Bob & Jen

Lately

2010-05-13T16:29:00.001-07:00

We have loved going to the park- especially the swings...

Jen took the kids to Utah to play...

Bob had a BIG, BIG birthday weekend at the beach- with lots of family, friends and surprises...

This is probably my favorite moment. This is Bob with his roommate from freshman year of college, Kyle. Here they are 12 years later with their kids...

Having a sleepover! With cupcakes!

Here is how it all began: Kyle & Bob- fall 1998.

And we love having play dates with all our girlfriends!

Playing Catch Up!

2010-04-08T20:57:00.000-07:00

So, Weston went from being 8 weeks old to now 8 months old.

We are a little behind.

So, here's what you missed:

Mary Jane got a Pink Big Girl Bed for her very Pink Room. Loved it from day one.

Halloween

Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbell and Baby Michael

Mary Jane turned two and had the best party of her life! We loved celebrating with our friends and family in Maryland...

Christmas in Sacramento...

matching PJ's with their names on their bums!

Chillin' on a Sunday Afternoon

Wrestling at Bed Time- instead of reading books...

Playing at the park

Getting dressed for the day and playing in Mary Jane's room

Easter Egg Hunt in the Yard

Beach Day Fridays!

We love getting together with our friends every Friday! We pick a new beach each week and play in the sand and the sun!

Hippity Hip Hooray!

2009-10-12T21:22:00.000-07:00

I am so glad I was introduced to my new favorite website!

I don't want to dissapoint you, but it's not clothes, it's not shoes, it's not recipes, it's not decorating/interior design ideas...

But, you will feel good joining this group:

www.asamom.ning.com

Blue Steel!

2009-09-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

Weston looked so darn cute at church yesterday- - and he was so well behaved!- -

that we had to have a little photo shoot to mark his 8 week birthday today.

A Little Sneak Preview...

2009-09-24T20:19:00.001-07:00

Here is Mary Jane trying on her Halloween costume after it arrived in the mail today:

Definitely not feeling the Tinkerbell dress, nor the sparkly shoes....

But two Ritz crackers makes it okay...

Practicing flying around the house like a fairy- - with a Ritz cracker.

So, what are our chances that one house will be handing out

Ritz crackers when we go trick or treating?

The Happiest Place on Earth

2009-09-14T15:40:00.000-07:00

We just got back from our first vacation as a family of four!

We decided at the very last minute (four days before our departing flight) to take advantage of the holiday weekend- and some perfect timing with Bob's business trip to the east coast- to take the summer vacation we never got (although, we certainly can't say that out of pity: we live in the land of summer vacation!).

We spent nine days in the most beautiful place on the planet: Lake Winnipesaukee, NH, where Jen's family has been spending their summer for 70 years.

We were definietly late in the season; the water was a little on the colder side, so we only swam on the two sunniest days and then it wasn't so bad. But, we certainly enjoyed the boat rides:

The kiddos enjoyed the boat rides so much they were guaranteed to fall asleep!

Mary Jane's favorite spot: she liked to stand on her little perch on the balcony and look for boats, ducks, airplanes...

Weston was on his best behavior for his first airplane rides (6 hours each way!) and loved hanging out with his mom, dad, and big sister.

Mom and dad's only advice: Even if you don't have to buy tickets for your 2 lap children, we suggest you do. 4 people in 2 tiny seats makes for a LONG ride!

He's Here!

2009-08-07T21:07:00.001-07:00

Weston Robert Jackson

Monday, August 3

2:50 pm

8 lbs 4 oz 20" long

The Big Day?

2009-07-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

Well, today is Weston's due date.

It doesn't look like he will be showing up.

I have not gained a single pound in over two weeks, my stomach had not expanded any further in over two weeks, nor has it "dropped", and I have been dialated to a 2 and 50% efaced for over two weeks.

Weston has made it clear that he is quite comfortable where he is and will not be moving- - on his own-- any time soon.

The doctor and I decided we're gonna smoke this baby out. If he is not here by this time next week, we are gonna pull him out! Time to induce: Wednesday, August 5, 12:01 a.m.

My words to Weston, in a sweet, motherly voice, "Hurry Up!!"

Summertime in the NBC

2009-07-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

...NBC being Newport Beach, California.

Seriously, I have lived here almost two years and I still cannot get over this place. I have been totally spoiled! I could never live any place cold, snowy, or humid again. The beautiful weather here has ruined me!

We have certainly been enjoying the summer weather and all the fun activities Orange County has to offer... We have been busy playing outside, swimming at the pool, building sand castles at lots of beaches, and making lots of sticky, gooey s'mores over fires at night. Even with her 50 SPF sunscreen Mary Jane has some pretty good tan lines!

Spending the Day at Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach

Mary Jane showing off her shells she collected...

Rock climbing with dad...

A Typical Day at the Park

Fourth of July, Capistrano Bay

Lots of football games...

Mary Jane adores her aunt Sydne...

And can't ever get enough digging with "shovel and pail"

Surfing 42nd Street, Balboa Penninsula

Heading home after watching Bobby surf...

Long Beach Aquarium

Mary Jane loved watching the seals and sea otters ("doggies!!"), and she liked to point out all the star fish.

She didn't care for the jelly fish at all, and she was SO scared of the sharks and clung to her mom's neck!

But, she was fearless in the little touch pools. She wanted to grab the sting rays, and climb in and swim with them!

Driving down to see our cousins in Carlsbad with Bobby...

Gangsta.

Mary Jane would like to give a shout out to her cousins Jake and Alec and say, "thanks for playing with me!"

Where Have We Been?

2009-05-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

Here's what we've been up to...

Bob's Birthday

Bob celebrated his 29th birthday on Cinco de Mayo, and his friend Jevin's birthday is the day before. So this year we had a joint Mexican Fiesta to celebrate these two. They even received matching t-shirts. How Cute.

If you don't know how quickly these two have become buddies, I will tell you that I refer to Jevin as Bob's boyfriend- because he takes presedence over me. If Jevin calls in the middle of our conversation, or in the middle of dinner, Bob takes the call and leaves the room. He must talk to him at that very moment. And these are not brief calls, mind you. These conversations can get pretty lengthy. If Jevin calls when we are driving in the car, I get "shushed" and the radio is turned off so Bob can give all his attention to Jevin. I joke that I am jealous that Jevin is so much more important than me, but I love that Bob has such an awesome friend- - with a great wife who I love to hang out with just as much!

Bob kind of had an unofficial "surf" theme this year... He received a new foam top short board, bike racks for his surf board so he can bike down to the waves, surfing DVDs and surfing books. The pressure is on him to improve his surfing skills this year!!

Atlanta Reunion

Jen took a quick weekend to the east coast to attend the wedding of her dear friend, Lindsay (Cole) Dubsky! She enjoyed a quick reunion with her girlfriends, Shannon and Lindsay, and standing in the bridal party on the big day!

Now: May 9, 2009

Then: September 1997

(Not looking my best...I am 14 years old...)

Visiting her favorite Mormons at BYU...

