The Chatwin Family

Valentines!

2012-02-17T10:04:00.008-07:00

Happy Valentines Day!! Ok really I've never been a big fan of Valentines day. Well when I was little I loved handing out my treats and my mom always made the day so fun but now that I'm old I'm not a huge fan. I think its great that we are showing each other that we love them but shouldn't we be doing that every day not just one day out of the year. Valentines probably causes some good fights too. What!! You didn't get me this, Where are my flowers? lol Ross and I are pretty low key when it comes to Valentines day. He knows flowers aren't expected but always gets me some. He knows if he does get me flowers not to spend a lot on them. Don't get me wrong I love flowers but to spend a lot of money on something that will die a week later isn't want I want our money going to! We use to go out to eat but now that we have Jackson we make a nice dinner at home. Honestly I like this better. Its fun to decorated the table put on some music and eat as a family. I was thinking this year that I want to make Valentine more of a family holiday. Thats what my parents did and I loved it.

This year for Valentines Jackson and I were invited to go to the children's museum with some friends while our husbands were at school. Jackson loved running around and doing all the different things they had. Most the stuff he was to young to do by himself but he enjoyed it anyway!

I wish this picture wasn't so dark, I think my camera strap was over the flash. This was one of Jackson favorite things. Its a tornado simulator. Jackson would run over and try and put his hand in it.

Jackson driving the police car

In the fire truck

Riding on the police bike!

Again its dark.. But this has to be one of my favorite pictures. This is Jackson dancing with all the older black boys. I think it so funny that Jackson is usually one of the only white kids around. The boys loved dancing with Jackson and were trying to teach him some of their dance moves! By the way their dance moves were pretty good for only being 8 :)

Jackson would have staid and fished the entire day but he would splash in the water and was getting all went so we had to leave that area!

Jackson flying the Fedex plane

Ross did come home with flower. I totally wasn't expecting them because he was at school the entire day but I guess him and another guy went at lunch and got some flowers. I sure am a lucky girl. I love my two boys.

Family picture while eating dinner.

I'm sure Jacksons favorite part! Valentines package from Grandpa and Grandma

And from Oma and Opa! He had to have a sucker from both!

B-town friends in Memphis

2012-02-15T09:45:00.003-07:00

It was so good to see some of my friends from Bountiful the other day. There are a few of us that have moved to the south but just live far enough away from each other that its a little trip to go and see each other. Sunday Ritz and her cute family came to Memphis to visit! We all went over to Trent's house and ate dinner and just hung out. Josh and Jackson hit it right off and literally ran around the house playing the whole time. They were so cute together. I wish they lived closer so we could play more often.

This picture makes me laugh. They are both watching movies on iphones/ipods while they rest. Our kids are growing in a totally different world then we did. (I'm sure our parents said that too) Actually I ready this post on facebook that says it all. (posted below picture) Its kinda long but it made me laugh. I'm sure we will be saying the same thing in twenty years.

For all of you old People!!!

This one’s been around before but it’s worth bragging about how we made it.
No matter what our kids and the new generation think about us, WE ARE AWESOME !!! OUR Lives are LIVING PROOF !!! To Those of Us Born� 1925 - 1970:

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE 1930s, '40s, '50s, '60s and '70s!! First, we survived being born to mothers who may have smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes. Then, after that trauma, we wereput to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints. We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets, and, when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps, not helmets, on our heads. As infants and children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.. Riding in the back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special treat. We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle. We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and no one actually died from this. We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter, and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And we weren't overweight. WHY? Because we were always outside playing...that's why! We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. --And, we were OKAY. We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes.. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.. We did not have Play Stations, Nintendo’s and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVDs, no surround-sound or CDs, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms. WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them! We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth, and there were no lawsuits from those accidents. We would get spankings with wooden spoons, switches, ping-pong paddles, or just a bare hand, and no one would call child services to report abuse.We ate worms, and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever. We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, 22 rifles for our 12th, rode horses, made up games with sticks and tennis balls, and -although we were told it would happen- we did not put out very many eyes. We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them.

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!! The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers, and inventors ever. The past 50 to 85 years have seen an explosion of innovation and new ideas.. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all. If YOU are one of those born between 1925-1970, CONGRATULATIONS! You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good. While you are at it, forward it to your kids, so they will know how brave and lucky their parents were. Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it ?

2012-02-14T14:06:00.002-07:00

I recently found out that Jackson LOVES grapefruit! I was eating one for lunch the other day and he came over asking for some, I gave it to him thinking it would come right back out but to my surprise he liked it and kept wanting more. Then next day I decided that I would give him some with his lunch. He ate half a grapefruit with the rest of his lunch and still want more! I didn't give him anymore because I didn't want to get him sick and Jackson had a little meltdown. He cried for a good five minutes and tried to open the fridge to get more out. I just left him there like the great mom I am and continued on with what I was doing. I realized about ten minutes later that Jackson was being really quiet and I hadn't seen him for awhile. (Thats when you know somethings wrong lol) I walk around the corner to find him like this...
He had somehow gotten the grapefruit out of the garbage can and was squeezing the rest of the juice out and liking it haha He just looked at me and smiled and went back to licking his sticky hands!

Pop Rocks

2012-02-08T20:19:00.004-07:00

The other day Jackson and I were at the dollar store and I saw pop rocks and had to have them! I remember thinking they were so cool when I was little. I still don't know how they work but it doesn't really matter because they are a popping candy, tast yummy and thats all that matters to me! Anyway I got home and opened the bag to see this little package...

Whats wrong with this picture? Look where the slit is to open the package! haha My first thought was: Well at least they aren't trying to hide anything. They come right out and say: "hey, don't mind ripping at the top, you're only going to get a quarter of this package full of candy so might as well rip the package open way down here" I hate that everything you buy these days is never full. Why do you sale a huge bag when you are only going to fill it half way. Anyway I loved this little bag!

Call me a mean mom but I gave Jackson some of the pop rocks and it was so funny! I wish I would have had my camera at the first but these pictures are still pretty classic!

In they go..

What the heck are these!

Mom, there is something wrong with this candy

Freak.. I'll just spit them out!

Glow sticks in the bathtub!

2012-02-07T12:53:00.003-07:00

I saw this idea on pinterest and decided to give it a try! Last night we gave Jackson some glow sticks to play with in the bathtub and he loved it! Here are some pictures!

Jackson and the bookcase

2012-02-05T21:15:00.004-07:00

So can I tell you how many times I wish I could go to the D.I or get on KSL and look for some that I need but don't want to spend a lot on. One of those times would now. Ross has more and more books coming home after every semester that he wants to keep and we don't have anywhere to put them. I have been going crazy with them stalking up in the corner of our room. I wanted to get a bookcase but didn't want to spend a lot because 1: we will be moving in a year and a half and 2: When we move back we most likely will be putting all our stuff in a storage unit for eight months while Ross does his externships. So given all of that I've been on a search for a cheap bookcase. The Salvation Army you would think would be cheap.. Nope and Craigslist scares me :) So do where do I go after all of those.. Good old Walmart! I am happy to say that we found a great $15 bookcase there! Jackson loved helping Ross put it together and hiding in it as we tried to put the back on.

Jackson got out his tool set and started helping but quickly realized that dads hammer was better and traded!

Jackson laying in the bookcase and hiding

Random happenings

2012-02-01T11:39:00.005-07:00

Not much has been happening here in the mid south. Its pretty boring when its cold outside and we can't go and do anything. I think both Jackson and I are going crazy in the house all day. Jackson has been sick this last week so we are extra crazy cause we can't go a visit anyone either. For sake of my sister asking for a update here are some pictures!

It snowed one day, it lasted about two hours and this was the max snow we got but I still wanted to see how Jackson would react being in the snow so I took him out.

He was confused and seemed to not care much for it. It also was pretty windy and Jackson hates the wind so he was ready to go in after a couple minutes.

Jackson is always climbing/standing on everything and anything. Last week his balance got the best of him and he had a nice goose egg.

Recently Jackson has loved trying on mine and Ross's shoes. Here's a picture of him in daddy's shoes.

Signing out until something exciting happens :)

Christmas part 2

2012-01-16T09:32:00.010-07:00

So this is another long post with tons of pictures. I need to learn how to make a collage thing with them.
Anyhoo the second part of our Christmas trip was up north at my parents house. It always seem more stressful is Salt Lake for Ross and I. All of my family, Ross's extended family and most our friends live in the Salt Lake Valley. I felt like every day we were running around trying to see as many people as we could. We really would have a schedule for the day. We need to be out of the house at this time, then see them and then go there.. Poor Jacksons schedule got all messed up. (Don't worry we are paying for it now :). DESPITE all the running around and people getting mad because we didn't see them more then once we had so so much fun. I love being able to hang out with my family and friends.

Jackson started doing his fishy face while we were there!

He also started showing everyone his muscles! Yes his face is like this every time. He such a cute boy

Bath time was so fun at oma's house because of the bubble blower! Jackson would stand like the whole time popping the bubbles

We had to go see Temple Square lights while we were there. This was one thing I was most excited to do while we were there and I wasn't disappointed! Jackson love looking at all the lights, he spent the night running from place to place.

Jackson with Oma and Opa

Jackson's favorite were these lantern things. We spent a good twenty minutes walking back and forth looking at them

You have to have a temple picture

Everyone at my families Christmas party! I can't believe how big my family has gotten.. Its always a good time when all of us get together. Mostly making fun of each other and if your not the one being made fun of its a great time lol

Jackson on the other hand did not like the fist hour or so of the party. Its sad but he doesn't really know his aunts and uncles and he was scared to have everyone there and trying to talk to him. If he wasn't crying and making one of Ross or I hold him he was at the sliding door looking at the kitty! We realized there that Jackson loves cats. He would wake up every morning and ask to see the kee.

He finally warmed up to everyone and started playing with his cousin Addi and Oma.

Jackson and his buddy Lincoln

It was also so Ross's birthday while we were there. Ross and I wen't out to dinner to the Melting Pot (thanks Kendall:) that evening and then came back and played games with some of my family.

Ross and Jackson looking at the kitty! Twenty times a day this happened

Jackson and Oma looking at the bird. Another daily occurrence

So many fun things happened while we were there!! We also celebrated my mom's 50th birthday! She didn't like that she was turning 50 and told us she didn't want a big party or anything lol So all the family wen't out to dinner. Thanks to Heidi for decorating the table!

We all then came back to my parents house and had cheesecake! Jackson helping Oma blow out her candles

Jackson like the candles so much that he followed Heidi to the kitchen and had to blow another one out

Jackson and his cousin Addison! This is the best picture we could get of them lol

And last but not least Opa and Jackson outside in the SNOW. We were so excited to be able to have Jackson see the snow and be able to play in it and the only snow we saw snow was at six in the morning as we were headed to the airport!! Stupid weather

Christmas in Utah part 1

2012-01-08T21:29:00.012-07:00

We had so much fun in Utah during our Christmas break! After a VERY LONG 15 hour travel day we finally arrived in St. George where we had Christmas with Ross's family. Here a few picture of the things we did while we were there!

Our good friends the Reynold came down from Cedar City and we all went to Taucahn to see their lights and the nativity. We didn't get there in time for the nativity but it kinda worked out because we didn't have to wait in any lines to see santa or take pictures. Jackson fell asleep in the car on the way over there so we left him in the car to sleep with Ross's parents while we went and look with the Reynolds. I was sure glad we did because it was Freezing! The wind was blowing and Jackson would have just cried the whole because he hates the wind blowing on him. It was weird to be walking around without Jackson but it kinda felt like old time with us and the Reynolds.

Ross and I looking our best

Miss Mahala and Santa.

Meagan and I thought it would be funny to get the "train" and take pictures. I guess the driver was really bored because he came running over and gave us a free ride lol When we got back Mahala wanted to ride so he gave us another ride!

