It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

We put the Christmas tree up tonight. I was just going to put up a little one because our kiddos are still so little (and last year, I just got frustrated with Jackson taking off all the ornaments), but Brent talked me into our "big" one (that we've had since our Nebraska days). I'm glad we put it up. Jackson was SOOO excited. I was rolling listening to Jackson's comments during the process. Here's the top 5 Jackson comments of the night:

5) Mommy, Daddy made a big tree and it's beautiful! (Talking about putting the branches and lights on the artificial tree)

4) The Christmas tree is tall...like a giraffe. (I think it's 5'6")

3) Ashton got a big bonk. (As we took pictures and Ashton went face-first into the floor-Jackson isn't very patient with holding her)

2) I petted the Christmas tree softly.

1) It's yucky! (Jackson speaking of the candy cane he ate that we've had since our FIRST Christmas...9 years ago)

I'm so lucky! What cute kids.
Right before Ashton's "big bonk".
Helping Daddy with the branches.

Putting up the tree. It was a fun process (mostly because I "supervised" and Brent did all the manual labor). I love the smell of real trees, but during our first years of marriage, I think I killed 2 vacuums with all the fallen pine needles, so now we stick with the artificial make and model. I usually have some kind of Yankee Candle fragrance filling the pine void. I have to say that having children makes the process so much more fun. Now I just have to get our Christmas Cards mailed and we'll be set.

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a great time with Colleen, Mike and their kids. Brandon, Paige and Dawson were so great with Jackson. They played and wrestled...it was so great to have such amazing cousins to play with. I don't think Ashton was ever put down...she was held the entire time! Jackson and Ashton did great on the plane. Brent and I were a little worried about travel over the holiday, but the airport shuffle went well and even though we now have to pay for a plane ticket for Jackson, it was worth it for him to have his own seat. All I can say is...thank goodness for portable DVD players! Thanks for having us! We had a GREAT time! (Oh, and Colleen, thanks for getting me addicted to Cherry Coke Zero!)
Jackson playing with the cousins.
Paige was great! We wish we lived closer...she'd be our favorite babysitter!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is my last Thankful post. It's been a great experience to think about my many blessings. It reminds me Irving Berlin's song from White Christmas:

"When I'm worried and I can't sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep.

And I fall asleep, Counting my blessings.

When my bankroll is getting small, I think of when I had none at all.

And I fall asleep, Counting my blessings".

Today I'm thankful:

1) That my brother, Jess, just got accepted into a Nurse Anesthetist program!!! He's been working so hard, and I'm so proud of him. Way to go, Jess!

2) For the little things in life: sunny days, Diet Coke (could not survive without it!), family reunions, finding an extra 20$ in my pants pocket, hugs and kisses, letters, hot baths, soft pillows, low drama in my life (I beginning to really enjoy 'boring'), a good read, my favorite movies, family traditions, yummy food, long-time friends, I could go on and on!

3) That the price of gas is going down. I filled up the other day, and smiled (that's right...smiled!!). The funny thing was, I looked around and the lady next to me said, "Holy Cow, that's awsome", another lady next to me was humming as she filled up, and the the guy next to me filling up was whistling...that's right...whistling! Joy to the World!!! : )

Have a wonderful and safe holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful Tuesday

Today I'm thankful...
1) That we leave tomorrow for Portland for the Thanksgiving holiday!!! :)

2) That I get along with my in-laws. So many people I've spoken with are shocked that I'm going to my sister-in-law's house for Thanksgiving. I'm so lucky to have such great in-laws as friends!!

3) That I got my Visiting Teaching done...whew!

What are you thankful for?

Monday Thankfulness

Today I'm thankful for...

1) Tylenol/Ibuprofen...Ashton's teething-need I say more? She's done pretty well, and has one bottom tooth that has completely broken through.

2) Lovies...my children's blankets. Nothing helps sooth Ashton and Jackson like their "lovies" (Thank you to my friend, Kim for the AMAZING Barefoot Dreams blankets!!!).

3) The library. We go through bundles of books a week. I'm glad Jackson likes to read. He even will "read" to himself if I'm busy. Cute kid.

Thankful Sunday

I asked Jackson what he was thankful for and he said...

1) Mommy, Daddy, Ashton, Papa, Nana, Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Coco, Tricia, Aunt Mimi, Kolton, Madi, and Ethan (all in one breath)

2) Jesus

3) Chocolate milk

What are you thankful for?

Saturday Thankfulness

1) As a University of Utah alum, I have to be very thankful that the Utes beat BYU today. This is very good for the Mountain West. Now if we could only do something about that stupid television contract...

2) I'm thankful none of my harp strings broke today. I had to play at a Thanksgiving Dinner. I'm always nervous the strings are going to break (and have had that happen to me!). The weather changes really wreak havoc on my poor harp.

