The Jackson Family

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Sam!

Happy Birthday Sambo! My favorite things about Sam are... He took me on my first date here in AZ! He threw a surprise party for my 19th (and hardest) birthday! The funniest movies I've been too- I laugh hard but mostly cause Sam makes it so much funnier! Jenny's kids still scream "SAM!!!" when he walks in the door! Its like he's a pop star! He always gives me a valentine on Valentine's day. I remember on his mission, he found a box of crackers (?) with his nickname for me on it-Wembly! And he took a picture and sent it to me with a letter. I felt so special! Sam has a great way of doing that- making everyone feel special and loved! Well, YOU are special and loved Sammy! Did you know the super hero shirt for family photos what HIS idea?!

Sambo Rambo

Happy Birthday Sam! And for the 34th time, I am so sorry that I messed up your 3rd birthday. Really I am. But I am so happy to share my birthday week with such a great older brother. I have always felt a special connection to you because we share this. You are such an amazing person. I have always been so impressed with your thoughtfulness and care for other people. You were always routing for the underdog. And the underdog needs someone like you on their side. Wish we didn't live so far away from you. My kids are missing out on one of the funnest (or is it most fun) uncles ever. All the kids we ever babysat for loved you too (which can be a problem when you are 13, trying to earn money, and you have to compete with your older brother) . You were always a favorite. You are all of our favorite. We love you!

Sappy Sirthday Sam

Sappy Sirthday So Sou. Sappy Sirthday sear Sammy, Sappy Sirthday so SOU!!!
Sam is great for the following reasons:
1- He is HILARIOUS ( and we all know it)
2- He is Pleasant and fun to be around!
3- He is Tall
4- He is Strong & Manly!
5- He is very thoughtful
6- He is very personable
7- He is fun to play with Children with ( and what I mean is, playing with kids is.. Ok, but if you're playing with and Sam are playing with kids together, its sooo fun!!)
8- He is understanding
9- He can take a joke
10- He can give a joke ( this is different than being hilarious, trust me)
11- He likes to travel
12- He doesnt mind sitting around on Christmas Eve, watching the Grinch and doing puzzle after puzzle. trust me, I've tested him on this.
13- He has great advice on living healthily.
14- He reads his scriptures often and in mass quantity. (Trust me on this, I've slept next to him at many family functions, and he'll be up late into the night reading them)
15- He's a home owner
16- He drives a sweet truck
17- He's so fun to ski with!
18- He always comes for Christmas, even if its just gonna be me and him (& the Parental Units, .........and Bear.)
19- He still calls me Munchkin.
20- He is so creative! (Dont make me bust out pictures of past years ginger bread houses People. You KNOW what I'm talking about...... speaking of that... I call Sam on my team this year).
21- He's willing to be my teammate in the gingerbread contests!
22- He's an educated College graduate
23- He's very spiritual
24- He's very close to the Holy Ghost. ( I know because you can tell just by looking at him)
25- He's got strong muscles.
26- He's always prepared
27- He's got nice teeth.
28- He doesnt complain
29- He's up for a challenge
30- He can make any boring board game more interesting with new rules and new ways to play ( remember the "Speed" rule in Mexican Train? All Sam).
31- He's good at getting and keeping friends
32- He cares about his brothers and sisters
33- He's willing to help you, even without being asked.
34- He makes me feel at peace when I'm around him
35- He is loved and appreciated by his Heavenly Father
36- He is loved and appreciated by his WHOLE family........ and Bear.
37- He is great by nature. He cannot be anything else, but GREAT.

Amazing Samsonite

Happy Birthday brother! You are amazing! You have an indestructible strength [like the luggage alluded to or the bible hero]. You are unique - you aren't a copy or immitation of anyone or anything else in this world. You march to the beat of your own drum and consequently have a depth to you that sets you apart from the teeming masses of humanity. Unbreakable, unstoppable you keep growing and developing. Those untainted by the world can see your goodness and strength - thats why kids love you immediately and completely. You have been challenged incredibly in this life, but I have no doubt that you will rise above each and every challenge. And at the end of it all you will find yourself a being of incredible glory and power. You're also really good at drawing, have a very cool rearview mirror ornament and grow a sweet beard. We love you Sam and hope it is a good day for you and the beginning of a great year!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Thank You Thank You Thank You

I love you all so much! Thank you for all of these birthday wishes! I wanted to respond to each one (and I did finally) because I wanted you all to know how much each of you means to me and that each post means a lot. I feel like I am behind in about every way these days and scrambling to keep up. Having a 4th doesn't feel all the different than 3 in some ways and in other ways... wow, I feel thrown for a loop.