Meagan and Hala while riding on the train

Looks about right... Ross and Tyrel

On Christmas Eve the weather was so nice that we decided to get out of the house and go to the park. Jackson loved going down the slide.

Then we came home and made gingerbread houses. Jackson was more into eating the candy then building the house.

Jackson's finished house :)

Dad and Jackson getting ready to open a gift on Christmas Eve

Opening the gift

After Jackson went to sleep Ross and I made our gingerbread house. It took way to long and by the end we didn't care what it looked like. It helped that Haelie and her boyfriend came to the house and helped with it at the end!

The group with the house

CHRISTMAS DAY! I didn't get many pictures at all. I was helping Jackson and didn't think to take any. Also in Ross's family they don't go around and open gifts one at a time so everyone can see. They have them in piles and everyone opens at will so it was hard to take pictures.

The group opening gifts

Christmas!

2011-12-19T21:21:00.016-07:00

We celebrated Christmas on the 17th this year because we are going to Utah to spend the holidays with our families! This last week has been crazy with Ross having six finals with in seven days. Jackson and I haven't seen him much so it was nice that he took some time off from studying so we could have our little family Christmas.

That morning we made Christmas pancakes! My mom had given us some molds that made it a lot easier to make our pancakes look Christmas-y and fun. Jackson didn't really care what they looked like and just wanted to eat but I hurried and got a couple pictures of them!

Reindeer

Christmas Tree

and a creepy looking Elf

That afternoon we opened gifts. It was kinda weird doing it in the middle of the day but Jackson loved opening the gifts! He has been so good all season long with not touching the tree and the gifts, I was surprised how much he liked opening them. We might have a problem when we go to Utah and he sees more presents under the tree!

Helping mom

Dad's turn to help!

I tried to get a family picture and this is how it turned out. I must have hit the camera as I went to sit down and Jackson was having nothing to do with taking pictures.

Jackson in the mess of gifts

One of Jackson favorite gift was from his cousin Addi!! Its a tent with a tunnel. He spends his day running in and out of it.

Jackson with all his presents!

That evening we to the Zoo and saw the lights with some friends. I was so excited that they text us and asked if we wanted to go. We had just planned to stay home and Ross was going to study allllll nighttttt loooong! Thats what we have done all week and I was happy to get out of the house and do something as a family.

I loved these polar bear lights.

Lauren and I loved this and made the guys get a picture with it. ( Is that better Heather!)

Jackson with the singing trees

Ross and Jackson walking around

Jackson playing with the lights

Christmas around the world

The group!

This is the front of the zoo. I thought it looked neat!

2011-12-15T19:44:00.002-07:00

I took this picture tonight and for some reason I love it. This is Jackson right before bed watching Ratatouille. Maybe I love it because he is sitting down and not running everywhere or maybe because he looks so cute sitting there with the Christmas tree behind him. I don't know.. but I like it.

I don't know where this last year has gone. I can't believe how big Jackson has gotten. It seems like yesterday that I was in Utah with my family for Christmas and Jackson was 8 weeks old. Time needs to slow down!! I wish my family could be around Jackson and see how much he is grown. He picks up on thing so fast and is amazing me every day. I've been asked three times this week if he two years old and they are shocked when I tell them he is only 14 month.

I can't wait for Ross's finals to be over so I can 1: have my husband back and 2: we can leave and go to Utah for Christmas! I love the holiday season and its just not the same with out your family.

Anyway here is my random picture and blog post of the night! I have to keep myself busy somehow while Ross is off studying :)

Painting!

2011-12-15T19:24:00.003-07:00

Ross informed me on Sunday that he had told one of the guys that he home teaches that Jackson would make him an ornament and he was going in a coupole hours! Lucky for us we had some ornaments that my mom had sent to me last year to paint, that I never did, so we were able use them! This was Jackson's first time painting and he did pretty well. He painted the ornament but then wanted to paint on the floor and when we wouldn't let him he had a little melt down and that was then end of painting!

Ross came home and said the guy loved it and went and hung it on his tree. This guys is a little slower and is pretty quiet in church so I was happy to hear that he enjoyed it.

Here are the pictures of Jackson painting.

Benson is coming!

2011-12-15T18:57:00.003-07:00

Last week I was able to help throw a baby shower for BreeAnn, one our good friends here! I wish I would have gotten a picture of her. She is the cutest little pregnant girl! She really looks like she is only 20 weeks along. I wish my mom could have seen Lauren and I trying to plan and decided what to do for this shower. We both had no idea what we were doing and kinda just went with the flow. Poor BreeAnn was asked a million questions over and over again because we wanted her to be happy with it. BreeAnn is so nice that we couldn't have served chips and water and she would be happy.
Despite neither of us really knowing what we were doing I think it turned out pretty well! I can't wait for little Benson (I sure hope his name stays Benson lol) to come. I already know he is going to be so cute!

Here are the ONLY pictures I took...

I can't take credit for this awesome looking punch! I actually was making fun of it as we were making it :) Lauren did a great job

Here is a crappy picture but when you only took two picture you don't have much to work with! Here is some of the group at the shower.

Mom's group Christmas party

2011-12-12T10:56:00.006-07:00

Last week Mom's group (The mom's in my ward) had our Christmas party! Jackson and I usually don't get to make it to moms group because he is taking a nap and I don't want to have a grumpy kid. But I really wanted to go to this one and Ross needed to study so we braved the no nap and off we went. It was so much fun to be around other moms and have Jackson be able to run around and play with the other kids. We decorated cookies and then Santa came to visit. Again Jackson had nothing to do with him. This time he was a little smarter and hid behind chairs and watched from a safe distance lol

Jackson decorating his cookie.

Our table.

Jackson eating his m&ms! He didn't care to eat the cookie just the m&m's off it

Jackson and his birthday buddy Jett

Jackson watching from behind his chairs

I knew he would love the starburst candy cane so I took him up there just to get one and he was not to happy about it

He did love the candy cane!

Jackson fell asleep on the way home while eating his candy cane.

Oh how I love St. Nicholas

2011-12-08T20:39:00.003-07:00

Most of you are wondering what I am talking about! Its a German tradition! Every December 5th you set out your shoe and St. Nick comes during the night and either leaves you a little gift or coal in your shoe. If you get coal its a warning that you need to shape up before Santa come so you can get a gift from him! Well thats how I understand it lol somethings may be a little off but you get the gist.

I have always love this tradition! Growing up it was like a little Christmas early. Not because we got a lot of gifts or really nice ones at that but the feeling you get of being a little kid and believing that St. Nick (we called him the elf) and santa was really going to come and leave you something over the night. I remember Tyler and I looking for the biggest shoe we had to set out haha Of course the bigger shoe you have the more gifts you get right?? :) I remember having a hard time sleeping that night just like on Christmas Eve. It was so exciting to leave my shoe out and see what I got and even seen that my dad had gotten coal in his shoe! I can't wait tell Jackson and my other kids understand whats going on and can be excited just like was.. ok I still get excited every year!

I'm grateful that my Omi and Opa kept this tradition going and didn't stop once they were America! I'm sure they had a lot of weird faces as they tried to explain what was going on!

Our shoes the next morning

Jackson seeing what the Elf brought him

Jackson excited for his new santa pajamas

Showing them off!

Opening his new jacket

I know Jackson got a lot this year and it wont be like this every year but he needed his new jacket now so the Elf needed to bring it :)

Really..

2011-12-07T14:38:00.006-07:00

Is this what I signed up for when I decided to become a mom??? Really!!

I know this is gross and I probably shouldn't blog about it but lets be real here.. Only a handfull of people read my blog and most of them are my family!
The other day Jackson had gone to the bathroom so I was changing him and going to get him ready for the day. After I had got him all cleaned up I realized that I had forgotten his diaper in his room so I ran to get it and came back to this!! Jackson in the short time of me going to get his diaper decided that he needed to go again and found a nice view infront of the Christmas tree and laid his own gift.
Oh wait the best part is still coming...
So, I walked in and saw him doing this and tried to take a picture to send to my family because I thought it was funny. As soon as I took it Jackson looked over (as you seen in the picture) saw me and got scared and started to RUN away from me stepping BOTH feet in the poo, smashing it into the carpet! I started to scream trying to get him to stop but he just kept running from me.. I finally caught him but then didn't know what to do. I was all alone.. I couldn't set him down to clean him up because he had poop on his feet and would get it everywhere so I ended up leaning him over the bath tub and wiping his feet and body off.. Jackson went straight into the tub. Don't worry after scrubbing the carpets and using cleaner they are clean and smell free haha

You would think I would have learned after this....

But sadly I didn't...
So should I say until next time... I hope not but I'm sure it won't be the last.
Isn't being a mom the best thing :)

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2011-12-07T14:14:00.004-07:00

I was so excited to set up Christmas this year. If I wasn't such a hater on starting to celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving I would have had my Christmas up mid November! I had forgotten how much Christmas decor I had.. It just kept coming and coming. This is our first year not getting a real tree. We went and looked at them but couldn't spend that much money when we weren't even going to be there for Christmas. So we went to good old Walmart and picked out our nice $20 tree! Jackson loved helping us decorate the tree. He did break one ornament.. Ross was holding him up so I could take a picture of him putting the ornament on and next thing we know Jackson flings his arm back and hits the ornament right off the tree and into the wall shattering it to pieces! Its a good thing we bought some shatter-free one to put on the bottom of the tree!

Jackson taking some of the Christmas out

Helping dad put on the lights

Don't worry dad... I got this one :)

This is the picture I took right before Jackson hit the ornament off the tree. Jackson actually has done very well with not touching the tree or the presents under it. He runs up to it every morning and will go "no, no, no" while shaking his finger.

Jackson and I reading a Christmas book after setting everything up!

Being Thankful

2011-12-07T08:51:00.006-07:00

This years Thanksgiving is one I'll ever forget. Not because something amazing or out of the ordinary happened. This Thanksgiving I really had the chance to sit down and realize how blessed my family and I are. Its so easy to get caught up in the way of life that we don't realize how blessed we are. This year we didn't have a huge family dinner to go to, I had to actually cook food for the Thanksgiving dinner, the only way we saw our families was through a computer. There are many times I sit here thousands of miles from family and wish I could just go over to their house but this Thanksgiving I sat here and thought how blessed I am. I have so many things to be grateful for. I have an amazing family, parents, siblings, friends and the sweetest little boy. My family is healthy, I have a husband that cares so much about our family and works so hard to create a better life for us. I have a husband that goes to school for ten hours a day and then comes home and finds time to help me with dinner and plays with Jackson. I'm so grateful to be blessed with Jackson, he really is the greatest blessing in my life. I never knew I could love something so much. I'm Thankful for a warm house to live in and food on the table each night, for the friends that we have made there that have turned into family, aunts and uncles to Jackson. For modern technology that I am able to see my family when they are so far away. I'm eternally grateful for my savior Jesus Christ, that he was willing to die for me, so I can repent and one day live with my family forever. I'm grateful for for so many things I could go on forever.
Here are some pictures of our small but fun Thanksgiving!

This is kinda gross but we thought it would be funny to give Jackson the leg of the turkey and see what he would do lol He just hit on the ground..

Jackson ready to eat dinner

All the food we had! We didn't even make a dent!

Ross going back for seconds

This was Jackson that night after everyone went black friday shopping! I just love his face.

Bowling

2011-12-05T11:09:00.004-07:00

While Ross had the week off for Thanksgiving we went bowling! It was Jackson first time and he loved it! It reminded me of my good ole times when a group of friends would go bowling every Monday. We even named ourselves FNBC. "Family Night Bowling Club" yes we were nerd but it was so much fun. It was a killer deal too. $15 for a hour, so we would split it up and have three on a lane so it was 5 buck to play for a hour! Good times. This time I had fun just watching Jackson try and bowl and loving it.

