The Jackson Family

New York!!!!

2012-01-25T08:30:00.000-08:00

Jeff had a conference in New York a few weekends ago and I got to join him. A big Thanks to my sisters and my mom for watching the kids. We had a great time touring NYC, seeing Wicked for the 1st time, eating yummy food, trying to stay warm and enjoying good company. ( some of the pictures are not so great- taken with my phone)

the city...
the subway....

(with the girls- Joy, Shelly, Brooke and Me)
in front of Central Park...
Eatting at Serendipity....

did a little shopping too at Canal Street
"Frozen Hot Chocolate"- so yummy
Met up with the Boys for

dinner and a show
Getting ready to see "WICKED"
With the crew (Rod & Shelly, Dan & Joy, Ben & Brooke, Jeff & Marissa)
It was Awesome- We loved it!
Walking the streets at night!
Central park with Ben Hansen

Jeff showing us how cold it really was
the Statue of Liberty (wishing i had my good camera)
the rebuild site of the destruction of 911
We had a great few days in New York. Loved it!!

Winter Break Fun!

2012-01-11T21:33:00.000-08:00

Banging pots and pans to Celebrate the NEW YEAR! (at 10 with the kids) Jeff and I did make it to Midnight thanks to a little ping pong tournement with some of the Maxfield's.We did lots of fun things over the break here are a few in no particular order some before Christmas some after.

Ice skating with Aunt Megan
Visiting the Aquarium with Aunt Bryndy

petting the Mantarays
the big fish tank
measuring up to the penguin
the Penguins
the octupus
SHARK
Jocelyn and Bryndy
Christmas Eve Bowling Party

With the Swenson's great outfits!!! love it!
Snowmobiling in Heber
Eating at Dairy Keen
Sleeping over at the Midway Cabin
Skiing at Deer Valley

Visiting Buid- A- Bear with Maga Karen

and playing with our toys, cousins and friends! Happy New Year!

Christmas Morning

2012-01-11T21:14:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. The kids are at the perfect age and we loved our first Christmas back in Utah!

Here are a few pictures of the kids Christmas morning

jocelyn showing what she got ....
Ellie's treasures....
and Caden's stuff...
and i did not get one with James stuff but he got a few of the same things as Caden to share.

This Jeep was one of their favorites.
James loving his balls and football helmet
We spent Christmas Eve at the Jacksons ate brunch at Grandma B's and then had My family over at our home for dinner and games Christmas evening. It was an awesome day! Caden went to sleep asking how many days until SANTA comes again! Sorry buddy a long time!

School Singing Programs

2011-12-22T10:12:00.000-08:00

Jocelyn joined the school choir this year. She really enjoyed it and did not mind getting up early for the practices.

With one of her cute friends Lindsay

Caden and his Pre-school Discovery performance
with his cute cousin Lucas
doing some actions

Ellie with her Substitute at Cottonwood Mrs. Smith (her teacher had a baby)
Kindergarten songs
Kindergarten Discovery program
It was so good they were like a full on singing group with tons of songs, actions and props!
with Mrs. Tweed
with cousin Joshua
with Jocelyn and Cousin Ashlyn
Jocelyn was chosen to be Mary at at the Nelson Family party.
with Joseph and Baby Jesus (or baby Katelyn- my cousins brand new baby)

Ellie the cute angel
reading her part
Caden as one of the wisemen.
Fun programs to get you in the Holiday spirit!

Christmas (less than) a Week a way...

2011-12-20T08:48:00.000-08:00

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.

We have been up to a lot lately

Decorating the Christmas Tree...
Hanging our Stockings....
Making Gingerbread houses...

Playing Bingo at Grandma B's Christmas PartyEating yummy food
Tying blankets for service- (Kris and Sarah Swenson)
cooking in the kitchen (grandma Mary Lynn Burningham)...
Celebrating birthdays (our twin cousins Zack and Ryker turned two! )...

Seeing Christmas Lights (at the Hogle zoo lights-with Maga and Papa)

We did see the Beautiful lights on Temple square and rode Trax with the Jackson clan. We also spent a night over in the Park City Marriott with the Maxfield's Hot tubbing and watching Christmas movies that i did not get any pictures of. All and all we have been having a great Christmas Season. Only a few more days until Christmas!! We can Hardly Wait!

Biddy Basketball

2011-12-14T21:37:00.000-08:00

Ellie and Caden decided to play basketball this year. First year for both of them so they are definitely rookies. They are on the same team which is very convent for their mother. They are trying to learn how the game works and having fun. Sometimes it can be very entertaining for the parents to watch. Here is to a good season and a good learning experience! Go Yellow!

