"I'm 9! Hey did you know I'm 9? Ya, oh ya - I'm NINNNNNNNNE!"

Jackson has been very disappointed that it has taken me this long to post his birthday blog. His birthday was last Friday, August 14th. Okay Jackson, here it is in all it's glory. I sincerely hope you like it. Unfortunately, Jackson's dad was out of town for his birthday so I tried my best to play super mom to make up for it and honestly, it has taken me this long to garner enough energy to finally write about it.

Nathan and I actually surprised Jackson with his own room as an early birthday surprise. The week prior to his birthday, he spent with his grandpa Bob so we painted and put up bead board in his absence. Grandma was away on a trip so grandpa took care of Jackson all week long shuffling him to and from his BYU Sports Camp (many thanks dad! You're the best). I think they had a great time bonding and I know Jackson really had a great time both at the sports camp and just hangin' with grandpa! When he got home, he asked me a million times if he could go again next year - hopefully he didn't ware out his welcome with my parents. (I don't think so because they invited us to dinner with them yesterday - we ate yummy fish my dad caught a few weeks ago in Alaska)

On Friday morning, Jackson got to go golfing with the scouts. Henry, Jackson's friend, invited us all up to their pool to go swimming with them in the afternoon. When he got home, we opened a few gifts and then he packed up for the ward "Father's and Son's" outing. Thanks to David Lindford for taking Jackson - his son was away at a camp of his own and couldn't make it back and Jackson was missing a father so they decided to go together- David didn't want to miss hanging out with his friends and Jackson didn't want to miss hanging out with his so it really worked out. I love great neighbors/friends! I don't know what I would do without the Lindfords it's just like having my family living next door. I surprised Jackson and sent up a big birthday cake with David and had him bring it out after dinner. Jackson was so surprised that when they brought it out and started singing - he thought "Wow! What a coincidence! I wonder whose birthday it is?" Jackson said he had a great birthday and I'm glad he felt special - isn't that what a birthday is all about?? I love you so much Jackson! I can't believe you're NINE - as you have said before "It's my last year in the single digits, better live it up."

Thanks for the FANTASTIC party you threw my kids. We all had a great time. The food was wonderful and the company was fantastic. The kids all loved their gifts and your generosity. We love you. Here are some pictures from the party.



It rained so hard on Saturday - it was cold and wet all day long (I'm afraid to think that fall is on it's way) Audrey, of course, didn't bat an eye at the bad weather outside, it just gave her a chance to dress up!


Pictures of Jane and her fist pigtails (or are they devil horns - sometimes I don't know....)

A few nights ago, we had pancake night - Audrey had made quite the artist statement with hers. It's called 'the flower' and 'the smiley'. Everyone should have an eccentric artist in their house!

It's the final countdown

Summer is winding down fast (Wah wah) and we are trying to squeeze every bit of fun out of it that we can. So what did we and the rest of Utah county do on Tuesday?? That's right, we just had to hit 2 buck Tuesday at Thanksgiving point gardens. It was beautiful but word to the wise, you might enjoy it just a tad bit more if you go when most of the children are in school. If you haven't ever been to the gardens there, they are beautiful! I can see why they charge so much to get in - they have to hire lots of people to maintain it. If you haven't been, go while it's cheep- this deal only lasts through August.


Jane just loves to swim - she even dunks herself under water - that can be fun and a little scary at the same time. I have to really watch her around water. Thank heavens she has to have food about every 10 minutes or else my whole body would look like a raisin after we were done - she would never get out!

Happy Birthday Jane

On August 8, (which happened to be my cousin Chelsey's 1 year wedding anniversary - you're no longer newlyweds!) my sweet baby Jane turned one! What a day that was - I celebrated by running the Provo river 1/2 marathon! That's right - at 4:45 am, Debbi and I woke up and our coach Brandon dropped us off at the starting line. We didn't actually begin the race until 7 am so I was really glad Debbi and I decided to do it together - I don't know who I would have talked to for two hours until the race finally began! My sweet husband and children were waiting for me at the finish line, cheering me on! What an accomplishment. One year ago on that day I was giving birth to a baby! My that year went by fast. I am not sure of my exact time but I am pretty sure I finished around 1:44:00. It seemed to go by a lot quicker then that time so I guess that's a good thing - it would have been awful if it dragged and dragged.

