We had a great time with Joy and Jason and my wonderful grandchildren. They are so clever. Wesley was sure Grandpa needed some advice. We were in Sacrament meeting and the speakers were up front and Grandpa was resting and meditating(sleeping) and Wesley looked up at him and said"Grandpa, the prayer is over now." Such a smart child. Grandpa said, Oh, ok. opened his eyes again (for awhile.)

The Balloon Fiesta was great fun. Peggy and Thad want to try it too. I was so tired when we got home to Joys house, I just went to bed and so did Joy.
Joy will amaze us all soon with a new human being. Such a feat! Such a great gift to have. Now to pull -off another feat -to raise them.
Remember, my children-parents. When your kids are 40 they will finally forgive you! Maybe. Love you and love your talents and wisdom. I am forever learning from you(. My bread turned out good Joy.) Love MOM

Real men don't sparkle...

So, he uses cancer as a clever excuse to avoid the sun. He lives in a place where there is equal winter to summer and where the snow would camouflage his sparkly skin. He is strong, powerful and fast, and maybe sometimes a bit cold. He takes a profession as a lawyer so he can use his natural talents to prey on the innocent.
Yes, Victor, even your traditional and powerful name gives you away and I know what you are! Now I see why Molly is obsessed with the Twilight saga... she lives the drama every day. (And Molly, you don't fool us with you're insomnia-you don't sleep because your a vampire!) There, I've said it! You were just a little too perfect for us. But you do sparkle and you can't hide it any longer so you can drop the act.
P.S. I'm quite relieved that you are a vampire-it means we won't lose you anytime soon to your supposed "cancer". Happy to have you around.

We're Back

Thanks to our indispensable Pete, we have our computer back and better than ever! We recently got rid of TV to save money and then our computer died, leaving us in the dark ages. Next, I would have been cooking bread in a stone kiln out side in the back yard. We actually found it quite peaceful for a short time but realized our lived are too intertwined to make it permanent. After so many "didn't you get the e-mail..." conversations, enough was enough! Thank you so much for the Birthday blog, and thanks Wendy, for letting me come to your house to actually see the birthday blog while your fabulous husband worked feverishly to revive our computer. We are still trying to find our pictures (cross our fingers and pray that we haven't lost 5 years worth in one stupid moment of deciding we could back them up in the future) but at least we now have our window to the world.

You like me, you really like me!
Thank you all for your gracious birthday compliments. We are with out computer so I have finally viewed the blog by coming to Wendy's house. She is great to watch the kids while I try to catch up on 3 weeks of computer use. You are all wonderful and it is the highlight of the month to read all about my self! Thank you again so much!

Happy Belated Birthday Jen!

Jen always makes me feel welcome and feel like a part of a family. It is so appreciated especially on the days when I feel down.
Happy Birthday sis!
love you!

AWARD WINNING- Jokester

Jenny is always soooo hilarious! She can take a joke, and give a joke right back with the best of them. I know I'm always in for a good time when I'm with her! Love you Jenny and happy belated birthday!

Award Winning . . . Smile!

8/23/2008 Wendy and Kristyn's birthday swim party at Wendy's house

Jenny is a delight! Paul and I were reminiscing about a conversation we had with Chris where we asked him how she was so happy all the time. We joked that there was some flask hidden in the back of the cupboards, or some special pills she slipped into her drinks. But in reality, it is just Jenny's natural personality!

We may wish we had her same zest for life and overflowing happiness, but it can't be replicated. It's why we all love her.

Happy birthday Jen!!!

Award winning- Friend

I love that Jenny lives so close! I drop by, often unannounced, and she is always happy to see me and lets me in no matter what busy work she is in the middle of! I like to go over just to chat, see the kids (hold ashley), or vent about a stressor, and she smiles and listens! She often feeds me too, which is great for a non-cooking-person like me. And I love it when we can take off for lunch or to the store- just fun outings with my sister and friend! I love you Jenny! Happy Birthday!

Award winning...

Jenny is an award winning "progress-or". As Jenny's older brother I can remember a ways back and looking back I can easily see that Jenny has [as David McCullough described George Washington] "steadily grown". And isn't that "it". What else is there? I am amazed and inspired by how Jenny has developed her talents - mentally, physically, musically, financially, spiritually, emotionally, creatively etc, etc. Jenny has achieved and accomplished. When you are around Jenny you can sense that she is a powerful individual.

I hope you had a wonderful birthday Jenny. Love you. Thanks for your example.




This is not a picture of Jenny. This is a picture of Jenny's back yard. Where are my pictures of you? I am certain that sweet Lucy is very proud of you too.

Happy Birthday to Miss Perfect!

Journal entry- January 16, 1993
"I LOVE MY FAMILY!!! I love them all so much!!! Jenny I am having a little trouble with. She is so perfect! Everything she does, looks, acts. It, well, drives me crazy."

You know what is so funny about this? I feel exactly the same way except for the last part. It doesn't drive me crazy anymore. It inspires me to do better and try better and to want to be like her. And now I can add "Award Winning" to my list of reasons why my Miss Perfect sister is just that- Perfect (in a very normal human way). :o) Do I feel motivated to sew costumes for a live production and then try to get an award from a state wide contest ? Not exactly. I am working on curtains for my living room though.

We love you Jenny! Happy Birthday!!!

So.

Having Sam visit us (as documented in the previous two posts) was so fun. We loved having him here, and hope you come back again!

But now, I'd like to point out that the only people who have NOT visited us in our home here would be: Joy and Co., Wendy and Pete-ah, and the Pegster.

You may experience a shunning from us at Thanksgiving. 

Other than that, I have to tell you about this insanely good Indian Fresh Fruit Salad. We made it for Sammy when he was here, and it was so good I wanted to cry. Recipe here. I only wish fruit salads were more photogenic.

And these are the bounties you get to experience when staying at the Paul Jackson adobe.

Next matter of business for the Jackson family: heading to Sam's place for Thanksgiving! Everyone in California thinks it's a fabulous idea. Sam said his dining area is huge and can seat a large army. Perfect!

I can already smell the pumpkin pie...

more photos

My attempt at a classy photo look. A man and his boy.


Thacker just ran up and down the beach untill he found the giant sand hole that the family nearby started. Then he wanted to help them and had no fear of walking right up to him. :)

Sam in Thackertown, California

I had fun visiting. Thank you Paul and Kristyn for making me feel welcome! You can see the glee on Benets face as he crushes the sand castles as quickly as his dad can make them. That was so fun!

To go along with Molly's Post

This is at the Washington National Cathedral.

Funny?

I'm not sure what this means but I thought maybe you guys would think it was funny?