Mason

What an elf! He is obsessed with the Santa hat, wearing it as much as humanly possible during the waking hours. I make him take it off to eat and to sleep. He said that when he grows up, he wants to be Santa.

He is loving:

reading little words like "if" and "it"

singing Christmas songs, lately its been "The First Noel"

eating Mickey Mouse chicken every single day for lunch. Gets his own plate and runs the microwave himself (while being closely supervised, b/c he likes to punch random numbers and chicken doesn't take 23 minute to cook)

sneaking snacks, that's what he calls getting into the fruit snacks when I'm not paying attention

taking showers instead of baths (hallelujah!)

praying for Timmy on his mission, Mason says, "Bless Timmy's gift of tongues to be safe"


He is NOT loving:

blending letter sounds, he will read his little words, not interested in sounding out big words yet

staying in his own bed, 2 or 3 times a week over the past month, he's in Marissa's room in the morning

sticking his nose in the corner when he speaks rudely (that's good, he's not supposed to like it!)

My little fella

orange julius mustache, isn't it grand?

I'm not vain enough to think that its my tantalizing wit and astute observations that keep the readers of this blog coming back. Its mostly cuz my kids are cute. So without further ado, here's the latest run down on Joe. (and posts about my M&M twins are coming soon)

He loves:

dad, such a daddy's boy
bath time
yogurt, mashed potatoes, lasagna, pancakes, cinnamon rolls (eating in general)
talking on Marissa's fake princess cell phone
yelling at Squirty from inside the house (wonder where he gets that from)
reading Brown Bear every night before bed
saying, "down" and "no"
giving and receiving high fives
giving kisses (last night, I got 7 smooches before he laid down, what luck!)

He doesn't love:

trying to walk, wants NOTHING to do with that business
tons of teeth coming in at once
being unmedicated while said teeth are coming in
Santa Claus, bawled his eyes out when he sat on his lap (pictures to be forthcoming)
getting scolded (gently) for dumping all the dog food in the dog water

Thanksgiving 09

When we told Travis' parents we weren't coming up for Thanksgiving this year, they said, no problem, we'll just come down to your house! So Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Troy, Aunt Carrie, Paige, Janel, Aly, Payton and Alek made the 8 hour drive and we had a Jackman Family Thanksgiving in St.George this year! Boy was it fun! Here's the low down:



apparently, my good china is put away. As in I can't remember where I put it. Nice.
I can't help myself, I love a good cheeseball. Whipped out the appetizers around 11:30 and ate at 2:00, perfect!
When I was growing up, I remember on many Thanksgivings my mom had me color myself a brown paper bag Native American outfit. I loved it! My kids and the cousins loved it too.
Grandma helped everyone with the designs.

We also had another project, turkey thumbprint place cards. Big hit. Thanks to google and searching for turkey crafts, I found this gem. They turned out darling. I wanted to involve the kids and have something fun for them do to so they weren't bored (ok, really, so they weren't running around in the kitchen.)
Here is Grandpa with his shadow. Joe was enamored with him and followed him everywhere! I was coming up the stairs with Joe and he practically LEAPT out of my arms to get to grandpa. Glad he's not overly attached to me or anything. Geez, what am I, chopped liver?

modeling their Thanksgiving fashions.
cranberry sauce. How did I live without it? All I remember was the rubbery, can indented slop that my mother insisted on setting out every year when I was a child. No thanks. But the stuff I made this year (can you say e-a-s-y?) was so yummy, it made the meal for me. Once we were out of cranberry sauce, I didn't want anymore left-over turkey. Can't wait for Christmas to have it again. And we had a pumpkin roll, a chocolate cream pie, a banana cream pie, and a coconut cream pie for dessert. Carrie has mad crazy pie skills.

Here is the star of our show. Despite me not owning a roaster (blush) my MIL's electric roaster did the trick and Travis even said, and I quote, "Its the best turkey ever!"
Well done electric roaster, well done.
We hit some stores on Friday morning (scored at Old Navy!) and Janet picked up a gingerbread man kit. Saturday night she whipped it out and the kids had a ball. Nothing says fun times like frosting plus candy plus 6 kids.
Troy's family left Friday afternoon to head down to Vegas. Their oldest daughter Chelsea is going to school in AZ and met them in Vegas. Jade, who was in AZ spending Thanksgiving with Chelsea and their mom's family, rode back to our house so that she could head back up with Troy's family to Idaho. She's a freshman at Idaho State in Pocatello and is such a cute, cute girl. Glad we got to see her, if only for a little while. Here's Troy with Jade on the left and Paige with her tye dye on the right. Everyone went to Sacrament meeting and left Sunday at 11. It was a super fun holiday weekend!! Food, football and family, what else is there?
When cousins come, Marissa disappears. Vanishes. Gone. Everything is cousins. Most of the time, I think its very cute. When they stay up late talking when they should be sleeping (which means they will be grumpy the next day) its not as cute. But what do you do? That's life. And that's what they'll remember about their childhood, the giggling together after the lights were out.
Janet and Marley came Tuesday to help me get ready for everyone. I couldn't have done it without them, thanks so much!

