Valentine Decorations!

I know it isn't even February yet, but I had to get out my Valentine stuff last night! January is so long, cold, dreary, and boring compared to the just-passed holidays. But, I LOVE valentine colors and decorations-so cute! Anyway, here are a few of my decorations!

Crafts, Crafts, and More Crafts!

Last weekend I organized a get together for a bunch of friends from high school. We met at my mom's house and crafted, talked, laughed, ate, and laughed some more! It was so great to see all these amazing girls! I was so fortunate to go to high school with so many great girls. We don't see each other nearly enough-lets make it more often!


Me


Avalon


Alyse, Whitney, Nat, Linzy, Jamie, and Lindsey


Mandee, Alyse, Whitney


Christina and Nat


Lindsey, Tig, and Avalon


Mandee's Letters


My Letters



Yesterday I decided to do a little crafting. I found these cute hearts from last year I never did anything with and so I finished them. I also made Valentine cards for my primary class and birthday cards for the kids with birthdays this month. They turned out pretty cute!

15 Months Old!

(Not a very good picture, I know, he wouldn't cooperate!)

Current Stats:

Weight: 25lbs 6oz (75th percentile)
Length: 32 1/2 in (90th percentile)

Jackson had his 15 month check up last week. He is getting so big! He is still tall and skinny and is perfectly healthy! He has been learning so many new things! It is so much fun to watch him learn. Here are some things he is doing lately:

*Runs everywhere
*Rolls his hands
*Folds his arms for the prayer
*Feeds himself with spoon and fork (and does surprisingly well)
*Knows his nose, eyes, ears, tongue, toes, fingers, and belly button
*Loves cars
*Loves to color
*Throws balls
*Loves to tackle Alex
*Loves football and claps whenever he sees it on TV
*Says: mom, dad, daddy, dog, tiger, don't know, uh (for uh oh), hi, nose, toes, and probably some more I can't think of
*Knows the sounds for: tiger, dog, cow, sheep, monkey, and bear
*Loves bathtime
*Loves reading books
*Shuts any door that is open and can open certain types of door handles (thankfully not ours yet :)
*Raises his hands when he doesn't know something (see picture)
*Loves EasyMac, Apples, Milk, Water, Peanut butter sandwiches, and any type of sweet
*Hasn't used a bottle in over a month!
*Loves shoes and always tries to put them on himself (he is always unsuccessful:)
*Thinks he is so funny! He is always doing things and then laughing at himself
*Loves Mickey Mouse and Shaun the Sheep
*Loves to snuggle with stuffed animals
*Gives lots of kisses and loves

Well, that is a long list so I will stop for now! He is just such a fun little boy! I can't believe how quickly he is growing. I can't believe my baby has already turned into a toddler!


His "I Don't Know" pose

New Years Eve

We attended Brandon and Carrie's annual New Years Eve party just as we do every year :). We played Band Hero, took funny pictures, had good food, and enjoyed good company! Band Hero was seriously hard! Singing and the drums were definitely harder than I expected- I really need to practice!
Jackson stayed up the entire night! I couldn't believe it! I tried to put him in Amelia's bed, but he would not sleep. He really was pretty happy for the most part. But, when we left he fell asleep just minutes after we put him in his carseat.
Towards the end of the night Brandon took a picture of everyone making a funny face. After taking the pics he put them on the TV and we voted on the silliest face. Alex won! Yay Al for having a funny face!
Thanks Brandon and Carrie for throwing another fun party!

The Week After Christmas

The week after Christmas was fantastic! We were really in need of a break from life and that is exactly what we got! The 26th was our 6th anniversary! That morning I went shopping with my mom for a little bit while Alex and my dad changed the oil on our cars. Then Alex and I headed to Provo for the night while my parents watched Jackson. We had dinner at Macaroni Grill which was delicious then headed to our hotel. Because I made reservations so late everything was full. We ended up staying at the La Quinta in Orem and it was super cheap and really nice (BONUS :)! We went swimming and sat in the hot tub and watched movies. It was just nice and relaxing. The only disappointment is that I wanted to sleep in late (since I never get to because I have a baby :), but for some reason I couldn't! Anyway, we had the best time. I am so lucky to be married to my best friend. I love you Alex!