Hawaii

Aloha, Kona! We packed our swimsuits and headed for the sun and sand! We loved our week on the big island, especially playing with the family as we were all there to celebrate our newphew's eighth birthday- and baptism in the pond of an ancient king.

This little girl loves the beach!

Jumping to dad in the swimming pool...

Birthday Dinner with Jack and Mo

Erin & Carson

JJ & Mary Jane

"Papa" & "Mama"

Baby News

Jen is 30 weeks along- only 10 weeks left to go. Only 10 more Sundays left, 10 more Mondays- -and only 10 more Saturdays to get into gear and get organized for this little guy's arrival! We are so excited for him to finally get here!

Jen is relieved to say that she hasn't had the constant heartburn/ribs-on-fire that Mary Jane gave her (bless her sweet little blonde heart, it was worth it!). But, she is having her fair share of swollen feet, ankles, legs, and aching tail bone. She tries to spend lots of time with her feet up- with a price to pay. Mary Jane has been left to color, or "paint" as she calls it, on surfaces other than paper when not closely monitored...furniture, walls, doors... Thank goodness crayola colors are washable!

Here is how Jen looked this week in a huge tent of a maternity tankini....

Yeah, right!!

2009-04-09T21:05:00.000-07:00

It's official: we are all settled in our new place and there isn't a box in sight! Hooray! As much as I dread moving, it was not so painful this time. I have an awesome family who helped make it much easier. My sister and my uncle came in from Utah, and my mom came in from Maryland and they worked their tails off and we got everything out of our old house and transfered over in less than 2 days.

Being pregnant, I myself was not much help. I was not allowed to lift much- my mom said, "You can pack the pillows and the lamp shades."

Mary Jane loves her new (big!) room. We put a t.v. in her room that has a dvd player built in, and all she wants to do all day long is watch Blue's Clues and play with her toys in her room. It worked out beautifully not having her underfoot during the moving process. Actually, sometimes she would be so quiet I would worry and go check on her, to see her totally content hanging out with her shows and her toys!

It's official: We picked a name! After bouncing around a few names, we have settled on our original idea. This baby now has a name, Weston Robert Jackson, the flip flop of Bob's name. Weston is a family name on the Jackson side; there are already a few other Weston Jacksons amongst the second and third cousins, but we decided that we liked the the name and the family tradition, so when it works out that well, you go with it.

We are enjoying the beautiful, sunny spring weather and looking forward to celebrating Easter this weekend with Mary Jane. I am wondering if she will understand the concept of an Easter Egg Hunt. So far she just likes shaking the plastic eggs with the candy inside and hearing them rattle. Having to search for them in the yard might be a little beyond her level right now... oh well, more candy for dad.

Big News, Big Changes

2009-03-03T12:52:00.001-08:00

So, first of all, Mary Jane is going to have a little brother. Her pink, pink world will be turned upside down come the end of July!

We kind of had a feeling we were having a boy... lots of morning sickness this time around, which I never had with Mary Jane, and lots of other differences, too.

Second, we are moving. I have the bad luck of moving when I am pregnant. At least this time it's only a few miles up the street, instead of several hundred miles down I-5. Bob and I have moved 4 times in the 4.33 years we've been married; we have never lived anywhere longer than 22 months.

Hmm...reading those figures makes me I think I need to start saving my moving boxes... But really, let's not make this a habit.

Happy Birthday!

2009-02-24T22:45:00.000-08:00

A is for always laughing. She knows how to crack herself up.

S is for Spencer. We are glad she married him. Ashley makes good choices.

H is for HOT! Spencer said he "wanted to marry a hot girl! And Spencer, you did!"

L is for London. She sometimes talks with a British accent. Love that.

E is for energetic- or the opposite of that. Ashley likes her naps.

Y is for Yippee! It's your birthday! You did it!!

You are a great sister, aunt, and mommy!

Hope you have a fantabulous day!

(I would make you a Haagen Dazs black and white milkshake if I was there, but I hope you get to eat a lot of ice cream with cool whip on it instead!)

Happy Birthday, Actually!

A First Day at Disneyland!

2009-02-24T14:00:00.000-08:00

We got our Season Passes to Disneyland and went for the first time on Saturday!

We went with some of Mary Jane's cousins and she had a blast!

She loved riding the rides- she never got scared.

Not even the wicked witch popping out in Snow White could spook her! She is so brave.

All the pictures are in reverse order- so start at the bottom and then go to the top...

Ready to ride Winnie the Pooh

Ready to spin the teacup...

Waiting in line to ride Dumbo

She went crazy on the carousel! I think it was her favorite.

We missed the Princess Parade, so we'll have to go again soon! We can't wait to play again!

Pink or Blue?

2009-02-24T13:05:00.001-08:00

Jen is now 17 weeks along and doing great!

Is it a boy? Or is it a girl?

We find out Monday, March 2, so leave your guesses!

Lucky Number 14

2009-01-27T13:05:00.000-08:00

Mary Jane is now 14 months old. She is walking running, somersaulting and talking- A LOT! She is a little chatter box, and she is not shy. She will say "hi" and wave to anyone, and doggies, too.

She loves looking at pictures of herself, her family, and her cousins, and she knows "MoMoMoMo", "Jackie," and "JJ". But, her favorite person is "Bobby." She is a daddy's girl. She loves her daddy and is so excited to see him when he comes home at night. She even calls him on her play phones. She will hold the phone to her ear and say, "Hey Bob."

And, Mary Jane is going to be a big sister!

Jen is 14 weeks pregnant and she is due July 29!

Hooray!

525,600 Minutes

2008-11-23T19:40:00.001-08:00

My Mary Jane will be one year old tomorrow.

I can't believe how fast the time has gone.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of my favorite little girl.

Reading books with mommy (at 7 in the morning!)

She loves her ladybug book.

She fell asleep immediately after coming home from church....

She stayed that way- in the middle of the floor- for 3 hours!

Helping mommy with the dishes!

"Chillin' on a Sunday Afternoon."

Daddy's favorite thing to do with his girls: go on a bike ride.

Happy Birthday, My Mary Jane!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like....

2008-11-13T10:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas??

Well, I'm not sure.

Not the Christmas that I grew up with, anyway.

Last year was my first Christmas in Southern California. But, I did not experience much of it because Mary Jane was born two days after Thanksgiving, so last December is kind of a blur. I don't remember too many specifics. (Plus, we returned back home to Roseville for the actual Christmas day.)

I am requesting a "re-do" and consider this year my first Christmas down here.

And, the Christmas season is already upon us.

The palm trees are wrapped in Christmas lights, and the bushes in the medians down Pacific Coast Highway that are pruned to resemble dolphins- they are all wearing Santa hats.

Fashion Island, the large outdoor mall, has Christmas music playing as you walk down the sunny corridors enjoying the ocean breeze.

And instead of watching carolers on my lawn, this year I will be watching the Balboa Yacht Club Christmas Parade, and all the fancy boats covered in lights heading out to sea.

