The Jackson Family

It's Summer Time

2010-12-26T22:30:00.000-08:00

This is my brother Andrew who talked Marc into sliding down with him. He took us to slippery rock. He knows the guy that owns the property where this waterfall is. We had to hike about an hour to get there and it was sooo hot. Then the water was freezing cold. But it felt good and we had tons of fun...even jumped off the cliff a little bit.

Jefferson

Again my brother took us to his friends pool and played. I taught Jefferson to do flips.

We also went to the olympic practice pools. We swam for about 1 1/2 hour until it decided to downpour on us.

McKenna jumping off the platform.

Brynn

Marc

2010-12-23T08:10:00.000-08:00

Playing with cousins is a must! My sister and I sat on the back porch swing while all the kids played in the backyard. This is what summer is all about! We talked and laughed all night long!

We were amazed at all the fun outdoor games they came up with...no need for video games here! Even after bbq dinner we were still outside playing after dark games like flashlight tag.

Boys playing tag without shirts...I told my sis that this was this best represents summer days!!!

MTC

2010-09-16T23:03:00.000-07:00

Yes...you can be jealous!!! Even though the mission home doesn't let families go in the MTC anymore, we recieved special permission to bring Tory early and walk him in. I've heard how strong the spirit is there, but you don't understand it until you've felt it. And the minute we drove in the parking lot we felt the wave of the spirit start. It was beautiful!! Here are Paige, Brynn and McKenna...future sister missionaries/wives of missionaries.

Tory is so blessed to have two huge families that love and support him. He's such a wonderful example to these future missionaries. Aren't they handsome!!! Whooo Hooo!!!

We are also so blessed to have Tory as our missionary.

After Tory was in the MTC for 2 wks the twins went to EFY just down the block at BYU. Everytime they saw the missionaries out they would scan "the crowd" for Tory. Then the day we picked up the twins from EFY we drove by the MTC and saw "the crowd" playing soccer. Tory had written us a letter saying he played soccer every morning for their excersize time. We drove through the parking lot, but we did not see him. ( Shhh, don't tell)

June Happenings

2010-06-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

So much happened in the month of June, and I won't be able to blog about them all. But here a few fun things.. We took Jeff to a baseball game (Father's Day gift), where Jefferson paraded on the field with his team.

Enjoyed Brynn's ballet recital, Aladin. I love watching her dance, it brings tears to my eyes.

Watched the amazing Dance Festival, Firm Foundation, twice. The girls were amazing, all the dances were amazing and the spirit was so strong. I wish I could have watched it a third time. And of course, I cried at this dance performance too.

Took a last minute quick trip to Utah, to be with Tory when he went through the temple. Wonderful!!!

It was the end of preschool for Marc and the whole class sang songs for the parents about bugs. It was adorable and Marc can't wait to be in the 4 year old class. He's already asking about when it will start.

New Pots and Pans

2010-05-07T07:20:00.000-07:00

For months, I have been asking, looking, researching, shopping, waiting for sales and saving for a new set of pans. I have been cooking on the same pans for 16 years. They were so old and used I'm sure we were eating flakes of the pan with our dinner...and they were becoming deformed. It's about time I got a new set!!!

I was so excited that I was singing and dancing around all day long. My kids have probably never seen me so happy. It's amazing was a little thing like a new, good pot will do!! (Some might agree in more ways than one.)

I opened the box, laid them and myself on the floor and just stared. I was also sooo excited to tell my family what an awsome deal I got too . Because I watched sales, and used just the right coupon I saved over $100 on this set, and I recieved to bonus pans!! I'm becoming quite the coupon shopper lately. They are absolutely as fabulous to cook on as I dreamed. I've been using them all week and I don't even mind hand washing them after dinner. In fact, I haven't even let the kids wash them yet. LOVE THEM!!! (The pans and the kids, of course)

Disney Land Adventure

2010-05-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

Last day at Disney, all the kids are sad.And the parents, a little thankful. After six days everybody was exhausted.

Pretty much the best driver ever. - paige☺

Mallaboomer! The kids would want to ride this over and over again to get ready for the Tower of Terror.

Buzz Lightyear ride, one of the favorite rides at the Disney.

Our first day at Disneyland. Kids were excited and ready to get into the park.

While walking through downtown disney jeff spotted a familiar face. The McCormicks! Family friends that we havn't seen in a long time. So we decided to catch up with them at dinner. Its a small world after all.

Brynn Jackson: Everyday Hero

2010-04-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

Brynn was on the news...check it out...we are so proud of her!!!

