Christmas Part I

  Merry Christmas!  We've had a great Christmas season, spending all of it with family.  The first part of break was spent with the Jones family (Jessika's parents) and then we traveled over to the west side to be with my family.  Sarah was able to join us for a few days out from Buffalo, NY while we were with the Jones family.  

Jackson had a great time throwing rocks into the Jones' pool.  Actually, he would throw everything in the pool, grass, socks, toys, anything he get his hands on before we could stop him.

Brighton $14 day

After finishing finals and finding out Brighton was offering $14 day passes for people who donate a new item for the homeless we decided to hit the slopes.  After my $2 pair of gloves I purchased and the $14 lift ticket, it made for a great deal.  The yellow wiggle is Stephen and the blue wiggle is Burke.  Brighton didn't have all the lifts open so it got a little crowded later in the day.  The conditions were great, packed powder on the groomed runs and a few freshies through the trees.  Combine that with the amazing hot chocolate Stephen brought, it made for a great day.  

Off one of the runs there is a great view of Heber valley.  The person we had take the picture couldn't really get the view real well because she was on the decline.  It's much better when you look over the edge.  

If only you could have seen the jump I was landing in this picture!!  It was a 360 backside grab off a front side rail!  I stuck the landing as the picture so perfectly portrays.

SNOW

We love playing in the snow!  We got about 8 inches over the weekend.  Caden loves to get a snow ball and then give me a mischievous grin.  

Jackson on the other hand, wasn't quite sure about the idea.  I was a little nervous about whether Caden was going to white wash him, but Caden was a good brother and left him alone. 

Jackson loves dishes

This kid loves to do dishes.  When ever we open the dishwasher he scurries over to climb up on the dishwasher door and starts to take things out.  What a weasel!  But we love him and he is so cute.

Bowling with the Hunter's

Caden is getting pretty good at bowling. he beat his nana!  Of course he had bumpers on his lane, but what's hilarious is so did nana!  They were on the same lane!  Caden 1, Nana 0

Clayton is teaching Caden how to pour the popcorn bucket into his mouth.  

Jackson Can't wait for Christmas.  He loved getting into the tree and taking ornaments off.

Dana's wedding

Here is Mickey and Caden, deep in thought as they gaze upon their reflections.  They had so much fun together.  They were both glad to have a friend to share their energy.

The Bride and Groom.  Congrats Dana and Mike.  Good Luck

Dana's wedding

Caden getting his wedding outfit on.  We asked him to smile for the camera and he struck a pose!  What a cute kid!

Jackson's all ready and checking himself out.  He wasn't sure about the neck tie.

Just walking around.  Dana had her wedding at Ashley Manor.  It was a very nice place with indoor and outdoor amenities.  Jackson was walking around in the grass, just exploring.

The bride's maids bouquet.  Jackson wanted to hold them and then realized they were kinda heavy for a little guy.  He liked to smell them and grab the roses and squeeze them in his little hands.  That destroyed my corsage, but oh well.

These two were just about to hit the dance floor.  The DJ was playing some rocking music and little Mickey was schooling everyone on the dance floor.  If only we would have taken a picture of that.  He knew the robot, the worm, and several others I don't even have names for.  

I've been tagged

4 places I've worked...

1.  Portrait Masters Incorporated-  I started this interesting job when I was young, maybe late elem. school age or  jr. high school.  I would line up kids that were in parks and rec little leagues, basketball, football and lead them to their photographer to get their picture taken.

2.  LifeGuard/Swim teacher- I worked at Desert Oasis Aquatic Center in Chandler for 4 summers starting at 15 yrs. old. 

3.  Nanny-  I was a nanny every summer, starting at the age of 18yrs. up until Caden was born.  It was so fun taken care of the twins, I really miss them.

4.  Now my job is a mom and I am also a Mary Kay beauty consultant-  I love my job, it makes me so happy, I wouldn't change it for the world.  

4 places I've lived...(or 7 places, sorry, got a little carried away)

1.  Las Vegas, NV (where I was born)

2.  Tucson, AZ

3.  Gilbert, AZ

4.  Rexburg, ID

5.  Provo, UT

6.  Houston, TX

7.  Salt Lake City, UT 

4 favorite TV shows... (we do not own a TV, but I do watch some on the internet)

1.  Lost- I am looking forward to the next season

2.  24

3.  Friday Night Lights-  I love it too Alissa, I love the high school drama, it is hilarious.

4.  House

4 movies I want to see...

**I have no idea what movies are out, I usually just have Nick tell me what he wants to see, because he is the one who watches the movie trailers.

4 favorite foods...

1.  Ice cream, I would take that over any other dessert.

2.  Mexican, I really am liking Bajio's lately

3.  I love a juicy, tender steak, like outback

4.  I love a nice deli sandwich, like Paradise Bakery, or Jason's Deli

4 places I'd rather be...