It feels like Christmas in Hawaii.

You would think that I would enjoy this more. I hate being cold! I love the sun and I love being warm! I hate having to scrape snow and ice off your car in the morning, and sitting in a cold car. I would much rather walk down the beach and feel sand between my toes!

But I feel like something is missing. It's not as fun sipping hot chocolate when its really not all that cold out. I don't need to bundle up under a cozy sweater; I'm still wearing flip-flops. The weather outside is not frightful.

So, maybe this year I will ask for some snow. Just on Christmas Day.

Nicely Said, Joy

2008-11-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

"Yes, it is about a choice- and a choice of the people and by the people. We all shared the equal right to vote, so equality was exerted." (regarding the passing of Proposition 8 in California)

I don't know Ms. Joy Styles, but I liked what she said.

A First Halloween

2008-10-26T21:36:00.000-07:00

We are so excited for Mary Jane's first Halloween! Here we are at our church Halloween party this weekend, all dressed up as Cruella de Ville, her dog-napper, and 1 dalmatian puppy!

Autumn

2008-10-05T21:15:00.001-07:00

Fall is our favorite season. Bob and I both look foward to the return of cooler temperatures and all the fun activities that fall brings.

1. COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Since living near Bob's family in Nor Cal, each Saturday has been dedicated to the intense rush we get watching our favorite teams- actually, any teams. We are not exclusive. The t.v. is on all day long, and the one in our bedroom, both tivoing multiple games. We switch channels throughout the day trying to cover everything. I really never appreciated football before we were married, simply because I didn't really get it. Thanks to Bob and his brothers Matt and Chris, they have fully taken it upon themselves to teach me the finer points of the game. Now I love it, too.

You would think that two BYU grads would be BIG, HUGE Cougar fans, but we are not. We do not own any Cougar apparel or paraphanalia (and sometimes we let other games take precidence over their games! I know that sounds terrible, but it's not because we know that all our friends will tell us about any important plays we missed.) But, we like to watch California schools! Bob is a major USC fan, and we loyally watch/attend their games, while I still hold out for Berkeley. Just to show that I am not a lipstick fan, I even corrected Bob on his professional football players a few weeks ago. The Eagles' W.R. Deshawn Jackson played at Cal a few years ago (and, he ran back a punt return 68 yards for a touchdown today. He's a quick one!)

2. BONFIRES

We have a fire ring in our yard and while we do have bonfires year round, I just think they are more fun in the fall. In the summer, the sun doesn't go down until almost 9:30 and I have to wait for sooo long! Now, the sun goes down around 7:30, so we can sit outside, cuddle up under blankets and talk and enjoy the fire- and s'mores.

3. PUMPKIN

I do enjoy cooking/baking, and my favorite flavor of all is pumpkin. While some girls love ice cream or chocolate, I simply enjoy anything with the flavor of pumpkin. I even make pumpkin bread in the spring because I can't wait! I love making pumpkin bread, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin cheesecake... Deelicious.

Johnna Jackson's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 c. butter 1 tsp. soda
1 1/2 c. sugar 1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg 1 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. canned pumpkin

1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla 1 c. chocolate chips
2 1/2 c. flour 1 tsp. baking soda

Combine all wet ingredients. Stir in dry ingredients. Spoon onto ungreased cookies sheets and bake at 350º for 13- 15 minutes. (Johnna's note: "I usually make these cookies pretty big. To make a bigger batch, use a large can of pumpkin and triple the rest of the ingredients.")

My friend Britni just made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies last weekend, and while we were devouring them she said that she puts hers in the freezer! They don't get rock hard but they get firmer, as p.c.c.c. do tend to be very, very soft. This is something I simply must try!

4. SWEATERS

No, I am not obsessed with sweaters like a closet Mr. Rogers freak, but I do love feeling all snuggly in warm clothes and jackets. The only time I don't like living here in Southern California, the land of eternal summer, is winter because you only need a coat for 1 week- and I have a lot of coats.

5. BIRTHDAY PARTY!

I am so excited to throw Mary Jane her very first birthday party! I know she is too young to care will have no idea what is going on, so the party is definetly more for me than her. But I love relishing in the role of new mom and all the fun things I get to do, like celebrate my little girl.

Happy fall!

How We Say "I Love You"

2008-09-25T23:51:00.000-07:00

So, our four year wedding anniversary is next week. Here is what we're doing to celebrate...

"Marriage is a union between Party A and Party B"

2008-09-09T12:47:00.000-07:00

What will happen if California legalizes same-sex marriage?

My first thought when I asked myself this question five months ago was, "Nothing. Nothing will change. It won't effect me or my neighborhood or town where I live." When in fact, I have come to learn it will change everything- everywhere. Because California has no residency law, California can enforce its law on the entire nation. No matter where you live, you will have to recognize same-sex marriage as if it is legal in your state.

Read below what has already happened.

1. Children in public schools will have to be taught that same-sex marriage is just as good as traditional marriage . The California Education Code (§51890) already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. Therefore, unless Proposition 8 passes, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults regardless of gender. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.

2. It will lead to more government intrusion into private lives . A photographer in Albuquerque, NM refused to photograph a lesbian couple's civil union ceremony. The New Mexico Human Rights Commission fined the photographer $6,000 even though there were other photographers willing to accept the business. And this in a state where same-sex marriage is still illegal!

3. It will lead to speech monitors. An employee at the City of Oakland was threatened with termination for using the terms “natural family, marriage and family values” while discussing a public issue with co-workers. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal backed up the district court saying administrative efficiency in a government office is more important than free speech. Today it's municipal employees; tomorrow … who?

4. Anti-discrimination regulations will become more important than religious beliefs. In Vista, California, a lesbian couple sued a doctor who refused to perform a requested artificial insemination because of the doctor's religious beliefs. Although another doctor offered to do the procedure, the California Supreme Court held unanimously that the “1 st Amendment's right to the free exercise of religion does not exempt defendant physicians here from conforming their conduct to the … antidiscrimination requirements.” An elective procedure, no emergency involved, and there was another doctor willing to do the procedure. Anti-bias laws will outweigh religion.

5. Churches will be sued over their tax-exempt status if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings open to the public. While pastors, priests, ministers, bishops, and rabbis may not be forced to conduct such marriages themselves, they will be required to allow such marriages in their chapels and sanctuaries. Does this mean that my church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, must allow same sex marriage ceremonies in our chapels? What about our temples?

6. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts and because they prefer to place children in homes with a mother and a father.

7. Religions that sponsor private colleges and universities with married-student housing will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if counter to church doctrine, or risk lawsuits over tax exemptions and related benefits. Also known as: BYU. BYU-Idaho. BYU-Hawaii. If these universities do not offer same-sex couples housing to California Residents, they can be sued in a law suit.

8. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage. If a government agency such as the Alberta Human Rights Commission can stop a minister from teaching his church's doctrine about marriage during their time of worship, then it won't be long before everyone's free speech rights will be in jeopardy.