On a sad note, a week ago today (that would mean last Monday for those of you who don't want to figure it out) I woke up to find my service door into my garage opened and my truck door wide open - I asked Nathan why he left the truck door open and then we both gasped! We new immediately we had been robbed. They took my purse and Jackson's scripture bag. I was so sad - all week I talked about it. For some reason I just couldn't let it go - poor Nathan, he had to hear me talk non stop about it. I just felt so violated! What IDIOTS!!! I have to say that I know we should forgive and forget but COME ON - I just cannot forgive these IDIOTS! Okay, that is all I will say about that - really, I could go on and on but you don't want me to - (to my surprise, my wallet was recovered - albeit empty- and Jackson's scriptures were recovered too- minus one scripture bag - If I am going to look on the bright side of things, I am grateful these idiots are apparently not LDS as I am sure we would never have seen the scriptures again because as we all know, you can never have too many sets of scriptures)

Okay so back to Jane's wonderful first birthday . . . I was so wiped out after my race that we decided to celebrate it on Sunday morning since Nathan was leaving Sunday afternoon. Thanks to my sweet parents, Jane did actually get to open a present on her birthday here are some pictures . . .

"Hey, I know I'm new at this birthday thing but I'm preeeety sure that your hands shouldn't be all over my presents."

"Mom, do you think you could at least try and slick down this mop before you take my birthday photo? I mean really - I can't be lookin' like this in my wedding video montage!"

"Ohh, I love this bear - now what else did you get me. . ."

"Okay, hands off, just let me have a moment here."

"Is this really for me??"

"Really, really?"
"Let me just eat my way through this balloon - it might be faster!"

We were able to enjoy my sister Stephanie for a few weeks this summer. Jackson and Audrey always look forward to a visit from their cousins. Here are just a few photos. We love you guys and miss you tons!

Boy Stuff and Girl Stuff

Nathan, being the fabulous dad that he is, decided it was time to make Jackson into a man. He decided it was time that he and Jacks take a overnight backpacking trip on Lone Peak. They packed their packs, Nathan's probably weighed about 60 lbs. and Jackson's probably weighed 35 lbs. (I did the math and figured that at some point, Nathan would be carrying approximately 95 lbs. up VERY steep terrain - what a trooper). They had cell phone service the whole way so I got to talk to them a few times. I got detailed reports of what was happening and all the wildlife they had seen. I just picked them up this morning and Jackson said that he had a blast and that this was definitely making it into his "What I Did This Summer" report when he returned to school - I think that means it was a hit! Thanks babe - what a great dad you are!

Since the boys were off for the night, Audrey and I hit the theater with Bobbi Ann and her girls - we saw "Hello Dolly" at the Hale Center Theatre in West Valley City. It was wonderful! I have seen a few Broadway plays before so when it comes to local productions, I get a little sceptical but it really was good - I think the actors were all spectacular. This was the first play I have seen at this particular theater and I will go again - most definitely! The girls got a little restless but they were pretty good - it was really fun to do something with my sister and her girls (sorry Kendra and Stephanie - we missed you!) Sisters are the best! (Sorry we can't see your face Maddie, Audrey was making a political statement - we call her the family lib)

Raise your hand if you're SIX!

That's right - the day we have been anticipating all year has arrived -Audrey FINALLY turned six. All year long, she has talked about this blessed day - how she would spend it, what she would wear, who she would invite, what they would say about her in primary (they always do this really cute intro for each kid) and of course she discussed - at length- what she would get. Well, I daresay I think it lived up to her dreams (I can see it now . . . she will insist on a year long engagement just so she can plan the perfect wedding and/or she will become a party planner - how proud I will be).

For Audrey, one day of birthday is simply not enough, oh no, everybody knows that a birthday for a princess must be DRAGGGGGED out. Yesterday (July 26) was her actual birthday so we had a mild celebration for her at home. I made her favorite dinner - chicken cordon bleu with cream sauce. We had cake and by the time we served it, Grandma and Grandpa Rhoads had dropped in to wish her highness the best on this glorious day! Aunt Stephanie and her three princess also dropped in (they however graced us with their presence all night as they were visiting from a faraway land).