Here is some shots from the first game...

The First time...

2011-12-02T09:16:00.000-08:00

Over Thanksgiving break I took Jocelyn and Ellie skiing for the first time. Friends from Cali were in town so we met Jacob, Heather and Greg at Solitude for the afternoon. The girls did good and really liked it and want to go again. (so i think that is a good sign!) Jocelyn on the lift

always the scariest part for a beginner getting on and off the lift

Ellie riding the ski lift

Thankful

2011-11-27T20:32:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving came and went. We had a great weekend. I did not have my camera so hopefully other family members can forward me some pictures. It was our first year back in Utah so we went to both families and ate lots of yummy food and enjoyed the good company. We are so grateful for so many things this year we will just mention a few:

a home to live in, family near, Jeff and his hard work and his good job, Four healthy children, the Gospel, Good Friends all over the country.

Here are a few of the kids and their "Feast" and some of the things they made at school!

Caden's 4th Birthday

2011-11-12T10:10:00.000-08:00

Caden's Birthday was last Monday 11/7/07. He turned 4!!!! He had a few friend over for a little play date/ partyplayed games
played with toys (i think he wants to be a doctor like his dad?!?)
breaking the pinata
Transformer cake (i know what a creative and wonderful baker i am- stick a toy in a cake-but it works)
then later that night we went out for Burgers and Fries with some of the family

Then on to Riding the rides at Jungle Jim's

playing arcades with uncle Blake

and more Cake
and Caden's favorite... Money!!
It sure was an awesome fun filled day for our little Caden boy! Thanks all who made it great! We sure do love you Caden!

First snow and last of Halloween

2011-11-10T21:36:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday morning we had our first snow storm. The kids looked outside and thought it was Christmas. They put their snow stuff over their PJ's and played in it. I guess they missed it not seeing any in California last year.
James' first snow fall
Back to Halloween.. our neighbor has a cool tradition of serving hot doughnuts and root beer to the trick or treaters. So yummy.

Jocelyn sorting the candy at the end of the night.
my sister Bryndy and her friend Kylee stopped by to see the kids in costume. Thanks girls your so nice.

Trick or Treating, Parties and Parades

2011-11-03T13:46:00.000-07:00

This is our group we went trick or treating with this Year in our New neighborhood.

Thanks Nielson's and Beynon's for the fun night
My Dad or "Captain America" dropped by to show us his costume. He loves Halloween and gets decked out every year and wears it all day to work! What a fun guy!
Jocelyn as the Chef
Caden the Pirate
Ellie the Pretty Princess fairy
James as the Tiger
riding in the wagon with Nash
We had amazing weather this year in Utah. No coats required. It totally felt like California definitely not like Minnesota. he he We do miss both those places and the people who live there.
running to each house
Our Halloween feast; Mummies, eye balls, brains, and fingers
Jocelyn's School party

Ellie's school party

Parade time

Caden with Maga waiting to see the girls

We also went to Witches with some of the Jackson crew...

Grandmama Burningham
hanging out with the withes and cousins

Ellie's program at Discovery K
Ash and Ellie
Joshua and Ellie singing away
Caden at Discovery preschool

performing and then drinking the " Witches Brew"
Jocelyn had a school project to make a miniature model of a hair salon. Her class displayed all the projects and called it Tiny Town. It turned out way cute.

the inside with the top off

Halloween Parties

2011-10-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

We have had a lot of fun celebrating Halloween this year.

We started out with a fun Nelson Party at my parents house.

Here are the kiddos in some costumes. They seem to switch outfits for each party.
the cute cakes my cousin Liz made.

The crafts and treats the kids made.
Some ladies in my ward/ neighborhood when to gardner village and saw the witches and dressed up. It was fun to get to know these ladies a little better.

The Jackson Party at the Swensons.
Eric Swenson in cool costume and Kris the hostess.
Ashlyn and Jocelyn or Mary Poppins and a Chef
Ellie a soccer player today

carved our pumpkinsHad our last soccer game and got cool trophies
Ellie's Kindergarten class each said a nursery ryme and dressed up like them. Ellie - "There was an Old Woman who lived in a shoe she had so many children she didn't know what to do. So she gave them some broth without any bread and scolded them soundly and sent them to bed."
She did such a great job and it was so fun to see all the class do it too.
Ellie with Mrs. Giles
Fun to have Grandmas and Great Grandmas close to see my kids performances.
We went to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point over UEA weekend. My sister Bryndy's school where she teaches 2nd grade was out also so it was fun to spend the day with her. It was a beautiful 70 degree day and so much fun things for the kids to do.

getting lostjumping in the hay pit

go cart racingweb climbing

tractor ridecorn maze
horse races

princess corner
Bouncing

lots of fun by all. love this place. think we will come back again next year!