9. It will cost everyone more money. This change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits, including some already decided adversely. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today's activist judges), think of the money – your money, your church contributions – that will be spent on legal battles.

Think of a world where Human Rights Commissions – unelected bureaucrats with unfettered authority – are judge, jury, and executioner of anything they feel is antagonistic speech toward same-sex marriage and its practitioners.

Think of a world where the judicial system relegates long-held religious beliefs to second-class importance behind anti-bias laws and a newly discovered protected class of people.

Welcome to California... and soon the rest of the country.

Examples courtesy of Glenn Greener, Meridian Magazine.

So Sweet

2008-09-03T22:04:00.001-07:00

Meeting her cousin, Charlie Samuelian, for the first time.

This is probably my favorite picture ever. We are so glad that mom and baby are safe and healthy and we are so happy we got to share in their beautiful day. We love you.

Mary Jane's Big Week!

2008-08-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

Wow! So many fun things and so many firsts!
We have been so busy!

Mary Jane is quite the jet-setter and took her 17th and 18th airplane rides. We went to Provo to be there to greet her cousin, Charlie Samuelian. (Too bad she doesn't get sky miles.)

We got there just in time as we flew in late Friday night and he was born the very next day.

When we returned home, Bob was very firm that it was time for Miss Mary Jane to get a haircut. Jen had been putting this off because she loves Mary Jane's sweet little curls that have all grown out, but she agreed that it was time. Mary Jane was looking quite sloppy:

We were more than a few months over-due for a trim...

We went to First Cuts where Mary Jane LOVED riding in the airplane! She enjoyed getting her haircut so much, and felt so pretty!

A few days later, Mary Jane went to the park and Jen decided it was time to participate in all the fun. She rode her first swing with her friend Mason! Wow! So much fun!

Jen apologizes for your neckache because she did not remember that you can't edit videos and rotate them. So, just watch sideways.

Water Baby

2008-08-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

We had a fun beach day with the Yeargin family last week! We spent the afternoon at Little Corona eating delicious Chronic Tacos and catching waves with our boogie boards.

Even Mary Jane got in on the action and splashed and kicked in the waves.

Mary Jane loves the water. I can't ever get her out! She would happily spend all day standing in the surf at the beach or swimming in the tub. She is fearless. Rarely am I not quick enough to lift her out of a big wave, and it will splash up in her face, and she never whines or cries. She is not scared to go "face-under" in the tub, either. In fact, she knows where the tub is in the house and will scoot down the hall and into the bathroom, and can even flip over into the tub all by herself, so we keep a quick eye on her as soon as we she that she is heading down the hallway.

I will have to get her in swim lessons soon!

Beyond climbing into the tub, Mary Jane likes to climb up just about everything: coffee table, couch, kitchen chairs, laundry baskets, mom's leg! She won't venture farther than just standing up and shouting for victory as she hangs on, but she thinks it's pretty cool.

Here are other new things:

- MJ enjoys feeding herself cereal puffs, but no teeth yet.

- She likes apple juice, but mostly she just likes to talk and sing.

- She keeps her shoes on more often. We made it for our first 3 hours of church this week with the shoes still on!

-She is practicing waving hello and goodbye.

Fizield Hockey What!

2008-08-15T10:34:00.001-07:00

I grew up playing Field Hockey. A very little known sport where I live now; nobody has even heard of it. It's kind of a big deal on the east coast. I started playing in 6th grade and played all the way through college. I love it.

I met a few other girls from the east coast while at BYU, and we formed a sort of club team with students from UVSC and played once a week, usually against a group of British and Irish guys in Salt Lake City. We travelled to tournaments at Stanford, Univ. of Arizona and San Diego. But, the best players I have ever played with were in high school. These girls were a-mazing. Almost all my teammates from high school were recruited and went to play at the collegiate level at little schools like Harvard, Dartmouth, University of Maryland, Ohio State. In fact, 2 were selected to try out for the National Squad.

I can't say I've played since moving to California. It makes me very sad to see my sticks and balls all lonely in the garage getting pushed to the back of the shelves or in corners. It's hard to get even 1 person to hit around with.

So, you can imagine how super duper excited I was to see that the U.S. Field Hockey team made it to the Olympics this year! We haven't been so good in years past- the last time we qualified was in 1996, and don't worry, we placed dead last. I think we got 1 Bronze medal in the '70s?

The team is doing o.k. this year. We are ranked #11 in the games (then again, there are only 12 teams), but we are holding our own. We tied #2 Argentina, and tied #4 Japan. We just lost to #1 Germany, and let me tell you, those German girls are unbelievable. The level of skill and control is pretty amazing. It's incredible to watch our girls, who are so good, and then to see another team who is SO much better. During the game, the commentator, Nick Crowley, the Men's Field Hockey team coach said, "Well, just take this as a free clinic from the German team on how to execute perfect plays." (He was commentating because the men's squad didn't qualify. In fact, I don't think they have ever qualified ever. But, watch the British, Australian and Pakistani mens' squads. Unreal games.)

The U.S. has 2 more games to play, and you can set your tivo to record them at 3 a.m. on USA Network. Here's a little bit of what you'll see:

-Field hockey matches consist of two 35-minute halves with a 10-minute intermission in between. No time outs are given and the clock is never stopped for penalty (except for injury).

-Each team is allowed 11 players on the field, including the goalkeeper, and allowed unlimited substitutions.

-Players use the flat face of their sticks to hit and dribble the ball down the field, called the pitch, and attempt to shoot it past a goalkeeper and into their opponent's goal cage. Only shots taken within the 16' radius, or striking circle, count.

-The ball cannot be kicked, held or carried. No touching. You can only contact the ball with the flat side of the stick.

-Each player wears shin guards and a mouth guard. Serious injuries do take place- teeth knocked out, black eyes.... True story: a girl on my team my sophomore year of high school had to have her ear re-attached. 36 or 46 stitches behind her ear, I can't remember. Nasty!

Take that German girl down!

Soooo, if anyone is interested in starting some friendly pick up games or just playing around, I am always looking! Plus, it's a great workout for your booty.

Proposition 8

2008-08-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

"Our strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. [We have] been placed here to help enrich, to protect, and to guard the home- which is society's most basic and most noble institution. Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous...can help save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know."

Spencer W. Kimball, My Beloved Sisters. 1979.

In 2000, California voters passed Proposition 22 by more than 61%, saying that a marriage in California is between a man and a woman. Earlier this year, four activist judges based in San Francisco wrongly overturned the people's vote, legalizing same-sex marriage.

The Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage did not just overturn the will of California voters; it also redefined marriage for the rest of society, without ever asking the people themselves to accept this decision. This decision has far-reaching consequences. For example, because public schools are already required to teach the role of marriage in society as part of the curriculum, schools will now be required to teach students that gay marriage is the same as traditional marriage, starting with kindergarteners. By saying that a marriage is between “any two persons” rather than between a man and a woman, the Court decision has opened the door to any kind of “marriage.” This undermines the value of marriage altogether at a time when we should be restoring marriage, not undermining it.

