Thanks

I didn't take any pictures of us at the feast today. I didn't want to because I felt like I was "suppossed" to. So not taking them is my way of rebelling. Wierd, I know. Why do I need to rebel on Thanksgiving? I just did. The boys had a blast though.

Jackson was so excited for Thanksgiving. He's been counting down the days until he could have "Thanksgiving pumpkin pie." Today he also announced he had a "Thanksgiving yogurt." He's really festive and loves holidays. Anyways, he woke up super early because I actually set my alarm this morning, and guess what? I didn't hear it at all. Shocker, I know. Jackson came in and said, "MOM!" And of course I heard that, why that and not blaring music or and alarm? I guess it's just the mom switch that is turned on.

I then headed out for our annual Cedar Hollow Turkey Trot. And oh man, this was a hard 4 miles. Usually 4 miles is a standard run and doesn't phase me much, but my hamstrings were sore from last Saturday's workout and I was hurting. It's a little hard to run when you can't fully extend your legs. My main goal was not to be last. I left that to my dad." Hee hee - sorry dad. You did great, your really did. My second goal was to catch this ten or eleven year old kid that was 20 yards in front of me the WHOLE time, and he was wearing shorts and skater shoes! And did I catch him? Uh, no. Oh, I can't even tell you how painful it was to run, and not to be able to catch this kid. Everything was just off. I did a 5.2 miler 2 months ago and it was cake, it was actually fun, but this...hopefully I'll do better next year. It did help me feel justified in eating all the pie that I ate today. That part was great.

Anyways, back to Jackson and his pie. He was so excited. Jackson and Hayden were helping my dad make rolls this morning and Jackson said, "Grandpa, what are we making?" My dad said, "We're making rolls." (his rolls are so good and famous around our extended family) and Jackson said, "Oh, I want it to be pumpkin pie." My dad told him that my Grandma Johnson would be bringing the pumpkin pie and when she got there he said to my grandma, "I love you for bringing the pumpkin pie." What is it with the pie? I think he hasn't had it since last Thanksgiving, but apparently it made an impression that I wasn't aware of.

Well we had a great day and a great meal. The boys went to bed early because of course they're not going to nap with cousins around and noise everywhere. So now they're sleeping I'm enjoying my peace and quiet. Aaaaaah. I think now I'll go eat some more. I'm so thankful for all my food. Should I start with my thankful list? Yes, I think I owe it to .... ? Well, I'm just going to.

I am so thankful for:

Thanksgiving dinner, and especially thanksgiving with the grandma who is a meat broker. The turkey was soooooo good. Grandpa Johnson knows what he's doing.
My caring husband, his ambition, his ability to keep it real and make me laugh, every day.
My perfect children. That's right, I said perfect. They're sleeping now and there's nothing more perfect than that. They've been so good lately and I can't believe how wonderful and smart and beautiful they are. They amaze me every day.
My opportunity to stay home with my kids. I never thought I would say this. I never thought I would do it, but they love it, and I love it. I really do. I love that we can go anywhere, anytime. Or just stay home all day. We're flexible and it's all about their needs and having fun while they're still here. I love how they love me and that I know them so well. I love being their mommy.
Books, books, and more books.
Movies, movies, and more movies.
Living in America, even though now we have president-elect Obaminations and it scares me.
My education.
My home, tiny as it is, I love it.
My family.
My Church.
The fact that my children sleep so well in their own beds, and that tonight after some serious goofing off all day I could come home and put them down in 20 mintues or less.
My computer.
Friends who keep me sane.

There's definately more and the list should go on for miles, but this post is long enough. Happy Thanksgiving!

Better Late Than Never

Jackson loved Halloween and I had the best time because he was SO EXCITED. At our ward Trunk or Treat, Lisa asked if he had eating a lot of candy, but no. He hadn't had any. He was just ecstatic about being in his dragon comstume. He really made it so fun, and he would smile for every picture! Hayden, on the other hand, was slightly ridiculous. He would not smile for any pictures. He just kept looking around like, WHAT.THE.HECK are we doing? And I know he thought Grandpa was scary. I think he ended up liking it though. He definately liked his candy. Orginally, he was suppossed to be a cow, but he found Jackson's pumpkin costume and said, "NO COW!"

Obviously.

One Week Later

I haven't been downloading pictures lately, but I finally got around to downloading some from Hayden's Birthday.

This boy loves balloons. He carried these around all night, and they are still floating around our house. The only place he doesn't have the balloons with him is in his room when he is sleeping. They are not allowed. Other than that, Hayden and his balloons are inseperable. He even eats with them at the table. How much high float stuff did they put in there is what I'm wondering?

Hayden was so excited to get his "helicopter" from Grandma Jones.

Right here he was saying, "Open it."

It was a fun day. We had a little party at my mom's and my whole family came. Thanks guys! Hayden loves you all!

Happy Birthday Hayden!

My baby is two! TWO! How did this happen? He is officially a little boy. I miss him as a baby, but he is such a funny thing, I can't get enough of him.

Here are some things I've learned from Hayden:

Some kids like to go to sleep. It is possible for them to ask to go to their bed, and lay down peacefully, with just themselves and a blanket for comfort.

Whatever Jackson is doing is a cool thing to do, especially in the bathtub. If Jackson stands up, Hayden has to also. When he sits down, Hayden has to sit. When he's drawing on the walls (in the tub) Hayden also has to color. Jackson's just cool, you know?

Smiling for the camera is optional and mostly frowned upon during holidays, special events, and during sessions with professional photographers. It is much more appropriate to make serious or dumfounded faces when Mommy says to smile.

Some kids don't need to watch TV for more than a minute If you want to occupy them, give them a ball or a book, not a show.

Balloons are better than presents.

Frosting is better than the rest of the cake.

Loud noises are not acceptable, nor are loud people. If a high pitch shriek from Jackson is heard, it is then alright to yell, "Nooooooo!" with incredible force until you are shaking from head to toe and your face is the color of fruit punch Kool-Aid.

If you take a toy away it is then mandatory to wind up and hit you in the back with an open handed slap. That is the most effective way of dealing with the situation.

If Jackson is laughing hysterically, you are also required to laugh hysterically so that you don't look (or feel) that you're being left out of anything.

All food, besides brocolli and cooked peas, (frozen peas are perfectly fine) is wonderful and should be eaten with gusto, most importantly, spaghetti.

It is important to always announce when you are "All done."

When you are happy, laugh. When you are sad, cry. When you are excited gasp the most excited gasp you are capable of.

If someone asks for a hug, always give a kiss instead.

When you're mother tells you she loves you, it is the cutest thing in the world to reply, "I luh boo too."

I love you Hayden! Happy Birthday to my sweet boy!