I feel really old too. Ha!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Jappy Jirthjay!

Remember when we used to sing happy birthday with the first letter of someone's name? I loved that tradition! Since then I've tried to do it with other people but no one seems to get a kick out of it like we do! That is never the case with you though because you can always win people over easily! We love you and your fun, enthusiastic personality! We hope you've had a wonderful Birthday and we're really looking forward to seeing you at the Dec Thanksgiving, however long we'll be able to spend with you!

Happy Birthday Joy!

You are so great and patient with kids! They all have fun with you- everyone does! I love how you are always happy and looking on the bright side of life! Everyone wants to be around happy and fun people like you! And you always have something fun going on! I cant wait to see you in Dec! Happy Birthday big sis!

Happy Birthday Joy!

You have always been so positive and supportive to those around you. I love you (even if you don't recognize a cardboard box fort main structural support when you see one. :) )

Happy Birthday Joy!

Happy Birthday to Joy. This is one of my favorite memories of me and Joy. We did this a lot if I remember correctly. Our own personal circus show trick I guess. It sure was fun though! Happy Birthday!

Joy and Payne

Happy Birthday, Joy! What do I love about Joy? I love that Joy is connected to me via our missions - she knows my people and I know hers. I love that Joy loves the gospel and is committed to living according to what she knows. I also love that Joy loves and remembers Lucy. I appreciate it a lot.

Ode to Joy

Happy Birthday Joy! I met a lady at my kids carnival that looked really familiar and so naturally I asked her if she knew Joy Jackson. Anyone I don't instantly know, must have been a friend of Joy's. And they always light up and talk positively about how wonderful Joy is! You seem to never leave a negative impression on anyone who knows you! It's just how you roll. You are wonderful. (It turns out the lady did know Joy! Vanessa Bates! Yep, she knew all of us because we're second cousins-opps!)
You bring balance to the negative side of life by proof of the positive. Happy Birthday, Sis!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Look what I got!!!

Here it is. It happened last night. We went on a date to one of your favorite little pizza joints in downtown SLC. Then he suggested we go stroll at temple square. We go there a lot to walk. There is this little bench tucked away behind some trees that I introduced Thad to. Its become kind of our secret special spot that we go and sit. Its very hidden away from people. So there we were talking and things got progressively "mushy". Tha'ts when I knew what was coming. He has NEVER in his life acted like a nervous fool. But this night was different. He was all sorts of figgity and stuff like that. Well after after proclaiming his love, he pulled out this box out of no where, and got down on his knee and said..."Peggy, Will you marry me?" And what did I say? ..."yahuh". I wish I was calm, cool, and collected. But my "yahuh" prove that I wasn't. So there you have it. (For the record, I called everyone, including you, Joy, but as we all know, you can never reach the Paynes. So I'm sorry you're probably learning about this from a blog. ) Perhaps a nice Spring Wedding in April? Yeah.. I think that's the plan.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Outtakes

Guns, anyone?

No Artery Nate. He was VERY interesting and very unique. I liked him. When I asked him how he knows Vic he said, "I was in love with his sister for three years." Ok. That settles it then.

In Wendy's very clean and organized house!

Someone LOVES their Uncle Sam.

We ran into Serene and John Bean in the airport! They were on the same flight to Salt Lake with us. Peter got to meet his second cousin. They were flying home from New Mexico where they had just finalized the adoption of their little Christy.

Cute, cute boys!!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

A Day Out

(10/20/10) We were just ready to go and got the call with the news of the new bundle of joy from Joy and Jason. What a great day! All was well and we were to talk to them later. Welcome to our family, Rachel. We were almost as excited as Allie! (We later found out about her subsequent drama. We are so glad that the excitement Joy had after the fact is over and she is all right. How grateful we are for the blessings of the Priesthood and of modern medicine.)

This is up on the mountain. The colors were beautiful. My ride was a little jerky. Le's ride was better.

Bear was just fine. He didn't try to jump out. Just watched the road and sat in this little lunch box.

This is Le as we rode past a canyon. That is Utah Lake in the background. We met two other ATV riders and the rest of the day we were alone. We both loved this day.