Individuals from each ward in California have been called to organize their ward congregations to act, collecting donations, knocking on doors and soliciting and petitioning, cold calling, and sending mailers. In his direction to these people, President Thomas S. Monson said, "California acts as a damn holding back the evil that will infiltrate our society. If this amendment passes, the damn will break."

Media Coverage of Proposition 8 from KNBC4 Los Angeles on August 8:

http://video.knbc.com/player/?id=282335

Media Coverage of Proposition 8 from KNBC4 Los Angeles 6:00 News on Monday, August 11:

http://video.knbc.com/player/?id=284629

How can you help, you ask?

1. As you will watch in these videos, those who approve same-sex marriage have raised TWICE as much money than those who are against it. Californian Latter-Day Saints have been called upon to give of "their means and their time", but donations from out of state groups, businesses and individuals are welcome. Your can give by clicking on the www.protectmarriage.com link on the top left corner of our blog. Groups supporting the same-sex marriage amendment to the California Constitution have received most of their funding from outside the state!

2. If you are a California resident living outside the state, please register for to vote by way of absentee ballot so we collect all the support we can (see widget on the top left of our blog).

Seriously?

2008-08-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

Never, ever, ever could I have predicted that I would live in Southern California.

Sometimes I still can't believe I live here. At first, I missed Sacramento way too much to realize that it is pretty cool down here. My "east coast" friends would die to hear me say that since I have lived here, there is just no way I could ever live back in Maryland again.... even after a 5.8 earthquake two weeks ago. That doesn't scare me away: I am a West Coast Convert and I am here to stay!

We go to the beach all the time like it's no big deal. Here are some things we did during your average week:

1. Saturday- spent the day surfing and swimming with friends at Thalia Street Beach in Laguna. Had pizza around the bonfire and made s'mores for dessert.

2. Tuesday- went for a walk with Fenway and Mary Jane down Ocean Avenue overlooking the beach.

3. Thursday- went for a walk down Ocean Avenue with some friends, and went down to the beach and walked along the jetty. Saw lots of sea lions and pelicans.

4. Friday- went for a quick morning walk down Ocean Avenue and enjoyed the lovely ocean breeze before nap time.

5. Tomorrow's agenda- go hang out on the beach and watch Bob surf.

Hello! Who does that?

In short, we love our location and feel very lucky that we can take full advantage of our time down here. So come visit us!

And keep leaving your email addresses- we are locking our blog on Sunday.

2008-08-03T22:39:00.000-07:00

We are going private!!! Please leave your email address so that we can add you to those that can view our blog.

Summer Vacations

2008-07-10T22:47:00.000-07:00

Summertime= Family Vacations!

We recently went to Park City for a family reunion with Bob's mother's family. It was great for Jen to finally be able to put all the cousins in order, and meet some for the first time. The weather was beautiful and the slopes are still so green and lush. It was a gorgeous weekend.

While we were there Mary Jane picked up a family habit from Bob and Aunt Erin... drinking Mountain Dew!

Just kidding! It wasn't open. Actually, this has been a big week for food for Mary Jane. She loves to nibble on Graham crackers and now enjoys cereal puffs.

This past Tuesday she started putting her own pacifier in her mouth by herself the correct way, and she put her bottle in her mouth all by herself. YAY!!!

Two days later, some of Bob's siblings, along with his parents, came down to Orange County for the Fourth of July. We had a great time hanging out on the beach together, and with so many nephews there were many games of touch football... and only one tooth knocked loose.

Even Mary Jane enjoyed taking a swim to cool off. She was much braver than her mom who thought the ocean was FrEeZiNg!!

Mary Jane didn't stay awake for the Fireworks, but she had a fantastic Fourth of July!

Seven Months!

2008-06-24T14:29:00.001-07:00

Seven months old? Already?

Even though the days themselves go by pretty slow, time sure has flown by.

Mary Jane is getting so big and growing up so fast.

She is so cute, and so smart. She is very curious and enthusiastic about everything.

Here are her new things:

She recently learned to ScReAm and enjoys listening to herself, and also enjoys reading story books.

She is very good at army crawling. A sleeping Fenway has proven to be very good motivation.

Here are some recent pics:

After a day full of fun, falling asleep before dinner was served...

We have a pair of leather armchairs in our family room, and Mary Jane has her favorite one. She loves to crawl underneath it as soon as I put her on the floor to play. She rolls off her blanket towards the chair so determined!

One time I let her play on the floor while I loaded some dishes in the dishwasher. I came back in the family room and I couldn't see her! I could hear her, but she was no where in sight. She had rolled underneath the couch and was playing under there just as happy as could be.

She likes watching Sesame Street....

She LOVES homemade whipped cream....

And she just got her first pair of high heels from Uncle Spencer!

Trying them on for the first time...

How do they look?

She loves getting dressed up for Sunday dinner in her fancy shoes-

and then immediately taking them off.

Click here to see Heelarious shoes!

This is probably my favorite picture of my little girl, because this shows how she really is when she wakes up every day. And, she has awesome bed head to top it off. Every day, she wakes up so happy with the biggest smile on her sweet face. She sings and kicks around in her crib, she can't wait for the day to begin!

Father's Day

2008-06-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how much more meaningful Father's Day becomes

when the one you love is a dad...

Bob's Fathers Day Gift. I got him (and installed!) an outdoor

shower for when we are all sandy and salty from a day

at the beach!

Hello, Mr. Matt Damon

2008-06-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

Movie Director Steven Soderbergh (Michael Clayton, Ocean's Eleven trilogy) was filming "The Informant" at Bob's hotel today. Bob is a Senior Sales Manager and is serving as the liason booking their rooms and attending to their needs. The movie is based on Kurt Eichenwald's 2000 book by the same title. It is the true story of an employee at Decatur's Archer Daniels Midland in the early 1990s who wound up blowing the whistle on the company's price fixing tactics. As the highest-ranked executive to ever turn whistleblower, Whitacre secretly gathered hundreds of hours of video and audio over several years to present to the FBI. Apparently, the real sting operation actually went down at this hotel back in 1991! Just a cool little fact.

Matt Damon is the lead role, but I was more excited to find out the Joel McHale is in it, too. He is the host of Talk Soup on the E! channel and he is HILarious.

Well, I had to go over there this morning because Bob forgot his wallet. I found it in Mary Jane's diaper bag when I was packing up her stuff so we could go run some errands. I guessed he probably dropped it in there during church yesterday and I thought that he would need it.

So, I drove over to the hotel on my way to Target. Joey, a valet, came up to my window when I pulled in front of the entrance. I said hello and explained that I just needed to deliver Bob's wallet. I told him that I knew they were shooting some lobby scenes, so I didn't want to go inside...

Joey informed me that they had finished those scenes and I was welcome to go on in. He clinched his teeth and said, "They're actually all right there. Matt Damon is RIGHT THERE." His eyes went to the other side of my car. I looked over and there he was- 8 feet from my car.

Kind of cool.

