Happy Birthday Dawson!

Today was Dawson's first birthday! What a fun day he had! We had a party for him tonight which turned out awesome. We thought we would keep it low key and only invite family. But come on.. low key? It was anything BUT that! :)

Dawson was in such a good mood ALL DAY! I swear he knew it was his day, I would sing happy birthday to him and he would laugh and grin away.

Here is his party invite made by, of course, Lori. (thanks)

We started his big day off with opening a couple presents that Dave, Landon and I got him that morning before Dave had to go to work.


Dawson has two major obsessions. One would be vacuums, the other, DEER! Which was also his first word.
We got this little forest animal set at Sportsman's. Dawson L O V E S them!! I think it's so cute to watch him play with them. He also likes bears, so when he picks them up he growls.


Last night we let Landon stay up late to decorate for Dawson's party. We did a deer/camouflage theme.
Kind of a weird cake for a 1 yr old eh? Not if you know Dawson! He loved it.

First sight of his cake..
Using hands is overrated.

Wow, I have NEVER seen a kid enjoy his cake more than this one!


I'm sad I didn't get more pictures of everyone who came to the party, there were about 29 people here. I also realized that I didn't get any pictures of Dawson opening his presents, and not ONE picture of Landon on Dawson's birthday. Landon and his cousins played up in Landon's room most the party.. and boy does it SHOW!! I have my work cut out for me on that room tomorrow!
Rob and Jaycee
Amy, Kari, mom, Cecily
Dawson Corey and Steph
Oh yeah, other Dawson news:

He is now walking, and FINALLY cut his first tooth! His upper tooth of all teeth! (Is that normal?)
Uncle Steve and Aunt Shamane helping Dawson walk to cousin Mason.
Walking to Cecily
GO Dawson GO!

Ice Fishing

Dave and Landon went Ice Fishing with Dave's dad and Brothers. I really didn't want Landon to go.. I get nervous about him falling in an ice hole, or the ice not being thick enough. The whole time they are gone I am stressing! If I had it my way Landon would never hunt or fish. We all know I do NOT get my way :) I know fishing is harmless, I just get nervous with him near water without me there to supervise. I know I need to settle down and let him grow up (ok... and give Dave more credit and trust him more..) . The more he goes on these adventures with Dave the more relaxed I am becoming, which is a good thing. I'm glad Landon has a dad that has a desire to spend quality time with him. He loves it and Dave seems to keep him safe. (Unless you want to consider the fact that he didn't put sunscreen on Landon and now he looks like a lobster. Yeah, Dave feels pretty bad)

Here are some pictures of the crazy boys (and Olivia) freezing their bums off.


If you enlarge this picture you can see Olivia and Landon's nice red faces. Which only got more red as the day went on.

He claims he caught this one with NO HELP!



Grandpa told Landon to kiss the fish.. and he did.. I asked him how it tasted and he just pulled a face. He'd do anything grandpa told him to do.



Diligently waiting by his pole.

Uncle Jeff pulling them off the reservoir.

Maybe This is Old News, But New to me..

Dave and I don't watch the news much. Most of you probably already know this story..
My sister informed me of this horrible adoption tragedy... I've been reading it all night and cannot imagine what this family has had to go through. Here is the link from their blog, start from the very beginning to get the full story, tell me what you think! Heartbreaking...

http://talonsadoption.blogspot.com

A Monumental Night!

Last night will be one that will be forever remembered in the Ross household.

Dawson went to bed at 8:20. He did not wake up once, no need to throw a binky in his mouth at 1am. That's, right!! He slept till 6:30 WITHOUT waking up once! I have not felt this refreshed in about 2 years! What a great feeling.

For all you mom's out there who think I am heartless and cruel for making my sweet little Dawson cry in the middle of the night, I'm hear to tell you, call me what you want! SOOO WORTH IT!!!!!!!!! It only took two nights till we noticed an improvement. Six nights later and we have this success.

Thanks for reading and letting me share in my victory.

Christmas and New Years 2008

These would be pictures of all of our Holiday parties (minus the Bruderer Christmas party and Christmas Eve at my parent's, I'm bummed I forgot my camera..)

Ward Christmas Party

The big tall guy in the center would be my hot hubby. Each table had to dress a person up as a tree, Dave was a good tree.
Dawson wasn't so sure about Santa, he didn't cry though, but was on the verge the whole time.

Haycock Family Christmas Party

Christmas Eve at Grandma and Pa Haycock's

Sooo excited about his new tow truck great grandma and pa got him.

My cousin, Heather with Dawson and Eli



Christmas Eve at Steve and Shamane's (Dave's Bro)

There's that same expression, CRACKS me up!

Dave's parents- affectionately called Moodge and Poodge.

All the Ross cousins with Santa ( who had a striking resemblance to Uncle Jeff. Can't fool Landon, he called it right from the beginning)


Christmas Morning at Home

Christmas Morning at Dave's Parents

New Years Eve

We went to Dave's parents first, then headed to my parents to bring in the new year and play some games. The kids went to sleep at 9pm, that gave us adults 3 hours of serious Settlers.

Whenever we are at my parents for new years eve, Dave and my little Bro take off their shirts at midnight and run up and down the street... weird tradition, I know. Would you expect less from Dave? I'm glad Rory decided to wake up at the last second to run around with them, but he kept his shirt on :)

Overall, we had the most WONDERFUL Holiday! Bring on 2009!