THE JACKSON FAMILY

Jeff, Marissa, Jocelyn, Ellie, Caden and James

Sunday, December 28, 2008

The Best Time of the Year

Here are the kids on Christmas Eve after putting out cookies for Santa and carrots and apples for the reindeer. (? Jocelyn's idea- so thoughtful) They are soooooooo Excited!






CHRISTMAS MORNING


THE Big MAN DELIVERS! Hooray!




Ellie being a little dramatic about the whole thing! They loved it - and the parents had so much fun too.





Caden opening gifts

playing on our new keyboard





Santa brought us a little tramp! Fun indoors or outdoors. (great for MN, which is indoor weather almost 9 months out of the year)







This is what my kids really wanted from Santa for Christmas: their own Umbrellas!



Ellie singing on the mini karaoke machine




Even Caden loves the tramp



We had such a wonderful and fun Christmas. Thanks family and friends for all your great Christmas cards and Gifts. We love you and hope you have a Happy New Year!












Friday, December 26, 2008

More Fun Times on our Pre-Christmas Trip

The kids loved bowling, especially Caden he wanted to hold the balls the whole time. He wanted to bowl so bad i let him bowl with me. Next time i will have to remember to bring him a little ball he can carry.

Jocelyn's turn Ellie cheering on her ball as it goes down the cool child ramp!


Nani Wendy and Ellie cheering. Ellie can't believe she got so many down!


Bo Baden-playing with the balls and looking a little tired





Mommy and her bowling helper Caden





Playing with cousins Ashlyn and Joshua and Maga Karen's



Karen, Caden and baby Lucas





WE also got to go to the Nutcracker . It was Awesome! We took Jocelyn and left the other kiddos with uncle Blake. (thanks Beezer) We got to see my cute cousin Jane tumbling and dancing. Great Job Jane!



Jocie really loved it especially the Mice!




It was great to get together with some of my old friends and catch up. Thanks to all of you who made it- It was so fun. We missed those of you who didn't get to be there. May be next time

Some of my Cute Friends...















Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Playing in Utah

We had so much fun visiting family and friends this past week. It was great to see a lot of you sorry we didn't have time to see everyone. But we love you and wish you a Merry Christmas!

At my parents home with my brothers and sisters and their families.
Ellie on their favorite thing- the table slide. My kids ask my mom if they can set this up every time we come in town. They Love it. I tried to catch Ellie's crazy static hair, but i didn't do a good job.



















little pre-Christmas gift exchange. And Taisja and Brady's dog Lily




Jocelyn and Ellie having fun Sledding with my sisters.













Ellie the little snow angel











with cousin Owen





At Jungle Jims





Owen and Caden were little buddies

















Monday, December 22, 2008

Holiday Traveling

The kids and I had a very fun time visiting family in Utah. (Lots of pictures to come.)
But our flight home was a little crazy. Lets just say Plane Problems! We were supposed to leave at5:50pm but the plane was late coming in so we got on about 6:30pm. We got on then we waited while one person unloaded all the bags and then loaded all of our bags . We finally started trailering to one terminal then the wind changed and we went to the next one. Then the pilot got on the intercom and said the brakes were too hot so we had to wait till they cooled off. Then they decided we better go back and get a mechanic to check them. At this point most passengers were going crazy because they were missing there connecting flights and the crew told people to call the NWA number to get other flights lined up. We did not know at this point if the plane would even fly.
Anyway there was a lot of waiting, and waiting by my self with three tired kids and no food. The airplane only had a few snacks on it from the previous flight so they were charging big money for the few items they had. ( they were trying to save time at the first by not cleaning it out and not restocking it- little did they know they had plenty of time.) They did give us some water.

Anyway Jocelyn watched 2 movies before we even got off the ground, Ellie fell asleep across our whole row and Caden walked up and down the plane isle making lots of friends. They finally got the paper work done from the mechanic and we started taxing again. We ended up getting in the air about 11:30 pm. followed by a plane full of people erupting in clapping. It was only 2 hours after we were supposed to be landed in Minneapolis. As soon as we got off Caden and Jocie fell asleep. Caden tossing and turning in my arms.

We get to Minneapolis about 3;30Am with the time change. I have to wake up the kids load up the stroller and head to baggage claim. Where the whole flight thought their luggage was lost. (luckily it did finally come in at a different place than they told us.) I loaded the luggage on a smart cart and had Ellie push the stroller. ( Ellie had the most sleep and she was a little happier than the rest.) A nice man in uniform saw our crazy train and offer to push my luggage a bout a mile to the place where shuttles pick you up to take you to the park and ride lot. We get on the shuttle make it to our car. The car is frozen Popsicle with the last few nights being - 30 and below with wind chill. Luckily it started. Got everything loaded, scraped the car, fingers feel like there going to fall off, Kids SCREAMING in the car because they are so cold (and tired). Pay the guy at the park and ride then drive 1 1/2 hours to home. Talked to my mom most the way home to stay a wake.

Finally pull in our driveway about 4:50 AM. Get stuck in our big pile of snow in front of the driveway. Felt bad to Wake up Jeff to help me out, but it was only a few minutes before his alarm went off at 5 am. Jeff helped unload the car and kids. Then we talked for a few minutes before he went to work and I went to bed. What a Night! All and all the kids did great. Thanks for all your prayers for us. I was especially grateful Caden did OK, since he was sick earlier throwing up and had the other end stuff too, the night before and that day. Thank goodness he felt a lot better and we did not have any of that! Anyway we made it!!!!! After a really long story and very Tired Mom! Home Sweet Home!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Family Fun Night

Jeff and the girls had a lot of fun decorating this gingerbread house. We had them use their leftover Halloween candy to add a little more flair. (and to save their teeth!) the Masterpiece




Thursday, December 4, 2008

Christmas Best

Here are a few pictures of the kids in their Christmas Church Clothes.
Ellie was a little sad and didn't want to get her picture taken.
Jocie is getting so grown up

Ellie final giving the smile we know and love

Ellie bundling up
Burr- It is definitely getting really cold here

Caden cheesing it up when i bring out the camera




















Friday, November 28, 2008

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. We are so grateful to have some family so close. We celebrated the yummy feast this year at the McKellars house. ( Ang- you were an amazing hostess as always) I was so fun to have all the Iowa McKellars in town also. We were glad to have Rob Rice join us as his family was away.

Here are a few action shots of the delicious meal... The feast










Caden loved the food and making a mess!






mmmmm! mashed potatoes

We are so thankful for all of our family and friends near and far. We love you all!






Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Weekend Fun!

TWILIGHT-


So Late Friday night (after getting the kids to bed) some friends in my ward and I had a Girls Night Out and saw Twilight!!!. We had a great time and overall enjoyed the movie. It is hard to be as good as the Book, but it left me wanting to see the next one and talking and thinking about the story all weekend. Crazy how that book does that.


Sarah Childs, Jen Brewer and Me


Summer Gunn, Sarah and Jen. Thanks girls for an awesome night.
SATURDAY-
UTAH VS. BYU

We went to watch the game with some other Utah Fans at a near by restaurant (none of us had it on our TV) . It was a great game! The kids and I only made it until half time. But Jeff and the rest of the Boys cheered our Utes to Victory! GO UTAH!


some of the crew: El, Jocie, Jeff and Caden, Rob Rice, Dan Ryssman ,Stephen and Joe McKellar




the girls wanted to bring the pom poms and the Finger! funny girls





Caden supporting his Utes!

What a Fun Weekend!