Snow Day!

It started snowing pretty hard last night, and when we woke up we had 15+ inches of snow outside!!!  That's on top of the snow that still hadn't melted from the storm over Christmas break.  This isn't our first snow of the winter, but it was the first snow where Jackson hasn't been sick, so we had to take advantage and get some pictures of him outside in his first snow!  He was pretty cute!

Our driveway, before Shawn plowed it

After Shawn started plowing, just to give you an idea of how much snow we got

Poor Shawn plowing before 7am this morning

Jackson in his snow gear

The snow was about as tall as Jackson sitting next to it on the driveway!

Hmmm, checking out the snow ...

Alright, this is kind of cool ...

And then he started sinking ...

Get me out of here!!

Jackson sitting in our sidewalk

 

Look at all that snow!!

December Update!

December was a pretty crazy month.  It began with Christmas parties and finals, followed by a whirlwind of emotions when tragedy hit my home town, traveling back to CT to spend Christmas with my family, and ended with New Year's celebrations. 

My family has a tradition for everyone to have their own baby's first Christmas ornament.  Here is the one we ordered for Jackson!

There was a Santa at our church's Christmas party.

Mom and Dad, who is this???

Alright, I've had enough!!  Crying began shortly after this picture.

There was a giant stocking at the party and we just couldn't resist putting Jackson in it :)

Grandma and Grandpa Ward sent Jackson their Christmas Bear.  It sings Christmas songs when you press its hand or foot.  Jackson loved listening to the songs!!

Because Jackson and I flew out on the 17th, we had our little family Christmas at our home in Utah on the 15th.  Jackson is still too young to really understand opening presents, but he did a pretty good job with the presents where there was some give in the wrapping and he could just hit the box and break the wrapping paper.  

It took us 4 tries to get a family picture under the tree!

Our Christmas tree, complete with presents!

Finding things in his stocking

Mommy and Daddy got candy, Jackson got sweet potato puffs!!

You want me to do what?

Chillin' with his new bath toys!

Present time!

Shawn with his Christmas presents

And me with mine!

On the 17th, Jackson and I flew back to CT and Shawn joined us on the 22nd.  As Shawn mentioned in his last post, even through the hard times we were able to see some blessings and really enjoyed being able to spend time with my family.  Poor Jackson had a really hard time the first week without his daddy and didn't want to leave my side. Everyone was so excited to see him, and he would cry anytime I left the room or someone else tried to hold him.  Once Shawn came, he was a totally different baby!  He finally started warming up to everyone by the time we left.

Playing with Grandpa and cousin Dante

All tuckered out after a long day of last minute Christmas shopping with Mommy and Grandma

Christmas morning!  Getting ready to open presents!

Jackson LOVES books!

First present from Auntie Kara ...

It's a Mickey Mouse!!!

Poor guy did not want to wait for mommy to get it out of the box for him

And Mickey is back!

Giving Mickey some love, Jackson style!

We had to open presents in two waves because Jackson was tired

I love his facial expression in this one!

 

Kara getting ready to take a nap

Kara and Dante!

Kaliah playing with her favorite Christmas present ... her Nintendo DS

Grandma, Grandpa, and the grandkids!

 

Dante, Grandma, and Merrie built a pretty awesome gingerbread house!

Dante was very good at sharing his DS ... he's showing Grandma some tricks!

Jackson hanging out with Auntie Merrie and Dante

Showing off his waving skills

Kara made sure Jackson loved her before he left!

We flew back to Utah on the 28th and had quite the miraculous experience getting through the airport (we almost missed our flight).  Unfortunately we spent Shawn's birthday traveling, so we celebrated the next day with dinner at Red Robin with the Stuarts, and then I made Shawn a birthday breakfast, dinner, and dessert on Sunday.

Monday was New Year's Eve, and we had the Stuarts spend the night so we could ring in the New Year without having to go home and put kids to bed.  We had lasagna for dinner, ate lots of yummy snacks, and played some games. 

New Year's Eve was also the day Jackson turned 11 months!!!  I can't believe my baby boy is going to be 1 in just over 3 weeks.  This past year has gone by so fast and he has grown so much.  He is turning into quite the silly little boy, and Shawn and I love it!!  Stay tuned for an 11 month post so you can see what new tricks Jackson is up to!

Reflections

Another year has come and gone. We have seen tragedy and heartache as well as many great blessings and joys in our lives this past year.

We moved into a new place. We came from a small 2 bedroom apartment in the middle of a busy college town to a giant home in a peaceful and neighborly area. We are truly blessed to be able to house sit while some dear friends of ours are out serving the Lord for 2 1/2 more years. We are definitely spoiled and grateful for this opportunity.

We welcomed the birth of our son Jackson into our family. He has always been a happy and smiley baby. He brings so much joy to Court and I.  He continues to amaze us with the things he learns and the ways he can make us laugh. It is hard to believe he is almost one already. There are days when we wish we could sleep a little longer or when he is sick and difficult to deal with but I can't imagine our lives without him!

Courtney has been busy being amazing. She manages to juggle school, work and a club of which she is the president. She is also an amazing mother and an even better wife to put up with me. She is an example of what a disciple of Christ should be. She is always looking for ways to serve. She puts others before herself. She is and has always been supportive of me. I love her dearly! I love to brag about her any chance I get!

I am in my third job since graduation. I have loved them all. Each helps me to learn and grow more and has helped me better provide for my family. I have no idea where I'll be 5 years from now. I recently received a calling to advise the Deacons(12-13 year old boys) in our ward(congregation). It is very daunting and humbling task for me that I would be the one to lead and guide them at this critical age in their lives. The Lord constantly blesses me and helps me to know what to do and say in order to help them. They amaze me at their understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ and astound me at their willingness to rise up and meet the challenges I give them.  I look forward to the challenges and blessings that will come through this service.

Courtney and Jackson have had their share of health issues this year. We hope this new year will bring better health to them both. Courtney's hometown and family and friends were devastated by a what could only be called a tragedy. There have been many heroes and many examples of Christlike love that have come from this experience. It has brought people together in a way that nothing else could have. I know my testimony of God's plan for His children has been strengthened as we have turned to Him for peace during this time.

We are not perfect. We make mistakes.  I know I do. Through all of this, I'm thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that through his atoning sacrifice I can be forgiven and I can become a little better each day as I strive to become more like Him. I know Heavenly Father has a plan for us that we might return home to Him again one day. I know he loves us. I see His hand in my life each day as I look for it. My prayer is that we can all be a little bit better this year. Most importantly, I hope we can all be grateful each and every day for the blessings that are ours. May we share the love of our Savior with those around us and enjoy each and every day.

 - Shawn