3) I am thankful for kids that are bathed and sleeping soundly. AHHHH!

Now it's your turn...

TGIF

No, seriously. TGIF.

1) I'm thankful for good slow cooker recipes. I love the fact that in the morning before the chaos erupts I can put a menagerie of ingredients together, press the "on" button, and presto, chango...dinner is ready eight hours later. Tonight...chili and cornbread.

2) I'm grateful for date nights, even though we've been sparse on these for awhile. Athough I'm totally shocked that tickets are almost 10 dollars each for a movie, I'm very much looking forward to a night sans children. Tickets to "Twilight"...18.50. Babysitter...$30.00. Having my husband all to myself...priceless.

3) I'm really glad Brent finally came home from work before Jackson and I REALLY got into it. My apologies to the parents of the two children he pushed today at the library. We're trying. I promise. I'm also thankful to know that children do grow up because it reminds me I should enjoy this time. Sigh.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for...

1) A great, close, pizza place (we found one with AMAZING ranch dressing). After a long day at work, it's nice to not fix dinner. I think I'm probably going to become a regular....

2) Modern electronics. Seriously, how in the world did people do laundry by hand?? We never had a dishwasher growing up, so I've experienced washing my fair share of dishes. I have to admit, it's nice to be able to just load the dishwasher and be done. And laundry...well, let's just say I'm already on my second load for the day-and I've been home for an hour (can you say toddler and newborn--I average a load a day AT LEAST).

3) Health. This is definitely something you don't think about until you start to have problems. Every time I work, I am reminded to be thankful for the blessing of health. Healthy kids, healthy spouse. So blessed.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful

So, my sister-in-law, Kim, is posting from now until Thanksgiving what she is thankful for. I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with her posts, but when I read her blog, it's impossible for me not to think about the blessings in my own life. So, Kim, thanks for the inspiration.

Today I'm thankful for...

1) My children. Jackson and Ashton were laughing tonight and nothing is quite as sweet as children's laughter. It's intoxicating. I love reading with Jackson and snuggling with Ashton.

2) My family. We are visiting Mike and Colleen next week for Thanksgiving and I can HARDLY stand the wait!!! We are sooo excited to see them again. I love calling my sisters and mom chatting about everything and anything. I have wonderful parents and in-laws. I love that my in-laws are having a BYU/Utah get together, and I'm SOOO bummed out that I won't be there.

3) Even though my husband has been working horrid hours, I'm really thankful that he has a job. I love that I am able to work part-time and still be home with my kiddos, too. It's a great balance for me.

What are you thankful for?

Veteran's Day

Today was Veteran's Day. I took Jackson and Ashton to the Parade downtown (pretty interesting people watching, FOR SURE!). It was nippy, but Jackson was so excited and WOULD NOT leave until the very end of the parade. It was very exciting to see the local high schools' JROTC groups, and the bands were fantastic. I always get a little choked up around Veteran's Day. It may be the MANY Veteran's Day programs I had to participate in (thanks to my mom and aunt--still in therapy for those!), or remembering my Grandfather, who was a World War II Veteran. Whatever it is, I can't describe how cool it was to see my 2 year old mesmerized by the military helicopter that flew overhead, or fiercely waving the flag he got from the parade. Thanks to our Veterans.

Watching the parade.
Jackson waiting for the parade to start. When he found out there were horses coming, he could hardly contain himself.

Waving the flag to the Veterans. It was really cool. During the parade, there were American flags handed out. Jackson LOVED them.

There are still some exceptionally nice people in this world. I was trying to keep Ashton warm, and couldn't give Jackson as much attention. There were two gracious ladies standing next to us, watching for their children who are in JROTC. They were so great to Jackson. They made sure he got flags and candy. I REALLY appreciated their help!

Again, the other super nice lady (I feel silly, I didn't get their names) helping Jackson get candy. She carried Jackson over to the other side of the street. They are in front of the local news ancher booth. The gentleman to the left is the Mayor of Reno, Bob Cashell, who was handing out candy.

He was sooo happy. Very cool Arabian horses.

An exceptionally tall Uncle Sam. The parade route was pretty long...I can't imagine!

Fall Fun

Lots of leaves fell in our yard. Jackson LOVED wrestling in them!
Cute kiddo.

Nice Jack O'Lanterns! Brent did a great job this year.

Trunk or Treat

We snuck into our old ward's trunk or treat activity. Jackson was a cowboy and Ashton was a cow. They were so adorable. It was fun to see friends from the old ward, and we had a great time.
Jackson with his friends, Kadri and Ava.

Ava and Brooklyn, Kadri and Carson, Jackson and Ashton...what a crew!

Ashton, Brooklyn and Carson..sooo cute!