October fun

2011-10-22T16:13:00.000-07:00

Jeff had a Birthday this month. We celebrated we went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant and I made his favorite chocolate cake. ( thanks Ang for the great recipe!)
A neighbor down the street from us had a pumpkin patch so we went and cut a few off the vine and took a little tractor ride.
James picking out his pumpkin

We have had such nice weather lately. We went to Wheeler Farm and saw the animals, played in the corn fields and even milked a cow.

I love this one of the boys. Caden is such a sweet big brother.

Soccer Season

2011-10-11T20:38:00.001-07:00

Ellie and Caden are playing soccer this season. Here is Ellie after her first game. She is on a coed team (mostly boys) She scored one goal and was very excited. She wasn't sure about soccer at first, but she now loves it and really runs around a lot to go after the ball.
Ellie with her Coach Adrian
trying to keep up with the boys and smiling

Ellie also lost a few teeth lately

One..
then a few days later..

another. Now all she wants for Christmas is her Two front teeth!

Caden LOVES soccer! He wishes he had a game everyday. He is getting the hang of it and has scored quite a few goals. He has an awesome Coach- Jeff Pedersen (one of Jeff's good High School buddies) -which really makes Caden enjoy the whole experience even more.

giving " coach Jeff" five after a goal!

It sure makes for some busy Saturdays! But so fun and entertaining to watch!

Lately

2011-09-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

What we have been up to Lately....

Girls Night Out- Catching up with my cute Chi-O friends at Spaghetti Factory
General Relief Society Meeting and Dinner after with some of my cute cousins, sister and mother.
Seeing Mary Poppins at the Capitol Theatre with the Jacksons and Swensons
Ashlyn and Jocelyn were old enough to come along and they LOVED it.
Petting the Swenson's new Ponies
Seeing my little sister Makenzie make homecoming royalty this year at Brighton. (sorry Kenz i did not have any good pictures)
Makenzie with my boys after the BHS royalty assembly. (love James smile in this one)
These are a little old but the beginning of school for Caden and Ellie

Ellie getting ready for Discovery Kindergarten

Caden at Discovery Preschool
Caden was very excited to start his first day ever of School. He is growing up way too fast!

Jocelyn loves being able to play with her buddy and cousin Ashlyn

Baptism Day

2011-09-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

Jocelyn Jackson

Baptized and Confirmed

a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints

on Sunday September 4, 20011
Jocelyn's Big day-

we have church from 1-4 then our Stake has the Stake Baptism on Sunday evenings.

(which is really nice- Sat mornings are usually so crazy for everyone)
This is her cute Baptism dress she picked out for after!

The kids out in the front yard before church
This is Jocelyn's primary class full of fun girls!

Jocelyn was baptized by her father Jeffrey D Jackson

This is the dress that I was also baptized in. My cute Aunt Lynn Maxfield made this dress and most of the girl Maxfield cousin's were baptized in it. On the under skirt she has stitched in each persons name and date who has used this dress. Jocelyn was the first second generation to use it. It was very special that she could wear this special dress!the Proud Parents

Her loving and supporting family. It was fun to be back in Utah so a lot of family could make it to the baptism. Thanks to all that came and we missed those who couldn't (Labor day weekend always a little hard)
One of her closest cousins Ashlyn (about 5 months apart)
Jocelyn also sang a Solo in the baptism program " the Baptism Song"-(or the rainbow song as i like to call it) She did an amazing job. Thanks Emily Moffit for working with her on it.
We had family at our home after for brownies and ice- cream one of Jocelyn's favorite desserts.
the Jackson Clan with my cute Grandfather Nelson
with Jeff's cute Grandma Burningham
Some of the family together
Laura, Brooke and Marc Jackson
G &G Jackson, Karen, Kris, Jeff, Marc , Brooke and Madden
all the Maxfield who could make it. ( we missed you out of towners)

We are so proud of our sweet Jocelyn and for her decision to become baptized! We love you!

The GREAT EIGHT

2011-09-05T20:44:00.000-07:00

Life has been crazy around here unpaking boxes and starting schools etc, etc. We also had Ellie's birthday and now Jocelyn's birthday and baptism! My oldest child just turned 8 on August 31st. Crazy! I am OLD!

