Jack's first Dentist visit

Today Jack had his first visit to the dentist. Okay he's been there a hundred times because mommy works there, but his fist official big boy visit! He wasn't scared at all. He climbed right up into the chair and sat back, opened wide and let Kenny (our hygienist) go to work. He loved making the chair go up and down, but mostly up. "I'm up high mom" he would say. I sure wish it was that easy to clean his teeth at home. I have a special hold I use on him so that he can't kick me or grab the toothbrush. It's kinda like a wrestling pin hold I try to use, but he usually wins. So since I love brushing his teeth so much, and it usually is quite short, I was happy to hear his teeth look great and no cavity's! Thanks Kenny and Dr. Brett. ( I've got to look into getting on of those chairs or something).

Finding the perfect pumpkin

Tonight we went to the Pankratz pumpkin patch. We went with our friends the Crane's for family home evening. The Pankratz said that the pumpkins were on the large side this year, Great!!!- Until you have to carry them back to the Car. Ugh...I'm a little, mabye a lot, whimpy. It was a fun,autumn, but chilly night. Emma, Lauren & Jack each found a favorite pumpkin. We took a little wagon ride behind the big red tractor. Where was that tractor when I needed it? We look forward to this fun family tradition every year, Thanks Pankratz family!

Jacks "Little Tractor"

Christmas came early for Jack when our Awesome neighbors The Quinns, brought over this "little Tractor" as Jack calls it. It was there son's when he was little. They brought it over for Jack yesterday and he has been in 7th heaven ever since. Well until I made him come inside because he was all wet from the SNOW!!! Ahhh I'm not sure I'm ready for snow yet. Thanks again Quinn's!

Vacation pics

Family vacation in California end of Sept./Oct. 2008

Disneyland

We did it! We drove to Disneyland, and we still loved each other when we got there. I was really worried about the drive, since sometimes when we drive to Salt Lake, things get ugly. But 10 Hours is the van wasn't bad at all. The drive home wasn't as pleasant, only one throw up, and Jack broke his T.V. before we got to Vegas but we made it, and I would do it again. We Spent Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at Disney, and Wednesday at the beach. We went with My Parents, my sister Taylor, and her boyfriend Ryan, my brother Todd, Christina, Spencer and Miriam. We were so glad to have all of them with us. Our first day there our cute Emma said "Mom this is so magical!" and she was crying on the last few hours we were there, not wanting it to end. It was magical, and we made some great memories. We loved our day at the beach too. Our neighbors told us about a great beach in Newport (Thanks Quinn's!). It was beautiful, and clean. So clean that Lauren was disappointed that she couldn't find any sea shells. I think we found 3 the whole day. We tried boogie boarding for the first time, and that was a blast. Emma was a pro! I didn't want to leave the beach, but the boys didn't want to get stuck in LA traffic, so I reluctantly brushed off and got in the van. We were grateful for this little vacation we got to have, and that we returned safely home. Its always good to be home!

I've said a hundread times that I should write a book about the crazy things that Jack does. "Jack moments!" Sometimes there is only a couple each day, and sometimes there are so many that I have to laugh or I would cry. So yesterday while I was getting ready to walk out the door,(because thats when they usually seem to happen, when your already late to begin with). Jackson said "mommy I spilled rice." This is the rice I had just measured out 7 cups of, for a dinner we are preparing to feed the teachers for parent teacher confrences today. I have to admit I looked at the spilled rice and thought for one brief moment "do you think I could still use it?" I quickly abandoned that thought and swept it up, not before jack had a hayday itn it though! So I am sure from time to time you will see more "Jack moments". That is if at that moment I have the laugh instead of cry attitude. We love you Jack!

Fall Festival

We have a blog!! Thanks to my friend Steph, without her help this wouldn't be possible. We had our hubby's take over bed time duties last night, and we stayed up playing on the computer. Thank-you Steph. I'm just getting started with the whole blogging thing, so bear with me, but here we go! We had a fun filled evening on Saturday. The annual Fall Festival. This is a ward/neighborhood party where everyone brings something yummy to share, we BBQ hot dogs, drink hot chocolate and cider, and visit. This was a Tadition that was started several years ago. When we bought the house 2 years ago from the England family, they told us about the annual fall festival held in the back yard, and we were excited to keep up the tradition! The ward rents a huge inflatable slide that the kids (and some adults!) climb and slide all night. We had beautiful weather, the rain held out till the very last people were going home, Just perfect! I love the Fall. It is my favorite time of the year, and this is such a fun way to kick it off!

Jackson was enjoying his hot dog and pumkin desert. You can't have fall without pumpkin desert!
We are so blessed to have such a great ward and neighborhood.