Thanksgiving & Christmas 2010

OK, I know it has been way too long since I have posted anything.  To start: THANKSGIVING.  As tradition has been, we all gathered at Mom & Dads.  It was a full house too.  Emily's boyfriend was there along with his 2 boys, ages 4 and 7.  Had a good time with the family though . . . some Euchre and Aggravation.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Emily had to work that night so Jackson was with me.  A little worried about how he was going to be at the 9pm services as he did not have a nap!  He was good.  In the beginning during the like 4 songs, he was going from family member to family member but dancing to the music.  During the sermon he was looking at the lights and ceiling fans.  With perfect timing once he went "ohhh" just after Pastor Bill made a point . . . people in the area giggled too.  Then during the Silent Night candle light he had an unlit candle and "sang" along.  Still didn't go to sleep until about about 10:30.  That was when I got out the Homestyle Kitchen to start assembling while Emily ran home from work to get everything for the big day (she and Jackson spent the night).  Holy cow!!  It took me close to 2 hrs with Emily helping to assemble that thing!  Meanwhile, at Steve . . . Steve, Sue, Amber, Logan and Grant had their tradition of pictures by the tree (actually it may have been before the Christmas Eve services).  Here are their pictures.

 CHRISTMAS MORNING:

My alarm went off at the set 6am . . . hit snooze numerous times then got up at 7am.  Called Mom to let her know to come over whenever.  Then I started on the traditional breakfast of quiche (for us girls), eggs and bacon (for Dad) and toast.  I hear Jackson say my name but ignored it as I knew Emily would want him to sleep longer.  He said my name again and then third time he yelled it so I replied.  They came out and he got to see his kitchen!!

Mom and Dad arrive right after that.  We did our stockings while the quiche baked.



 yes, I still have my elephant Christmas pjs.  Maybe I will have new ones next year . . . maybe.  In Jackson's stocking, Santa gave him big boy underwear which he proceeded to take a pair and put on over his pj bottoms.  There is a picture of this down further (initial attempt to upload here in the series of pictures failed).  No, he isn't potty trained . . . yet

After the stockings, Mom made Dad's bacon and eggs and we sat down together and ate.  Then we did our gifts to each other and Jackson's Santa gifts!  He had fun.  As I thought might happen, most of the time he wanted to play with the toy right then.  Then we hung out for a bit and got dressed then the rest of the Householders arrived.  Mom was sooo excited to see them to show them the Lansing state journal. There was a collage of I believe 26 Mid-Michigan's top Athletes (variety of sports) and there was Grant's picture that was used for the Player of the Year . . . and he was the only baseball player in it!  Christmas was fun.  Unfortunately, Dad didn't feel well and actually went home shortly after we exchanged gifts and Grand had a sore/pulled muscle in his lower back.

 Big boy undies

And Emily brought the Kinects for the Xbox.  Logan was the best entertainment doing the Dance Off then just when you think you can't laugh anymore, Steve and Logan compete in track n field!!

once the computer will let me upload a few videos I will post those too

Jackson cooking

Jackson loves to go to Ukai and watch the Hibachi chiefs cook and will often pretend he has the spatulas and is cooking. Well, yesterday he took it one step further and put his Mac n Cheese into the pan I let him play with and was cooking by adding goldfish crackers!
He has quite the vocabulary already. He spent a weekend with Emily's boyfriends boys (ages 4 and 7) and learned "I want this". He calls me "Bobin", still calls grandpa "Papa" and now instead of "Mama" for grandma he says "Meema" which she likes. Emily is still "Mom". Grant is "Gee" for "G" and Logan is "Gogan". Sue is "Sue", not sure what Steve is. Amber is "Ahmer". London is "Dondon" (actually that is what he calls all cats) and Zipper when corrected that it is not London is "Bipper". And he loves to sing! Twinkle Twinkle, Row Row Row your Boat, You are my sunshine ("sunshine"), Head and Shoulders, Eentsy Weentsy spider, Old Mac Donald, and the alphabet.
Decided to add this video too. It was where he started before bringing the pan into the kitchen. It shows his wrist twirling the best.

for Roni

Yes, the first part of the video is sideways but still cute. This was from Sunday. Enjoy Roni

another bowling video from 8/7/10

Decided to add this video too. it's longer but very cute. At the end Jackson leaves Steve hanging

Family bowling night

Most of the family went to Royal Scot tonight for Family Bowling. It was Mom, Dad, Steve, Amber, Grant, Emily, Jackson and myself. Logan was working overtime (big time too. Went in at 7 a.m. and was still at work at 9:30 p.m.) and Sue was home ill. From the moment Jackson walked in he was excited. "Bah! Bah!".
Jackson loved the ball return so we really need to watch him. And he didn't want to step down either pretty much the entire first game.

Jackson with help of the rack and Papa

Uncle Steve helping Jackson bowl without the rack . . .

. . . and the results in this video

18 months old - Jackson Robert

Emily and Jackson got their pictures done right around the 4th of July (now known as Jackson's half-birthday). Here are the results as well as some extra pictures following. Following in the footsteps of his cousins, Jackson is all about "bai bah" (baseball)

from watching cousin G at a lot of games, Jackson started lifting the leg when he swings and when he throws. Of course Uncle Steve points out that it is the wrong leg, to which I remind him that it is not if he starts throwing left as Steve wants :-)

Emily printed this one, partly because the bat is in the left hand . . . Uncle Steve would be proud

I love this smile!!!! It's the smile I get when he does something and wants to say "aren't I cute?"

this is a good example of how he looks as he watches the ball as you are about to throw it to him. Very focused

Not sure about the 2 hand hold on the ball but taking the ball up to the face like that is Uncle Steve's influence.