Jocelyn got to celebrate this special birthday at the Lion House with some family and friends. It was such a fun party-we all enjoyed learning a little history of Brigham Young's home. We also played some fun pioneer games, pulled taffy, ate yummy food on fancy plates and cups, had cake and ice cream, opened presents and got a porcelain doll to take home! It was just like I remembered it being when I was little. Timeless fun! Jocelyn felt pretty special on her special day.the Party

my mother Wendy, Jeff's mom Karen, Aunt Megan, Aunt Makenzie

Caden, cousin Ashlyn, cousin Kolbyn, friend Paige, Jocelyn (and aunt Bryndy, sister Ellie and mom not in this photo)

Princess Jocelyn

the fun Hats
Playing button button who's got the button
Megan helping Caden with his taffy pulling
dinner is served for the whole clan on this little kid table- so cute!

Caden got the prize and found the gum ball in his piece of cake
Opening some of her favorite gifts
Her own Scriptures and case and an Easy Bake Oven
The doll she picked to go home with us.
Thanks family and friends for making Jocelyn have such a fun birthday. We sure do love you Jocelyn and are proud of you. Happy Birthday! More pictures of her Baptism to come.

Ellie's first week of school

2011-09-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

Ellie had her first week at school too!

With Mrs. Giles
Have a great year Ellie Bellie!

Back In

2011-08-23T21:46:00.000-07:00

Jocelyn had her first day of school on Monday. She is in 2nd grade now! She had fun and is meeting lots of new people.

with her teacher Miss Larson. Hope it is a great year!

Ellie's day

2011-08-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

the Birthday Girl - 6 YEARS OLD-
We had a lunch date at McDonalds with some of my family (my mom, dad and brother Blake and sister Kenz) and grandma Karen joined us on their lunch break.

opening presents

playing on the playground

Swimming and pizza party at the Jackson's in the evening

Ellie's little Kit
KittredgeThe Barbie Cake
with aunt Bryndy

more fun with the cousins
Ellie playing dress up with Jocelyn and cousin Ashlyn

Happy Birthday Ellie

2011-08-15T23:20:00.000-07:00

My cute little Ellie bug turns SIX today! Wow - I can't believe it. Ellie is so lively and energetic and has a love for life, adventure and people. We sure do love you Ellie Belly and are so glad you are in our family.

Home Sweet Home

2011-08-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

We made it to Salt Lake after a fun week at Newport Beach with the Jackson Family. We bought a home but can't move into it for a few more weeks. Jeff has started work and is getting settled in there. It has been a crazy few weeks but we are excited to start this new adventure!

The End is near

2011-07-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

This last weekend of our fellowship Jeff and I got to go to Santa Barbara and stay at the Bacara with the other 4 orthopedic sports fellows and their partners. It was a beautiful relaxing resort paid for by the reps (which is always an added bonus). It was fun spending some time with them before we all go our separate ways and start our "real" jobs! Kinda crazy that this medical training journey is coming to an end. We really have enjoyed the journey and all the wonderful people we have met along the way. Looking back these 10 years and especially the last 6 away from family really has gone fast. Here are a few pictures of the fun weekend! A big thanks to Maga Karen for watching the kids. It was a great mini vacation before crazy land of moving and starting a practice.
the Boys- Jeff, Jim, Nirav, Connor, Randall
The Girls- Me, Melissa, Jamie, Amy, Lauren

Some of our last goodbyes

2011-07-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to move. The hardest part is definetly saying goodbye to all our wonderful friends we have made this year. Thanks everyone from Befriending us even in this short amount of time. Keep in touch!

Here is Elllie and one of her best friends, Chyannne, from school

One of Caden's best buddies Cairo from our ward
Olivia has been one of Jocelyn's closest friends this year
Swimming

Jocelyn practicing her stroke
Ellie doing a handstand
Some Friends from the ward. Rachel Champion and baby Jane, Mandie Peterson, Beth Tait, Sarah Heder, and Sara Snow and their children
Sarah Champion and one of the twins she nannies
Michelle Barty
Caden with Jonah another one of his best buddies
Barty Boys and Jackson Boys
Playing with the Snows

Summer Play List

2011-07-17T16:54:00.000-07:00

My kids made a list of things they want to do this summer before we move to Utah. Here is a few pictures of our summer fun.1.visiting the American Girl doll store at The Grove

and eating dinner at the "farmers market"
the tram ride
Hanging out at the Grove - and later dancing to the live music
2. Chuck E Cheese
3. Six Flags (Marissa's list)