Jackson watching his ball go down and hit the pins. It went so slow that when it hit the pins it stopped instead of knocking them over lol

Jackson would clap for everyone as they threw that ball down and hit pins.

Dad helping Jackson bowl.

At first Jackson would try and run after the ball, saying "ba, ba, ba" as we threw it.

Mom helping Jackson

Jackson trying to be a big boy and carry his own ball.

Ross in mid bowl

Fun pictures

2011-12-05T10:35:00.005-07:00

A couple weeks ago we went and took family pictures for our friends. No I am NOT a photographer and I Don't want to be one but I think it would be fun to be able to take pictures and edit them for family use. Ross and I decided if we were going to spend that much on a camera that we should try and do our own pictures. Its a work in process and I still need to learn how to edit but its been fun being able to take nice pictures. Anyway we went out with our friends and it was so much fun being outside and taking pictures. The leaves decided to fall a couple days before but we still got some cool pictures of all the leaves on the ground. Here are a few I snapped of my cute little Jackson.

This is one of my favorite! The leaves were still so yellow.

This one is so cute. I just love it! Ross and Jackson playing in all the leaves.

Here is a wider view. Isn't it so pretty. I really do love the all the trees here.

HaHa this is so funny! Jackson decided to go out in nature and do this business! We were laughing so hard. Every time he would push he would lift the branch up in the air and then bring it back down after he was done! Look at his face :)

On the train tracks

Jackson so happy that he has a railroad tie! Dad helped him pull it out...

Christmas at Graceland

2011-11-19T09:01:00.006-07:00

On Friday we went to the Christmas Lighting of Graceland. It was a lot of fun, they had crafts for the kids to do, Lauren Alaina, finalist from the tenth season of “American Idol" came and sang and the best part Santa Elvis style came and took pictures with the kids!

We got there a little early to do craft but Jackson wasn't into sitting in the hot room and making a hat that he would never wear so we walked around and found the Red Birds mascot. Jackson was a little confused by him but he didn't cry when he got close to him so I though it might be a good sign for when picture time with santa came.... Keep reading :)

Jackson entertaining the crowd by playing the piano

Jackson loved all the lights

This is Lauren and the kids from St. Jude helping her turn on the lights and bringing in the holiday season!

Jackson and dad watching the show with the fake snow falling!

The family with the snow

Elvis Santa

Call me a mean mom but this is my FAVORITE picture of the night haha needless to say Jackson didn't like Santa!

The family with Santa

Jackson enjoying his candy cane

Jackson with Lauren! She left the crowed and came over to talk with Jackson and get a picture! I couldn't believe she is only 17..

We are the Champions!

2011-11-16T09:52:00.005-07:00

Ross's flag football team took first place in his schools league this past Friday! I wasn't the most supportive of him playing on this football team but he did it anyway lol He is already gone all day and this was just another thing that took him away on Saturdays. I'm happy he and fun and the team won though. Jackson and I went and watched the final game. Surprisingly it was more intense then I though it would be. Jackson was good and sat through the first half in his car so I got to watch that but then Jackson saw the dog running around and had to go play with it. Jackson loves dogs and he would chase it everywhere. I think most the crowed was watching Jackson chase the dog and laughing then watching the game! My favorite part of the night was when they won a guy had brought drinks (beer) for them all the celebrate with lol But he neat part was he brought gatorade for Ross and Matt "the Mormon boys" as he said! I thought it was cool that he thought about them and knew they didn't drink and brought them something else.

Here is the team! You probably notice that some of them are holding up two fingers.. This is because this is their second year in a row winning. I thought it was dumb but whatever floats their boat!

Ross and Jackson after the game!

Jackson watching dad play in his car! He LOVES his car.

Jackson playing with the dog.

The boys playing..

Zoo Time

2011-11-16T09:20:00.006-07:00

We love going to the zoo! We bought a season pass so we go a lot. Its a nice way to get out and walk around. Jackson loves being outside and is slowly enjoying the animals. This past week we wen't to the zoo and Ross was able to come with us. Our zoo here is not like the one in Utah. Our zoo is so so big and all the animals have tons of room to move around. Also its very well kept and doesn't smell lol The ground are really pretty all year long too. Here are a few pictures of our trip.

Ross and Jackson looking at the water fall that runs into the black bears area.

Jackson loves to climb on everything now.

I had to post this picture of all the beautiful leaves that were at the zoo! Its so pretty this time of year.

Jackson's favorite animal at the zoo are the elephants! He can stand there and look at them for forever. Its also a good climbing zone for him!

I don't know what this animal is called but I thought it was cool that is was eating a pumpkin!

I love the babies that are at the zoo! The baby giraffe! This one is actually like 7 months old but still cute

If you look closely you can see the baby monkey hanging on to its mom belly!

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-01T13:03:00.010-06:00

Happy Halloween! This year was really fun for our family. During the whole month it seemed like there were things going on that we could do. Halloween day we started our festivities out by going trick or treating at Ross's school. It was pretty disappointing! All the departments were decorated really cool but the candy hand out was.. not really there! Some department you would walk it and there would be no candy and it was kinda awkward so you would be like... cool decorations... welp, see you later haha They did have fun little treat/gift bags that they gave out at the front though. One thing I also though was cool is they only scheduled kids to be seen that day.

They also had the Memphis Grizzly come. Jackson was scared of him but did well and didn't cry. (side not-- They need to wash the grizzlies costume because he was pretty stinky! Poor person that has to be in it for hours)

This was Jackson favorite room! Only because they had balloons over the door way lol

Jackson picking his candy at one of the front desks

We had to get a picture in the jungle room!

These were the signs they had up on the freeway haha it reads "Drive safely, Booze it and loose it" Well put Memphis!

As soon as we got Jackson out of the car he went straight for his candy! We did everything trying to get him to look up but no luck.. Candy is the only thing on his mind!

After a couple of minutes of digging we found a winner! A huge sucker! We took him inside and got him out of his costume and he went to town on it!

Then we went in and ate dinner! I thought it would be fun to have pigs in a blanket mummy style but when I told Ross what we were having he just gave me a weird look.. I made it anyway cause it was Halloween and that was the only food I could think of that was fun for dinner. Ross was a jerk and ate top roman and saw I was bugged and out of pity ate one.. My mom would always have different food for the Holidays and we loved it! I told him he better get use to it because its only going to get worse when our kids get older and know whats going on. Little punk! But here are our mummies in a blanket!

After dinner we met up with some friends and went trick or treating in a neighborhood. We live in apartments so we wanted our kids to go up to house so we randomly went to one and it was amazing! No lie this neighborhood was straight out of a movie! There were tons of kids running around to each house, ATV's and golf carts decked out and giving hayrides around the neighborhood and all the people sat out on their driveways with BUCKETS full of candy! I think us as parents had more fun then our kids. It was so fun to see a neighborhood like that! If you've seen "Hocus Pocus" it was exactly how they show the kids trick or treating! Ok enough about how great this neighborhood was here are some pictures!

Going around with dad

and now moms turn

Ashley and I with our little guys!

Jackson had so much fun trick or treating! He loves being outside and he kept looking at all the kids and waving to them! It was pretty funny. He was not only waving put yelling something at them! This is him waving, not hitting Ross in the nose :)

The boys loved this guys glasses and nose and had to get a picture with him. The guy was so nice and came right out.

I loved this picture! Ashley finishing up a bag of cheetoes we got two house down lol

Ross and Jackson out in front of a haunted house that people had in their front yard! We didn't go in.. Jackson was scared to even stand by it!

This old man was super cute. He looked through his basket of treat for something that Jackson could eat. We ended up with min oreos haha Actually a lot of people would try and give them stuff they though they could eat. It was funny to see what some people gave them. You could tell they hadn't had small kids around for awhile!

Dad and Jackson going up to a house! Also showing what all he house looked like. Decorated cut and kids all over!

One of the hayrides going around

Jackson showing off his guys with his new tat!

Closer picture of his tat! When we got home Jackson was so hyper.. We don't know what got in to him. It was past his bedtime and he had only had some of that sucker hours before so needless to say he didn't get anymore candy that night!

This was Jackson candy bucket full! We only went on a couple streets and it was full. The people there were giving out handfuls of candy!

So there you have it! Our eventful day of Halloween! Can't wait tell next year!

Ward Halloween Party

2011-11-01T10:01:00.003-06:00

Our ward here is pretty awesome! It really is like family and I love it! The Halloween party this year was a lot of fun. (I think all the holidays will be more fun cause Jackson has fun with them, still doesn't know whats going on but thats ok) Back to the party they had a chill cook off, games, trunk or treat, hayrides, and a cake walk that just turned into a free for all eat anything you want! Jackson was happy to be able to run around with the other kids. Here are some pictures

Jackson trunk or treating. This was one of my favorite trunks

Jackson with his friends Gray and Krew!

Jackson with his best bud Soren.

This is the spider web that went over the entire gym floor! It had to have taken forever but it was so cool! Pictures don't do it justice.

Pumpkin Craving

2011-10-28T10:35:00.004-06:00

I love carving pumpkins and was so excited to have Jackson help us this year! He didn't care to much about them lol I thought he would get messes and like to play with the insides of the pumpkins but he just ran around looking at everyone. The messiest he got was when he tripped and sat right in the bowl of seeds! We all started laughing and Jackson started to cry haha I was pretty disappointed how my carving turned out.. It took forever and it doesn't even look like it should. It's suppose to be a witch with her cauldron brewing. I know.. you never would have guessed :) oh well!

Here is all of us with our finished pumpkins

Jackson helping the Butterfields..

Jackson helping me carve my pumpkin.

All of our pumpkins! We had the Butterfields and the MacDonalds come and carve with us too. We didn't carve all of these!

Cedar Hills Farm

2011-10-24T15:06:00.016-06:00

This past weekend we went to Cedar Hills Farm! We didn't know anything about the farm other then they had a pumpkin patch that we could go pick pumpkins and thats all we wanted! It cost a little more then we had expected but it was a lot of fun. We were pleasantly surprised with all the activities they had to do. We also found out that they have Christmas trees growing and in December you can go and cut your own down! Ross and I are pretty excited to go back and get a tree with Jackson.

Jackson loving the pumpkins

At the entrance of the farm they had this hay bale turned into a pumpkin. I had to get a pitcher of Jackson with it.

Jackson on his first pony ride!

He didn't know what to think of it! This was his face pretty much the whole time.

Enjoying the turkey!

Jackson could have chase the chickens and looked at the turkey's all day and been happy

Petting the cow

and the pony

The ugliest pig I have ever seen lol

Jackson and dad posing for the camera

The train ride

Jackson happy to be on the train

Wondering where we are going!

You wouldn't think they were having fun with this picture :)

Jackson clapping for the pigs. Yes they had pig races there!

Yay for the pigs! Jackson loved watching them

In the pumpkin patch, not caring to get his pitcher taken

Dad trying to convince Jackson into picking the pumpkin he wanted.

Jackson trying to pick two at one time

He finally found his pumpkin! I love that they were still on the vine and you had to pull them off!

Holding the heave pumpkin all by himself!

Driving the tractor

Jackson enjoying the hayride back to the car with his pumpkin!

Horn Lake Festival and homemade ice cream

2011-10-18T14:30:00.006-06:00

Yes... another festival and wont be the last!!

This weekend we went to the Horn Lake festival with the Butterfields. They have a million festivals and events going on here. Usually they are lame and we wont go back to them but we have to try them at least once! This one we heard has been better in the past years.. Story of our lives but we did do a couple things there. Jackson got a football painted on his face and Ross and I played a game to win Jackson a stuffed animal.

Some church was painting faces for free so we decided to try it out on Jackson. He did really well and let him paint the football. He was questioning what the guys was doing here.

Being a good boy!

The finish product!

