Pumpkins and Halloween

This Halloween wasn't very exciting, but we enjoyed it. Grandma and Grandpa took Alec and his friend to the symphony. We carved pumpkins, made cookies, chili, and pumpkin seeds, we lit all the creepy halloween candles and watched baseball and football. We answered the door occasionally, but we don't get many trick-or-treaters at our house. I even bought full-sized candy bars for the kids we knew, but we didn't get many. Emily dressed up a little for her first year as door answerer. We put our candy on our cool "head-waiter" tray, too. It was a fun, relaxing night.

Here are our pumpkin creations this year. Lindsay (our "adopted" daughter--her new title now that she and Dylan are just friends) came over and spent Halloween with us, carving pumpkins and watching the World Series with us. Over the summer, we got her hooked on baseball. We still hope to see her though, now that the season is over.

Lindsay's "Tiki" pumpkin

Matthew's "Electrocuted" pumpkin

Emily's "Farmer Blow" pumpkin

Computers...Its a love/hate relationship

I think everyone can feel my pain when I say my hard drive crashed. And I think you all know what I am talking about when I say that when computers are working great they are wonderful and we love them!!! But when they are not working, we are ready to chuck them out the window. I was not surprised, however, that I pined for my computer every day of that horrible long week. I had to check my emails on Cody's ancient PC that runs as fast as an 80 year old man and it drove me crazy!

Luckily, though, I had applecare and they replaced my hard drive at no expense, except for the fact that I had to re-do my whole computer. And, you know, I was not ready to spring clean my hard drive! And, thanks to Expercom (love them!) I didn't lose anything important. Funny how you think you have everything backed up, until your hard drive crashes and you realize you haven't backed up your family pictures for a whole year! I did lose my Christmas cards though, so I have to redesign them...so much for having them all done in september!

I was not the only one that felt the loss of my computer though. We had to function without a printer for a week, and that was tough for Emily and Alec. In fact, Alec had a paper on my computer that he just needed to make a few revisions on but ended up having to retype it, send it to his email, and then printing it at school.

I needed to take some work home, so I grabbed Heather's laptop and was able to get a few things done. I thought it was hilarious, once I hooked up my wacom to the laptop. The wacom was as big as the laptop, so I had to take a picture of it. I eventually dragged it out in front of the tv, placed the laptop on the tv tray and held the wacom in my lap. It was sweet! I was able to watch the World Series and work. It made me want a laptop!

Desperate times, my friends...

My computer is up and running again, everything is back on my hard drive and life is good again!

Matt's Birthday

Matthew turns 10! For Matt's birthday, Emily and Dylan's girlfriend Lindsay, put together a treasure hunt for him to find the presents they bought him. It was really cute and Matthew was so excited!

Emily got Matt a webkinz bear and Lindsay got Matt some Legos. Emily and Matthew have attached themselves to Lindsay and we love having her around. We all love her and call her our adopted daughter/sister.

Matthew finding the presents

One of the clever clues they put together for the treasure hunt.

Ready for the Playoffs!

I realize this is a bit "geeky" to have a giant white board in your main hallway, and a little more geeky that it is covered with baseball stats. But I have learned so much about the game this year, and this white board has really helped. It was fun to keep track of all the stats all year for both leagues. So it was really fun to change the stats to the playoff bracket! Last night the Tigers sadly lost to the Twins in the 12th inning (it was a great game, though). I have so many favorite teams going into the playoffs, that I am not sure who to root for. Of course, my heart is with the Red Sox but I am not sure they can pull it off this year. I am just crossing my fingers that it isn't the Yankees!!! Go Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels and Rockies!!!

