Happy Birthday, Sailor

Here is the last of the Jackson birthdays for 2013: Sailor's 4th!

The day started off with a little "Sally Surprise" with her balloons, toilet paper doorway, and all.

We had a fun and relaxing day playing with her few new toys, combing Daddy's hair, and then ending the day with a pool party.  This year we invited everyone we could think of to come and celebrate with us.  She originally wanted a party at the house with her friends but she started listing all her friends she wanted to invite and it slowly became evident that it wasn't going to be possible.  Sailor had listed over 25 "friends:"

        Spencer, Kelsi, Brooklyn, Crew, Seryn (<---i liked that she included this one), Addie, Boston, Caleb,     Evelyn, Dallin, Christian, Benson, Roman, Nathan, Anson,  Evvie, Will, Baby Drew, Lexi, Madge, Olive, Peter,Chloe, August, Gwen, etc... included on this list was a few adults, like "Brother Nate" (one of her primary  teachers) & Annie.

Instead of candles in a cake Sailor had a single candle in a rootbeer float.   We have loads of fun and are really glad we had family away from family to spend these special occasions with.

Thank you Mom & Dad for helping us purchase these dolls! She really, really, REALLY likes them.

Happy 4th, my Sailor!

Seryn is 2

Seryn:

S miley

E  asily scared

R  epeats words in threes

Y ummy cuddler

N o dependent bone in her body

There are no words to describe how much joy this little soul brings into our lives.

Over the course of a couple weeks, I was gradually typing up a sweet update on this sweet girl.  The updates, funny stories, the 4-1-1 on our little 2 year old...

...two words: "technology STINKS."  My long, endearing post got deleted.

I loathe blogger at the moment. 

Instead of resentfully retyping the entry, the post will primarily be of Seryn's sweet face.

Enjoy. ;)

Seryn & Chase...

...turns a year older!

A couple months ago, I asked the girls what kind of party they wanted for their upcoming birthdays.  

Sailor said, "I want a 'Sally Party'!" ("Nightmare Before Christmas" themed)

"And Daddy wants a 'Donut Party'."

"And Seryn wants a 'Minnie Party.'"

Months went by and just a week prior to Seryn's day, I asked them both again and nothing changed.

Once it was said, Seryn didn't waver from the Minnie idea.  When the word "party" was repeated, Seryn would yell over and over and over again, 

"Minnie, Minnie, MINNIE!"

Well, Seryn got her little "Minnie Party,"  but because life got in the way it was a tiny,  last-minute planned event with the family.

The best part was Seryn got to share her party with her Grandma (whose birthday lands just a couple days before hers), because she came into town for an unexpected visit!  

The night before I set up her Minnie stuff  so Ser could wake up and see that obviously the long-awaited "Minnie Party" was happening!

She woke up to a room full of balloons, ran through her toliet paper covered doorway, and squealed when she saw Minnie!

We spent the day at home.  Once Grandma & Uncle Chavis got into town, we opened presents, ate dinner, & had cake and ice cream. 

"Seryn & Ket"

Seryn's favorite gift this year was the a big "Disney Princess" coloring book and box of crayons she got from Grandma. Everyday since then she has pulled it out from among her coloring books, plastering the many princess stickers everywhere, and scribbling every other page.  It didn't take long for every page to get filled up and used.

She also enjoys her Minnie shirt and new pair of shiny shoes from Grandma Shanna. :)

Happy Birthday, Seryn!!!

Fast-forward 4 days...

Happy Birthday, Chase!!!

The day before I asked the girls if we should plan a party for Daddy, and with a slight tilt of the head Sailor responded with, "Yeah!"--it was as if she didn't realize she could do that and since the idea was brought up it was a no-brainer.

So we got some paper and pens out to write out a list of things we wanted at the party.  I let them plan every single detail.  I didn't do any prompting....this was so fun to do because generally kids's imaginations are awesome.

I started off asking a few questions to get them brainstorming- 

"Who should come to the party?"