My friend Heather and I have been talking about going to 6 flags for a long time. Jeff got home early one day last week we decided to go for it. We got there around 4:30pm and basically ran to each ride to try and get as many in as we could. For those of you who know me know i love scary rides and roller coasters. This is definitely the park for that. Kids are not really worth it until they get 54 inches. The rides were awesome especially X2! Lying on your back, going backwards, rock music in your ears, flipping over, diving head first, fire shooting up, fast, flipping and twisting through the air. Amazing- well worth the 1 1/2 hour wait! WOW! We did not get to them all but that just means i will have to come back another time Right?!
In one of the first lines I asked the kid in front of me where he got this cape and he took it off and gave it to me and said he did not want it anymore. I told him he was going to make some 3 year old very happy. They had capes for sale all over the park because of the Superman and Batman rides. This was the first silver one we saw. Nice guy!
4. Dancing

Girls with their Ballet and Tap Teacher- Jamie at the YMCA

5.Reading books and going to the library

Ellie's favorite book (picture taken at school) Pinkalicious
Jocelyn's favorite books are any Fancy Nancy books, also Junie B. Jones and Judy Moody
6. playing at Parks
this was just a fun free event I took the kids to- we went to the Burbank 100 year celebration with Radio Disney and booths and fireworks.

7. And Lots and lots of swimming in our pool and playing with friends

Birthday celebrations

2011-07-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

My birthday was about a month ago and I was in Lake Powell. My cute friend Sarah planned this amazing party will all my cute California friends from the ward. We could never find a day where Jeff could watch the kids so she arranged the party and they all payed for the baby sister and the group gave me a pedicure. It was so fun, thoughtful, unexpected and nice. What awesome friends! They are really trying to make it hard for me to move. Thanks girls for making me feel so Special!

the crew
Me with the Party planners Allie and Sarah

Both my girls have August Birthdays so they got to celebrate them early in school. We brought treats to both classes with the other summer b-day mothers. Did not get any of Jocelyn's but here is Ellie's unBirthday!

The Fouth Festivities

2011-07-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

Fourth of July weekend brought on :

Red, White and Blue Colors
My youngest sister Makenzie visited for the Holiday
SWIMMING & BBQ

with the other SCOI fellows
Caden jumping
Hollywood Sign (in the background-foggy)
Races
Camping in the backyard

reading stories

Neighborhood Parade
decorating bikes

hanging out with friends from school and church

Watching CBS fireworks at a fun ward party
cuddling and eating
jumping
Driving (always in LA-he he)
Beach Day

we met my brother Blake in Huntington beach for the day
playing in waves

James getting tipped over by the waves
Burying Ellie
Blake and Ellie jumping over waves
Spending time with my cute sister.
Thanks Kenz for coming and playing with us. It sure was fun!

Last Days of School

2011-06-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

I know the rest of you have been out for a while. We just had our last day on Friday! Wow did that year fly bye. The girls were sad to say bye to their teachers and friends since we won't be here next year but they are excited for summer. We had Ellie's class second to last day over to swim and celebrate then the last day we had Jocelyn's class over to party at our house. It was a fun way to end the Great year!Ellie's class

Ellie's kindergarten went to the park last day.

Here she is with one of her best friends from school- Chayanne
Yummy treat
Rosie and Karina, Ellie and Caden
Her two team teachers that are both Pregnant! Mrs. Thomassian and Mrs. Worchell! thanks for a great year!
reuniting with Mrs. Thomassian- she is PG with twins and had to miss the last two weeks of school because her doctor wanted her to take it easy.
Ellie with Principal Gomez
Jocelyn with her teacher who she LOVES and who loves her- Ms. McDonald
Ava, Olivia and Jocelyn at the pizza party last day of school
Swimming at our house

One of the parents brought a snow cone maker over which was a big hit!

It is going to say bye to Los Angeles too just like Rochester. Great school, friends, home, area, church. We are so grateful for our experiences to live in both Minnesota and California and for all the the people we have met along the way who have influenced our lives. We are excited to move to Utah and be close to family and friends but it is always a little hard to move. We will try enjoy our last month here and not think about it too much.

St.George

2011-06-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

We went to St. George after lake Powell for a few days. We got to spend more time with my sister Bryndy and Jeff's parents. We did some hiking, swimming, more skiing, went to the dinosaur museum and saw "The Little Mermaid" at Tuacahn.

