Destructo

This is an older video . . .but Jacks is still destructive. Today he learned to throw things in the garbage, problem is that it isn't necessarily trash that he throws in . . .

What is the drive that makes kids NEED chaos all around them? Jackson won't play with blocks, legos, or anything like that, UNLESS we build something, THEN he will destroy it.

Too Much Fun

I have, in my life, been accused of having "too much fun." (to which I replied, is there such a thing as TOO MUCH fun???) My trip to Denver was just that.

As if meeting with 5 old roommates was not enough I fit in everything I wanted to do. First, I got to see MaryAnn and Ryan's new home! Ryan got a job working as an accountant for one of the BIG 4! He is an amazingly hard-worker! Their house is gorgeous (I'll admit I was a bit jealous of the stage they are at in their life . . . settling down, buying a house. . . having an income . . .)

My parents and sisters happen to be visiting the same weekend, so we all played (and of course I forgot to get a picture of Ryan OR MaryAnn :( Dayton and Jackson steal all the clicks!

The fun new pull toy . . . Jackson was convinced he could pull his lightweight cousin.

How would you like to wake up to this every morning. Their yard is gorgeous!

It took Jacks a minute to get use to the leaves, but then he couldn't keep them out of his hands, shirt, hair . . . and I'll even admit . . . his mouth!

We also went to a local pool to cool off from the icy 45 degree weather. We just love to see our kids be this happy!

I also met up with a friend from Hiroshima, Japan. She was such a help to me in Japan as a missionary. She became my special friend and taught me alot of Japanese. She would do splits with us and teach lessons with us. I learned on this trip that her mom ASKED her to be my friend because she was worried about me. (funny story: This lady, Sister Tanaka, came up and said "oh, you are a bean!" I had no idea what she was talking about so I start looking in my dictionary for "bean". My companion informed me that in Japan "greenies" are also called green beans, which is then shortened to "bean" . . . It was ENGLISH!)

Anyway, my friend Chiyo has a 1 year old Sean. It was so nice to catch up after many years. Is it sad that I didn't speak a single word of Japanese the whole night?

WOW! I even went to a haunted house! Just kidding, that is the Colorado temple . . . not really sure why it is glowing green. I have been there before, but not inside. It was nice to feel the peace of the spirit that is in all temples.

What do you think? Is there such a thing as "too much fun"?

Please Stand Up.

Here is a little exercise I would like to try . . .

Please stand up if you had roommates your freshman year of college.

Remain standing if:

1. You got along with your roommates

2. ALL of your roommates liked each other

2. You called your roommates after moving away.

3. You visited your roommates after moving away.

4. You lived with one or more of your roommates after freshman year.

5. You got ALL 6 roommates together for a 10 year reunion

6. You still all like each other.

7. You once posed together with 6 roommates with matching 'undies' sticking out of the top of your pants.

How far down the list did you get? Is anyone standing? I didn't think so, but I AM!

I just had the most amazing weekend/flashback to '99 college dorm life. Six people (plus a few extra kids) flew/drove in for hours to be together for 2 days in Colorado.

We looked through old pictures and laughed hysterically.

One of the roommates found a list of 100 memories from freshman year that I had written. We went through them one by one for hours (yep we were up past 2 am 2 nights in a row . . isn't THAT a flashback . . . except I had to wake up at 7:00 am to a needy baby :) ). We laughed (but didn't cry) and relived memories long forgotten.

We caught up on where life has taken us and what we have learned in our 10 years of being 'grown ups'.

We ate like piglets (just like we used to except now we can cook . . . or at least Chan's mom can!)

and had LOTS of dessert. Especially BTS cake (email me if you want the recipe or the meaning of BTS)

To the bestest, hottest girls of E Richards 219- Jen, Stac, Linds, Chan, Katherine and James

This weekend was a miracle and one of my all time favorite events! BONUS!

Love you and see you in 5 years for sure!

Here's what I don't get

How can a kid who can't tell the difference between a Coupe car and a Barbie car, meticulously pick out small, soft chunks of carrots carefully mixed in (hidden) with similarly-cut bits of hot dog(without tasting it before), throw them over board and proceed to eat the (nutritious?) hot dog?

Size Matters

The first part of the video shows you Jackson's background with cars . . . not super entertaining, but make sure you watch the end . . .

How do you explain that to a 15 month old? (Happy 15 months today Jackson!) No wonder kids are easily frustrated! Life throws all sorts of curves at them . . . just when they learn how to use their past experience to succeed . . .

Big Shoes to fill

Jackson has some big shoes to fill in his life . . .and not just because his dad has size 14 feet!

Dave is an incredible father and provider. I just wanted to give a shout out to him (it's the only way I can get him to read our blog) and tell you 10 things he does that I love and admire about him.

10. Ever since school started Dave goes to bed late and gets up EARLY. He lives on very little sleep and never complains about the sacrifices it takes to do what he does.

9. When this guy cleans . . . the house is emaculate! I love how everything has it's place and he leaves nothing undone!

8. He loves to play with Jackson and make him feel loved. He is fun and has a lot of energy with him (is that where Jacks gets it?)

7. He helps us to make a budget and tracks our finances perfectly.

6. If there is ever a situation I don't want to handle (talking to a salesperson, etc) he will do it kindly and happily. He doesn't get flustered or treat the other person badly. He is genuine and real with them (and he does if for me when I don't want to :) )

5. He's handsome . . . tall, dark and handsome. . .

4. He is patient with me. When he apologizes, it is from the heart and sincere.

3. Dave is gone again this weekend while puts himself out there for job interviews again. I know it isn't easy when rejections happen, put he keeps doing it (again, without complaining). He will be a good provider.

2. His committment to honesty and integrity are incredible. Even if he can get away with something, he believes it is more important to please God than man.

1. Dave is funny! He makes me laugh (and I should probably laugh MORE at him than I do). He makes light of life and is able to make happiness in our family.

A few of my favorite toys

Please begin singing now to the tune, "A few of my favorite things"

Toys with big buttons and bright shiny big screens

Toys that make noises and continue to sing

Stuffed animals all cuddly and soft,

this are a few of my favorite stuff!

Chairs I can climb up and tables to dance on

Couches to jump off and love sac to land on

pots, pans and spoons to bang, click and cling

these are a few of my favorite things!

When the battries die

when my mom sighs,

when I'm feeling bored

I simply look in new drawers to see what I find . .

and I'm sure that my mom don't mind!

Brotherly Love

I know that everyone has a sob story and this one definitely isn't the saddest one out there, but I still want to help my brother as much as possible. My little bro, Tyler, graduated from BYU in April with a business management degree. He had been looking for jobs ever since. His wife just had their first baby in August. He wants to provide for his family and is a very hard worker. I know that people tend to get jobs based off someone they know. SO, if you know of anyone who needs an entry level business guy, please let me know. The sooner they can get an income, the better!

Here's Jackson's recent cousin Grant Tyler (In honor of Tyler's favorite cousin, Grant who died 10 years ago)

P.S Dave is also looking for work next April in the MBA field. Keep your eyes and ears open!

Daredevil and funny boy

When it says "ride on" toy . . . is this what it means? Who taught this kid to do this?