"What will make the party fun?"

"What kind of decorations should we use?"

Here is the list the girls (mostly Sailor) created:

Below is mine & Seryn's.

 We started running around the house collecting all the things we had so we were crossing off as we went.

And Sailor's list.

We wanted to "surprise" Daddy so Sailor came up with a great idea to hide the lists.  Obviously to her, the perfect place for that was a little treasure box sitting next to my side of the bed.

The following morning we went to the grocery store to get the last few things on the list.  So the girls held on to their lists as they sat in the cart.  This was the most fun I've had at a grocery store in a long time.  We were all shopping together, and as we went along Sailor was coming up with even better ideas!

Like, "A Kitty Cat Balloon."

"...and a 'Pumpkin Balloon', we don't need a real pumpkin."

After all the fun at the store,  we went home and decorated the house.  With a little help from me, they did a great job. :)

Below are my favorite details:
Sailor initially wanted a pumpkin at the party, until she changed her mind to a "pumpkin balloon."  And since pumpkin balloons are hard to find in August, she settled for a drawing of one.

...Who doesn't use napkins for wall decor?!...

...OR draw on a wrapping paper tube and then plaster it to the wall with tape and push pins?!

such clever designers I have on my hands.... :)

Needless to say, they were proud!

 Once Chase got home from work, we "WOW'd" him with our artistic creation and then he ran over to the driving range with his brother.  Once he made it home we went out to the pool for a combined pool party-it was definitely a PARTY!

Here's a picture of all the mommy-friends present. We will sorely miss them and all their families when we leave. :(

Happy 28th, Chase!!!

We love you.

Girls' Vacation from the Heat

Traveling north to Gma & Gpa's House!

We made it!

The girls get excited to visit all the animals every time we venture over.  On this trip, Sailor helped grandma feed the pigs & moved chickens into a new pen.  We had to pick up each of the 100+ chickens and place them into a bin that we carried over to a new chicken coop (we do this when the chickens are old enough to be outside).  Sailor was hesitant at first, but eventually carried a chicken on her own!  Carrying one was just fine for her though. :)

On this trip we got to meet our new nephew/cousin Legend!  And isn't he a sweetheart! We were also forunate to be present for his baby blessing.  I am grateful we were able to make it to this event, because living so far away keeps us from these special occasions.

SIBLING HANGOUT

While my parents were busy one evening, my sister Macey and her husband Christian had us over to their place for dinner.  All of my siblings and their spouses were present (minus the college student, Madi :( ).  We enjoyed each others' company so much.  The fun included a game of soccer and man, was that fun.  We laughed the entire time.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Then came the 4th of July!

The 4th included the following:

picnic in the park

talent show entertainment

vendors

soccer fun

volleyball games

napping

visiting

Yahtzee

and evening fireworks!

The weather was perfect might I add.  I didn't realize how much I missed a good ole' picnic set on green, soft grass in the shade of a big, full tree- and then a breeze kicks in every once in a while............awww, refreshing!

The sisters, minus Madi.

The girls enjoyed playing with all my little cousins.  They ran around playing "Duck & Goose,"  combed each others hair (with plastic forks), kicked a soccer ball, & ran around until they dropped down onto blankets where they both napped for a couple hours. 

My favorite part were all the conversations. 

Christian & Mace!

As the evening was coming on and the light was fading, we had to clean up our area and get all the layers on that we could.  A surprise chilly breeze came through as we were preparing to watch fireworks.  Below are my grandparents who were able to make it home for the weekend!  They are currently serving a mission in Spokane where they are in charge of all the missionaries' vehicles. My grandmother does several other jobs organizing and reserving buildings for zone meetings, emails every family whose missionary is getting transferred, keeps records of the work that gets done in the field, etc.  My grandmother said, "this is the hardest job I've ever had to do."