This was my favorite part of the festival. This was a kids game they had. Take notice of all the cans

A little closer..

Yep you are seeing it right! 90 percent of the cans were Miller light haha teaching the kid early!

I was cleaning out my draw and found two gift cards to Bed, Bath and Beyond that added up to be $55! To bad everything is so expensive there.. We decided that we since we didn't have the money before that we would buy something we would never justify spending money on right now. So, we bought a Ice cream maker! I'm pretty excited about it. To bad the ice cream we made tasted horrible! We made burnt almond fudge and it was no good! To much coco and I burnt the almonds to much haha I just feel bad for the Butterfields that had to eat it and pretend they liked it :) Hopefully next batch will work out better!

Jackson waiting for the Ice cream!

Primary class party

2011-10-18T14:16:00.002-06:00

This Saturday we had our primary class over for a pizza party. I think the Root beer had something in it because the more they drank the more hyper they became. We played wii sports and Mario brothers. It was funny to hear them all get mad at each other for killing them on Mario. I was happy to see the quiet girl in our class killed them all haha All the boys came in saying they were so good and she rock them. We had a lot of fun but an hour and a half was just right time!

Jackson loved having them all over. He would run around with them and try and eat their pizza!

Suckers

2011-10-18T14:07:00.002-06:00

Jackson loves suckers! The other day I let Jackson have a sucker and he pick out a blue one haha I loved watching him eat it. He sits here and enjoys every lick.

Showing me his blue mouth

Mom took away the sucker!

It wasn't me......

2011-10-14T09:55:00.004-06:00

Mom.. I swear it wasn't me.

I don't see anything on the wall

Maybe it was dad..

Ok.. I confess it was me!!

But you can't catch me!!

Ross was a smart dad that gave Jackson a KitKat to eat and didn't think it was necessary to watch him. I came home and not only found this on the wall but many other places around the house..

Fort time.

2011-10-14T09:41:00.004-06:00

The other night Ross and I made Jackson a fort to play in. He loved it. He kept running in and out and when he was in the fort he would spin in circles. He played in it for about ten minutes until the circle got to him and he feel and hit his head on our entertainment center.. Poor kid always is hitting his head.

Playing with dad in the fort.

The fort

Jackson is one!!

2011-10-12T20:18:00.011-06:00

I can't believe my little Jackson is already one!! Where did time go? Its seems like I blinked my eyes and he has gotten so big. His party was pretty low key. Since we don't live around any of our families we invited Jackson second family (All our friends) over to have cake and ice cream and open presents. I was thankful they still came over even though all the boys had a huge pharmacology test the next day. Jackson was so confused on what was happening the whole day. Why is everyone singing to me and taking all these pictures? Here are some pictures of the day!

My siblings all went in and got Jackson stroller push car thing. It came a couple days early and he would just go over to the box and look and hit the picture. So we opened it a day before lol It actually turned out nice because it was harder to set up then it looked and we were able to go for walks in it on his birthday! This was Jackson favorite gift and is the most used gift!

Helping dad set it up

So happy to go for a ride in it.

Jackson helping me make his cake.

Don't judge my cake decorating skills...

Singing to Jackson

Jackson wondering why everyone was singing!

Dad?? Why is there fire on my cake!?

We gave Jackson his piece of cake and he just picked at it with his fingers...

AH!! My hands are dirty!

And this is all the mess he made.. I think he makes more of a mess eating dinner every night.. Typical Jackson

Opening gifts. Jackson didn't really care to open the presents. We had to keep bringing him over and try to make him open them. By the end everyone was opening the gifts just to make it go by faster..

Happy about the car grandma gave him!

Opening Oma's gifts

Playing with one of oma's gifts!

This is one of my favorite pictures of the night! Jackson's best friend Soren gave him gold fish for his birthday! Jacksons was amazed by them and cried when we took them away. Whenever Jackson would cry we could show him the fish and he would stop right away... To bad the fish only lasted two days lol I promised I fed them!

Him with all his gifts... I don't think I got this much for Christmas!! SPOILED little turd.

The next morning Jackson woke up to all his gifts and he only wanted to play with the balloons. Jackson LOVE, LOVES balloons

We love you Jackson and are so grateful you are our in our family. We never knew we could love something as much as we do you.

BYU v Ole Miss

2011-10-08T17:23:00.006-06:00

I Know... Its a hard post for me to write but it happened and I did go to the BYU game when they came and played Ole Miss. I wasn't going to pass up going to Ole Miss and watch a football game. I thought by moving to Tennissippi I was leaving Provo and getting away from all the BYU fans.. Nope! There are plenty here too.. Oh well, I guess I will be living with one for eternity so I guess I should get use to them lol The game was actually really fun and the Ole Miss fans were supper nice. It was crazy to see how dressed up they got to come to the football game. A lot of the girls were in dresses and high hills and the boys were in collard shirts and khaki pants haha all the BYU fans were in shorts and t-shirts.

The boys ready for the football game. I have to give a big thank to the Butterfields for watching Jackson for us while we went to the game. It was a long time to watch him.. We weren't worried about Jackson but for Bret and Breeann lol Thank you!

Welcome to Ole Miss. Right by this sign there was an old man in his car and as we walked by he leaned out his window and said "welcome to Ole MIss" in his southern accent! I loved it.

Us at the game!

This made me laugh.. He has wrote on his arms "Faith" and "Family" Only a BYU player!

There crazy fans still worshiping Jimmer

The planes that flew over.

Inside the stadium.

This was awesome. If you look close you can see a guy there wearing U of U hat haha all the BYU fans were yelling at him and telling him to get out of there.

Us with the MacDonalds.

This guy was awesome.. He was a drunk BYU fan lol He stood up and yelled the inter game. He was so mad when the people asked him to sit down because their kid couldn't see.

Tyler and Laura's wedding!

2011-10-05T12:22:00.022-06:00

I saved my last post of the summer for my favorite! On August 4th Tyler and Laura were married in the Bountiful temple! Laura is wonderful and we are so excited that she is part of our family! The sealing was beautiful and it felt so good to see my twin so happy. Laura is defiantly getting one amazing guy.

Yay they are married!

I put this on just for the girls in the background haha

Jackson congratulating the couple

I love the weather that made for some great pictures

Jackson enjoying his fried rice at the wedding dinner

Uncle Tyler and Jackson at the reception

The candy table

The tables for the dinner before the reception. Laura went to so much work finding all the table setting. Crazy I say lol

Some weirdos named Heidi and Adrian :)

The reception was held on the ninth hole of a golf course! We had so much fun golfing before and during the reception.

Dad and Jackson playing around

Us waiting for the dinner to start.

The amazing back drop for the reception

Jackson loves taking pictures

The whole family

My sisters

Jackson and Addi done taking pictures... I love Jackson face

This was before the last photo but I'm to lazy to switch them

The happy couples first dance

Mom and son dance

The awesome grooms cake Laura surprised Tyler with

Go poo poo!! I hate it when they are nice feeding each other the cake

It was Heidi's and Adrians first wedding anniversary so the DJ had them do a dance alone

Oma feeding Jackson the wonderful tasting crepes.

The dj had all the boys get together and sing a song to Laura.

Then he had Tyler come to the dance floor and let every girl go in and do a dance and Tyler had to copy them. I was really funny to watch. This it Heidi dancing with Ty

Heather and I

And my mom was the funniest! We are still guessing what dance move she was doing!

Uncle Adrian and Jacksons dancing the night away

Heidi and Jackson Dancing. I think everyone needed to dance with Jackson. I was way past his bed time and he didn't know what was going on. When we finally left he was asleep before we pulled out of the parking lot of the golf course.

Ty and Jackson

Tyler and Laura leaving the reception!

Greatest Place on Earth!

2011-10-04T13:25:00.020-06:00

WHITNEY LAKE!!!

One of my favorite things we did while we were in Utah was go camping at Whitney lake. When I was little we use to go up every year with my moms side of the family and I loved it! As we have gotten older it has been harder to go up, let alone have All of my family there at one time. This year everybody came up and it was so so so so much FUN. Whitney lake has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Ross and I would alway go back and forth saying what one is better.. Whitney lake or Fish Lake. I had been to fish lake and I kept telling Ross Whitney lake was so much better and it was real camping lol Ross's family goes to fish lake and all of them stay in their trailers, have a fire Jackson could pee out and never ride their four wheelers. On other hand at Whitney we are always outside doing something, going on hour long four wheeler rides, and have HUGE fires... while we were there Ross kept saying how beautiful it was.. and I say he was agreeing with me that Whitney lake is better but will never admit it haha This was also Jacksons first time camping and love riding the four wheelers, going fishing and playing in the dirt. Only if he would slept while we were there! Here are a lot of picture of our camping trip.

Us in our campground looking down on the lake. Don't mind what I look like..

The whole family! Right before we were ready to go home.

Ross and I on the ridge looking down at Whitney and beaver lake. Such a pretty view!

Ross, me, Laura and Tyler on the ridge.

Ross and Tyler on the snow bank.. They both almost died trying to get down there and at the edge of the bank is a huge drop off..Dumb, They thought they were cool :)

Ty and Laura on the four wheeler coming through the water on the way up to the ridge.

Mr. Green Biar! (yes i'm talking about that dead tree!) Its a story that my uncle would tells us when we were kids about that tree and it would scare the crap out of me. Ty and I were excited to show our spouses it but they didn't seem to impressed. I guess you have to grow up with it.

Jackson in the trailer eating.

Our names carved in a tree!

Jackson asleep in the tent!

Jackson and I ready to go on a hike with aunt heather and Addi

Jackson and I sitting around the fire

I don't clam them as my sisters lol Caroline and Heidi think they are funny stealing my camera.. Ha! I got the last laugh

Our fire lol No roasting marshmallows

The greatest parents and Addi.

Cuttest niece ever!

Around the fire again.

Ross shooting clay pigeons. If you look close you can see the pigeon exploding. I hit 4 out of 5!

Jackson feel asleep on Oma while watching the guys shoot guns

The nice fish I caught!

Jackson first time fishing!

Our first fish we caught. We caught 18 in an hour and a half! I was a lot of fun.

um... dad... What is that?? Jackson first time seeing a fish

Jackson in his nice seat watching us fish.

The wood and the group that brought it in for the fires!

I Love this view!

Another fire! I love our fires too.

Jackson and my uncle Bill on Jackson first four wheeler ride.

Summer happenings.

2011-09-30T09:42:00.024-06:00

This past summer we went to Utah and spent two month with our families.. We did A LOT of stuff and it has take me forever to blog them all. They are short post in one BIG LONG post.

One thing we did was go up to Park City and staid in a Marriott timeshare! I always love going up to PC and staying for a couple of day. The whole family came up and we just hung out, went swimming and went on the Alpine slide.

Jackson and Addi swimming

Jackson done swimming and playing with his toys by the pool.

Heidi, Adrian, Ross and I after going on the Alpine Slide

Jackson and Opa waiting for us to come down the slide

Jackson sitting on the pool table and loving it

Every July Ross's family (all the Butterfields) have a butter cup classic golf tournament. I'm not a golfer at all but its fun to go and try and play. The put you in teams of four and you play best ball! This year our team won the tournament!! We had a lot of fun and our team was really good.. well besides me :) the team was Ross and I and two of Ross's cousin Matt and Cory.

Oma though it would be fun to have Jackson play in the sink! Jackson actually loved it and every time my mom was doing the dishes he wanted to go back in lol

My family went up to Mueller park canyon and had a fire and ate dinner! This is Jackson loving a carrot and ranch

Playing in the water with dad

Jacksons first time seeing a fire and roasting a marshmallow

I love the 24th of July! My family has always gone to the parade, had a BBQ and then up to Muller Park to watch the best firework show! I love inviting people to watch the fireworks with us because we have great seats and the show is never disappointing! This year we invited Robbie and Lacee to come to come and spend the whole day with us! This was Jacksons first real firework show and he didn't know what to think again. He just cuddled into us and shyly hid and watched them. I think his and Lincoln's favorite part of the day was the glow rings that were bought for them! The both fell asleep before the show was over lol

Jackson and Oma

waiting for the show to start with Opa

Grandma and Grandpa

Jackson and Lincoln not caring to get their picture take.

