On the Move

Hey Everybody!

We are embarking on a new adventure! We are moving to a new house. But, wait...there's more...It's right next door to GrNanny and Big Guy!!!! As a result, Mom wants to be able to post updates of the MAJOR renovations that will take place. So, she's moving my blog into a new Hatmaker family blog. I will be doing all my updates on the family blog now, so add the new website to your favorites and I'll update when I slow down long enough!!

The new blogsite is www.hatmakerhappenings.blogspot.com

Love,

Jax

Summertime, and the living is easy...

Summer is here, and so is Pops!! This is the first time I have seen him since last fall, and he made the trek all the way from Oklahoma to see me. Daddy took the week off of work, and we have had almost every minute of the week jam packed with some sort of activity. It has been a week full of firsts, and some good ole faithful activities in the mix. Here's a recap! First, we went to GrNanny and My Big Guys to swim. Pops got to see me do all my tricks, and the weather was fabulous for being outside for the evening. I am not afraid of one single thing about the pool this year, not even the slide! Of course, I had to put on a concert for Pops with my new guitar from a yard sale. Thanks GrNanny and Big Guy!

Tuesday morning, Pops got out a gift he brought me. My first fishing pole!! We went out on the deck for a fishing lesson and ended up rabbit fishing. Daddy hit the rabbit once and so did Pops before it hopped back into the woods.

Once we were at the creek, Daddy showed me how to hold my fishing rod.

Pops helped me too, he's the expert you know. He helped me cast my line, and thought it was hung on something.

Turns out, it was! He helped me reel in my line...

and catch my very first fish!! See it hanging in front of my shirt? It's just my size!

I also got to have my very first Root Beer Float, or as I like to call it, a Fruit Rear Bloat.

It tickled my nose, and was cold!

and YUMMY!!

We went to my very first Lookout's Baseball Game. I was afraid of the mascots a little, but after a few high five's, I was ok.

Three Generations of Hatmaker Men I got a Hot Dog!

and a giant foam finger! Go Lookouts!!

We also went to a Hot Rod Show and Unc Bubba had his T-Bucket there.

I even got to ride in it with Unc Bubba and My Big Guy! It's pretty cool, and I think Mommny and Daddy will have one of those in their garage when I get older!

Whew, I am exhausted and totally off my routine. Time to get some rest, so I'll see y'all later!

Love,

Jax

Happy Mother's Day, Mommy

I promise I haven't forgotten to do the post to explain my muddy face from my last post, but I can't wait to share my Mother's Day with you. I know, I know, Mother's Day is supposed to be about Mommy, but if it weren't for me, she wouldn't have much to celebrate on this day, so, Mother's Day is really about me. Right? Anyway, Click on the little white triangle below to see the video that Daddy and I made to wake Mommy up! She loved it!

We met GrNanny and My Big Guy (formerly known as DaDa) for brunch. It was yummy. I ate a piece of prime rib that Mommy got for me, then I ate some of Daddy's prime rib, then I finished off My Big Guy's prime rib. I did eat some fruit, and a roll, and one bite of broccoli that Mommy said I had to try. Yuck! I got GrNanny a cool card with some Toy Story characters on it, and it played "You've got a friend in me". See? We're listening to it in this picture.

I got Mommy some new sunglasses. Then I helped her model them. I also painted a bowl for her with my hand prints and foot prints, but we didn't take it with us to brunch, so no pictures right now....sorry!

