Happy New Year's!!!!

Christmas 2013

This year we celebrated Christmas in Houston with Tio Stephen, (Jack's brother) in his brand new place. 

The boys were SO excited to see everyone and Jackson was especially excited to see Stephen. He lovessss him. 

 

Both Jackson and James were spoiled rotten by Grammy, Pops, Tio Stephen and Tia Caitlin. They loved their gifts and have enjoyed playing with them every day since they received them. 

 

 We drove back to Austin Christmas day because we heard that Santa Claus had left the boys' gifts at the house even though they weren't there!

 Opening gifts was quite a spectacle. Combined with the gifts that they had received in Houston, Jackson and James came out with quite the loot!

 Dada did too! 

 and maybe Momma did as well :)

 The boy's loved all of their presents and thank each and every one of you (and Santa Claus) for them.

 After everything was said and done Jack and I cleaned up and put everything away. When we came back to check on the boys they were just sitting in the dining room playing happily with their toys and each other. It was really sweet to watch. They were in such a trance...

 That night when we put them down Jackson said to me, "Momma, I love all my presents but Santa didn't bring me my bike. My red bike. James got his bike, Santa didn't bring mine". It was so sad!

Apparently Santa (and Mrs. Claus) completely forgot about Jackson's 'big gift' at Santa's office. Not to worry though, we called Santa and asked him if he wouldn't mind swinging back around the next day and dropping of Jackson's bike. He was such a good little boy after all and he deserved it for being so sweet.

The following day we heard the doorbell ring and rushed to see who was there. Turns out Santa followed through and left Jackson's bike on the front porch! 

 Jackson was so confused, he opened the door and completely ignored the bike and instead was looking for Santa. We had to explain to him he had already left and then (and only then) did Jackson jump on his bike and rode it inside.

 He was so elated and Baby James was of course so happy for his brother. James had felt bad since he had gotten a bike (aka small walker) and his brother had not.

 See this Christmas had a happy ending ;) Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and Santa didn't forget anyone's gifts! Merry Christmas!

Cookies with Santa

With Christmas just around the corner we of course had to have a heart to heart with the jolly man in the red suit. We've been talking him up around here and Jackson and James cannot wait for him to show up at their house with presents no less! 

So when Santa invited us to have cookies with him one morning we were SO excited to sit and chat with him and tell him what we wanted for Christmas. 

Jackson had been asking for a camera and James said he wanted a ball so we made sure to tell Santa ahead of time to peak the boy's interest. 

They both acted really excited to meet Santa and couldn't wait to tell him what all they wanted but once we got there, well...

 At least they didn't cry right? They just weren't all too convinced about this Santa guy. We were especially surprised James didn't really like him as he is soooo smiley with every one/thing.

 Both James and Jackson played the part and then quickly wanted off the old man's lap. Really though, can you blame them? The idea of sitting on some stranger's lap and asking him for gifts is kind of strange (and wrong). However, this is Christmas, and as a society this is what we do, so in my book the boys did just fine. Just fine. For their troubles the cubs each got what they asked for...

 A camera for Jackson and a ball for James. Also, Jackson got extra cookies because he seemed especially bothered with the whole Santa situation. Again, not crying or angry, just confused and troubled.

Once we finished the boys were back to their usual selves, (see James is SUPER smiley)...

 We took one last family picture...

 QUICKLY because the boys once again remembered being disappointed with this guy...

and called it a day. If you notice, Jackson was not about to sit on Santa's lap again and the only reason James is, is because he was blind sided by his momma. Ohhhh these boys. Until next year Santa....

James Joins 'The Club'

Last weekend was a big day for our sweet angel! James Davis Zinda was baptized in front of friends and family and most importantly in front of God at St. Theresa's Catholic Church here in Austin. 

We decided to do the baptism ceremony at the very last minute so it was quick, quiet and perfect. Well, almost perfect...

Turns out I got the time of the baptism wrong, (in true Missy fashion) so when we showed up the Deacon explained to us that he could no longer do it that day and would have to wait until next year! Well, you know that wasn't going to fly so I begged, pleaded and pretty much demanded (also in true Missy fashion) my boy be baptized if not that day then the following. Turns out I'm pretty convincing, and the ceremony was set for the following day. 

Fine by me, more time to enjoy some dinner and drinks to celebrate James! (Pre Baptism mind you)

We were all decked out so we had to have somewhere to go right?!  

The following day we woke up bright and early and got ready to go to church for the real ceremony to take place. Jackson gave his brother a pep talk: 

We proceeded with the ceremony and James was cool, calm and collected. His big brother told him to 'be good' and James was. He was a perfect little angel. 

 James' godparents are my brother, Bibi and my cousin, Celia. We could not have picked two better people to show our boy the importance of having strong Faith. They are dedicated, committed and relentless in every aspect of their life and their Faith is solid. We are blessed to have them in our lives and even more so to have them as godparents to our James.

 James didn't even flinch when the water was poured over him. He completely accepted his fate and was so happy to have water splashed on his head.

We were given the final blessing at the alter and the Deacon welcomed James Davis to the church...

 He listened intently...

 And even said, "Praise be to God, AMEN!" at the end.

 We couldn't be happier!

 Once finished, Jackson gave James a hug and a kiss and then asked to go eat 'panqueques y huevitos' (in true Jackson fashion).

 All in all a perfect day to have a perfect baptism. Sweet baby James, we love you and we are so very proud of you :).