At the dinosaur museum

Jeff with the dino femur bone

After we went to the family fun center

Caden in the batting cages
Ellie in the bumper boats
Seeing the Play Little Mermaid at the outdoor theater. It was awesome! The boys went into the child care right there on site they gave us a pager in case and we could check on them at half time from a TV monitor. They really thought of everything.
Meeting the cast after the show:

King Triton
with Eric and Ariel
walking through Squeese Rock
Even little James made it
Jocey
Caden and Papa
Ellie
the lizard

We love St. George- always lots of fun

Lake Powell

2011-06-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

Last week we got to go to Lake Powell with my family. I LOVE LAKE POWELL! We had a little boat trouble but we still had a blast and a few good days on the lake. Thanks mom and dad for the fun trip! We all had a great time.

Jameser playing on the house boat
the kids doing a puzzle with Aunt Bryndy
Eating the yummy food
tubing
swimming
Driving

Caden loved to drive the boat and go really fast
wake boarding

striking a pose
climbing the sand dunes- Caden trying to be first to the top
My dad, me, and Blake doing the Back flip
Bryndy and Blake (the two other siblings who could make the trip) playing with the kiddos
water skiing

cliff jumping
Caden
James
resting
Jocelyn

Ellie

the Jackson Clan on the tube
visiting the Glen Canyon Dam

The World Fair

2011-06-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

Our School put on an amazing World fair on Saturday. They had tons of Blow up rides some with water and games, food, entertainment, silent auction, prizes for all ages. It was a major production and fund raiser. The girls each performed and we had a fun day.One of the kids favorite- Human Bowling

Ellie on Goliath!
Jocelyn lining up for their First Grade singing performance.
Ellie playing violin with her class
What is a fair without a snow cone?

Jocie's class
Ellie's class

the Getty Museum

2011-06-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago we went to the Getty Art Museum in Los Angeles. They had a kid class where they got there own notepad and pencil to sketch in. The museum was pretty but the outside was equally as cool. It was a fun free thing to see and do.riding the tram over to the museum
the view
the mini artists

the cactus garden on the roof

B-Ball

2011-05-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

Ellie's turn

2011-05-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

Ellie had her violin recital this morning! She did such a great job! My favorite part was when there was a rest in the music they all did a bend of their knees. It was so cute seeing the class play and bop up and down.

Eating cake after to celebrate! Great job Ellie Bellie!

Cheering for James

2011-05-22T18:44:00.000-07:00

James is standing by himself now and getting closer to walking.

He is so excited and has a big cheering section.

He is getting so big. Go baby James.

Party Time

2011-05-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

The kids have had quite a few friend birthday parties lately. This one was Caden's friend Cairo at the "Pirate Park". The Peterson's invited all the kids and took these cute pictures so i had to post them. Thanks for the great Party- we All had fun!

Pinata time

James LOVED the cake

Lake Havasu

2011-05-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

Our Friends Greg and Heather invited us to go to Lake Havasu for the weekend. We had a great time seeing the lake and tubbing in the waves. James eating watermelon

Jamesie loved the boatJames on the tube

Jacob with J, E and C and Jeff
the Rams we saw at lunch
This boy can't get enough watermelon
the crew on a lunch Break

Jacob, Keith and Melanie and Heather
Ellie skiing on the board
Caden's attempt
Jocelyn's turn
Greg and Heather on the tube
lots and lots of tubbing

Surfing

2011-05-12T09:01:00.000-07:00

My sister Megan and Craig came by LA to get their Chinese visa before their traveling adventure this summer. It was fun to see them again and get in a great Beach Day. We all did a little surfing and playing. It was awesome. Hope you guys have a Great Summer. Love ya

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

I have the BEST Mother's in my life. Thank you for your wonderful examples and for all you do for our family. I LOVE YOU! Thank you also to my great children who made me a mother. I love being a mother!!!! Hope all you mothers... Have a Wonderful Day!

Jocelyn's Violin recital

2011-05-07T17:47:00.000-07:00

Jocelyn's First grade class has been practicing the violin in school. She really enjoys music time and it was fun to see what they have learned.

By her friend Olivia

Her class with Miss Gail
Good Job Jocelyn!

Another one gone

2011-05-05T09:14:00.000-07:00

Ellie lost another tooth. This time she was eating a sandwich and it came out.
James has been loving his new Birthday toy

Easter and Spring Break

2011-04-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

Spring Break Maga (aka Jeff's mom) came to play with us. It was also her birthday on Easter Sunday. We did lots of fun things (library, universal, froggy art, movies, out to dinner) i did not take very many pictures. But here are a few of Easter.

James enjoying his food and making a mess at the restaurant
Easter Best
(documenting Jocelyn's sad face because she is usually the one who cooperates with me)
The Cute Birthday Girl
J- 7
E- 5
C-3

J-1
walking on Malibu beach on a cold windy day.
Thanks Karen for the fun visit. Hope you had a happy Birthday.