It is physically impossible to get a decent picture of Mason. He is one whacky kid. And while I'm talking about his whacky antics, I will share this one with you. He sings at the top of his lungs (lately Andy Williams Christmas Carols) while doing the boom boom nasty in the bathroom. At.the.top.of.his.lungs. We're talking at least several renditions of "Happy Holidays" and "Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." The singing pooper, that's my boy.

Turkey Day

Today I ate a little too much. Today I am grateful for double ovens. Today was a wonderful holiday full of family and cream pies. Hope your day was equally fabulous.

My 10's of Thanks, part 2

part deuce

10 Things I am Grateful for that money CAN buy:

1. Tivo. Don't know how I lived without it, it is so stinkin' fabulous! and a sidenote, I am loving Community. Abed might be my favorite.

2. My cell phone, specifically my new cell phone. It has a keyboard, I heart it. I love having a cell phone. I can call while I'm at the store, "What size was that again?" or "They have 5 different razor blade refills, which one do you want?" Amazingly convenient. Its going to be weird telling my kids what we all did before everyone had cell phones.

3. Make-up. I am grateful for all the very cool products out there that smell nice, shimmer, conceal, enhance, beautify and sparkle. Being a girl is marvelous.

4. Food. I am grateful for a kitchen that is fully equipped with fun gadgets, drawers chock full-o cook books, and a fridge/freezer/pantry full of ingredients. It makes me insanely happy to make and eat and share food. Just ask Travis about the fatty hand clapping.
BTW Marissa does it now too.

5. Vision correction. I am grateful for contact lenses. Just had my recent annual eye exam and my RX is worse this year. Drat. My right eye now takes a toric lens (thank you astigmatism inherited from my dad) which, of course, are astronomically more expensive than regular contacts. But the fact that someone invented contacts, and they are in my prescription, are comfortable and allow me to see 20/15 (that's right, eat your heart out) well, that's pretty dang awesome. Sure beats coke bottle glasses any day.

6. Books. My friend Amberly did a cute post the other day about books and I should just copy and paste it here because I echo those exact sentiments. There is something special about going into a book store and just smelling the newness of all the books. I could NEVER get a kindle or something akin to it because that just defeats the purpose of cozy-ing up with a good book. How can you cozy up with an cold, metal device? You can't. Hand me a book, some hot chocolate and a fuzzy blanket and I very well may never get up again.

7.A good baby-sitter. Worth.every.penny. I have total peace of mind that everything is going to be just fine while we are gone. Everyone is always where they are supposed to be when I come home, the toys are picked up and I didn't have to do it myself! I will be mighty sad when he gets too old/busy for me to monopolize his time. My kids are always excited to see him. And so I am.

8. Hot Chocolate. You might think, but #5 was food. Hot chocolate deserves its very own number. Its that wonderful. I have it down to a science; 8oz, 2 minutes in the micro, 3 heaping spoonfuls, stir it up, add cream until its full to the top. Perfect, just the right hotness, creaminess and chocolatey-ness.

9.Footed jammies. I cannot resist them. Joe loves them too. Its make him the toastiest, snuggliest boy. Its a sad day when babies outgrow them. I just want this phase to last forever.

10. Airplanes. How else will I get to London? I'm not *snort* taking a boat, that's for @#$% sure! Flying makes the world a better, more accessible place. And flying first class would be even better but until that money tree starts sprouting in the back-yard, coach will have to do.

My 10's of Thanks, part 1

I have done this a few years. I didn't bother to check and see if I'm duplicating anything from my previous lists but who cares? What, the God Of Blogging says my lists have to be different each year? I can't be thankful for the same things year after year? HHmmmm?
My blog, my rules. :)

10 Things I am Grateful for that money can't buy:

1. Voting. I am so glad I live in a country where women can vote. This month I voted in our little town's city council elections. The mayor ran un-opposed and the incumbent council members won re-election. But hey, I VOTED and I got my nifty sticker to prove it.

2. Teaching Sunday School. A bunch of 14 year olds actually make my Sundays a lot of fun. I really enjoy my hour with them. Who knew? They are intelligent, ask great questions and I can see their wheels turning, processing information. Glad I can be part of their Sunday.