Us with the Hustons

I kinda like this....

Watching with Dad

Asleep in Oma's arms with the fireworks are going

Playing in the sprinklers with dad! Jackson usually hates getting his face wet in the bath tub but love sticking his head in the water while playing the sprinklers.

I love this!!

Taking a bath after playing in the sprinklers.

We went to the Hogle Zoo while we were there with Aunt Heather and cousin Addi! I loved this zoo before I moved to MS and saw their zoo. Memphis zoo makes the Hogle zoo look like a small run down dump :) The Memphis zoo is huge, very well kept up and dosent stink like the Hogle zoo does haha but as my mom said "I am thankful we have a zoo we can go to and if you don't see any other once its great!" Good ole peck peck teaching me to be thankful!

Aunt Heather and cousin Addi

Oma has a bird and Jackson loved to look at it. We started off letting him hold it but he pulled its tail feathers out and mean Oma wouldn't let him hold it by himself anymore lol

Pulling out Feathers

Jackson love to help Opa mow the lawn! He loves being outside. Here in Mississippi its to hot to really go play outside so it was nice to have a summer where Jackson could play outside all he wanted.

Real Game

2011-09-17T13:19:00.002-06:00

While we were in Utah we went to a Real Game with my family! I loved going to the games when we lived there and over our marriage I have made Ross into a soccer fan! And of course all of my family already loves soccer so it was a lot of fun to be with everyone and cheer. Despite Jackson not feeling well he enjoy watching everything that was happening. My mom took Jackson up top to play around and while she was there they started throwing little soccer balls in the section next to us, I looked up to see what my mom was doing and I couldn't see them anymore. My whole family joke that she ran over there to try and get a ball for Jackson.... After they were done throwing the balls my mom and Jackson came walking down the stairs with a little soccer ball haha Leave it to my mom to go ask for a ball for her grandson! Jackson loved it!

Us at the game

Jackson watching the game

Oma and Jackson playing up top

Fourth of July

2011-09-14T10:33:00.003-06:00

We also celebrated the fourth of July in St. George! We went over to some of Ross's family friends and had a BBQ and lit fireworks. I think their whole street came out and brought their fireworks to light off. They all had bought those backs from the store and the show was never ending! We probably watch for about a hour and then left to take Jackson home. Jackson was a little nervous for the fireworks. He didn't cry but he would grab onto you with his hands and hold tight or lay his head down on you but he always kept watching them! I was fun to see our friend the Fisher's there too and be able to catch up on life.

Trying to take a family picture and Jackson wasn't having anything to do with it!

Watching fireworks. (notice Jacksons hand holding mine)

Holding a sparkler with dad.. and not knowing what to think of it!

Holding on tight to dad!

DAD.........

Us with our friends the Fisher's

Jackson's first haircut

2011-09-14T10:19:00.002-06:00

While we were at grandma and grandpa's house grandma gave Jackson his first haircut! He did pretty well holding still while she quickly cut! I'm not one of those moms that hold on to their child's long hair.. I'm probably the opposite! As soon as it starts growing over his ears and his rat tail starts popping out I want it cut! I'm sure there will be more post of Jacksons hair cuts cause I'm going to try and cut his hair myself... I have no idea how to cut hair so I sure there is going to many mistakes!

Jackson saying: I've sat for five min I am getting out of here!

Jackson's first trip to St. George and Grandma and Gramdpa's house

2011-09-07T15:00:00.005-06:00

Our first stop over the summer was to Grandma and Grandpa Chatwin's house in St. George! Jackson was defiantly spoiled and had everyone wrapped around his finger. We spent the week shopping and just hanging out. It was really nice to just be able to relax and not worry about anything. The week before was crazy with Ross taking finals and getting ready to come to Utah. Jackson loved to swing in his lightning Mcqueen swing. Jackson also got his first haircut from grandma while we were there and it was the forth of July but those will separate post! Here are some pictures of the trip.

Jackson in his swing

Jackson and their dumb dog mitzy

Jackson and dad trying on some of aunt Haelie's wigs from beauty school haha

Grandpa had to join in! Jackson though it was crazy

sucker time! Jackson loves suckers

Riding the carousel in the park.

Jackson like it but was a little nervous. He gripped the pole so hard and..

Even held on tight with his legs.

Aunt Haelie, Jackson and Grandma at the carousel.

Jackson with his new friend Teslie. Chel Bessey "Davis" little girl. She is so so cute.

I guess I could post something...

2011-09-01T17:08:00.002-06:00

I know I only have one true stalker.. So Meagan, this crapy post is for you!

This is us catching our first lighting bug! Ross and I were so excited to finally see them, the next night we went out and caught some. We took some home so we could skype our parents and show them too.

Yep that is a bug in the background that is lit up!

My little chefs!

2011-06-13T12:00:00.004-06:00

I love this picture of Ross and Jackson and had to do a little post about it! Ross is very good at letting Jackson help him with everything! The other night we were having home made pizza for dinner and Ross decided that Jackson needed to help make his own. ( We did give him a little bit and paid for it that night... Note to self, pizza doesn't sit well with Jackson right now)

Mothers day!

2011-06-13T11:52:00.003-06:00

Mothers day was great this year. The Saturday before I headed to the gym and Ross decided that he would take Jackson and get something for me. (I had told him not to because we went a little over on Christmas so we were counting that as mothers day and Fathers day) I came back from the gym with no one home so I decided to hurry and jump in the shower while I had time! Jackson can tend to be needy and showers aren't the first thing to get done.. anyway while I was getting ready I heard a knock at the door and this is what I see!!

I sure love my boys!!

Six month pictures

2011-05-31T09:50:00.006-06:00

I know Jackson is Eight months and I am just posting he six month pictures! But better late then never!
It was so to get these pictures taken. I had a friends (Meg Hall) who I worked with in the relief society in utah take them! She had so many cut props and ideas for Jackson. We also got pictures with his cute little cousin Addison! they were her newborns and Jacksons six months. I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves!

Little stink bug addi!

BBQ Festival

2011-05-20T11:20:00.003-06:00

So sense we moved to Memphis I've been excited to go to the national bbq Festival! This past weekend was the festival... Can I tell you how DISAPPOINTED all of us were! It was so hyped up and talked it about we just knew it was going to be great! I didn't eat that morning so I could have room to eat all the yummy bbq.. As we were walking up the smell was amazing, that smell will probably be in heaven haha It was all that I had imagined it to be.. UNTIL we walk into the festival and we couldn't find anywhere that was selling bbq!! We were so confused all the competitors were cooking way but every place said private party or had their gate closed. We walked around knowing that there couldn't be bbq festival that didn't sell bbq! NOPE we couldn't find one place that would give us some dang food. We finally stopped and asked a guy how it all work. Turns out they don't sell to the public, if you want to eat the food you have to be on a team or sponsor one. We were like ok how much is it to sponsor a team maybe we'll give money so we can eat some freaken food. No worries..... Its 300-500 hundred dollar a person to sponsor a team. What kind of food are they making?? What a joke! Why would people pay money to walk around smelling amazing food and not be able to eat any? Not me, as soon as we learned about the cost we were outta there. We did find one place as we were walking out that was giving out free samples!! But it wasn't bbq, sausage and bloddy marys! You bet I ran over to grabe that piece of sausage!! I even grabbed one of those beer can holders, not because I was going to use it but they were free and I was getting something for the money I paid!! SOOOOOO LAAMMEE!

Here are the few pictures we got!

Sweet Elvis pig!

Jackson relaxing as he gets pushed around in the stroller

Rain Rain Go Away!

2011-05-17T08:28:00.003-06:00

The weather has been so crazy here! I THINK it finally over! I love storms but Utah storms are nothing like these storms! These storms are better haha They came in and didn't leave for weeks! When the storm was close the news would take over the tv and be on all night. Severe weather warnings were on all the time and then came the tornado watches and then warnings! The sirens for the tornados are super loud and go for as long as we are in a warning so all night long. The rain sounded like someone turned on the shower outside and the lighting Never stopped. We had to put a sheet over Jackson window because it kept waking him up! I though all of this was cool. I'm sure I won't think that when a tornado hits us :) (These were the same storms that went into Alabama and destroyed so much) But they did get me thinking that we need to have more food storage and get 72hr kits for all of us! I have orders 72hr food and working on the kits!
With all of these storms happening everywhere the Mississippi river has rose and is flooding everything. Lucky we are far enough away that its not effecting us but if you go into down town it pretty bad and I heard that Arkansas is really bad. We went and looked at the river and was amazed. The river is usually one mile wide and it is over three miles now!! It has finally reached its peak and starting to go down. It peaked at 48 feet! The pictures I have posted are when it was at 44ft. I wish we would have went and seen it at its highest but it was so so hard to get close to the river, all roads were closed and the police were crazy strict!

All this rain came in less then five min!

This is a picture I took from out tv. The news was showing the funnel cloud and that is our apartment building! Crazy! I ran outside to see if it was still there but it was gone :(

Us at the river!

There was a park there... now under water!

Happy Easter!

2011-05-10T16:55:00.002-06:00

So don't know if this happens to anyone else but I had posted this post about a week ago and when I got back on it was gone. Half of it was saved in my draft. My main picture that I changed even changed back to the old one....

Oh well....
If anyone knows my mom they know that she takes everything to the extrem! Holidays are no different! Growing up I loved holidays, my mom would make them so fun. I've known all along that, thats how I want to be with my family! Jackson being six month didn't know what he was doing but I loved decorating, buying and celebrating with him and Ross. Jackson looked so cute in his new easter church close and loved his new walker he got!
I love that Easter is on a sunday as well. I feel like no matter how busy you get or caught up in the holiday you are, you are always brought back to the true meaning of Easter. Which is how it should be! I am so grateful for a older brother who died for me so I can one day live with my Heavenly Father and family again. I'm thankful that through him I am able to forgiven of my sins as I strive to be a better person!
Happy Easter again!

The Crawfish Festival

2011-04-24T19:50:00.005-06:00

Here in the great mid south they do so many weird, interestion but somewhat fun things. A couple of weekends ago we heard of a crawfish festival that was going on and decided to check it out! It was mainly a festival to drink a Lot of beer and eat some crappy crawfish! Ross and I don't like sea food so I don't know why we thought trying the scum of river fish would be good. They tasted like fisher shrimp.. The work to actually get the meat was not wroth the tast. The meat is in the tale and it takes forever to break it all up to get the meat. Also these crawfish were dirty. It seemed like they caught them, boiled them and served them up. There was still dirt and all short of stuff on them. I ate two of them and was done! But it was fun experience!

Family photo at the festival haha

Yep.. Fifteen dollars for these dirty crawfish

Go Ross

Gross

Mr. Crawfish

The Christensen's came with us! They like sea food so it was probably better for them! Its nice cause they are always up for trying new random things.

The tiny meat you get

Jackson- "What the crap is this?"

Start of the ToRnAdOs

2011-04-22T15:03:00.005-06:00

In the last couple of weeks we have had several tornado and storm warnings/watches! Everyone keeps telling that I need to be worried but I love storms and none of them have been big enough to really scary me. The thing I get the most mad about is them taking over "The Price is Right" to talk about a storm that is coming towards us. I wait all day but nothing fun happens. I think its the Mississippi river that pushes most of the storm toward memphis and we don't get it as hard in Horn Lake. Memphis is only 15-20 min away so its pretty close but I wan't some good "bad" weather to come my way! Its been crazy to see how fast the storms have came and gone. It'll start poring and lighting and in a matter of minutes its gone! A three hour hipe and missing my morning shows for a couple drops of water!! Heck... but they (Channel 3 news) say the storm season should be over by the end of May.. We'll see!! I'll post more if something good happens... or maybe I wont because I chose to watch and take pictures of the storm instead of hiding in my bathroom haha

Some of the warning signs that come over the TV.