San Francisco- part one

2011-04-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago we drove to San Francisco for Jeff's orthopedic conference. We met up with my brother Brady and his wife Taisja who live there. We swam at the hotel, walked around the city, played at the parks, went to the science museum, went out to dinner, hung out and played the Wii at B & T's cute house, Jocelyn and Ellie had a slept over and we saw the beautiful sights on San Fran. It was a great trip and so fun to spend time with family. Thanks B and T for showing us a good time.

This is made out of Toothpicks and took the guy 35 years to build

looking at Alcatraz
Ghirardelli square

At dinner with Brady and Taisja

Playing with their dog Lilly

amazing architecture and culture in San Fran.
Golden Gate park

San Francisco- part two

2011-04-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

James hanging on for dear life
Ellie loves to climb

Brady and Taisja joining in the fun
In China Town learning how they make fortune cookies
amazing view
Driving on Lombard St- the "crookedest street"

The smell of yummy bread in shapes of an alligator
Pier 39
what a cute couple
the crew at Fisherman's Wharf
Alcatraz

Caden trying Calamari-ewww

absolutley delicious
on the drive home we drove by Pebble beach golf course.

It was beautiful. What an awesome trip.

The Great Outdoors

2011-04-13T09:05:00.000-07:00

Jeff went to Scout camp last weekend at Morro Bay. He had so much fun with the YM and the leaders. Here are a few shots.

The kids and i went Mini Golfing with our friends Heather and Jacob.

Caden and Jacob loved it.

All around the Rose Bowl

2011-04-12T22:47:00.000-07:00

Jeff took us to the Rose Bowl where he rides his bike a lot. There is a great path around the whole thing.

One year ago

2011-04-04T19:54:00.000-07:00

Hard to Believe our little Baby James was this small ONE year ago.....He was born in Rochester, MN Easter Morning. When he was 6 weeks old we packed up and moved to Los Angeles, CA. The year has flown by and we are so glad that James is in our family. He is such a good, happy baby. He is a real trooper being the 4th child and gets draged everywhere. (sometimes in the middle of his nap) He has 8 teeth and eats everything and a lot of it. (for sure our best eater) He crawls around and stands up on things. (not walking yet) Loves to giggle and smiles with his cute dimples! Likes to play with his brother and sisters. Gives hugs and kisses. Says Mamama and Dada. Will smile for the camera. Melts our hearts with his baby blue eyes. Happy Birthday Jameseer!
on the move

stuffing his face full of cake

trying to open his presents
His siblings helping him open them

JamesE and his dad

Getting So Big!!!!

Sunday Walks

2011-03-31T13:09:00.000-07:00

We have always loved to go on Sunday night walks where ever we live. In the pretty Salt Lake neighborhoods, around the picturesque Silver Lake in Rochester, and on the Beaches of Los Angeles. A few Sundays ago we went to Venice Beach to check it out. We had fun walking along the waves. This beach was a little different it had a trash line that the waves had brought in. It was so sad to see all the garbage on this beautiful beach. Hopefully it is not always that way and we just caught it on a bad day. But People pick up after yourself.

Dance and Trap

2011-03-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

Jocelyn and Ellie in their 8 weeks Ballet class at the Rec Center by our house.

Jocelyn's concentration before her leap

St. Patty's day (a little late)

Jocelyn's school family project: a Leprechaun trap
Jeff help her design it

Megan and Craig

2011-03-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

My little sister Megan and her husband Craig decided to visit us this weekend! They live in Arizona. We had a great time with them. It was a little bit of a chilly and wet weekend but we had fun anyway. We played with them at Santa Monica Beach, Adults went to the LA Temple and Apple- pan for dessert, had a pizza party while watching March madness, went to see the girls school play "Willy Wonka"(which was really good especially for elementary school) and just talked and hung out. Thanks guys for making the drive- it was so much fun. I feel like the luckiest person with all these visitors. Crazy thought - we have definitely had more visitors in the 8 months we have been in LA then ALL the 5 years in Minnesota. I am sure it is for a few different reasons. Anyway the more the Merrier!

here are some pictures:

Jeff and Craig testing their strength on the rope
Ellie wanted to try too
Megan getting attacked by my kids
Craig and Jameser
the kids playing on the playground

Throwing the frizbee

playing in the sand

running away from the waves

Megan and James
Craiger (as Caden calls him) and Caden

the Crew
Fun Memories! love you guys

Monkey Time

2011-03-16T13:05:00.000-07:00

My brother Brady was in LA for a dental convention this last weekend. He extended his stay for a day so he could visit us and play with the kids. We had a great time with him even if it was only a little over 24 hours. Here they are before church playing or fighting over his ipad.Where is Caden? But can you find Ellie?
There she is- our little Monkey loves to climb trees

She gets all our ripe grapefruit and lemons down for us.