Today, we invited all of Audrey's royal cousins to a birthday bash at the ever-so-delightful Chucky-E-Cheese, yes where a "kid can truly be a kid" (that's right, because when kid's are not at said institution, they are being overworked at home doing their chores and studies all day - what would we ever do without Chuck-E-Cheese -parish the thought!) However, the adults did enjoy talking as the kids ran wild in the joint - we stayed there for four hours (we really showed them - talk about sticking it to the man). The royal cousins finished with a grand total of 1793 tickets! Well done!

Thank you to all who helped us celebrate our little princess's sixth birthday! We are so lucky to have Audrey in our lives - I truly believe she is one of a kind and anybody who knows her, would have to agree. She is simply a delight - if you could capture a small star in the universe, bring it down to earth and change it into a little person, you would have Audrey. She is right there with me getting ready in the mornings (yes, she loves, loves, LOVES to put on makeup). She tries on my scarves, hat's, jewelry and shoes and she can apply her lipstick perfectly without looking in a mirror. Meanwhile, Jane just looks at Audrey with a blank stare on her face as if to say "Where in the world did you come from? Am I supposed to act like that too?"

Oh heavens. . . .Well, one birthday down, only two more to go in the next few weeks - I can't wait!

How proud! Well done Jackson!

Even Will came for the party - I believe it was his first visit to Chucky-E-Cheese - I'm sorry Will - I hope we haven't ruined you forever.

Thanks for coming Mom and Dad - I was glad BYU could spare you for a few moments this afternoon.
Before my Dad showed up, poor Nathan was surrounded by women.

I love this little girl to death but either she is not very photogenic or she just doesn't like me (and who would believe the second part of that statement anyways) - I told her to smile like 10 times. I think she thought I was taking her mug shot.
Yummy Cookie!

Ahh - Jane and Grandma Dicksy - soooo cute - I think she wants to spend the night Grandma . . .

Audrey insisted she wanted a pony cake - so buy some Costco cupcakes, buy a pony figurine and vala - a pony cake!

Audrey's first glance at her birthday present.
"Watch out Lance Armstrong - here I come. . .I'm wearing my lucky red shoes and daisy in my hair. Hope you like lookin' at my back 'cause that's all your gonna see!"

Sorry - This is all your getting right now!

FREEDOM!

It is a new month and probably one of my favorites. I love fireworks and I love to see the American flag flying high. I am so grateful to live in America and it is truly the greatest country in the world. (Every time I hit the sev' for a big gulp - I realize just how good we have it) Last night we went to the Stadium of Fire in Provo. The Jonas brothers preformed and the crowd was wild. Even Nathan and I were rockin' it out. I knew most of their songs (thanks to the Disney channel being on 24/7) but was bummed they didn't preform one of my personal favorites Pizza Girl. If you don't know the song - then I feel bad for you. The fireworks were spectacular and even baby Jane had a great time. She was really good. Audrey did not like all the walking we had to do but she made it. Good job babe.

This week has been a busy one trying to keep the kids happy and occupied. We went to the Zoo (that place is just CRAZY in the summer). We bought Audrey new under ware (who knew that would bring such delight to her life for days!?), took Buzz the vet to get annual vaccinations, bought a fire pit and had a hot dog roast with most the kids in the neighborhood and Nathan took Audrey to "UP" for a daddy-daughter date while Jackson went boating with his friend Ethan. Now Jackson wants to get a boat sooo badly. Too bad Jacks - I just don't think it's in the cards for us, but if you sit on an inner tube at the pool and tie a rope around it - I'd be happy to pull you around really fast! See - I can be accommodating.

This is a quick skirt I made Audrey this week - I think it turned out really cute.

Just another photo of baby Jane's cute face!

Nothin' like kids and fire. So fun . . .

Just a random photo of Jane at the pool - her favorite thing to do when we are there is of course stuff her face.


Kids at the zoo - oh look - they're not fighting - hurry up and take a picture!

Snowflakes in July - two days ago Audrey and her friends wanted to make snowflakes. I guess they miss the snow. I personally am glad for the warm weather. Summertime is my favorite time!

Jackson on the lake with his friend Ethan. Thanks Kamille for taking these great photos! I love them. What a stud Jackson!