I hurried on inside the building and dropped off the wallet. I told Bob that I was going to Target- - which is next to Arby's, my favorite fast food place. (I could eat curly fries every day for a month.) He asked, since I would be in the area, if I could pick him up some delicious curly fries for lunch and bring them to him.

So I did.

An hour or two later, I returned to the hotel and pulled around to the back entrance, through the employee parking lot and there were all the movie trailers! I didn't know they had converted part of the employee parking lot into movie set. I drove next to the catering tents and peeked in to see if I could see Matt or Joel, but no luck. I parked in my usual spot in the fire lane and waited for Bob next to a truck full of props- briefcases, phone booths, license plates, luggage and all sorts of random stuff.

While I waited there in the car finishing off my tasty curly fries, I contemplated going up to one of the stars' trailers and getting in and waiting to see who came in. Just for fun. But I didn't. I told Bob instead to try and meet Joel McHale and get his autograph for me. He may not be a big star to some people, but I think he would be way cooler to meet than Matt Damon. And way more fun.

If you ever wanted to know what name Joel McHale uses when he checks into hotels, it's Joel McHale. If you want to know what fake name Matt Damon uses when he checks into hotels, just ask Bob.

Anyway, the movie comes out in March 2009. Look for Bob in the background of the lobby scenes, and our buddy Joey the valet!

What are the Jacksons up to?

2008-06-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some things we've been up to:

1. Mary Jane has been eating rice cereal and baby food for about a month now and she loves to eat! She knows exactly what to do when her bib goes on- she opens her mouth real wide. Delicious!

2. Mary Jane had her 6 month check up today and she did great; she's healthy and strong. She weighs 15 lbs 15 oz and is 2'8" tall- 45% for weight and 95% for height. She is long and lean! She rolled over and talked for her doctor and he said she is progressing well. Then, she had her shots. 3 shots- 2 in her left thigh and 1 in her right thigh. She screamed and cried big crocodile tears which made her mom cry, too. Jen had to close her eyes and look away when the nurse asked her to help hold her down.

3. Jen is obsessed with her new favorite website: etsy. She has made several purchases for Mary Jane, including these very cute little hair bows, because she loves her best friend, her dog, Fenway:

4. Bob would like you all to know that he is still looking real good!

Puppy Love

2008-05-19T11:08:00.000-07:00

Mary Jane LOVES her dog, Fenway. She enjoys sitting in her bumbo on the floor next to me while I fold laundry or read emails, and she is totally entertained by watching Fenway. Mary Jane's eyes follow her every move. Mary Jane even knows where Fenway is when she is out of sight- MJ recognizes the sound of her paws on the hard woord floor and will look up and anticipate her coming around the corner.

I will sometimes put Mary Jane in the bumbo and sit her on the front step while I water my plants, and Mary Jane looks for Fenway out in the yard, and she gets so excited when she finds her that she kicks her little legs and arches her back trying to get out of her little seat and go get her.

It has gotten to the point that when Mary Jane is having a melt-down and nothing will calm her down or make her stop crying, I go find Fenway and we sit on the floor next to her, and Mary Jane is immediately happy.

So far though I don't really like Mary Jane touching the dog. As much as I love my dog, I do know that she is, in fact, a dog and not really another child (although I treat her like she is). Fenway gets dirty- she rolls in the sand at the beach, digs up my plants in the dirt and eats nasty stuff off the floor of the garage or off the sidewalk. When Mary Jane does sneak a grab at Fenway, I immediately wash her chubby little hands. Because what will Mary Jane do 10 seconds later? Put all her fingers in her mouth.

Now, this morning after Mary Jane and I ate our breakfasts, I put her on her blanket on the floor with some toys. I played with her while I talked on the phone, and then I went and got my toothbrush and brushed my teeth while I sat next to her some more. I left to go return my toothbrush to my bathroom sink and grab a pair of flip flops so we could go on our walk. Mary Jane was playing on her back in the middle of the blanket, and I was probably away no more than 30 seconds. This is what I came back to find:

What in the world? Somehow, Mary Jane rolled over several times or army crawled her way off the blanket, and she was laying on her belly petting Fenway. Fenway was loving the attention and she let Mary Jane grab at her face and pull on her ears! She is a little magician, My Mary Jane. In 30 seconds she moved 2 feet! She's NEVER done that before! But, I guess when you're so excited to see your best friend, that is motivation enough to try anything!

"My Wicked Way With You"

2008-05-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

OK, just so you know, Bob and Jen are a little in love with music. All kinds of music. Bob would say this makes us "music sluts" but just know that that is a good thing.

We feel that we must share our latest musical experience:

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Ben Taylor Concert in San Francisco

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Basic info: Ben is the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon. He just recently decided that he liked music and is kind of good at it (shocker). So, he is on his first "real" tour- every summer prior he has only performed around his home town of Martha's Vineyard. So, he finally decided to go to other parts of the country, and when he came out to the west coast we knew that we had to be a part of this.

Tickets were only $12 and it was the best $24 we've ever spent (well, I didn't include airline tickets). We joined Bob's brothers Matt and Chris and his wife Johnna, and Bob's lifelong friend Robby Gant. After attending the concert, we all agreed that the tickets should have been worth hundreds.

Bob and I really enjoy chill atmospheres in small venues, and so far we think the best place to see a concert is at the Greek Theatre on the campus of UC Berkeley. But- this might have been better!

Ben performed in a ratty t-shirt and patagonia fleece on a tiny stage in the Swedish American Hall, and there were about 80 people in the audience. It was a very intimate setting and very relaxed. Prior to going on stage, Ben would just walk around and chat with people while drinking his beverage. Do you know any music stars who do that?

Besides the drunk British guy in the folding chair in front of me who got up during the performance 3 times (and don't worry, he almost fell over and sat in my lap), we also enjoyed some songs from Schuyler Fisk who I now love, too. She doesn't have a CD out yet, but you can hear her songs on her myspace page.

I have to say that I have no idea who she was before Saturday night, but some very loyal fans of hers were sitting next to Drunk British guy (who wore a button down shirt, khakis, and a blazer to the concert) told us that she is the daughter of Sissy Spacek and has been in lots of movies. You might recognize her as the girlfriend Ashley in the movie Orange County. Her voice is amazing.

Well, to sum up- Ben Taylor songs are available on iTunes, and he will performing on the Ellen DeGeneres show tomorrow (another one of my favorite things. Mary Jane likes to watch her with me, too.) He'll be in the south on the last leg of his tour, but look up his website www.bentaylormusic.com for a concert near you!

Just an aside: Another highlight of the evening was walking to the car post-concert and witnessing a dude chat up a 6'4" tranny on the sidewalk. He/she was wearing size 16 stiletto boots that were actually quite cute and I wondered where in the world he/she found them in his/her size. Just another thing to love about San Francisco.

Feliz Cumpleanos, Bob!

2008-05-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

Seriously, was he not the cutest little red-headed boy that there ever was?

He was a heart-breaker from the beginning!

Cinco de Mayo is Bob's birthday!