AND THEN....See the excitement I can't contain? I'm actually squealing...LAKE WINNIE!!!!For those of you who don't know, Lake Winnepesaukah or Lake Winnie is a local amusement park. It has been around since 1925, and GrNanny used to go there when she was a little girl and so did Mommy. Of course it has changed in some ways, but is still the same in many others. I sort of hijacked her Mother's Day too and drug her and My Big Guy along for the fun. First off, Daddy and I rode the hot air balloons. Mommy chases us around and takes pictures....Last tally I heard for the day yesterday was 180. Don't worry, I won't include them all! Next up were the boats! Some of you may remember that we went to a small traveling carnival on Easter Sunday. It was fun, but nothing like this, and the boats at that carnival weren't working. I have talked about them ever since, and yesterday, I finally got my chance to ride the boats! It was more fun than I thought it would be. While I was waiting in line for my turn, I was jumping up and down and another squeal escaped me! Mommy said it was adorable to see.Then came the ladybugs. They went fast and the track that they are on is humpy. Fun!Check out My Big Guy chillin' in the background in his bright orange shirt and cool dude shades. I had a hard time relinquishing the steering wheel long enough to wave at Mom. I love, love, love riding the motorcycles. Mommy says I can ride one for real when I am 65. Can't wait!!The Silly Saucers were....you guessed it....silly! They are on these arms that go around at a slow speed, but there is a wheel in the center, kind of like a steering wheel, that makes each saucer go around individually. Daddy started off slow, but picked up some speed towards the end of the ride, and we were flying!!Next were the bumble bees. They start off low and then go high in the air when you move that bar that Daddy and I are holding on to. We opted to not go very high.We all went for a ride on the train. It goes around the perimeter of the park, and you can see all sorts of different views. This is the view from across the lake.Next, Daddy and I climbed way up high to go down this slide. Mommy wasn't sure if I would be big enough or brave enough to go down the slide by myself, but I was big enough, and holding Daddy's hand, I was brave enough too. When we got to the bottom, I jumped up and yelled "et's goagin!" or Let's go again for those of you who don't speak Jaxanese.While we were waiting in line to go down the slide, My Big Guy bought a ginormous tub of popcorn. When I saw it, I thought, "Yay! Snack time". Turns out it was to feed the fish. Now don't get me wrong, I ate my fair share of it, but it was sure fun to feed those fish and to hear Mommy and GrNanny go on and on about how those fish were probably the same fish they used to feed. They were great big fish!See?After the fish, we stood in line for a few minutes to ride the carousel. It was not a bad wait except the haunted castle is right next to it, and it has this horn that blows about every 30 seconds. It sounds like a fog horn. I was not terribly excited about that.Finally in the saddle, where I belong. I liked this carousel a lot. It didn't go as fast as some that I have ridden, and the music was not so loud. Plus, I could see all the things I had already done and the things I was going to get to do next.After the carousel, I picked the caterpillar. It is a kids sized roller coaster. Daddy had to ride with me, but that was o.k. because there were a couple of things about it that were a little scary to me. It's o.k. though, I'm sure I will try it again next time.Cheesy picture with Mommy and GrNanny. Thanks for letting me hi-jack "your" day!The next ride had a very long line, so Daddy stood in line while Mommy took me to the playground. It was awesome!! There were big slides, little slides, climbing walls, rope bridges, bongo drums, ramps, steps and all sorts of other things that a little guy likes to do.After the playground, I was thirsty! Good thing My Big Guy had bought me this coke in a giant guitar shaped cup! I've never had so much coke in my life combined, but today was a special day, and I enjoyed every sip of it!The final ride was the old timey cars. My Big Guy rode them with me just like he used to ride them with Mommy and Unc Bubba. Can you tell by the look on my face that I was worn. slap. out? We finished off the Lake Winnie experience with a stop at the gift shop to get me a cap. Once back at the car, Mommy changed my britches and cleaned my hands, buckled me in and we headed out. I didn't make it back to the freeway before I was sound asleep! We all finished up the night with supper out with Aunt Audi and Unc Bubba who had just gotten back from seeing JeanJean. What a day! I had a blast, and I hope Mommy and GrNanny had as wonderful a Mother's Day as I did!! I promise I'll post about the muddy face picture soon!

Love,

Jax

Just a Teaser...

Want to know what I've been up too? Here's a teaser...check back in a couple of days and I'll have lots more pictures up!

Chocolate Eggs and Bunnies and Cupcakes! Oh My!!

As promised, here are some pictures from our sp-egg-tacular Easter weekend. It was a whirlwind, and was jam packed with fun! It all started on Saturday when we were going to Nanny's house for our family Easter celebration and egg hunt. Now, for those of you who are just joining my blog, Nanny is my Great Grandmother. She will be 89 years old on April 9th, and we are just thrilled that she felt like having us all at her house. It was a beautiful day, so sit back, grab some peeps or chocolate bunnies, and live vicariously through me!

Mom spent all day Friday baking and decorating cakes. These are the fruits of her labor. Possibly the best thumbprint cookies on the planet. I like them, and I'm not a big fan of cookies. These are egg cupcakes that she made for everyone who was there. And because Nanny requested it, an egg cake. This was a good chance for Mommy to practice some of what she has learned in the cake decorating classes she and GrNanny have been taking. After we ate, we got to hunt eggs. Now last year I was too little to grasp the concept. Mommy and Daddy and GrNanny would just point at the eggs and tell me to pick them up. I did what they said. This year was a little different. While I still don't get the full grasp of running around the backyard and "finding" the eggs, I definitely did understand that the eggs had either candy or money in them. I did not understand that I should gather as many as I could and then open them up later. You see, this is the very first one I found. It had some coins in it, and I stopped hunting in order to pocket those coins. Let's get our priorities straight here... I found some more in the low places that were intended for me. Then I found one up high. Sometimes a guy just needs a little help. Thanks Aunt Audi for the assist! This one I found on my own. On a side note, isn't this a gorgemous bush? Nanny has some real beauties in her yard!

