The big day

Sean threw me a party for my 30th birthday. We had yummy food, good friends and family over, roasted marsh-mellows in the fire pit and drank hot chocolate. I wish I had remembered to take pictures! One thing Sean did at the party was pass around a quiz about me. Then we stood around the fire and shared the answers and some funny stories.

How many questions can YOU get right?

1. Jessica once kissed her cousin

a. true

b. false

2. Jessica walked around at a school all day with what hanging out of her pants?

a. maxi pad

b. paper toilet seat cover

c. toilet paper

3. What positions did Jessica serve in HS student council?

a. secretary & treasurer

b. Pres & VP

c. VP & treasurer

4. What sport did Jessica make Varsity her freshman year?

a. volleyball

b. softball

c. basketball

5. How many siblings does Jessica have?

a. 3

b. 5

c. 6

6. In HS Jessica drove this car:

a. 1987 VW rabbit

b. 1995 Chevy Truck

c. 1981 BMW

7. Jess was pulled over by a cop at BYU because:

a. she was speeding

b. stereo was too loud

c. her taillight was out

8. Jess was asked to leave a hair salon because:

__________________________________

__________________________________

9. Her favorite movie is:

a. Pretty Woman

b. Pretty in Pink

c. ET

10. Jess peed her pants in first grade?

a. true

b. false

Traditions

I LOVE this time of year because all the traditions begin. Every year since I can remember my family went up north to cut down our Christmas tree. Sean joined this tradition when we were married and instantly loved it. And then after about the 2nd year we were married my whole family went fake on me. They all got fake trees for some reason! Except for my sister Wendy and her family. So our two families carried on the tradition. And then about 4 years ago Sean's twin brother Brandon and his family started going with us. And this year, Sean's sister Jen and her family came with us. It was a lot of fun! We are happy to carry on the tradition, whoever comes with us. The more the merrier!
P.S. doesn't our Thanksgiving table look beautiful?! Table courtesy of Brandon and Julie.

Old toys for new kids

Two of my nieces and nephew spent the night last night. I love them but they sure did wear me out today! I think I have been cleaning all day! I made breakfast then cleaned up breakfast. We made cookie dough then cleaned up cookie dough. We cut out the cookies then cleaned up from cutting out the cookies. We cooked the cookies then had to do dishes. We frosted the cookies and then had to clean up from frosting cookies. Then it was lunch time and there had been a special request for homemade pizza. So I think you are getting the routine. After lunch, I tried to take a little nap. I laid down for 20 minutes and had questions/requests from little kiddos about every 3 or 4 minutes. Then I had an idea! I brought out my old doll house that was mine as a little girl. It requires a lot of set up so I don't get it out often. Caitlyn and Carter (don't tell Sean!) were in heaven! Right now they are playing and they are having Family Home Evening. So cute!
Sometimes the old toys are the best toys! Now I think I will close my eyes for at least 3 or 4 minutes.

In all things give thanks...

I love this area that I have set up for Thanksgiving. It reminds me everyday to be thankful for EVERYthing. This weekend Carter had his first spend the night at a cousin's house. While I had fun going shopping with my sister on Friday night, I was so lonely Saturday morning! Sean was at work and I was alone. I missed Carter getting into bed with me in the morning and snuggling up to me. I missed his tugging at me to come be with him while I try and check my email in the morning. I missed him yelling out my name from the other room. I missed him bargaining with me why he should have a cookie for breakfast and not a waffle. Mostly, I just missed HIM. Sometimes, I find myself thinking, "if I only had a few minutes to myself..." Saturday I had way more than a few minutes, but I was sad. I couldn't wait for him to come home. It was a good reminder how much I love this kid and how much I love being a mom. When I was in the 6th grade me and a few other girls put together the first ever School Yearbook. It was nothing special. But we took a picture of every 6th grader and asked them 3 questions:

1. What is your nickname?

2. What is your favorite saying?

3. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Here were my answers:

1. J.J.

2. "don't forget to smile."

3. just be a Mom

All I have ever wanted to do was to be a mom.

I am thankful to be a mother.

And I am especially thankful for this kid and all his craziness. Life would be boring without him!

50 FREE photocards

I saw an add for 50 free photocards on this blog and I tried it and it worked! The only difference I found, was that the code only worked on 4x8 cards not the 5x7 cards. Go get your free photocards today! Click here to start!

I'm really liking this...

These are the 4th and 5th quilts I have made this year for my nieces/nephews. I have loved learning how to quilt! And as long as they keep asking, I'll keep making them. The next nephew that asked for one has a birthday in February! This sports/zebra one was for Hunter. This princess/tinker bell one was for Reeslyn. I used most of the same material in this quilt that I used for my niece Caitlyn's quilt. But I love how different they are. I love the creativity that quilting allows me to have. Most of all, I LOVE seeing their faces when they open their gift. It makes all the hours of work worth it to see the huge smile on their face when they first see it!!

What was she thinking (during the triathlon, anyways)?

"Wow, I've really made it now, a star is in the same race as me.""I want to cross that finish line!"
"I don't think I can make it...seriously...I am so tired."
"I'm so happy Marlee said she would run with me during the run portion. But this will probably be embarrassing since she'll run faster than me and she just had a baby 7 weeks ago!!!"
"I really wish I had swam a few times before this race..."
"Marlee wants me to go first in the swim, so she is trying to get me to do rock, paper, scissors with her. No way!"
"I'm so glad I am DONE!" (I got 1:15; almost the exact same time I got last year, my swim was slower than last year but my run was faster. I got 5th out of 39 in my age group!)
"Why do they have speed bumps on the final part of this bike course? So annoying."

Another year...

Happy to report that 7 years later, we're ready for more!

Halloween

We went to our ward party and then the next morning drove down to Sierra Vista where we went to another ward party and trick or treating in the neighborhood. I'd say we are good on candy. We had lots of fun trick or treating with the cousins and enjoyed Madison's baby blessing on Sunday. Great job Spence!