Canning Tomatoes

Since we ended up staying in town this weekend for UEA, I decided to get some stuff done that I was avoiding. I love home-canned food. When I was younger, we grew a huge garden and my mom and dad put us to work in the garden all summer. For family night we would work in the yard and then go to Dan's grocery store for ice cream cones for a dime. I also remember the kids getting put to work on canning. We were always on duty--peeling, mashing and preparing the fruit or vegetables my mom was putting up for the winter. I loved how we could go out to the "cold room" and grab a can of peaches or dried apples as an after school snack. I know this is something people don't do anymore. I don't think it is any cheaper than buying canned tomatoes at the store. But nothing beats the flavor of canned tomatoes in a sauce or soup. It is home-grown flavor all year long. So I rolled up my sleeves and prepared to can all day on friday. I also made a couple of batches of raspberry freezer jam--which is the best jam ever! We go through it pretty quickly, so I have to make tons throughout the summer. Luckily, Costco has figured out how to supply me with raspberries all summer, so I can make a few batches here and there.

Here they are, boiling away for 45 minutes... I love my old fashioned canning pot that Cody's grandmother gave me. It is just like the one we used while I was growing up.

I also love all the old jars I inherited from my mom and my grandma Fielding. I made tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.

Whew! After a full day of slaving away, here is the finished product. I was so excited that they all sealed! Doesn't the jam look yummy?

Tis the Season...of Football

So if you were wondering what we have been doing with all of our spare time lately (well, you probably aren't, but I am going to tell you anyway)...we have been doing football. This is an all-consuming sport it seems, and it starts even with the youngest group of kids. This year Matthew plays lineman because he weighs 2 lbs over the weight limit and got "x'd out". We thought we would try to get him to loose the weight so he could play a different position, but we couldn't figure out where he would take that 2 lbs off! He is such a tall, big kid--but without an ounce of fat on him! So even though it isn't his favorite position (or even the position he is best at), he is loving it and enjoying the game (finally--he doesn't love the practice schedule sometimes).

Matthew is #85 and he is still standing!

Taking a quick water break

In the huddle

This is the only time that a mom can yell at her child to "hit him, smash him to the ground, eat that kid for lunch!"

So, not only do we have Matthew's football but we also have college football. Cody loves it and spends most of saturday with his buddy Jared watching it. Matthew will sneak in every once in a while and watch it with him. We have also started our NFL fantasy football team and we watch that as well (although Cody loves college the most). Cody will nicely flip back and forth to baseball games for me, so this is the season of sports, sports and more sports!

Dylan goes to college (another sniff, sniff)

This month has been quite an adjustment for our family, as we have sent our oldest away to college. Dylan has flown out of the nest (but luckily will return for family get-togethers, mom's cooking, snowboard adventures and clean laundry). We were very sad to see him go, but excited that he gets to have new adventures and fun college times. Cody and I look back on our college years very fondly, so we hope our kids can have some fun, similar experiences.

Here he is cleaning out his room. Unfortunately, we had to hand his room off to Matthew, so Dylan got completely kicked out and doesn't even have a room to come home to! (I feel so mean). But that doesn't mean we still don't love you , Dylan. We saved Matthew's mattress so at least Dylan can drag that out to sleep on when he stays at home.

Dylan moving into his college dorm at Utah State.

Dylan's roommate, Luke Wilson. These two have known each other since they were 5 years old and walked to kindergarten together. It is great to see them sharing the college experience with each other. He and Luke ride their scooters all over campus, are taking flag football and an institute class together (missionary prep).

What a cutie. I can't believe he is growing into a man. It just seemed like yesterday that I was watching him run around the front yard doing imitations of cat woman. I hope he is studying hard and learning a lot. His grades are good so far, so that is good news, despite the fact that every time I call him he is playing Halo against the guys on his floor.

It was an adjustment to having him gone. It was a lot quieter, but not as fun. I lost my favorite baseball watching companion. We also missed his girlfriend, Lindsay, when she would come over and hang out with us. Matthew missed Dylan most of all and spent the first week crying for his big brother. It was a good thing we have cell phones now and Matt could call Dylan before going to bed at night, when he missed him the most. Love you, buddy!

Summer...gone too soon (sniff)

I guess you have noticed that I have let a little time slip by without blogging. I have to admit...all my spare time this summer has been spent at the pool. or on our boat. or watching baseball. or doing something with my kids. We have had a great summer, and it never fails to go too fast. I love not having to revolve my life around my kids' busy schedules, the heat and the fun. I am a summer girl!

