Toothfairy time!!

Kaitlyn lost her first tooth!!  It had been wiggly for weeks, but she didn't want any help pulling it out.  She had stopped eating apples and made sure I brushed around the loose too softly because it hurt.  We were down at my parents house when it was barely hanging on.  I was worried she was going to swallow it (like Josh did a few weeks before).  After my dad said he could get it out with surgical clamps like he did with me and my brothers, she was truly terrified.  She's just a sweet thing.  Instead we went into the bathroom and one quick tug later she held her tooth in her hand.  Right below the baby tooth was a shiny, white permanent tooth already coming in.  She got to use the special Toothfairy pillow my Grandma Nance made and when she woke up the next morning was delighted to find a dollar bill next to it.

Love you Kaitlyn!

A Princess Tea Party

Back in late July, when everyone in Rich's family was in town, Grandma Blackhair (as we love to call her) hosted a very special Princess Tea Party at her home.


At the time Rosie, Taylor, Heather and their families and our big bunch were living there too.  Rosie was in town from California, Heather was visiting from Arizona, Taylor and Emily were moving condos in Orem and we were waiting for all of our stuff to arrive from Cincinnati. 


It was such an exciting day.  All the granddaughters were giddy and giggling and they all looked beautiful in their new crowns Rich's mom gave them.  They had fancy sandwiches, yummy cupcakes and delicious pink lemonade.  Grandma read a story about fairies while the kids ate. 


The big boys enjoyed a fun day at Cowabunga Bay water park in Draper thanks to Jenny and Kris.  Zach and William stayed behind and got assigned to play the part of Prince.  They didn't seem to mind. 


I loved watching the girls carefully use the beautiful dishes Rich's mom bought in England.  She had always planned to use them for tea parties with the granddaughters.    It was so much fun.  It's a day the girls are hoping they can repeat again very, very soon!

Thirty-nine

October 9th

A dozen

September 26

My baby turned 12!  How??  It seems like yesterday we brought him home from the hospital to our little condo in Provo.  A year later we moved our family of three to Louisville.  Suddenly we are a family of eight and Trey is in Young Mens.  Life just rushes by.  You blink and they are big, well bigger.  Thankfully none of them have passed me up in height.  Yet.

Trey opened his presents before school.  He is a present counter.  He walks around the table.  Counts every one.  Shakes them and tries to figure out what it underneath the paper.  He thought he knew exactly what he was getting, but that look of surprise was priceless when he opened up the Xbox 360 with Kinect.  Never had a birthday present quite that that before.

I love Trey.  He's smart and handsome.  He's sweet and kind.  He tells me he loves me and gives me big hugs and it doesn't matter one bit who is looking.  He has a giant heart and is wise and innocent at the same time.  He's a lot like me.  Hopefully all of my good parts.  He loves BYU.  He dreams of playing football next year.  He's great at soccer and I love hearing him play the piano.  He's a wonderful boy and I'm so blessed to call him my son.

I will never forget his ordination.  Three Richard Taylor Jackson's in the room. All holding the priesthood after the prayer. The first grandchild. My oldest son.  It made me tear up.  Then two weeks later, watching Trey pass the sacrament for the first time.  We spoke in church and Rich's parents were there.  My heart filled with love and gratitude.  A moment I'll never forget.

Happy Birthday Trey man.  We LOVE you! 

Two Years Old

August 12th

Zach is TWO!  I love my sweet baby boy.  He's my pumpkin, my Z, my baby, my ever present buddy.  And I love it.  Zach is so handsome, so funny, so smart, so loving and I'm so lucky to be his mommy.  We don't know what we would do without our Zach Attack.  He loves his Daddy, his siblings, his Grandparents and those TOOLS!

Zach had a big to-do on his second birthday that actually last TWO DAYS!  On his birthday we had a slower morning, but then went to lunch at Cafe Rio, ran some birthday errands (balloons, check!) and met Rich at the Provo Beach Resort after work for some serious fun.  Every child should ride on a carousel on their birthday.  It should be a law.  We played a few games, but the highlight was bowling.  Zach loved it.

The next day was Salem Days.  We went down for breakfast at the park and then watched the parade.  Afterwards I decorated my parents kitchen for Zach's Car themed party and we had fun with the cousins breaking a pinata, opening presents and eating cake.  Brad's wife Jana turned 30 on Saturday, one day after Zach, so we had a joint celebration for both.

Happy Birthday sweet Zachy!!  We LOVE you!!!