This one is my favorite haha

All this water came in five min! I was awesome

General Conference!

2011-04-22T09:31:00.002-06:00

I just had to make this little post! I think Jackson looks so cute sitting in front of the computer watching conference. Its weird having to pull it up on the internet to watch it and not just turn on the TV.

Started out strong....

Ended..... Well, not so strong!!

Back to Utah

2011-04-20T16:14:00.011-06:00

The middle part of March Jackson and I went back to Utah to see our first cousin/niece Addison! Heather had bought us tickest to come out and it was so much fun! The trip was mainly chilling at Heathers house holding Addi! I loved every second of it. She is so cute and Jackson would just look at her and try and touch her. We did get to see a couple of people while we were there but time flew by so fast and I didn't get to see everyone. But the summer is coming and we will see everyone

The plane ride to Utah! No one was sitting by us so I put Jackson in his own seat and took pictures haha Jackson did really well on the plane both going there and coming back! I was thankful because I was all alone.

"Get your knees out of my back" no Jackson loved looking out the window of the plane

True love!! Mahala and Jackson. I always love going and visiting the Reynolds when we are home. We miss having them so close. Pictures were hard to get with these two!

Meagan making Jackson laugh

Taking a bath

I love his robe

Haha Dad wants around! We got this one picture and then he started crying

Jackson got his 6 month pictures while we were there! More to come

Cute little Addi

Jackson trying to eat Addi

Oma and her two favorite people

We had to tuck Jacksons hand under his body so he couldn't grab Addi!

Jackson and Addi

Looking at the chickens with Opa

Looking with aunt Heidi

Jackson with uncle Tyler

Nashville/Kentucky Trip

2011-04-19T20:11:00.009-06:00

Over Ross's spring break we decided to go to nashville for the weekend. It was really fun. We stayed in Nashville for a night and then off to Kentucky. In Nashville we went to go on a tour through the Grand Ole Opry but when we got there we had missed the ten o'clock tour by 15 min and the next one wasn't tell four. It was kinda a bummer but we looked at the prices to go and see a concert there and they were only ten dollars more then the tour so we decided to go to the concert! The concert was a blast, there was nine plus people that sang. I only went to see Carrie Underwood but realized that I knew Blake Shelton and a couple other people. The nice thing the Opy does is let you go up to the stage when people are singing and take pictures no matter where your seat are. Jackson did really well during the concert. He got a little fussy cause it was hot and he HATES being hot and it was late. "He now loves Carrie Underwood. I turn her on and he whips his head around and starts smiling! I love it!"
While we waited for the concert to start we went and saw the replica of the Parthenon! It was huge and really cool to see! We also went to Andrew Jacksons house. It was really windy and Jackson needed to take a nap so Ross and I didn't go on the tour. We let Jackson sleep in the car while the others went on the tour.
After the concert we drove to Bowling Green Kentucky. While we were there we went to the Mammoth caves. There were so many of them and they were huge. Jackson needed to eat so we left late and when we got to the caves the tour everyone was going on was sold out haha I know it was awesome! But it turned out to be for the best cause Jackson got to take a nap and they said inside the cave it got smaller and it would have been hard to hold Jackson and go through. But all in all the whole trip was really fun!

The pictures uploaded backwards. So it starts from the end of our trip to the first!

This was inside the mexican restaurant we saw on the way home from the caves.

At the mouth of the cave! The water fall was awesome

Carrie Underwood! Jacksons love!

Blake Shelton

Jackson ready for the concert with his ear plugs

The view from the stage looking out

Inside the Grand Ole Opry

The whole group waiting for the concert.

Matt and Lauren trying to get a picture of Jackson opening his mouth. The whole trip he would open his mouth when someone would look and him and open theirs.

The replica of the Parthenon in Nashville

Outside the Grand Ole Opry

Jackson in the gift shop

More from outside

Jackson with dad in bed! He didn't think it was important to sleep on our trip.

Flat Stanley

2011-04-19T09:33:00.007-06:00

My sister Heather's, team assistents little boy had a project in his second grade class that was flat Stanley. They read a book about how a chalkboard fell on him and made him flat. During the story they see that Flat Stanley can do many thing because he is Flatt, one of them is he can be mailed to other people in the mail and see the world. So there assignment was to send his flat Stanley to someone. I dont think they had anyone fun to send it too and so my sister told her that she could send it to me. "not saying i'm fun but I lived far away from him." So he sent it to me and I was to change his clothes to fit where we live and to take him around the area and take pictures of him. It was actually really fun! People would give me the weirdest looks while I was taking pictures of him haha Here are the pictures of Flat Stanley.

Jackson holding a rib!

Pea body hotel seeing the ducks!

Mississippi River

Beal Street

Jackson's big boy chair and eating baby food

2011-04-19T09:06:00.005-06:00

The first part of March Ross and I decided that we would get Jacksons high chair out and see if he like it... He loved it!! It was awesome to have because while we would eat dinner Jackson didn't like just sitting in his bouncer and watching us, he wanted to be up by the table with us. We would take turns holding him while the other one would eat and then switch.. It was a pain so it was nice to have this where he could sit with us and play with his toys while we both ate dinner!

Starting baby food was/is fun and frustrating! He wanted to suck the food and not open his mouth. He is now better at opening his mouth and eating more but he only likes sweet potatoes and peas.. Yeah I know weird. We have to give him one of those and then after a fruit and he'll maybe eat it! I don't know how to fix it! But I gave him some real watermelon and he loved it.. so he likes fruit but wont eat it in baby food.. I guess we'll just keep trying!

It snows here in Mississippi too

2011-04-19T08:53:00.003-06:00

Yep is snows here! This was in January and we had a couple good storms. I saw more snow fall here then the whole two months I was in Utah! Now when it snows a half inch in Mississippi EVERYTHING shuts down, not joking Ross had at least four snow days from school, the Dr offices close, school for the kids are closed, people are sent home from work or told not even to come in, everything is closed. I loved as I was watching TV they would have everything that was closed or would be the next day and no lie it would go on for hours... Here they love having that little pop up box say stuff. Now its the weather watcher, storm here, tornado watch there blah blah! But I was happy it snows here! Now its high 70's and humid but what can you do!

Christmas!

2011-04-19T08:32:00.003-06:00

Christmas was so so fun! We were at my parents house this year. Jackson was sure spoiled but what do you expect when he was the only grandchild on both sides. (Addi is now here so Jackson is not the only one on my parents side anymore) It was nice to be home with family and have Ross there with me. I went to Utah in November with my mom and Jackson and Ross stayed to finish up finals and then come out. We did the normal Christmas holiday stuff walked around temple square, played in the snow, had Christmas eve "German" dinner with my dads side of the family and Christmas day opened gift and visited with family! Christmas eve I was feeling bad cause Jackson didn't have a lot of gift under the tree, he had plenty of gift we just didn't wrap them so at 12pm when Ross was sick of hearing me talk about how bad of a mom I was he took me up stairs and we wrapped Jackson gifts and put them under the tree. He then had the most gifts under there and I felt better! Ross decided to get creative and sewed some stuff on a plain onsie! It was fun sewing but we didn't get to bed tell two that morning. So there was Christmas in a net shell! I'm on a different computer that doesn't have all our photos on it so more pictures will come.

Halloween!

2011-04-19T08:13:00.004-06:00

Halloween was fun and different here in Mississippi. We have a huge apartment complex that we live in and barely any kids came by. I'm not really sure where they go or if its a big thing here. They gave us signs to put on our door to say if Trick or Treaters were welcome or not.. mine was up all night and we maybe have ten kids! My mom was here over Halloween and we decided to go look around to see where everyone was! On the corner there was a church, not sure what kind, there are a LOT of different ones here, but they were having a trunk in treat. I'd never seen a real one before. They actually decorated the trunks of their cars and all the kids went around to them. All of the trunks were decorated amazing too. It was really fun for my mom and I to walk around and see them all. I will be taking Jackson there this Halloween. We'll just skip the last tent where they say the "Best Treat" is. My mom and I were curious what it was so we were creepers and stood out side and listend. The guy in there told the kids that God was the best treat and then gave then a paper inviting them to church bah haha I love it here!

Here's a picture of Jackson on Halloween, no costume fit him cause he was only a month old! But he was a lion!

Cars

2011-02-21T21:33:00.002-07:00

I know I haven't wrote a post in awhile and I'm going to try and be better but I had to hurry and write this wonderful story really quick!

So today after Ross got home from school (yes they made him go to school on Presidents day!! But don't you worry we got Martin Luther King day off and celebrated it for a month!!!) Anyway I wont go into what they think is important here and not, thats another post. So Ross gets home from school and we go to Best Buy to look for a new camera. After testing them all out we went over to the movie section to see if they had any good ones. Ross and I have been trying to get all the Disney movie but have to buy them slowly because they are so expensive. We love the movie Cars and always want to buy it but always find a cheaper movie and leave Cars in hopes that one day it will come on sale. Well today we came across Cars and it wasn't on sale, like it never is but I picked it up and we said we would think about it! I carried it all around the store for like a half hour while we look at more stuff. When we finally decided to leave we sat there and looked at the movie debating if we wanted to get it or not. We decided that it never comes on sale and we might as well buy it! I know I sound dumb telling how buying Cars is such a big decision but we try and save the money we have. Needless to say we were pretty happy to have Cars in our movie selection haha

When we got home we set the movie on the table and made dinner and didn't think about the movie much until just barley! We got Jackson down to bed and Ross was starting to study so I decided that I would write our name on the movies we bought and watch Cars! Well... I start taking off the plastic of the other movie and writing our name on them and get to Cars the last one and there was NO plastic on it... I was like thats weird... then I open the movie box... No DVD in it!! I was like Ross did you put Cars in the DVD player?? (hoping he did) Ross: nope why? Yep!! after waiting forever to finally buy our beloved movie we bought a EMPTY case!! Someone had opened it in the store and took it haha Shoot Dang I love living in this here Mississippi!