Look, Mommy! I found one!!

This is me saying, "CHEESE". Mommy kept trying to get me to stop for just a sec and say cheese, so I did!

Had to stop for a snack...mmmmmm....chocolate eggs!

Nanny had ziploc bags for all us kiddos to put our "stash" in when the egg hunt was over. Mommy and Daddy helped me open up all my eggs and sort the money from the candy. Nanny kept the eggs to refill and hide for next year! WhooooHooo!!!

This is me and two of my cousins, Kate and Maggie. My other cousin, Lawton was out for a ride in Unc Bubba's T-Bucket at the time we took this picture. He's cool, and was really sweet to share with me when he was passing the football with Unc Bubba.

Maggie is the diva of the four of us. She loves dancing, and was twirling around and around while telling me that I had squished bugs on my feet. I never did see them on my feet, but I definitely did take a look.

That night, I got my bath, and Mommy got my basket all ready to leave for the Easter Bunny. We left out two carrots and some of Mommy's thumbprint cookies and some milk. I tasted the milk and took a little nibble out of one of the cookies just to be sure they were yummy. I also licked both carrots, but they weren't as yummy. I hope he leaves me that bicycle helmet I want so badly!!

Mommy took this picture before I got up on Sunday morning of my haul. It was almost like Christmas!! He even found one of my favorite pappy's that I had lost.

"What do you mean he ate ALL of the cookies, drank ALL of the milk, and left me a stub of this yucky carrot?

Ohhhhh, this soft, fluffy bunny makes it better!

The Easter Bunny brought my long awaited helmet, and some wonderful gloves!!!!!

And Chocolate Bunnies!!! I can have this right now, for breakfast, right NOW???? RIGHT, MOM? .....Sure, go ahead!

Check out the size of this chocolate rabbit! Can I have this right now too, Mommy??...No, I don't think so.

Seriously, I want that rabbit right now.

A paint with water book. Cool! I can't wait to paint!

Duck Whistles!!

My newest cousin, James Lucas Underwood was being baptised at Red Bank United Methodist on Easter Morning, so we went to church with that part of our family. I was pretty good, better than Mommy and Daddy thought I would be. I was pretty content most of the service, as long as I got to wear my gloves! At least they match my outfit!

This is Jim, or Baby James as I call him, with his Mommy and Daddy, Rick and Kelli. He's really adorable, and I like to touch his feet!

Here he is getting baptised. Such a precious moment!

Afterwards, Jim took a little nap in his Daddy's arms and then was bright eyed and bushy tailed for his Mama. It was like he was playing peek-a-boo!

After church, we went to the Mountain City Club for lunch. I ate lots of steak, then jumped head long into this chocolate cupcake. Yum!!

The Easter Bunny was at the Mountain City Club, and I went to see him after I finished my lunch. Aunt Audi was walking me around so that Mommy could finish her lunch. We went upstairs and I suddenly remembered to tell the Easter Bunny that I got my gloves he left me. So, despite the club full of people eating their lunch, I proceeded to shout, "I got my gloves!" It was terribly adorable!

JeanJean was here for Easter this year, and it was Aunt Audi's birthday. Aren't they beautiful? Happy Birthday Aunt Audi!

A big squeeze and a big cheese with the birthday girl!

The group shot. We were all stuffed and tired and ready to go. Look at my Dada playing peek-a-boo! Silly Dada!

After a well earned nap, Mommy and Daddy had one more surprise for me. There was a carnival at the mall! Daddy and I both got arm bands so that we could ride as many rides as many times as we wanted.

These big guys reminded me of the dragons from dragon tales, so I wasn't afraid of them. Dad had to ride with me because I am too little, but they were fun! They go around in a big circle while spinning at the same time. Whoaaaaa!

There were lots of kiddie rides there too that I got to ride all by myself. This one was 4 wheelers, and I loved it! Mommy took this picture after the ride was over because every one she took of me going by had my eyes closed. She said "open your eyes and let me take your picture". Apparently my eyes and mouth are attached!

Flying Goldfish! These were just like a big version of the little snack crackers I love so. Wheee!!!

All Aboard!! I had to ride it twice to get to be the conductor, but it was worth it. Actually, this was the only ride that I cried when it was time to move on to another ride.

Daddy had to ride the carousel with me because I was too small to ride it by myself. Plus, the last time I was on a carousel, I was afraid and didn't enjoy it very much. None of that this time, I l-o-v-e-d it. It was the first and last thing we rode, and I was sad to see that ride end!

I think that's all for now. I hope you enjoyed it! Check back again soon because this spring is proving to be full of firsts. Today we went to a playground! I'll save that for another post though. Thanks for reading!

Love, Jax