Brady helping Ellie down from the treeMy kids turn into monkey's when Brady was over they love to climb all over him.
A little shout out for BHS- go bengalsThanks B for extending your stay and coming to play with us. The kids want Brady to come back. Love ya!

Lately

2011-03-12T09:11:00.000-08:00

Jocelyn 7Ellie 5
Caden 3
What the Older 3 have been up to Lately....
Making fun crafts at Color-Me- Mine
Jocelyn Celebrating 100 days of School also helped her class bead 100 beads on a necklace.

We went to Ellie's class kindergarten party at the park but did not bring the camera.
Pajama book reading at their school. The Books were read to them by the Author and Illustrator of the books! (only here -always above and beyond)
Caden enjoying his soccer class

25 Cent Laugh

2011-03-06T18:43:00.000-08:00

Caden put a quarter in a toy machine and got this fake mustache. We all tried it on and got a good laugh.

except James did not like it too much.

Seriously

2011-03-05T09:59:00.000-08:00

Can't believe our little baby James is 11 months. It is going way to fast! He is such a good cuddly little guy. He crawls all over the place and thinks he is so big when he stands up. We love this guy.

San Diego

2011-02-23T09:09:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we went to San Diego for another orthopedic convention. (love these conventions we get to tag a long) This time Jeff's parents met us there and we got to explore San Diego together. It was so fun. We hit the SD Zoo one day and Sea World the next. Here are a of LOT of pictures.on the bus

It was fun to run into Brooke and Tyler Hansen (another ortho family) at the zooEllie eating her favorite food "Cotton Candy"

Karen and the Ape
the kids at the hotel on the beach
Caden and Papa Dave
Raining day at

Sea world- so might as well sit in the soak zone
the Dolphin show
(picture out of order- at the seal wall)
Sea world sharks
sea lion show
Shamu

Dinner with the Hansens
spotting dolphins in the Ocean

Mom and baby seals

the sea lions

We also visited the Mormon Battalion and Ellie got to dress like one of the members

looking for gold

HEART-DAY

2011-02-16T12:01:00.000-08:00

family and friends: HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

HOPE YOUR DAY WAS SWEET!

Love the Jacksons

Just remembering when...

2011-02-16T08:48:00.000-08:00

Some regular Housewiveshad their husbands take care of the kids
went to Beverly Hills

ate outside
at delicious fancy restaurants
yummy desserts

enjoyed the sites

did some shopping
stayed up late
enjoyed the scenery
and the sand between our toes
relaxing
Thanks Ladies (and Men) for an Awesome unforgettable weekend. (ps. most all the pictures were taken by the talented Jolene Reed)

My Big Boy

2011-02-09T11:22:00.000-08:00

Here is our Baby James at 10 months. He is getting so big and his personality is starting to show. He loves to SMILE! My talented friend Jolene took these pictures of James while she was visiting. They were all so cute (even without editing) here are a few of my favorite ones.

Here is the 10 month picture on the chair. Love this face. (He usually is really good at smiling when you pull out the camera)

Love this Mushy guy!

Twins

2011-02-02T22:45:00.000-08:00

We had "TWIN" day at school. Jocelyn spent about 45 mins on the phone with her friend Olivia the night before trying to find something they could wear that was the same. This is what they came up with: white shirts and grey leggings with their necklaces. (this picture was after school - so they look a little more hammered than at the beginning of the day.) Funny girlsHere is Ellie and Rosie. Pink shirt and dark leggings. Much easier to plan with the parent at school the day before.

Santa Barbara Convention

2011-01-25T09:58:00.000-08:00

Jeff with the four other Sports fellows and Dr. Steve Snyder
It is the Orthopedic convention time of year. We got to go to Santa Barbara this weekend. (about 2 hour beautiful drive) Santa Barbara is gorgeous you almost feel like your on a tropical island as you are driving into it. We got to stay at a supper fancy hotel and had a few great dinners with the people Jeff works with and some ortho reps. We hung out at the zoo with another fellows family and also checked out the beach. We love tagging along at these conventions and exploring new places.

These monkey's made the funniest squealing sound

the kids loved the astroturf hill

On the zoo train with our friends Amy and Addison.
At the hotel pool
rub a dub 4 in a tub
the BEACH

Hope to come back here soon!