Out Cute Hotel


Me at Dinner


Alex at Dinner

The rest of the week we spent at my parent's house. We are really spoiled when we go there. My mom cooks and cleans and my sisters watch Jackson. So, basically we are just totally pampered! I was happy because Alex got to do a bunch of fun things! He is always so busy with school and work and doesn't have time to do things he loves. While we were in Nephi he went shooting on Monday, skiing on Tuesday, and tubing on Wednesday! We also played cards, watched movies, played the Wii (way too much of this-we stayed up past 1am three days in a row playing Super Mario :), and just enjoyed being with my family. It was so relaxing and refreshing to just take it easy for a few days. It was the best week and I really didn't want it to end!


Jackson and Kaitlin warming up in the car after sledding


Jackson, Samantha, and Alex while sledding


Alex and Jacks going down the hill


Everyone climbing the hill (side note-I tweaked my back and could barely walk, so I didn't get to participate in sledding)


Jordan and Jackson playing in the snow

Christmas Day!

We had a fabulous Christmas! We woke up at 6am to see what Santa left for everyone! Jackson even got up this early (which wasn't ideal, but it turned out okay:). Everyone was thoroughly spoiled by Santa. Jackson got a little four wheeler and he loves it! He also got a set of sports balls, the movie Up, and a coloring book from Santa. My dad was probably the most spoiled by Santa with a new flat screen TV! He had no idea and was really excited! He was just as excited as the kids!
After Santa gifts we opened all of our other gifts. Again, we were all spoiled! We got way too much to list so I will just list our favorites! My favorite gift was a spa pass from Alex, Alex's favorite gift was a pair of binoculars from my parents, and Jackson LOVES all his cars from my parents. Jackson was really fun this year. He didn't get what was going on, but he loved all of his presents! After opening one present he wanted to just play instead of opening more. He definitely makes everything more fun! After opening gifts my mom made us all a delicious pancake breakfast. Then, we got ready to head to Salt Lake to spend the rest of the day with Alex's family.
Alex's brother and his family were supposed to meet us at his parents at 1, but they were way late. So, to pass the time Alex and I played Settlers with Eric (Alex's other brother). I had never played, but I loved it! It was a lot of fun and I won, so I liked it even more! After Devin and Janette finally got there we opened gifts. Alex's mom had taken me shopping so I could pick out my own gifts. So, no surprises, but I definitely loved everything I got! Jackson got some more fun toys and books. After presents we had a yummy ham dinner and apple pie for dessert. The rest of the evening was spent visiting and playing with toys. It was a busy, but fun day with lots of family!
I am so thankful for the Christmas season. I really tried to focus on remembering Christ this year and I think that is why it was so great! I am so grateful to my Savior for his life and the example he set for me to follow. I hope that I can remember the experiences I had throughout this Christmas season as I start in on a new year!

Christmas Eve

For Christmas Eve we headed down to Delta for our annual festivities. It was so much fun! We started the night off with some games. We played MERRY CHRISTMAS (a dice game that is fun, except that Alex and I never won this year!), the newspaper game, and a marshmallow game. The newspaper game got pretty intense and Alex and I each won something in this game :). In the marshmallow game you had a partner and each took turns throwing marshmallows into each other's mouths. Alex and I did pretty well, but we didn't win.
After games we had a delicious dinner of roast beef, cheesy potatoes, salads, rolls, and cookies. Everything was quite tasty! Following dinner Santa Claus came for a visit! Jackson was definitely not excited! He was not a fan of Santa Claus this round. After Santa the kids acted out the nativity. Jackson was supposed to be a sheep, but he didn't cooperate very well. He kept the sheep ears on for about one minute. Oh well- we will try again next year :).
Then everyone opened their pajamas. I forgot to bring Jackson's to the party so he opened his at my mom's just before bedtime.
It was a great Christmas Eve party! I love anytime I get to spend with my amazing family. So, thanks to my mom and aunts for putting together such a great party every year!

Free Photos!

My friend and coworker Wendy Anderson of Wendy Anderson Photography is having a photo session giveaway! I am entering so you should too! She does such a great job. She did Jackson's one year pics and they are adorable! Speaking of I should probably post those. . .
Anyway, check out her blog to see her work and to enter the giveaway!

wendyandersonphotography.blogspot.com