We went out to Jacksonville yesterday.
They do really cool stuff out there on the weekends this time of year.
Like serving hot apple cider and roasted chestnuts (to stick in your pockets and keep your hands warm).
And they have horse drawn carriage rides around town.
That might be my favorite picture of the day (the horse sneezed on poor Courtney while she was trying to pet it).
(bad lighting, but my Dad sure looks handsome).
And Santa is there (Annie wants absolutely nothing to do with Santa).
And there's a really great toy store in town.
But even in such a magical place...
You (ie. Cole) can still land yourself in time-out if you're being mean to your sister.
Annie may not care for Santa, but she is a big fan of stuffed animals and toy stores.
And Grandmas.
And swings.
And so are the big boys.
And posts from the last two years in Jacksonville...makes me so happy I blog: 2005 (only a couple of those pictures are from Jacksonville) and 2006.
i love the pictures from this place and i love that i recognize it from previous posts on your blog....and i love seeing ALL of you together in one picture....and i am wondering if josh will somehow manage to wear Beavers garb to your wedding :)
oh, and i love being the first comment too...:) love you!
Posted by: Tanya Webster | December 17, 2007 at 10:13 AM
Thank you so much for sharing your family with us. I love seeing familiar places in Oregon!
Posted by: Tracy Livingston | December 17, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Hey if I don't chat at ya before Christmas, I wanted to be sure and wish you and your entire family a Very Merry Christmas :)
Posted by: Brooke - in Oregon | December 17, 2007 at 10:54 AM
I love Jacksonville! I have a friend who lives there, and I love to visit! Great pictures! I think it is fantastic that Ross still is willing to go with you on these adventures! He must be a pretty special kid! But I am sure they all are! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Terri B in Oregon | December 17, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Another fun family outing! Thanks for sharing.
My dd has the same dress as Annie. Love Baby Gap! :)
Posted by: Sally | December 17, 2007 at 12:06 PM
LOVE, love, love the picture of Courtney walking by the toy store w/hot drink in hand.
Merry Christmas to your whole fam!
Posted by: carrie hicks | December 17, 2007 at 01:01 PM
You make me want to visit these places!
Chloe also wants nothing to do with Santa, and we get a kick out of her reaction whenever he's mentioned. So we mention it a lot. She's told us that she 'don't like Santa', and 'daddy bring me presents'. Smart little one, there :)
Posted by: shabbyVTchic | December 17, 2007 at 01:19 PM
Annie's hair is getting so long! I love it!
Posted by: Kara B. | December 17, 2007 at 02:14 PM
Karen- Took the kids last week. I thought "Father Christmas" (that's what the J-ville chamber of commerce called him) was rather frightening myself. How about you? : ) Although when my son told him he didn't know what he wanted for Christmas Father Christmas told him "when you know just think about it really hard and I will know." Thought that was sweet. Merry Christmas. -Alisa
Posted by: Alisa Logue | December 17, 2007 at 03:34 PM
Wow, looks like a wonderfully quaint place to visit! That photo of Annie on the swing is one of my absolute favorites! :)
Posted by: Diane | December 17, 2007 at 07:17 PM
Karen,
I love looking at your pictures. Do you ever use a flash for inside pictures? I am taking pictures in AV mode and it seems like I get lots of noise. When I use my flash, the colors look washed out but the pictures are crisper and there is less noise. I have no idea what I am doing wrong. I am trying to desperately learn how to take low light pictures without a flash. Any suggestions. I just bought the 50mm f1.8 lens and will get that at the end of the week.
Posted by: Leslie | December 17, 2007 at 09:18 PM
i looooove courtney's coat, so stinkin cute!
Posted by: Sarah | December 17, 2007 at 09:25 PM
I looked back at your 2006 picture and Courtney has grown up a lot in a year. She really is a stunning little girl. I love the pic of her crossing her legs. You are amazing.
Posted by: Kim Hacking | December 17, 2007 at 09:58 PM
It's so nice to see pictures of all of you as a family, esp. when your in the photo..Just love that santa pic of Cole and Courtney, it's magical, almost like a postcard, and whoever that santa is he looks like a real Santa, can't stop looking at that photo, it could almost be a painting..Beautiful work.
Posted by: paola norman | December 17, 2007 at 10:37 PM
Awwww...your family is just so cute - I can't even pick a favorite out of those - excellent!
Posted by: Kirsten | December 18, 2007 at 05:26 PM
WOW such a magical place! Your so lucky to be able to go there!!! Love the photos! Thanks for sharing :)
Posted by: jenn | December 19, 2007 at 07:23 PM
oh my favorite place on Earth! Have you tried the pizza at Bella Union's ??? yum! Wow just thinking that I will be there this weekend makes my heart race.
It is wonderful that you appreciate the wonderful state that you live in! I see that in your travels. thanks so much for sharing!
---a Texas girl who left her heart in Oregon!
Posted by: Kristi | December 26, 2007 at 09:13 PM
Oh! Oh! That second to last swing shot!
Posted by: Molly | January 08, 2008 at 04:40 PM