So I have decided to do a quick update on what been happenin' at the Jackson house lately.

A trip to the cabin with Grandma and Grandpa Taylor

We had such a fun time on our drive to see the wildflowers. We went to the Continental Divide and to see the beauties of Idaho. We drank from Keg Creek and even dragged Grandma out to get a picture of her and Grandpa with the wildflowers.

We also went to see a play (just me and Cody--Grandma and Grandpa babysat), we went into West to buy some delicious salt water taffy, and went to the St. Anthony parade! It was a nice relaxing trip. My kids were very courteous and patient as I chatted with my relatives at a Taylor reunion after the parade. It was good to see my dad's brother and sister-in-laws and some of their kids.

We met our new little nephew/cousin: "Little Man"

Hancock-Taylor

He is such a beautiful baby! Dave and Melissa were very curious to know where he came from because he doesn't look at all like Xadi (their older daughter). I showed him some pictures of Alec and our brothers--we decided he is definitely a Taylor! (I fell in love with him at first sight. It might have something to do with the fact that he looks just like one of mine.)

We celebrated 3 birthdays! Happy Birthday

to Cody, Emily and Alec!

An Approved Cody Adventure (or a Plethora of Pictures II)

Since we went on this same hike in May, we knew what we were getting into and felt sure my family would enjoy it.  With a little coaxing (because they were not sure if they trusted us) we went on this hike and it turned out awesome!

The hiking gang standing in the Cool Grotto

Mark, Dylan, Christie, Sami, Alec, Jack, Danny, Matthew, Matt, Emily, Abby, Cody and Dad

The kids all thought it would be fun to have some races through the cool, soft sand and so they raced back and forth through the grotto.  Because we have had so much rain through June, the back of the grotto was filled with water...a lot more water than was here in May.  Someone had the idea to run and jump into the freezing cold water.  They had fun running and jumping.  This is an excellent hike and the kids did it easily (even Jack, who is 4).  So, maybe we have redeemed ourselves a little bit on Cody Adventures!

A Plethora of Pictures

The birthday kids.

Both Cody and Emily celebrated their birthdays at Lake Powell

I have so many Lake Powell pictures, I just had to share.  We had a great time!  Thanks everyone for helping and making it a great week at Powell.

Sami goes hiking...and discovers a waterfall

This one is for you, Sami!  

Love you!

The weekend...cherries, the temple and Dr.Laura

...kind of a strange title, but encompasses all the events and thrills we experienced over the weekend.  

Cody is so tired of the birds eating all our cherries every year, he is pulling out all the guns...literally.  It started out with him and Goldie standing watch with a pellet gun, trying to shoot the birds out (it doesn't hurt them, just stings a bit...we are hoping that they will tell all their bird friends not to go near that tree!)  But that method was quite time consuming and probably not very kind.  So, he hung cd's from the branches and when that didn't really work, hung the net over it and placed the owl on the ladder.  Kind of a funny contraption, but we haven't seen any birds today!  Maybe we will actually get to taste our first cherry from that tree in the over 5 years since we planted it!

Now the owl can stand guard!

On saturday, we went to the Oquirrh mountain temple open house.  Just as we were running into the temple (running because it was raining...well, pouring actually) lightening struck the angel moroni.  hmmm...not sure what that means.  They still let us in!

true story...the proof is in the picture!

I wrote a letter to Dr. Laura and they posted it on her website.  I thought it was pretty cool, so here it is!  (If you want to see if I am telling the truth, go on her website, letters from listeners and the letter generations of at-home moms)