1.  On a cruise with all my friends (no children)

2.  Europe

3.  In a tropical climate, relaxing on the beach, reading a book, and drinking ice water and munching on fresh fruit.

4.  In a cabin, drinking hot cocoa, by the fire and talking and laughing with my family

Shout out to all my Cougar Fans!!

After the incredible victory against the Utes, I have to congratulate the Cougs on a great effort and even better performance! I watched the game with my father-in-law (Cougar fan by default) and numerous Utah fans in the Utah student Union (that's right, I was a foreigner in an unwelcome land) on a big screen. I couldn't describe to you the looks I received after the Utah touchdown with a 1:36 remaining. Haughty, indignant, words that don't really give the looks I received justice. But those of you who know true, arrogant Ute fans can relate. But let me describe to you the elation I experienced when on 4th and 18, a scambling Max Hall found an elusive Austin Collie for something like a 49 yard gain! I leaped from my chair, only to release a mute cheer (trying not to rub in the great play and remaining hope of a consecutive Cougar victory). Then two yellow flags and a 3 yard run play later... Unga charges the end zone like an angry hippo! Again, out of my chair, pumping both fists violently in the air, then excusing myself to the back of the room so as not to offend my fellow heart broken Utes with my victory dance and attempts at containing my joy! What a great game!

Reflections on Jackson's first year

Here are reasons why we love Jackson...
J- joyful, likes to laugh just because everyone else is (and he has no idea why)
A- adorable, big blue eyes, fabulous facial expressions, what more could you want?
C- cuddly, I'm talking teddy bear style!
K- kind, always willing to share
S- smiley, loves to flash his pearly whites
O- ooohhh, is his favorite response to action
N- nearby, loves interaction with people

Jackson's 1st Birthday

Happy Birthday Jackson. Karen made some banana bread cupcakes with yellow creme cheese frosting. It was a Curious George themed birthday.
He just dove right in! He had a little taste of the frosting and that was all he needed. With two fistfuls of cupcakes he inaugurated his birth.
And loved every minute of it!
He wanted the hat on so we put it on. He tried to take it off but couldn't reach it with his little, stumpy arms and then forgot about it.
Caden was far more excited to open presents than Jackson. Caden had a tough time at first realizing it was for Jackson and not for him, but after some discussion he did a good job helping Jackson open his presents.
Getting ready to do come games, Jackson liked to hold on to the stuffed Curious George.
Opening his new step stool. Just like the one Caden got at his first birthday. Jackson liked the big box.
Just trying to take it all in. He is now walking all around. Caden no longer uses him as a tackling dummy when he stands up. (Mostly because when he does he goes into "timeout").
This little toy plays music. Jackson loves it and it was the first time we've seen his dance moves. Initially he would sit and rock back and forth. But when the music plays when he is standing he bobs up and down.
We played pin the butterfly on George. He was okay with the mask for about 5 seconds, then he wanted it off.
Grandpa did pretty well.
I had Caden help me.
Grandma ended up winning. She was awesome!
We tried to have Jackson drop the little Georges into a pot on the ground (not shown). He never really let go so we had to wiggle him to force a fumble. Caden loves this game.

BYU vs. TCU

I took Caden to the BYU vs. TCU game Thursday night.  He slept the whole way down and then we ate at Winger's before the game.  He loved the nuggets and fry's before the game and the hot chocolate and licorice during the game.  It was a fun night and even better that BYU won!  

GO COUGS!!

Saturday Night Bowling

Bowling was a blast. It was so entertaining watching Caden get so excited to have his turn. It was hard for him to have mommy and daddy have a turn. He always asked if he could have a turn. It was so cute. After we finished and were walking outside he said "bowling is fun, I want to do it again tomorrow."

This is "the slide" for Caden's bowling ball. He would push the ball so hard it would jump when it hit the lane.
Here is Nick not wanting me to take a picture of him. But my sweet hubby let me take a pic for our blogs sake.

Corn Belly's Corn Maze

My friend Nadia and I had a play date with our kids at Corn Belly's Corn Maze last Friday. It was so fun. The farm was pretty empty. No one was there, probably because it is after Halloween and it also closes for the year the following day. We enjoyed all of the activities. The boys loved the cow train. Nadia and I rode it too, it was really bumpy, it shook everything:)

Jackson loved climbing on the cow bench while we waited for Caden and Ethan to finish the cow train.


Now this was a neat activity that the boys played an hour with. You pump water out of the water pump and the water pressure pushes the rubber ducks across the narrow half pipe to the other side. Great teamwork boys!
Caden is lassoing a bull head. I got to say he has good form for his first time roping.
My child goes down slides every which way his body lets him. He goes backwards, headfirst, sideways. This is him being a somewhat spider-man.