Hello again, I have spent the last few days getting my christmas letters out. Since I didn't get any sent in December I thought If I wanted to hear from anyone this next christmas I'd better do something! Included one of the family photos taken at our beach party. January saw the start of basketball for Sophie and Alexa. Their games are fun to watch for me but not for dad. Its fun to watch the learning process. Dad had three falls so is going to see the doctor and see if there is anything he can do. He was lucky that nothing was broken. We have been shoveling snow this last month! Just find the driveway and it gets covered up again. I'm starting to see flowers in the stores but I know they are just baiting us-especially after the groundhog seeing his shadow! Was glad we could watch President Hinckley's service from home. He was such a wonderful man. I look forward to the direction of the new presidency. Alexa and Sophie and I went to the Hannah Montana movie concert last week- screams and dancing and cell phone lights waving in the air lets me know I don't think a live concert is in my future. Happy birthday to all the January birthday's. Know that you are loved!
Love mom and dad
Angie and Mark say:
Hello Family! January was a very fun month. Alexa turned 11, Aunt Angie turned 40 and Sophie turned 9. Alexa had one friend over for her birthday - played and did a homemade facial. Sophie had her birthday party on Friday after school. They played wii, one of the friends brought over guitar hero and they all played air band. One of the boys wanted to play the drums, so he improvised and found colored markers from Sophie's gift, the velvet poster, he was drumming so hard that the red marker exploded on the carpet and the wall. (Still trying to get the pink out of the carpet) The centrifugal (spelling correct) force of the drumming action and holding the marker ink side down was not a good combination. Be warned when forming air bands, that you do not use markers as instruments!
We got lots of snow in January. When the plow came down the street, Nonnie and I hailed the driver and asked him to pile the snow in our yard. We were able to get a pretty good hill and Mark formed a berm to curve in front of the house so that the kids would not sled through the front door. So from the corner of the driveway, into the yard and onto the berm to go parallel along the door and living room window worked out very well. The kids had two great weeks of sledding in our front yard.
We also started organized chaos this month, the girls call it basketball. We teach them the fundamentals during the week, then we loose our voices during the games yelling at the kids as to where they need to be, find the person you are guarding, and move to get open so that you can get the ball. Defense is coming along a bit better than offense. Alexa did very well in her last game, posting up and using her height to her advantage. Sophie does well with ball handling, shooting and rebounding. Sophie's games are early in the morning and Alexa's games are the end of the day. It makes Saturdays tricky, but we have managed to get it all done.
Alexa has found a mom that has three young children, and they set up a trade. Alexa will help with babysitting and get practice with that and then the mom will spend time with Alexa teaching her how to stamp, make cards and scrapbook. The mom Lora, (secretary in Primary with me) is excited and so is Alexa. We are all hoping this works out, that Alexa gets the practice for babysitting, although she is still nervous about staying home by herself for short periods of time, perhaps by 12 she will be more comfortable with that, maybe not.
Hope you are doing well, it is fun to hear how things are going.
Take care, Love, the Jackson's
Laura and Nathan say:
Okay, so here is my news from January.....
We had a good January!! Our biggest news in January is our new car. We absolutely love it and can't wait until we can take it on a road trip. With the money mom and dad sent, we were able to get new carseats for Spencer and Benjamin and so we feel pretty "styl'in" in our new car!!! I've washed it and vacuumed it out more in the past month than I did our last car in almost a year. I over heard Sarah tell her friend when she was showing her our new car, "Yeah, my mom is super picky about our new car. She won't let us eat in it and we always have to clean it out." I hope to let them think that as long as possible!!!!!
Much like most of you all, we had so much snow that we began to feel like all the animals that hibernate in the winter. We prayed many times and did silly "snow dances" to increase our chances of having a snow day, but only ended up having two. On those two snow days, we did many crafts and baking yummy things!
Nathan has often wanted to "get into" Longaberger baskets, so with some of the money mom and dad sent, he signed up. He fell in love with the baskets when we were living with the Balls as MaryAnn has then all over the house. He loves the look and especially the fact that they are all hand made in Ohio. You can see his website at www.longaberger.com/nathansmith and of course, if anyone is interested in ordering anything - just remember you'll get his discount. :) He has also decided to do classes in our neighborhood that include a basket and some type of flowers or food. His mind hasn't stopped with all the possibilities, but don't worry, I haven't let him quit any job yet.
We hope everyone else is doing well and know that we love you all!!!!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO,
Nathan, Laura, Sarah, Andrew, Spencer & Benjamin
Jon and Heidi say:
Why be difficult when with a bit of effort you can be impossible?
What can we say that is new and fun? Caleb had a wonderful birthday party on the 2nd of February with lots of friends and Dr. Seuss galore! He also got to go with Palmer and Heidi to the nickel arcade on his actual birthday. The boys love their Webkins and go online all the time. Caleb used some birthday money and bought another Webkins for his birthday. He got a pig and named him Chef Gazpacho. Now Palmer is trying to find ways to earn or finagle money to buy a new one. He even yanked out his loose tooth Saturday night so the tooth fairy would come. His other two front teeth are wiggly and will come out soon. We'll be sure and get pictures of his toothless grin.
I intend to live forever. So far, so good
We love to play board games as a family and lately Heidi and I have even designed and created a few different ideas. They are all in different stages of creation and someday we'll hopefully market one, or many, and sell hundreds of thousands of copies. Heidi has been making some jewelry lately (mostly necklaces) and placing them for sale at her local boutiques. I think she'll have success with them as with most of her artistic endeavors.
Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
-Winnie the Pooh
-Winnie the Pooh
We look forward to going to a Jazz game in a couple of weeks. Palmer got two tickets when he signed up for basketball. There was a mother there who said she wouldn't be able to use them so she gave them to us so we all could go! I hope it's not too loud and crazy for Caleb.
Well, besides the fifteen feet of snow we've gotten, that's about everything in our neck of the woods. Hope all are well and safe!
Love,
JHPC Sears
A couple of quotes for Mom
2 Sew or Not 2 Sew?
Is it even a Question?
2 Sew or Not 2 Sew?
Is it even a Question?
She who dies with the most fabric wins!
Jayna and Ryan say:
Trying to think back on the month and all I can remember was snow, snow and more snow. I am sure that is what all of you experiences as well. I for one am ready for spring and am looking forward to warmer weather! Ryan and I have been busy with school and work. We are getting into the swing of things with our primary calling and really love our kids, all 8 of our 4 year olds! We get to do sharing time next month, we will let you know how it goes.
One interesting thing this last month was seeing all of the news coverage of Presidents Hinkley passing. He was on the nightly news for about 2 weeks. It was really interesting and we really enjoyed watching his funeral service and seeing the state really celebrate his life.
It is sad to say but that is all that we can really report for this last month. We have been pretty low key but I suppose I would rather have that than have something crazy happen. We hope all the birthday folks last month had great days! We love you all and hope you are doing well!
Love
Ryan and Jayna