Finally my Labor story! and a post :)

2011-01-11T10:09:00.008-07:00

Well.... where do I begin on updating everyone on whats happened the past three months.. Its been the best and hardest three months of both mine and Ross's lives. Best thing that happened was JACKSON our sweet little boy was born, healthy and strong! (Labor story)... Here in Mississippi they don't like you to go over on your due date and my Doctor was going out of town the week of my due date so he told me that he was going to induce me a week early.. Exciting and scary at the same time. I made many calls to my old work "a OB office" to see what the doctor I was seeing and worked for thought of that. He told me not to do it haha in Utah with IHC for a first time mom you can't be induced early if there is no problems going on. I was so torn. My Dr. here was pretty much telling me I needed to do it because the baby could get to big and I would need a C-section and my Dr. in Utah was telling me not to because my body wouldn't be ready and I would have a good chance of a C-section! Ross and I prayed about it and felt like we could choose and things would work out. "Can I tell you I HATE that answer!! I like black and white, wet and dry answers.. Just tell me what to do :) So, with our Dr. here telling us he does it all the time and there are very few that turn into a c-section, we decided to go ahead and be induce. Now I was only dilated to a one and not effaced! "I know I sound crazy.. and it probably was!" We told the Dr. we would do it with one restriction, that I could have a Cervidil placed. A cervidil is pretty much medication put on and a peace of clothe and placed on your cervix to make it become softer or effaced! I thought this would help me on not having to have a c-section... We'll at ten p.m. Monday the 27th we were finally able to go in to the hospital and have my cervidil done. I was hooked up to monitors the whole night and couldn't eat or drink anything until I delivered.. Didn't know that happened and it sucked! So, we didn't get much sleep that night. The next morning at 10 a.m. my Dr. came in to check me and take out my cervidil! I was excited to see the progress I had made over the night... He checks me and is like "well your still a one and 40% effaced......... sh**! I made no progress!! But my lovely Dr. decided to brake my water then anyway! "Again I thought this was dumb and it wasn't very fun to have done only being a ONE! Hell Dr! Well I thought after my water being broken that I would go fast and everything would be dandy! Nope! 12 came still the same 2 p.m, maybe a two, 6 o'clock you could be a three. . "At this time I was done feeling the labor and wanted my epidural but they wont give you one tell you are a four cm. So the nurse was like I can give you some meds that will help with the pain. I was like "sounds great" The nurse didn't tell me that it doesn't take the pain away it just puts you asleep. The nurse wasn't even out of the room and I was seeing double and was out! 8 O'clock I wake up still a three! 9 p.m "Want more medication" says the nurse. "yep!" 10 p.m the Dr. comes back in to check me and was like your at a four!! "Finally I can get my epidural!! Nope because the nurse gave me more medication "that didn't work that time" I have to wait another hour and have a bag of fluid put into me. Well, within that hour I went from a four to a Eight! "Call me a wimp but it was the worst hour of my life, I didn't know of that kind of pain!" So at 11 p.m I got my epidural! "I don't know why you wouldn't want one! It was great after that! At 12 A.M my nurse comes in and checks me saying i'm a TEN and we'll call the Dr. 12:15 the nurse comes in and says "he should be here any min" 12:30 Nurse "where is he" 12:40 the nurse was pacing in our room. Ross says "you don't need to say with us, were ok" nurse "No, we don't like the babies being born in the bed.. You can see his head. We probably should put you on oxygen because the babies heart rate is going down a little too." I was like "what the F! only F nothing else! where is my doctor" Ross went and looked and came up white and I could tell he was then scared! 1 a.m my doctor comes strolling in, saying.. "sorry after you called I fell back asleep." and then turns and watches the story on ESPN that we had on. I swear if my legs weren't numb I would have kicked his head in! I start pushing and my contractions stop.. well coming every 10-15 min. The nurse was so mad because I was so good before! But needless to say Jackson was born at 1:37 a.m Wednesday the 29th of September!

So there you go! My very long and crazy labor story! "Don't worry there is more stories of my doctor being stupid"

Little Jackson right after being born

My Stupid Doctor!!

First time holding him! Amazing!

On Oxygen waiting for the Dr.

One day!

2010-10-24T20:21:00.005-06:00

Hi Ya'll.
One day I will up day my blog with Jackson and my three day, 16 hour wonderful labor story! Jackson is doing wonderful, colic and that is why there is no updates. I'm still learning how to be a mom and not have anxiety over EVERYTHING! Hopefully the swing thats coming will help me out! Until then here is our sweet little boy!

He loves his Dad

School, School, School!

2010-09-27T11:50:00.003-06:00

I know this is my third post today but I just wanted to give everyone a little update on my cute little Doctor student! Ross took his first round of test last week and did pretty good on them! It seems like the guys study all the time and us girls never really see them but its worth it in the end! I'm so proud of Ross and all he has been doing . He really is so smart! He loves going to school and actually learning stuff that has to deal with Optometry! He comes home and shines lights in my eyes claiming I need glasses but I'm pretty sure I can still see just fine :) He says my eyes are focusing through and thats why I can see.. I tell him i'm fine and he gets mad and says when I'm forty and can't see don't come to him because he's not giving me anything haha I love my little Doctor!

Ross's School!

Some of Ross's stuff! He loves it

Armadillo Hunting!!

2010-09-27T09:51:00.003-06:00

Okay everyone! Moving to Mississippi has brought so many new things into my life! One being that there are armadillos all around.. well, I see them all the time with their feet up in the air dead on the side of the road so I knew they were here. I know its only been a little over a month that I have lived here but I've wanted to see a living one SOOO bad, call me weird but I did! We were at some friends house (that live in our same complex of apartments) last Friday playing Mario brothers when they told us that they saw a armadillo just outside! I was so excited and told them if they see another one I wanted to come over! Well, Saturday my wish came true haha We were just getting home from the Relief Society broadcast when I got a text telling me there were more! I ran inside grabbed the camera and Ross and off we went! But when I got there they were gone..... So we hunted for them and found one in the parking lot! Ok, they are a little scary and make funny noises but I just wanted a picture of one so I started walking up to it! Who knew that armadillos are freakin fast runners. I tried to run after it taking pictures as I ran but it was just to fast.. BUT I SAW ONE. actually three Ross and I walked along the jungle going home and saw two more but again they heard us and ran! I have now looked up what those dang armadillos like to eat and I'm going to set it out and wait for them to come to me! One day I will get a picture of a living ARMADILLO, until then you only get these lovely pictures :)

This is a" running after the armadillo picture." Yes there is No armadillo in the picture but its just behind the bush running for dear life! One day I'll get one

Our hunt! There was like eight of us out there looking for them haha I'm sure other people saw and were like what the heck is going on. Stupid Utah Optometry kids!

More hunting

TAFFY

2010-09-27T09:36:00.003-06:00

Top chiefs make taffy! For last weeks cooking we made taffy. Lauren had made it before when she was little so we knew a little more of what we should be doing then the bagels! We probably could have cooked it a little longer because when we pored it out and tried to pull it, it was so so sticky but we got it to work!

The sticky mess

Yes, BreeAnn made Jackson out of taffy..

Pulling the taffy!

Fishing..

2010-09-20T14:16:00.005-06:00

We went fishing without our husbands!! I've been fishing plenty of times but never without a boy there to help me tie the line, bate the hook, cast the poll and take off the fish! So pretty much I would just real in when I caught something. But this time Lauren, BreeAnn and I went fishing at Laurens "lake" big pond at her apartment complex all by ourselves. We started off slow but by the end we were catching them like crazy! The hard part was trying to shake the fish off cause no one wanted to touch them. We figured if they didn't float back up then they were just fine! BreeAnn caught one in the belly and when we shook it off it floated back up but we figured it wasn't the shaking but the hook in the belly that did it haha In all we caught eight fish!

BreeAnn and Lauren waiting for the fish to come

Lauren caught the first fish and BreeAnn is taking it off with her baby wipe lol

One of BreeAnn's fish

Hook in the Belly... Poor fishy

My only fish! Yep I'm fat!

Lauren was amazing and caught five!

Bagels!

2010-09-20T10:23:00.002-06:00

So I made bagels last week haha yeah I know what everyone is thinking.. I don't cook! I sure don't but it was really fun and they actually turned out good! Lauren (another wife who's been left at home while her husband goes to school with Ross) came over and we started cooking! First problem.. How much yeast do we need? Did I buy enough? When they say "envelope" is that one package or the all three? It says two packets but we couldn't add or read the labels correctly. I know yeast shouldn't be hard BUT it is! We finally figured it out and then problem number two! When it says warm water how warm do they mean haha yeast is alive? yes we had a rough start but after the yeast was all done we flew through it! Well, until we had to boil the dough.. Who knew bagels were boiled! Let just say we had a couple that didn't turn out so well.. I think to much water got in them or something! Anyway it was really fun and we plan on cooking much more! I'm pretty sure we'll end up on top chief one day! :)

Lauren boiling the bagels!

Putting the cinnamon sugar on them

Finished product! I'm pretty proud of us

So happy we are now chiefs hahahahaha

Welcome Home ya'll!

2010-09-09T11:27:00.008-06:00

So people keep telling me they want to see home! I don't if I call it home just yet. I still feel like I'm on a vacation that I happened to bring all my stuff with me. I really like our apartment though and the area feels safe too :) The ward here is great! Most everyone is going to SCO and so no one has family close by so they are always having activities and really try to make you feel welcome. I'm excited to go to all the play groups and activities once little Jax's is here. I can see how people say the ward becomes your family. I'm thankful to be a member for many reasons but one reason I didn't realize tell now was I will have friends wherever I go because of the church. Ross is loving school but is gone all the time which leaves me home alone a lot. Its hard at times because I get bored and start missing thing from home but once Jaxon comes my days will be full! Anyway here is "HOME"

The entrance to our apartments. (Yes we are in a gated community but lately one gate is always open so I don't know how that is keeping me any safer! Maybe tomorrow I'll go try and push it shut or something!)

The outside of our Building

The Frontroom

The Kitchen area

Jaxon's Room! Its nice to finally have a room to set up all his stuff!

And our room! ( I left out the 2 bathroom cause we all know what those look like :)

Now lets go outside! First we must pray for safety. We've even learned how to pray in our sleep haha

We have like four of these ponds around our apartments. They have turtles, fish and frogs!

The jungle outside our back window. I'm just waiting for T-Rex to come running out

The Pool

Random but we have our own car wash too

Volleyball!

I'm excited for the fitness center and Free tanning bed! I know random that they have a free tanning bed but this is my thinking! There aren't many people that need to go tanning.. I mean they're not lacking in the White area haha Was that bad to say?? Well I did so there you go!

And our putting green! One day when Ross and I have saved a little money we are going to become golfers!

Well there you have it! Welcome to Mississippi Ya'll! You can come visit anytime you want!

Two Years!

2010-09-08T19:44:00.003-06:00

Has it really been TWO years! Ross and I celebrated our anniversary on the 29th of August. It seems these two years have gone bye so fast but when I look back on them we have done so much. I can't believe we are already in Optometry school and having our first baby! I wish I could tell you of all the fun we had celebrating but with me going into pre-term labor and not seeing a doctor by that time we felt it was best to just go out to eat! We went to the Olive Garden (I know we live somewhere with all types of great food and we chose the Olive Garden!) but it was nice to go to dinner and talk about anything and everything! I don't know how I got so lucky to be married to such a wonderful, amazing guy! I love him so much and can't wait to be married to him for forever!

Ross took me to bridalveil falls and played his guitar and sang "Question" by old 97 to ask me to marry him. I put the song on our play list if you want to hear it!

Way out here!!

2010-08-31T12:33:00.003-06:00

For any of you that have heard the random country song on my playlist and wonder why? I did it for a reason! It is playing every time I get in the car! If you haven't heard it go listen to it, you'll get a good laugh! Its called "Way Out Here" by Josh Thompson

WELCOME TO MISSISSIPPI!!

Boondocks = Preterm Labor

2010-08-30T11:52:00.004-06:00

WARNING LONG POST!

Lets just say the last days in Utah weren't the best for me. The plan was for Ross, Matt, my parents, Ross's dad and whit to leave on Saturday and drive everything to Mississippi and I would fly in on Monday. The doctor said it was more safe for me to fly to MS then to drive being prego and all. So Saturday we all woke up bright and early and everyone left on their 25 hour drive. Check! Everything is going well! Actually everything went well that day! I went back to sleep and then headed to my parents house where I was going to stay the next couple nights. Tyler was so nice and decided to take me on a date and we went to Chili's for dinner and then to Boondocks to play some mini golf. It was super fun and I even beat Ty in golf. I knew he was trying to hide that he was mad that I was beating him so, me being the nice sister, took the chance to rub it in one last time before I left! He took it well. So that was my night.. Nothing big

Well, Sunday morning I work up with this really bad back pain. I didn't think much of it. I laid around, decided to take a bath to see if that would help it out. I figured that it was the mini golf the night before and I probably did something to it or just all the bending made it sore. I got out of the bath and started to get ready, it only hurt on my right side and would hurt more if I put all my weight on my right foot. Me still thinking the same thing just push past the pain and finish getting ready. Not a big deal my back hurt. I decided to call my mom to see what my dad would do when his back hurt. Just wanting a simple answer lay down put heat on it. NOPE thats not what I got! She kinda freaked. Our conversation went something like this

MOM: Becca, that could be back labor and you need to go to Labor and Delivery..