Here are some facts about my Bob:

1. He drinks several cans of Mountain Dew a day. Cans. Not bottles.

2. He and Jen can play some pretty awesome games of Musical Trivia.

3. He wants to see a George Strait concert.

4. He likes dirt biking and will go anywhere, anytime.

5. Favorite Past time: Wakeboarding on Folsom Lake.

6. He is the male version of his sister, Erin, and she is the female version of him.

They are just alike! For example, they have both mentioned to me on separate occasions that their breakfast of choice would be a cold can of mountain dew and reese's peanut butter cups. Breakfast of champions.

7. He can rap in Spanish to Mi Bandera by El Flako.

Look it up on iTunes. It's pretty impressive.

8. He is a Mexican Food junkie. Enjoys eating a Mexican Pizza and a bean burrito with no onions from Taco Bell for lunch every day. With a large mountain dew, easy on the ice.

9. His daughter looks so much like him, we call her Bobby Jane!

10. He is my very best friend and he makes me the most happy!

Wiggles!

2008-04-21T20:57:00.000-07:00

Mary Jane is a very chill little girl. She is always down to just sit on your lap and hang out. She likes to sit and observe and watch. But, sometimes.... she gets the wiggles! She seems to know when we are sitting down to eat dinner, because this is usually when she gets a serious case of the wiggles and wants to be movin'. So, Bob and I have to eat in shifts and take turns eating when this happens. And just so you know, all these pictures were taken in about 30 seconds.

All I can say is, we are in real trouble when she can start crawling and walking!

Vegas, Baby, Vegas!

2008-04-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

Ashley and Spencer went to LV to see his sister, Britni, and the arrival of their new little nephew, Royal! Well, we decided it was the perfect excuse for a little weekend getaway, so we decided to come, too. The Jacksons are good secret keepers. We totally surprised everyone and showed up the hotel Thursday night! Just in time for the party!

Uncle Blake heard how much fun we were having, so he decided to come, and get in his studying for finals by the pool. Laying in the sun with a few cold Miami Vices is sure to help you relax and stay focused!

Mary Jane was a trooper. She is seriously the best little girl. She slept the whole drive there, and the whole drive back home. She loved hanging out and napping in the shade by the pool, and was totally up for shopping on the strip. She even helped carry the shopping bags on her stroller!

Chillin' by the pool...

Playing in the shade with aunt Ashley...

The breakfast buffet ended up being too exciting, and Mary Jane passed out. Aunt Ashley's growing tummy provided the perfect pillow!

Happy Birthday, Steve & Blake!

2008-04-15T13:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Steve and Uncle Blake! We love you!

Get To Know My Mary Jane...

2008-03-25T18:58:00.000-07:00

Mary Jane had her 4 month birthday on Monday. She is growing up so fast! Here are 4 things about our little girl:

1. "My Mary Jane"...

When we went to Roseville for Christmas, we went over the Huish’s for lunch. JJ was so intrigued with Mary Jane. He opened the front door and she was sleeping in her car seat. I held her low enough for him to look at her and he said, “That My Mary Jane?”

I said, “Yes, that’s Mary Jane.”

He asked, “My Mary Jane sleeping?”

All weekend long he asked, “Where’s My Mary Jane? My Mary Jane hungry? That My Mary Jane’s bottle? That My Mary Jane’s bed?”

The funniest was on Christmas Eve when she was wrapped up sleeping and he was looking at her. I opened her blanket so he could see her pretty red Christmas dress from aunt Ashley with the white fur trim and he was so excited he exclaimed, “My Mary Jane has a Santa suit!”

So, that is why Bob and I always say when we come home, “Where’s My Mary Jane?” or ask, "Did My Mary Jane go to sleep?" or say “I love My Mary Jane!” when we are looking right at her. It just stuck.

2. She likes to cover her face...

She takes her right hand and she brings her blanket up to the side of her face and presses it against her cheek and covers her right eye and then she fall asleep.

3. She's just a little itty bitty thing!

Mary Jane weighs 13 pounds and is 24 inches long. She is in the 25th percentile for weight and 30th percentile for height (although I believe she is longer- I don't think the nurse measured correctly).

4. Mary Jane loves to stand, and HATES tummy time. But, she never cries about it, she just grunts. Several deep frustrated grunts. It's kind of funny to hear such a deep voice come out of a tiny body.

Ready position on her changing table!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Shonnie!

2008-03-22T09:54:00.001-07:00

I absolutely love this picture, and I have had to keep it a secret for SO long! The photo was Grandma's big birthday gift, presented to her this weekend from all her grandkids.

When Mary Jane and I were in Sacramento last month, Bobby's sister, Erin, got all the kids organized to take the first professional photo of ALL the cousins- including Mary Jane! The photo shoot was so fun: everyone got along very well, smiled, and looked cute.

I have to thank Cade for doing such a fantastic job holding Mary Jane; she never cried once. I think it's because she was securely seated in "the football hold"- I'm sure she felt very safe.

I am so happy that Mary Jane has so many cousins who love her, and who will be good examples for her to look up to. I know they will all teach her so many things. Watching all the kids get their picture taken reminded me of a baby shower the Jackson Family threw for me and Bobby last fall before we moved down to Orange County. My favorite gift of all was a little book that Erin made as a gift to Mary Jane from all her family. I cried so hard, and my hands shook as I turned the pages. Every page was a "fill-in- the blanks" letter to Mary Jane written by each cousin, aunt, uncle, and grandma and grandpa.

Here are some that made me laugh:

"Dear Mary Jane,

I am your uncle Will. You are going to like me because I am going to buy you lots of puppies. I will teach you to dress better than your parents. Your mom and dad are cool because they know how to shop. Can't wait to meet you.

Love, Uncle Will"

"Dear Mary Jane,

I am your cousin Carson. You are going to like me because you will never get in trouble if I am around! I will teach you to knock down all of Grandpa's chess men. Your mom and dad are cool because they swim with me. Can't wait to meet you.

Love, Carson age 3"

"Dear Mary Jane,

I am your cousin JJ. You are going to like me because I can steal all the cookies for us. I will teach you to love cows! Your mom and dad are cool because they keep the dogs away from me! Can't wait to meet you.

Love, JJ age 3"

I love having such a big family. I even love the chaos that ensues from having so many rowdy little boys at family gatherings. It makes me so excited for my sister Ashley to have her little boy, and he and Mary Jane can grow up together and be best friends. I look forward to seeing our little kids play together and watching them learn how to do all kinds of things! We have already discussed how awesome they will be, and that we will teach them to ski together, waterski in New Hampshire together- and their dads are excited to teach them to ride dirt bikes, too.

What fun adventures await!

Spring Break '08!

2008-03-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

Our cousin Taylor visited last week on his spring break from school at UVSC. We have had a great time going on walks, going out to eat, and chillin' around the bonfire.

Uncle Chris came by for a day, too, on his way back from a motorcycle/toy auction in San Diego. He joined us for an awesome dinner at Zipanga sushi! We’ve had a pretty full house, and it has been so much fun.

walking down to the beach with dad!