3. Freshly Bathed Kids. Enough said.

4. My health. My friend Christa was diagnosed mere weeks ago with stage 3A Breast Cancer and already she has undergone a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery; to be followed by chemo AND radiation. She is 31 years old, has 4 kids and has the best attitude you could possibly imagine. How grateful I am for my (and my family's) health. You are in our constant prayers Christa, Morgan and kids.

5. Book Club. Oh how I love you ladies of the Book Club. We talk about any and everything, (sometimes, even the book! ha ha!) There is always fabulous food and if possible (Robyn's pumpkin roll was mighty impressive) even better conversation. Thanks to those who hostess each month and those who come and share their insights. I look forward to it all month long.

6. Volunteering at my kids school. Its downright fun. Whether we are rhyming words, matching starting sounds or making books about farm animals, its hilarious to listen to them. Last week, one little boy told me I was beautiful and so was my daughter. Folks, you can't make this stuff up.

7. Blogging. This little corner of the world wide web is mine, all mine. I can vent, share, brag, giveaway and so much more. Thanks to blogspot for making it all possible.

8. My husband's job. So that I don't have to work. So that we can live this little life we've become accustomed to and enjoy this house we call a home.

9. Good friends. Friends from elementary school, high school, Pocatello, BYU, and friends I've made here in southern Utah. I feel so extra-ordinarily blessed to have SO MANY amazing, talented, beautiful, compassionate friends in my life. Seriously, I have so many wonderful friends. Each one brings something different and fantastic into my life. I hope I can be as good as friend to them.

10. My family. The hubster, mom and pop, the kiddos, the cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, the whole fam damily. :) They are good people. Sometimes, even good people can make you shake your head in awe of their craziness, but OVERALL, they are wonderful and I am very blessed to be in this family. I am a lucky woman to be married to such a great guy, he deserves a gold star for putting up with us all.

Keeping Christmas alive

I know its still November, but I'm posting some tips about keeping Christ in Christmas this year. I love the quote,
"If being Christian was a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

Here are a few ways Christians can have a more Christ centered holiday season.

#1. The book of Luke has 24 chapters. Read one a day until Christmas Eve. Its a terrific way to focus of Jesus Christ himself, reading of His earthly ministry. On Christmas Eve, our family reads about the Nativity, the version found in Luke, chapter 2. We also act it out with our kids, its always a hit.

#2. When buying Christmas cards, buy ones that use the word "Christmas" and not "Seasons Greetings" or "Happy Holidays." If you stop buying cards that say Christmas, guess what, they'll stop making them! In fact, I don't even buy cards any more. I do a letter and a photo every year because I had so much trouble finding Christmas cards that had a festive/faith promoting tone. It seemed they were either too jingle belley or too religiously stuffy. My point is, whether you buy cards, write a letter, send a photo, whatever, make sure people aren't confused about what holiday you are celebrating! Its Christmas, not Arbor Day!

#3. Even if they are little, let your children buy/make presents for other family members. How are they supposed to learn that giving feels so great if they never have the opportunity to give? I'm taking my kids to the dollar store to pick out presents for each other.

#4. Help your kids pick some of their own (gently used) toys or if you have the opportunity, take them shopping and let them each pick out something to give to a less fortunate child. Let them be involved with the wrapping (if possible!) and donating of the gift so they can see the whole process. Talk about how nice that boy or girl will feel when they see a Christmas present under their tree just for them.

#5. Music. I have Christmas CDs in the van and at home. We have already started listening to them and my kids love it. Every time a new song comes on, Mason would say, "Mom, is this another Christmas song? I love Christmas songs!" Music is one of the most amazing and effective ways to invite the Spirit of Christmas into your home. For me, Christmas time means a lot of kitchen time which is perfect music time! Right now, I'm loving the new Sting CD "If on a winter's night" and another CD I absolutely love is "The Essential Now That's What I Call Christmas" with some hits as the Jackson 5's "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
(Lisa, I thought of you!)
Growing up, even though we were a small, 3 member choir (me, mom and dad) we sang all the time in the car. Singing "The 12 Days of Christmas" on the way home from church is one of my favorite childhood memories. Also, at bedtime, with each child I normally do a primary song and then prayer. But at Christmas time, we pick a Christmas song instead, and that becomes our new special bedtime song. Mason has claimed "Silent Night" as his song and Marissa has "Away in a Manger" as hers. This starts a discussion also, we can talk about what those songs mean.

There are countless other ways to find the Spirit of Christmas, the point is to start now before the month of December is half way over! I'd love to hear your ideas!
How do you keep Christ in Christmas?