Me: "laughing" Mom that is not it! My muscles just hurt from mini golf. what does dad do?

Mom: No, Becca you need to get checked out.

Me: No I don't its nothing!

Mom: Rebecca....

Me: Ok, how about I text one of the Nurses at my work and see what they have to say.

Mom: Ok, let me know what she says.

Me: k, bye.

So I text Rach from work.

Me: Rach, should I be worried if my back hurts? I went mini golfing last night and I'm sure its that but my mom is freaking out.

Rach: Well, yes and no. It could be preterm labor, a UTI or it could just be you did to much yesterday.

Me: ok, so I'm fine I just did to much!

Rach: I would just go in to L&D just to be safe Becca. You are leaving tomorrow and just make sure everything is ok.

Me: HELL "in my head" Ok thanks girl. (not really grateful for giving me the wrong answer haha)

So I called my mom back and told her what Rach said..

Mom: Rebecca go in now! Get Tyler to take you

Me: Fine.. bye

I knew nothing was wrong and it was just going to be a waste of time! All of my siblings were coming over in a couple hours to have dinner and I didn't want to put everything on hold. But Tyler and I went into LDS hospital. I told Ty to just park in the two hour parking cause we wouldn't be there close to that. I felt so stupid going up to L&D telling them my back hurt can you check me out. What a little wimp! They were all very nice and put me into a room. The nurse came in and took a urine sample (with a catheter, yeah.. never had that done before and it wasn't fun and made me more mad that I was there) and hooked me up to the NST. I've seen NST before because of where I worked so I looked to see what was going on.. All of a sudden I see the line go up saying I'm having a contraction.. "NO, that was nothing, baby moved or something made that happen!" Four min later another one comes.. "Freak" The nurse comes in and was like there is nothing wrong with your urine but you are have contractions every four min apart and they are lasting for forty-five seconds. I was like I don't feel anything! You don't feel them said the nurse? Nope, I feel fine! Can I go home?! haha nope, the Dr. wont let you leave until they are at least ten min apart.. WELL, Needless to say I was there TEN hours with two bags of fluids, two shots and some pill every fifteen min trying to get my contractions to stop. They finally got my contractions to every ten min apart and I asked if I could leave and by this time the Dr. had decided that we wasn't going to let me leave until they were all the way gone.. I was so mad. But it only took another hour for them to let me go home. But telling me that the Dr. didn't want me to fly out tomorrow, that I needed to go see my Dr. I couldn't believe what was happening. I called Ross "who was text me every five min because he was so nervous and hated that I was there and he was across the country and couldn't be there with me" and told him the news. I think he and my mom just wan't to die! But everything turned out ok!

I went to my Dr. and he checked me and said that I needed to come back the next day and if nothing had changed that I could fly out Wednesday. Everything was fine and the airline even moved my flight later with out charging me because it was a medical emergency.

I have many people to thank! Tyler for staying the whole ten+ hours with me at the hospital. Heather for coming to the hospital with food, calling the airlines for me and taking me out to Cindys house late a night.

Heidi, also for coming to the hospital and letting me stay at her house and then taking me to the airport Wednesday at 5:30am.

Cindy, for letting me come to her house, taking such good care of me and for driving me to provo two days in a row to see the doctor.

Ross and my mom for being my support thousands of miles away and setting up my house. (more on the house next post)

And for all of my friends who were texting me and came to see me the couple extra days I was home.

I told you it was going to be long but I wanted to write it down so I didn't forget it!

Saying goodbye

2010-08-30T10:44:00.005-06:00

As most of you know we have moved from dry Utah to HUMID Mississippi so Ross could go to Optometry school. I hate saying goodbye and have never been good at showing my emotions very well. I like goodbye to be quick and then I can go cry later!

Sorry this post has a lot of pictures but they are people I didn't like saying goodbye to.. (no real order and pictures are just ones I had)

My Parents.. I have the most wonderful parents in the world! There are no words to explain how amazing they are.

Heather my oldest sister.

Heidi my older sister

Poo Poo My twin brother tyler

Caroline My younger sister

My roommates.

The Sorensen's

The Reynolds.. Our best friends and one day our daughter-in-law! Don't make new friends to fast with us gone.

All my crazy friends! I know its only of my Malfy but I just had to put this one up for all of them. Anyone who has met here knows she is crazy and loud enough to represent them all!

My work!

I had to put this one up of Raquel! She is the life of the office and the one that took the most crap from me! If anyone goes into my office make fun of her. She the one on the right hand side as you look at the picture! Yep.. thats her the crazy looking one :)

I don't know if I was really sad to say goodbye to our apartment but saying goodbye to everything around and changing places was hard. ok... Really from that place we will only miss the Reynolds! Maybe our weekly smell of weed from our neighbors too

So there you have it. People I didn't like saying goodbye too. The Huston's are part of that group as well but I didn't have a picture of them. I'm sure I'll do a post of things I miss and all of the people on this post will be on it as well. I love everyone of you and thank you for everything you did for us.

Weddings!

2010-08-26T11:47:00.004-06:00

On Aug 5th my older sister Heidi was married! We were all so scared of it raining that day because it had rained every day that week!! Lets just say a lot of prayers were answered that day. Not a drop of rain!! The day turn out to be pretty cool because of all the rain we had, had before! You could say the day was perfect! Heidi looks so so amazing and her and Adrian look so happy! My mom did a great job in the yard. Her many many hours back there paid off. I wish a had pictures of the yard to show you all!

Congrats to the new couple and we're excited to have Adrian join our family! He's coming along with making fun of people so I think he's going to fit in perfectly!

Adrian and Heidi!

Playing with the sparklers after Heidi and Adrian had left

Best I have of the yard.

Car Diz Wedding

One of my room mates and best friends Car Diz was also married that weekend! It was so fun to go to the sealing and be apart of her wedding. Her and Judd are the perfect match for each other! Carly look so beautiful! I like to call Carly and Judd my little model couple! Take one of their engagement photos and put it in a clothing store window and I'd buy the clothes trying to look like them haha I love you Car diz and Judd and am so happy for you guys to be married!

Ross, me, Judd, Carly, Chelsi and Mike! Best Roomies ever

Murder Mystery Dinner

2010-08-26T10:56:00.004-06:00

A couple weeks before Ross and I left the Reynolds had Murder Mystery dinner at their house! We had heard of them but never done one before. It was so much fun! We all got an invite and on the invite was what character we would be playing during the dinner. I was Elvira-Lyn Fection aka.. THE WHORE!! and Ross was Elias Truist-Heath. It wasn't a surprise that I was a whore! We had talked about it before and come on.. Tyrel would let that opportunity pass bye to call me a whore all night long. Honestly I though my character was the most fun to dress up as and play! Tyrel and Meagan did a great job hosting the party! The dinner was wonderful and the decorations were a great add to the party. (Noose and all :)

I think it would be fun to have a dinner out here! We first need to make friends... and then have them be close enough to fight with them and call them names... So maybe our fourth year haha I think in this game you would have to be close friends or family to really have its full potential.

Thanks agian Meagan and Tyrel for the fun night!

The group!

Ross and I: Elias Truist-Heath and Elvira-Lyn Fection

Tyrel and Meagan: P'elvis Swaggerin & Butch Chastity

Melissa and Stewart: Helena Handcart & Wyatt Hertz

..... and Gina:Chief Breaking Wind & Dee Adela Muerte (sorry for his name! He was really nice though)

.... Oh and I was the Murderer!!

24th of July and Real game

2010-08-26T10:13:00.006-06:00

The 24th of July is something I always look forward to each year! Bountiful has their parade and firework show. Now the parade was much more fun when I was little but the fireworks are still amazing every year! This year we invited our friends the Reynolds to come. (yes, probably related somewhere down the line, if Tyrel could remember his grandparents names maybe one day we could figure it out!)
I love bringing new people to the fireworks because my mom is crazy about it all and gets up the morning of at 4am to be the first to set out chairs for the parade and then goes strait up to where the fireworks are and saves like half the hill! I think the great seats we have make everything so much better! Thanks mom

We are a great looking group!..

The fireworks started out a little loud for hala but give her a little mom and dp and everything is fine!

Some of my family on the hill waiting for the fireworks to start

Ross and I also went to a Real game during July! Ross has a guy that he works with that him and his family has season tickets and are crazy fans. We sat next to them during the game and they knew every chant, player and yelled their little hearts out. They also were decked out in real stuff and some even had masks. "Still trying to figure out what the masks were all about but they got some great looks" I love soccer and though their yelling made the game more fun.

Real ended up in a 1-1 tie because our lame keeper hit the ball into our own net!! How long has he been playing?? Hit the ball out not into your own goal! Other then our own goal the game was an experience I wont forget and having fireworks after made it that much better!

Ross trying out the masks!

Yay Linus!

2010-06-10T21:12:00.003-06:00

This past Friday Ross and I went and watched my little sister Caroline graduate from High School!! I thought my mom was going to die seeing her baby moving on in life but I was just thankful she graduated haha She had me worried when I heard at mid-terms she was telling my parents that she was FAILING a class and wanted to get into another one! Count your blessings she somehow pulled off a good grade in the class! Its weird to see her graduate.. I swear I was a lot older and more mature then she is. She's still so small :) But I am proud of her and thought I should give a little shout out for linus!

Bear Lake!!

2010-06-10T20:48:00.004-06:00

Ross and I went up to Bear Lake with Ross's cousin a couple weeks ago and staid at their amazing cabin! Ross had never been to Bear Lake before so I was excited for him and I to be able to go before we left. The weather was cold (expected) but the guys still got their round of golf in so I guess it wasn't to bad! It was nice to get away and just relax for the weekend. I loved loved the view of the lake from the cabin. I'm sure Ross was sick of me saying look how pretty it is, look at the lake and how blue it looks! Ross was more interested in shooting the potguts that would come around!

Don't worry we got shakes while we were there!!

No, its not the camera... I'm getting fat:)

The amazing cabin

The view!!

Its a BOY!!

2010-05-19T17:16:00.004-06:00

I know for a lot of you this post is a little late :) But I thought I should post it anyway for the ones that don't know! We had our 20 Week ultrasound this Monday and it was so fun to see our little guy again. He's moving like crazy and everything looks great!... Now if Ross and I can decide on a name!

BYU is almost over!

2010-05-12T17:22:00.003-06:00

Ross Graduated!! We'll he walked, he has the summer semesters to go and then we are done with BYU! I'm very proud of him for working hard and graduating so quick. For the past two years Ross has been going every semester, taking 18-19 credits. During that time he has also studied for the OAT, was excepted to Optometry school, worked part time and was the Elders Quorum president. Its amazing what he can do!! I'm so grateful to be married to such an amazing guy.

Its true!! We're having a BABY!!

2010-04-14T15:50:00.004-06:00

Yep its crazy but true! Most people know but I decided it was time for me to post it on our blog! We are very excited but nervous to become parents! I'm am 15 weeks and ready to be done with being sick all the time. I will love the day when food starts to sound good again!
On a more happy note! We find out what its going to be next Thursday!! I know 16 weeks isn't that to early? Nope, not when you work for a OB/GYN, Lucky we know!! We both don't care what it is, we just want it to be healthy!
We told my family on Tyler's and mine birthday. We gave Tyler a card that said how he was the best uncle and put a ultrasound picture in it! He was confused for a sec and then just turned looked at me and said "Are you serious?" ha ha Our families are excited to both have their first grandchild but sad that we will be moving across the country when I'm 34 weeks pregnant! I guess they'll just have to come visit more :)

This is at 12 weeks! It was waving its hands all over the place, you can see one hand by its face! I'll put up the 8 week one but this one was just fun!