http://www.katu.com/news/specialreports/89820942.html?tab=video

Attitude of Gratitude

2010-01-27T20:16:00.000-08:00

Have the mid-winter blues (aka NW liquid sunshine, winter gray/blues) got you down? ME TOO!!! I hate feeling crummy and like I don't want to get out of bed. I don't make New Years resolutions. But I am trying to step it up and be better in all areas, nutritionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. So, to try and combat the "depressional blues", I have started a gratitude journal. Nothing fancy I just try to write at least one thing about my day (simply on my calendar) that I appreciated. (My family does this for the month of Nov. and it helps) Here are some so far.
I am grateful for...
Day 1 Family get togethers at the Jacksons and my sister getting engaged
Day 2 A quick nap in the afternoon after getting up at 5am to play with the dog, help and see my girls off to seminary and excersize.
Day 3 Twins basketball and Girls night out at the movies (Leap Year)
Day 4 Marc singing "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam"
Day 5 the kids helping me destress by putting me in bed and bringing me a healthy dessert (apple with a touch of ice cream sprinkled with cinnamon)
Day 6 being able to jump on the trampoline with Marc on a sunny day, then on to making cupcakes with him (he loves to stir with the new red spoon he got from X-mas bingo)
Day 7 Visiting with friends that I've known for 10 yrs and spiritual discernment
Day 8 when prayers are actual conversations with Heavenly Father
Day 9 yummy homemade stew
Day 10 Nursery rhymes coming to life.. I felt like the Pied Piper today when I started on a walk with my 3 kids and ended with 3 more neighbor kids... fun, fun, fun!!!

Christmas Lip Sync

2010-01-04T20:57:00.000-08:00

We had a blast this year creating our video. I have to say that after 6 years we finally got through this with out any mishaps or stress....YEAH!!!

Christmas

2009-12-28T17:50:00.000-08:00

The kids were teary eyed when daddy gave them this new puppy. They named her Mollee

I was worried Marc wouln't be so nice to her...we only had to put him in time out 3 times to punish him for throwing her...3times..He loves to hold her.

Brynn and Jefferson have been busy making me a present and kept telling me how excited they were to give it to me... I love my new Nativity Set...Isn't it beautiful!!

Snuggies for Christmas are the BEST!!

Santa Cookies

2009-12-27T17:16:00.000-08:00

Brynn

Paige

Kenna

Jefferson

Every Christmas Eve we decorate sugar cookies for Santa. Thys and Marc would decorate then eat their cookies immediatly.

Lip Sync Craziness!

2009-12-23T22:30:00.001-08:00

Marc practicing his "bollywood" dance for our video.

Tory being, well Tory. We went crazy with the costumes this year, and this one had to be one of the best.

After being in dad's office for a long time waiting for the green screen to be ready, the kids got restless, and soooo hungry. We ordered pizza and then they were ready to go.

This was the hard part, trying to get the make-up off! As soon as Jeff edit way into the night, we'll try and post our lip sync video for you.

2009-12-23T22:25:00.000-08:00

...and Brynn beat everybody... with the bumpers of course. It was a fun day at big Al's.

Christmas Adam

2009-12-23T22:17:00.000-08:00

Jefferson has become quite the bowler. Every time I give him tips, he puts them to use.

Marc LOVES to bowl... he even puts his finger in the right spot.

Paige doesn't use bumpers anymore...lol...good girl!!!

Mckenna still needs them but refuses.... good form girl!!!

Tory wants his own bowling ball...the one with the skull in it. He hates to bowl but loves to make fun of himself...he trying to get the bowling ball to spin and rotate.

Nativity Birthday

2009-12-20T15:52:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks before my birthday my mom called and asked, "How would you like me to come visit you for you birthday?" I immediatly started crying for joy because it was right in the middle of when Jeff would be out of town for 2 weeks. (This year will be the 6th year in a row he would miss it). We had a blast together. Went to the Craft fair at the Expo center, shopping, crafts, movie, dinner, lunch, long talks, basketball games,and a visit to the Festival of Nativities, (one of our favorites, I love going every year around my birthday and is a wonderful start to the holiday). She helped me cook, and clean and did my laundey. In fact the twins said, "She didn't come here to do your laundry mom!" I know but that's just what moms do. I consider my mom my best friend and she always uplifts my spirit. This year she was truly an angel. I told her she was my saving grace. (It's always terribly hard when Jeff leaves for so long) Thanks mom!! You're the best, I love you!!!

Christmas Preparations

2009-12-20T15:34:00.000-08:00

Jeff had to leave town right after Thanksgiving so I asked him pretty please to put up the lights and tree before he left. He lovingly obliged. The kids and I decorated the tree while listening to holiday music. Since I'm technically challenged I couldn't figure out how to take a picture of all of us in front of our decorated tree. Everyone took turns being the "photographer" including Marc. I can't fit all the funny pictures they took but it was fun trying. I usually make the gingerbread house from scratch but Im trying to simplify.

2009-11-23T19:13:00.000-08:00

Brynn threw this costume together at the last minute so we could go to the Boo Bash in downtown Camas. It was very crowded, but we found Brynn's twin. It was fun and as in tradition we ended our trick or treating at Dairy Queen for a free ice cream cone.

Halloween Party

2009-11-23T19:08:00.000-08:00

Marc wanted to be the "blue batman"

McKenna and Paige made their outfit 29 min. before the party. Pretty good huh? Then when we got there, lo and behold.. another set of "Things"

This is Caden, Paige, Mckenna then Hunter. The boys are in our ward and have become wonderful friends.

Half Moon Cay

2009-10-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

Carribean Vacation

2009-10-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jeff and all his hard work and planning, we had a fabulous vacation cruise to the Eastern Carribean. Jeff told me to keep it a secret then 2 days later he couldn't stand it anymore and told the kids himself.

Carribean Vacation

2009-10-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

Jeff surprised the family with a cruise to the Eastern Carribean. The kids were so excited to be missing school for this adventure in the sun. Thanks daddy you're the best.