Dear Dr. Laura 

My husband and I have been long-time listeners and have read several of your books.  We are so grateful for your advice.  We have a wonderful marriage because of you!  I appreciate your support for at-home-moms and love hearing from women who have made the change to stay home with their kids.  You did not influence me though; I have to admit…I have to give that credit to my mother.  She stayed at home with my 6 siblings and me for over 30 years (There is a 22 year age difference between the oldest and the youngest).  She has always been such a great example to me.  She fell out of a tree at the age of 12 and broke both of her legs and her back.  She was in traction for 6 months and had to learn to walk again.  She proceeded to graduate from college, marry and have 8 children (she lost a 2 month old baby).  She was a stay-at-home mom for all those years, teaching us how to take care of the home, garden, sew, cook, etc.  As she sat next to me during my son’s graduation, I looked at her hands.  At first I thought how old they looked and how she has lost partial use of them.  And then I saw how much her hands have accomplished through the years, how she nurtured her babies and grandbabies.  How she used to be so strong and could open any jar.  I saw her tender touches and firm scoldings.  I learned how to be a mom from her.  But I can’t forget to mention my dad and how hard he worked for us.  They were a great team.  My parents have given us a tremendous amount of support through the years as we raise our family.

I have loved being a stay-at-home mom for 18 years to my 4 children!  My oldest just graduated from high school and I have been thinking a lot about the decisions my husband and I have made together in the past 18 years.  We have made many sacrifices to be a team and make our family the number one priority.  My husband has worked hard to provide for us so I could stay home with our children.  We live in a smaller home, but one that we can afford easily.  We don’t go on luxury vacations, but choose take our kids snow skiing and boating instead.  We eat dinner together as a family, eating nutritious homemade meals instead of going out to dinner.  We take our children to church on Sundays instead of the movies.

The other day, my son and I had fun as we went through the family scrapbooks and talked about his life growing up. (Well, I was trying not to cry and hide the sniffles) We talked about so many of the fun things we did as a family.  He is 18 now and I am thrilled to say he is a great MAN who is willing to work hard, cares about helping others, and also happens to be smart and good-looking.  He is leaving for college knowing that he cannot be serious about a woman for a long time, and who is not willing to read “The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands”!

I am sad to say that my job is done, but I have NO REGRETS!  I do not wish I worked outside the home so that we could have a bigger house, or he could have better clothes, etc.  I got to see him take his first steps, say his first words, lose his first tooth, make the baseball team and kiss his head when he was sick or hurt.  I was always there for him.  I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything!  I can look at his life and know that we gave him the best so that he could be the best! (whew! One down, 3 to go!)

Some people say that women are not ambitious and I have to disagree.  The definition of ambition is “the strong desire to do or achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work”.  I would say that defines a stay-at-home mom!  I had a strong desire to raise 4 wonderful children to become useful members of society and I know I have accomplished that (with at least one so far).  I was determined to learn how to economize, make healthy food on a small budget, recover furniture, and even drywall so that we could have a beautiful home and family on my husband’s salary.  And we worked hard!  It wasn’t always easy, but it was worth every sacrifice we made to hear my 18-year-old son tell me he had a great childhood!  Thanks Dr. Laura for your support and advice.  You are amazing.  Oh, and by the way, I AM my kids’ mom AND my husband’s GIRLFRIEND!

Love, Caroline

Father and Sons Campout

Cody and the boys went to Strawberry Reservoir for a father and sons campout.  They had hamburgers for dinner, slept in my parents motorhome (which was a little cramped for 5 guys who are the size of men, but awesome) and the next morning went fishing in the boat.  They each caught about 5 fish, Chase (Dylan's friend) caught the biggest--a brown trout.  Chase was really great to help Matt learn how to fish.  We just love Chase and he likes to have a little brother once in a while.

Our ward loves to catch crawdads at night and have a big lunch of crawdads and potatoes, etc.  The boys all had a bunch of friends there and they all had a great time! 

Xadi and Emily visit the Aquarium

Emily and I got the chance to take Xadi to the aquarium on saturday and we had such a fun time!  We loved the octopus, the jelly fish and according to Xadi all fish are either Mamas, Daddies or babies.  They were also all taking a bath!

The stingrays were fun to watch, and Xadi cuddled up to a cute purple stuffed stingray while we took a break and had treats.  They were having a birthday party at the aquarium and provided yummy cupcakes with lots of frosting.  Xadi was all for the frosting!  She had quite a lot of energy after eating all that sugar, too!

We love you, Xadi!