A reason to keep SMILING

It's hard to be down too long when I look at these faces!

Introducing Cosmo and The Cheerleader

You may not believe it but, from these two people came...

( here we are heading off to jeff and linds AMAZING adult only halloween party...did that sound bad? Yep. Okay then!)

these two adorable kiddos!

A BYU Cheerleader who is pulling up and walking around the furniture! Brag moment..I made the tu tu myself...a triumph for anyone who knows me!

Here is our fierce Cosmo the Cougar! And no I didn't even attempt to make his costume...that is thanks to Mimi!

Could we be any bigger fans? Of the kids I mean!! We a had a such a FUN halloween this year. Brady is at such a great stage it makes us excited for the holidays ahead! Hope your halloween was a happy one!

Halloween Fun

Here are a few pictures of the with our favorite friends. The picture above makes me a little sad...our good friends Jackson and Carson have moved away but not luckily not too far to get together for some Cosmo/Spider man fun.

Here is Brady at his cousin's Halloween party...Braden is surrounded by Disney princess and loving it. Thanks to Julie for having such a great party for the kiddos...you are so creative and fun!

Cosmo mixes it up with a few ADORABLE Toy Story figures at the annual PG trick or treat at the park!

The Jackson 5....okay maybe missing one little snow white! Cosmo Brady, Princess Mulan Jordyn, Unicorn Taylor and SomeBunny special all ready for the haunting! All though we enjoyed beautiful weather during the day...we had to make a costume change for Marinn from a cheerleader to a bunny! I think she pulled both off!!

Pigtails!!!

Yep! She may have screamed and cried but the end results was worth it...first piggies! I have a whole new appreciation for my mom and the all of the "hair drama" that she went through. Which reminds me....I think I'm thirsty:)

Fall Festivities

I love this time of year...despite the circumstances...I am trying enjoy the small joys that come with the season. One of these being the annual trip to the pumpkin patch (thanks l&l)

)

I think Jack would have pulled these two around the whole time if we would have let him!

.

These clowns knew just what to do this year. A big thanks to Dora for teaching the boys all about "cornfields"!

Typical

Remember when I showed you that funny crawl of Marinn's? It was hilarious, right? And a little worrisome? Those days are gone. And now that I am not worrying about it...I miss it. I guess that's how parenting goes. Here are some pictures of our giggling girly crawling normally and so proud of herself!

one for the money..

two for the show...

three to get ready now go babe go!

Playdates

Second generation friends are the best!

We have some pretty terrific friends in Maine. Some are new, some are old. And the best part is our kids can play together. It's fun to watch them interact and play the way we used to. Brady became quite the social butteryfly. Here are just a few of our "maine" friends. We miss you guys already!

Braden with Ayda. The trampoline the place to be!

Brady taking a "sand shower" with Kai....you two!

Even Marinny made a new friend with Wyatt although she not quite sure here!

New Kid on the Block Cole and Brady chumming around like they have been friends for life!

I'M BACK!!

Okay after a few VERY frustrating days of construction(and deconstruction) my blog is back! Much thanks to Leslie who talked me through this drama and showed me how to get things back in order! Please excuse the old posts ...I made some promises to friends to post the second half of the Maine trip. And yes, I really don't mind reliving the memories!

I posted this picture because: a) To prove that Kim was there

b) To show the beginnings of beautiful fall in my parents backyard

c) To document that Kim does enjoy reading

d) ALL OF THE ABOVE!!

Sometimes I forget that I live in a desert...and then I go home and it becomes obvious. Brady is caught climbing the very trees I used to climb. And is that a NATURAL smile I see?

Braden's first taste of a Maine delicacy : Whoopie Pies! YUM! He asked me the other day why Utah doesn't make Whoopie Pies....I had no real answers for him.

I'm loving this pic of the kids riding off into the sunset together. Oh wait. That's not right. I'm lovin this picture anyways!

If I could escape...

WARNING: PLEASE READ THE LAST PARAGRAPH FIRST. YEAH MY BLOGGING SKILLS ARE TERRIBLE!

Braden on the 4 wheeler with Aunt Sue. I must admit I wasn't to keen on this idea at first. But having gone on a ride myself, I wouldn't have missed it. The scenery was BREATH TAKING and the grin on Braden's face at the end said it all! Mimi and Marinn reunited at last. Surrounded by my favorite apple: MACINTOSH's!

I was so glad to be able to visit with my grandfather a bit. Marinn is really turning on the charm here.

Braden meeting a real live "nose nose" at Aunt Sue's

Brady was so adorable with these pups and their Moms. He would cuddle them with blankets and go and get their moms when they began the least bit of whining, Here is Abby nursing SEVEN puppies(can you imagine!)

The funniest thing that we have discovered since we've been here is how much Marinn and Brady love the trampoline. You have not heard Marinny giggle unless you have her on a tramp with her big bro jumping(as gently as possible) around her. It is a riot!

This was taken at the apple orchard that I use to go to when I was a little girl. There is really nothing quite like fresh apple cider from the press! And despite the look on his face Braden loved being able to pick and eat all the apples he wanted! Stay tuned for more adventures to follow.

START HERE:

...it would be to Maine in September. We quickly and quietly have escaped to Maine for a much needed vacation. It has been my own little paradise here. I really can't remember the last time I was home in September. And now I know why...you can fall in love with Maine all over again. Beautiful sunny days with cool crisp nights and in the background mother nature turning the leaves the most brilliant autumn hues. Here is a quick look at some the things that we have been up to.

Meeting Miss Alexa

Steve and Danielle came into town to bless their beautiful baby Alexa. We loved spending time with them and having the kids meet their newest cousin! Here are some pictures from her special day. She actually wore the same dress that her mom was blessed in. It was a beautiful day in every way.

Sharing a smile with Mom

And a snuggle with Dad

I think some "older cousin" mischief was going on here...it just so happened that all the baby girls were asleep at the same time!

Braden with Steve and Danielle and Alexa. Now. Why is that Brady can smile normal with them?! I mean if it's OUR family picture this kid would be pulling faces or not even looking at the camera! Not fair buddy!

Getting ready to go! I love this one of the kids. Too bad the toy is in the way of Marinny's face! Thanks for a great weekend Steve and Danielle. I miss cuddling Lexa already!

Rise and Shout!

So I am just a bit behind...and perhaps we are well into the season already.....BUT! Openning day for college football is like a holiday at the Jackson house. I couldn't not share a few pics of the occation especially since we happen to be the #3 team in country on national television! With Steve flying in just in time for the game the "true blue" brothers got psyched up for the big game. Go Cougs!

Cutest little cougars that you ever did see! Their dad's have already instilled school spirit in them!

BEgInNinG to cRaWL!

Time to really start baby proofing! This little one is determined to move one way or another. This post is just for you Mimi. Wish you were here to see her in action.

Dream Big

Yep. It's a good reminder for us all...especially in our case now! This actually was Kim's old high school jersey so you can just imagine how thrilled Kim is that Brady is OBSESSED with it.

On the Farm

A big thanks to Luke and Leslie for inviting us to go to the farm! Various activities included:

Feeding the goats. WANTED: A summer activity thats fun for all ages? Go to the Farm.
Colby chillin in the stroller watching the animals and his brothers. I not sure what was more entertaining!

Daddy and Marinn enjoying the sights..maybe not the smells.

The cowboys continued their adventure with pony rides!

And cow rides! Pretty impressive that Cam can do this all with a cast!

And here we have the three amigos who kindly stood still (for a small moment) before they rode off into the sunset! What a great afternoon!