The Tree is Up

Well, we've created a new tradition at the Jackson home. We now put the Christmas tree up on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I am thrilled to blog this event, especially because I found a Christmas song from my childhood to add to my playlist for this month (Barbra Streisand's "Jingle Bells"). Jess, Brig, Dave, and Ty- this song is for you!

Halloween 2008

The carved pumpkins aren't much to look at. I do the bare minimum when it comes to carving pumpkins. Just enough to make the kiddos happy. They aren't even clean enough to put a candle in. Next year I will have to do a better job or better yet I will have to enlist the help of Daren (ya, right- he hates slimy/sticky things on his hands!).

Noelle only wore the hat portion of her costume for this picture. I couldn't get her to wear it any other time. Libby loved being a cheerleader and wearing some make-up for the evening. Don't ask me why there is a stuffed dog in the photo. They insisted Ellie hold it in the photo and it had to come with us trick-or-treating.

Snow on October 13th!!!

We woke up to snow a couple of weeks ago, so I took the girls to the bus stop early and let them play in the snow. It's the simple things that make them happy.

Temple Square for UEA

We didn't go on any fantastic vacations for UEA weekend, but Jess, mom, and I decided to take the kids to Temple Square. It was a beautiful day and we had fun. We ate lunch at the Nauvoo cafe and went to the Church History museum. Isaak thought the organ music coming from the tabernacle was "vampire" music (it was pretty hard core organ).

New countertops

We had new countertops installed a couple of weeks ago, so our kitchen sink was not an option. Is there anything sexier than my husband doing the dishes in the bathroom?!
Still working on the potty training... this a typical look for Noelle these days. Cruisin' in the undies.
My new counter tops! I love them. So much better than the old "leather look" formica. They are smooth and CLEAN.

Libby's birthday and a whole lot more!

It has been so busy since school started so I'm behind in my blogging.

Libby's birthday was on Sept. 5th. She was spoiled and had three different celebrations. We went to McDonalds on her birthday (lucky us!), we had kabobs, cake, and ice cream with the extended fam on Sunday, and the next Saturday she had a "Fancy Nancy" birthday party with her friends. I'm not doing as much next year. All the preparations were exhausting.

Camp Steiner

Another Labor Day has passed and so to has a trip to camp Steiner. This year it was just me and Libs. Daren and Noelle stayed home. It was a good compromise. Daren didn't have to camp and I didn't have to be up all night with Noelle (not that I wasn't up all night anyway!). We had a good time. It was a little crowded this time around, but still a beautiful place to be and a good time to catch up with the extended fam.

First Day of Kindergarten

All summer I have been so excited for Libby to start school. She is bored at home and I am tired of trying to entertain her. However, the first day of kindergarten finally came today and it wasn't as great as I thought it was going to be. In fact, it was heart-breaking. Watching her get on that bus (and not look back!) was tough. Noelle and I cried all the way home. Libby did great though and I think she will have fun at school. If only I could keep her from getting hurt, lonely, sad, etc. It is a tough job to be a parent-- in more ways than one.

Libby insisted that we crimp her pony tail today! That combined with her outfit, made her a total 80's chic! Who would have guessed? It really isn't an era worth reliving, but she sure is a fan of the side pony, crimping hair, and leggings.

Playing at the Park

After spending about 90% of last Friday feeling sorry for myself, I finally packed up a picnic and hauled the girls to the park. They had a good time and I got over my grumpiness- somewhat.

Thunderstorm Solution

The other night there was a thunderstorm right about bedtime. Libby said, "I can hear the lightning". I explained that what she could hear was the thunder. Of course, that didn't make her feel any better, so she asked for her ear muffs. I obliged and she fell right to sleep!