My parent's with Sailor, who is "sleeping"

 

ROYLANCE REUNION

My Grandmother's side of the family was having a massive reunion.  We got there a bit late and there were tons of people.  I was able to visit with my good friend/cousin Brianne- it was great to see her and meet her new little man!  She, including a few others were the only people I recognized.

KORI's a BRIDE

So, a big reason we flew to WA in the first place was for my friend's wedding!  Meet Kori, my best friend from 2nd grade-Senior year.  Kori made a beautiful bride! It was so great to visit with all of my childhood friends, most of which were in attendance!  Shout out to Melissa, Morgan, Shay, Randy, AJ, & Tyson...it was so great to see you all. 

And Katelyn....where were you!? :(

On another topic, I got bangs!  First time since 3rd grade. :)  Thank you Anne!

ROASTING MALLOWS

A couple years ago, my siblings and I got this firepit for my dad for Christmas.  Since then we've used it everytime we come home.  There are not a whole lot of things better than a sit around a fire, visiting, roasting mallows, and munching on s'mores.  One of my favorite past times for sure.

We also threw the football around with my high school, football playing brothers.

 

THE BIG WHITE...VAN

So funny story...one day a random man came to the front door (which is odd on it owns because my parents live out in the middle of no where and we rarely get visitors), and he asked about my parent's big, white 15 passenger van sitting in the driveway.  He wanted to buy it!

This is funny because its a huge diesel that we've had for over 10 years, that has over 300, 000 miles on it.  In the last 5 years it's been in a few minor accidents so it's a little banged up, but still running like a champ.

Well, since it's about time that my parent's wanted to down size anyways, so my mom gave him a price and he said he'd come get it the following day.  

This was so out of no where so we cleaned it out quick and before giving it away I told everyone, we have to get a family picture with it first.

This van is apart of the family.

You have to understand, this van has taken us EVERYWHERE. And all of us have had to drive it in high school.  We all are VERY close to this beast.

As a joke, we went out and took a few pictures with it.  Payten, T, and I had the most fun.  We tried to make sentimental photos with our beloved van to illustrate how much we adore it and will miss her company.

...yes, it was cheesy, but so funny.

So here's to "The Big White"

...we will miss you...

.......in the end, the man never came.

She is still parked in my parent's driveway...thanks heavens. :)

 MOVIE

On this particular trip, we were able to watch "Monster's University."  Holy cuteness- that movie was such a pleasant surprise!  We loved it and found ourselves laughing out loud a lot! 

This picture is us just heading out the door.

SAWYER TURNED 14

Before Sawyer got up, T & I threw together a little birthday fun for him.  We hurried around the house looking for whatever we could find to "surprise" him.  We strung toilet paper in his door frame (like I do on my kids' bdays) so he could "run" through it.  T thought it was so fun, but Sawyer....well....he's 14.  I know he appreciated it though. :)

CRAFTIN'

My mom was a Girl's Camp Stake Leader this year and was busy throwing together her last bit of material for the following week.  One day, she had to go in and work at the popcorn factory so I helped her make some "stick" horses that she needed for a skit.

How do you like?

We wanted to make them as cheap as possible, so $1 pool noodles helped us achieve that!

They ended up looking real cute and the girls continued to ride them each day.

LEAVING with TEARS

The day we had to pack and leave was so sad for Sailor.  As we were driving away from the house she balled and balled for half an hour yelling, "GO the other way; go back!  I don't want to leave!"  I was tearing up a little because for the first time, leaving a grandparent's house was very hard for her.

But, she did perk up when I said we had to meet Grandma at the popcorn factory.

Seryn ran around barefoot for 5 minutes, and this is what happened...

This is a mixture of popcorn, dirt, and grease!

AND A FEW PICTURES

And of course I was able to take a few pictures of my nephews and the kids. Here's just a few since this is already a ginormous post...

This is Kasen and Legend.

The Grandchildren.

And a sweet smile from Sailor.

We felt so blessed to have been able to make it to all the fun, family events.  Thanks Mom & dad/Grandma & Grandpa, for driving us, feeding us, and making sure we had a fun time!