Again, I like the expression . . . one would think that he listens well :-)

Mother and Son in their patriotic colors. Jackson calls Emily Mom now. It's cute how he says it so matter of fact . . . "Mom"

This is the look we get when he is up to something or trying to be funny

This great shot was the very last one of the session.

At Kroger's, getting some groceries with Aunt Robyn. He loved the "car" cart. As you can see, he used both steering wheels and both horns

Dad got my kitchenet down from the attic. My grandpa Jack made it for me when I was little. Inside we found my old plates, imitation cans (plastic) of spagetti o's, soups, fruit, etc. With those and others I just got at a Mom2Mom sale I was able to fill the cupboards. Of course the "cans" he just threw up in the air until I pretended to eat from one. Grandpa Jack would be sooooo happy.

family in the paper

the Householder family seems to find themselves in the paper these days. A few weeks ago there was a picture of Dad's "sheriff" car in the Grand Ledge Independent for the Annual Yankee Doodle Days parade. Last weekend Emily, Jackson and I went to the Delta Rocks Family Festival and a photographer for the State News took pictures of Jackson at the petting zoo part. The picture turned out really good too. Here's the clip

http://www.statenews.com/index.php/multimedia/39151

coming soon will be Jackson's 18month pictures taken Thursday

PLAYER OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I haven't posted in over a month. There has been so much news with Grant and baseball that I didn't want to put something in wrong.
1. Has had many numerous from schools followed by numerous offers
2. Got to pitch an inning at Oldsmobile Park/Lugnut stadium for the Diamond Classics. They have the read out with the speed of the pitch . . . twice at 93MPH!! (we also got to see his name on the board when he hit)
3. Was picked for the Division 1 All-State Team (listed as a utility play, more than one position)
4. Was picked for the states Dream Team as well
5. PLAYER OF THE YEAR! great article in the Lansing State Journal (click on the website below)
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100703/SPORTS02/7030328/HIGH-SCHOOL-BASEBALL-PLAYER-of-the-YEAR-Grant-Householder-Grand-Ledge

Jackson slides

Jackson got a new slide from a garage sale find by his Momma. This first one is a bit blurry, sorry, but shows his dare devil side.

He totally jumped!!!! Reminds me of Grant at that age.

This one it too cute. Hat is crooked because he put it on himself but as you will see, his skills get better.

First sleep over at Uncle Steve and Aunt Sue's

Last Friday, March 21, Jackson spent the night at Uncle Steve's and Aunt Sue's. Uncle Steve slept on the couch and Jackson slept in the bed with Aunt Sue. Jackson slept just fine . . . Aunt Sue, not so much. This picture totally says "Steve" to me, just tanned. I will find pictures to upload for comparison
The boys hanging out together watching baseball.

Aunt Sue says in the morning, Jackson found the TV remote, pointed it at the TV and said "baibawl". That's a Householder boy for ya!

Grant Householder is his name, Baseball is his game!!!

article in the Grand Ledge Independent . . .

Grand Ledge Baseball Team Rolling Along www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100430/GRANDLEDGE3/5020566/1198/GRANDLEDGE

then, today TV 10 sports had they covered the game of Okemos vs. Grand Ledge (home game), the top 2 records in lansing area. The news showed Eric Eisler #1 hit a HR, Jeremy Lyon #23 hit a great bunt that Okemos over threw at first and we got a run in and then Grant #15 hit a RBI grounder to third

GO GRAND LEDGE COMETS!!!!!

Athlete of the Week - GRANT HOUSEHOLDER

Grant was nominates and made Athlete of the Week in the Lansing State Journal

check it out at
www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100429/SPORTS02/4290353/1021/SPORTS02

We are very proud

Elephant Rocker

some time ago, I got this rocking elephant on craig's list. Jackson has ridden it before but this was his first time unsupported. I got 4 great video clips of it on my camera. Here are 2 of them

this one I included because it shows his "i crack myself up" laugh.

BASEBALL SEASON

1st game of the season was Monday in DeWitt but Grant played a little because of an injury in Florida during spring training. Then Thursday was his big day. Most of the family (Steve, Sue, Mom, Jackson, Amber, Logan and Stephen) were there in Owosso. Grant pitched 3 no-hit innings with honorable mention in the LSJ Logan and Jackson watching intensely

Jackson cheering them on

Then he felt the team needed some extra coaching from him as he ofter yelled out to them . . . pointing and all

Once Grant wasn't pitching anymore (gotta rest the arm) Jackson made a new friend

Of course, Grand Ledge won both games (double hitter)!!! pictures courtesy of Amber.

Dunn's River Falls - Ocho Rio, Jamaica

Ok, let me explain, we were doing the hang ten sign

More Jamaica pics

these 6x6 trucks got us up the mountain. we couldn't believe it.

Jason demonstrating for us how the harness works. He was a lot of laughs

Emily, first time on a zip line and first to go . . . just walked right up and lept off

Dad, the pro, just ran right off. Never needed help reaching the landing . . . did need to be slowed down once there twice

smooth landing

Emily striking a pose

for a change, I'm the bigger photo ham than Emily

this tree was huge

there was a floating bridge. I was first with the guide "stone" and he said "when we get to the middle let's rock it". so of course I had to and Emily who was right behind, not liking it . . . just adding to my fun :-p

last day on the resort, getting some pictures in

Jackson's new thing is hugging your arm or in this case, hand. We are at the Jamaica airport waiting for a delay of 1 hour.

the sunset from the plane on our way home to the snow