She was so tired she fell asleep 3 blocks later. It was just too

much excitement; she didn't even make it to the beach that day!

Sweet view.

Happy Birthday, Clark!

2008-03-15T13:15:00.000-07:00

We love you! Happy Birthday!

Northern California Vacation!

2008-03-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

Bob had to travel to Denver for work, and Jen and Mary Jane were so lucky to spend the entire week in Sacramento! We enjoyed visiting with family- especially playing with all her cousins. While we there, Mary Jane learned how to sit on her own in her little chair. It's kind of funny looking, it makes me laugh to see such a small person sitting all by herself!

The best part of all, Ashley was able to come join us for a weekend, too! We went to San Francisco for the day with Johnna and Erin, and could not have better weather. The sun was shining and it was beautiful- too bad we spent most of the day indoors taking advantage of the fabulous shopping!

Playing With Toys...

2008-03-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

Mary Jane loves playing with toys. She can now grab them on her own and she loves holding them and trying to get them up to her mouth to chew on them. She loves chewing on her fists and her fingers, too!

President's Day Weekend

2008-03-02T10:37:00.001-08:00

President's Weekend skiing in Deer Valley!

And, yes, the biggest kid of them all, Matt, broke his wrist doing this, the Ninja Karate Chop:

Lastly, thanks to Tay and Ash for the pics! Best cousin and sister ever! We always have so much fun with you guys and we look forward to more Park City weekends.

Mary Jane's Baby Blessing

2008-02-04T13:05:00.000-08:00

Bob, Mary Jane & I were so excited for this weekend! We looked forward to seeing friends and family and we could hardly wait; were so happy everyone came.

It all started Friday night when Clark, Shonnie, Erin, Matt, Chris and Johnna and their kids, Jake, Alec, Cade and Shaye all came down from Sacramento. We kicked off the weekend when Ashley and Spencer came over and joined us for a bonfire. We had all the fixings to make s’mores, and cupcakes for dessert: chocolate with vanilla frosting, and lemon with coconut frosting (because lemon is grandpa Clark’s favorite). Everyone had fun visiting and was excited for the next day...

On Saturday, we gathered at Spencer’s family’s beach house in San Clemente. Ashley and Spencer were there waiting for us and Spencer suited the boys up and he and Bob taught them how to surf while Jen, Erin, Ashley, Matt, Clark and Shonnie watched the television coverage of the funeral services for President Gordon B. Hinckley. It was a beautiful, memorable service that touched us very much. We ate lunch on the deck and on the beach, the boys played some football, and we all enjoyed visiting. We stayed until the sun set, then, we hurried home to get ready to go to dinner.

Clark & Shonnie treated everyone to dinner at the Daily Grill, where we met up with Steve, Bill, and Donna after they arrived from the funeral in Salt Lake. We ate delicious food, and everyone went home because they were stuffed and tired after a long day in the warm sun.

Finally: the morning of the big day arrived. We entered the chapel where we met our cousins Jeremy, Liz and Christian Jergensen from Riverside; our relatives Al, Sandy, Andrew, Alex, Megan and Monica Bertha from Encinitas; uncle Chris Averett and Great-grandpa Byron Averett who drove from Yuma; Bill & Donna; Steve & Julie, Uncle Blake, Melanie Colton, and our friends Paul and Elizabeth Jacinto who came up from Carlsbad. We had quite a crowd and we were so touched that everyone took the time to support us and celebrate Mary Jane on her special day. We all love her so much!

Bob did a great job and Mary Jane didn't cry until the end, and it was only a little bit. Apparently, I was told no one was supporting her head so she was kind of upside down... But she was alright once it was over and was wrapped in her dad's arms- he was so proud. And she was awake and happy to visit with everyone afterwards!

There's No Place Like Home...

2008-01-28T08:22:00.000-08:00

Bob and I went home to Roseville last weekend. We decided last minute on Friday morning since it was a holiday weekend. We drove the six and a half hours after work that night and pulled into town at about 1:30 in the morning, but we were so excited.

I cannot complain about adjusting to life here in Southern California: we have a pretty sweet thing going for us in Corona Del Mar, but I must confess I still miss Northern California. It feels more like home than anywhere else because it is the first place I lived away from my own family, and the first place Bob and I lived together as a married couple after school and established ourselves.

We purchased our first home there and I miss it very much- especially the large, brand new, CLEAN, kitchen. (If you've seen my little kitchen here, or lived here yourself, you probably understand.)

Bob and I hope to someday move back, and we have fairytale dreams of where we would live--- and when we dream, we dream BIG. We like to joke, "We have it all planned out..."

About 2 or 3 miles from Bob's parents' house, there is a beautiful piece of property on Barton Road in Granite Bay. The landscape in Granite Bay is composed of green rolling hills that turn gold in the summer, dotted with big beatiful old trees and streams and brooks. It reminds me very much of the breathtaking view from the Fairfield Farm in Front Royal, Virginia. All the homes are older, small homes full of western country charm, and sit on wide, open, parcels of land.

The property we love is about 20 acres and has a pond, a stream, and a windmill. Every time Bob and I drive by, we slow down to a coast and can't help but stare. There are beautiful trees lining the long driveway up to the run-down house- and the 18 old, junkie, cars currently parked in front. There is quite a number of strong, healthy cattle grazing as you drive by, who, when live there, will be replaced by 6 dogs: our 2 Boston Terriers will have new brothers and sisters, specifically 2 Boxers, a Mastiff, and a little brown French Bulldog. Maybe a Great Dane, too.

Next door is an Equestrian center with beatiful horses training in the jumping rings. I would have my 5 kids take riding lessons there, which could get pretty expensive, but since we'd be neighbors maybe the owner would let me pay her in banana bread and oatmeal craisin cookies...

We imagine our stone house with dark wood trim, where we would put a barn, and Bob has mapped out where the dirt bike track would go. And of course, such a country home would not be complete with a navy blue jeep wagoneer with wood panelling parked in the driveway. All I can say is, my sons are going to have a sweet ride-on lawn mower, because they'll be really busy on Saturday!

Pictured Above: Beautiful Placer County

Mary Jane's Favorite Place

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Mary Jane LOVES movement. She loves being in on any action: she enjoys being carried around the house with mom or riding in her Bjorn on walks with her dad. She is always excited about getting in her stroller, because she knows that means we're going somewhere, but her favorite place of all is her swing. And, it's mom's favorite place, too, because it is guaranteed to put her to sleep!

Our Little Girl

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Mary Jane Jackson arrived Saturday, November 24, 2007 at 5:34 p.m., weighing 7 lbs. 8 oz. and measuring 20.5 inches long. We are so grateful to welcome a healthy, happy baby into our family; she is so sweet- and looks just like her dad! She was born with a full head of blonde hair and deep blue eyes. She surprised everyone because her hair stayed- and got thicker and kept growing!

So now that I have a reason to make a family webpage, I made a blog and shared my first posting- thanks to some blogging all-stars and their hours of help!