We thought we should catch up on the last few weeks on 2008. (This has taken me 3 days to finish….Jackson doesn’t love me blogging. Anyhow, we included LOTS of pictures!)

Jackson and I headed to Texas a few days earlier than Seth. The flight was awful as Jackson was determined to have his freedom and run the aisle! We survived and arrived in Ft. Worth a couple of hours later than expected. When we arrived the roads were icing over so we had to stay in a hotel our first night.  It took 3 hotels until we found one that could provide a crib. It was an adventure indeed. We had some good chilly days in Crowley, Texas but no snow. We did have lots of treats at Nama’s house, like buckeyes! A highlight for Jackson was when Daddy took him for  a walk and let him hold some rocks that they found along the way. He came home from the walk with chubby cheeks and brown drool flowing from his lips.  Seth said “When he said “cookie” I told him no it was a rock. I didn’t realize he would eat it”. Jackson had sand and dirt all in his teeth. A memory for sure!

We got to see some of our dear friends from Dallas. We attended Park Cities Presbyterian where we met and saw so many people that we miss so much! While in town we also had brunch with some of Seth’s college buddies and their wives and baby boys! Time sure does fly by being overseas. The babies have grown so much! Blogging has kept us up to speed but it was fun to meet them in person.

Seth and his college buddies plus babies

On our way to Houston we took a detour through Waco for Jackson to meet the bears at Baylor!

After Dallas/Ft Worth we headed to Houston where we visited with my family more, adding in Ryan and Stephanie and the girls.  Jackson loved his cousins and was very flexible when Lizzy wanted to head lock him in hugs. He learned the very important phrase “that’s mine”. Ever since we were with Lizzy, Jackson has been hugging every kid in sight! She taught him the important stuff- tackle hugs and possession! He learned how to say “Ruthie” and when we got home to Bogota late last night he saw the Christmas card and yelled “Ruth”. We got to the Children’s Museum, ate at some of our favorite restaurants and since we were across from the Galleria we did a fair amount of shopping!

Uncle Graham and his girlfriend Tina. Tina spent a few days with us in Houston! It was so fun having her along!

milking a cow with daddy at the Children’s Museum

The kiddos on Christmas Eve (looks like the girls are collaborating- “you pin him down and I will kiss him”

Christmas morning, the boxes were the most fun

Oscar the Grouch shirt from Nana!

After Christmas with my family we headed to Friendswood to be with Seth’s family! The eating, shopping and visiting continued!  We went to the Houston Zoo and got to play lots in the back yard and ride in the wagon! Jackson had a blast having a backyard and got more bumps, bruises and bites at one time than he has ever had! It’s proof of a good time for boys! He had fun with all of his cousins  but he especially stuck close to Wade who was closest to his size! Our friends Jonathan and Meredith stopped in to see us in Friendswood which was such a fun treat. Jackson accidentally nailed their baby Luke in the head with a maraca which was his form of a “love tap” I guess. Poor Luke. He took it like a champ!

The Kolb gang

Seth and his sisters, Sara and Claire

Jackson with his cousins.

Looking at the baboon with Daddy

Carousel with Mommy

Brushing the goat

saying “Choo Choo” on the train at the zoo. Jackson has so many new words. Yesterday he learned “church” and today “chin”. He seems so interested in talking and imitating! Makes his Mama proud!

We also made a follow-up trip to MD Anderson to make sure that Jackson was mass-free! 2 days in a row driving to the hospital and spending hours of visiting time is not a fun way to spend vacation but it was a good reminder of God’s faithfulness to us. Jackson had some scar tissue but nothing unusual. We will return again in 6 months.  We are so thankful for a healthy boy!

still pretty drunk from the MRI…didn’t stop him from talking like a drunken sailor!

visiting Dr. Huh was a little like visiting Santa…no way was Jackson going to sit on his lap!

We gained way too much “Christmas treat” weight at all three locations of our trip! Seth is proud of his gains, I am trying to get back to normal healthy eating! It was so nice to see family and friends and specifically for Jackson to have time to really know his family back home. One of our fears  with being abroad is Jackson not knowing his extended family. Although he had some separation anxiety he really jumped in and enjoyed himself!

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas with family and friends! It was so great to see so many of you! We look forward to our home leave in the Fall to catch up for more than a few hours here and there!

Happy Festivus!

Airing of grievances (although not reserved for only Festivus, this is an extra special day for airing of grievances)

I know many friends and family don’t understand exactly what it is I do, how I got into the career, etc.

In today’s NY Times, there’s a short article about the career, written for those potentially interested in foreign service.  I thought some of you might find it enlightening as well.  Oh, and the building in the picture is on the compound where I do my language training.  The building, Arlington Hall, was actually used to house code breakers during WWII.

Seth bought Jackson a couple of cans of ravioli and pasta the other day to have on nights when we have dinner with our small group after he’s in bed. No one could have prepared us for his unrestrained enthusiasm for such delicacies! The kid eats like a shovel!! He had it a few weeks ago but had never had the noodles and meat sauce. He went wild for it tonight. Along with his broccoli! His face was died bright red from the toxins they inject to make it look like tomato sauce! I felt so guilty feeding my child something like this but the look on his face and the fact that he ate almost a whole can washed away most of my guilt! Here are a few photos!

PS-Typically after dinner Jack never asks for his milk cup. After his bath he ran to the kitchen yelling “milk”. I told Seth it had to be because he had more salt in that one meal than he normally consumes in a whole week combined!!