  Did cry a bit at naptime; Ms. Amy pat him to sleep". Mom was so happy to see me at the end of the day!  I was glad to see her because I was starving!  But I gave her a big hug since I knew she missed me.  I think this school thing is going to be pretty fun!

Showing off my new school shoes

Walking into class by myself - I'm a big boy!

Snacks?!  I want to play!

Walking around while the other kids snacked

I really like to play with the kitchen