Santa Claus is coming to town...

We had a surprise visitor on Christmas Eve...Santa! It was so much fun but the best part is when Landon asked Santa for a hanger!! It was so funny. On the way home we asked him f he knew what a hanger was and he said "yes, it's to hang up my clothes" What a silly boy. It was a Christmas Eve we will never forget!!

pj's of Christmas past..

Christmas Eve

stitches for Christmas

If you know Jackson, you know he likes no LOVES dill pickles. He goes through a large bulk jar about every week! Yesterday when I went to the store he reminded me that we were out so I picked some up. When I got home Jackson was helping me bring in the groceries and it seemed like slow motion.... the pickle jar slipped out of the plastic bag and Jackson slipped trying to catch the jar and the jar shattered on the tile stairs in our mud room and Jackson put his arms out to catch himself, right onto the broken jar! It sliced open his left hand, he began to scream and I am sure the vinegar in the pickle juice didn't help. I saw how deep the cut was, grabbed a towel to wrap around it and swooped him up in a blanket and rush to the ER. On the way Jackson passed out either from screaming or all the blood...it was horrible. He was so worried about not being able to golf, play football, lacrosse or even throw or catch a ball again that the doctor game him Verset to calm him down, he was a mess. At the ER he got an x-ray and a specialist examined his hand to see it there was any permanent damage. Luckily the glass only sliced through the muscle in his palm and didn't hit his tendon. 6 hours, 2 doses of Verset and 14 stitches later Jackson is resting at home. His is so disappointed that this happened on Christmas break...no sledding, snowboarding, or anything involving the use of his left hand for 10 days. Basketball is out for 3 weeks too and he is really bummed about that. I guess Jackson was bound to get stitches sooner or later with his active lifestyle but not on Christmas break * UGGGG* I feel so bad for him but when we got home I knew he was feeling OK because the first thing he did was ate a dill pickle, from another jar of course! Love you Jackson, we hope you have a very speedy recovery!!

our scouts

Last week at pack meeting we made ginger bread houses, all the boys did a great job and they turned out so cute! Jackson earned his Webelo and several other pins and belt loops and is now focusing on his Arrow Of Light requirements :) He loves scouts and we are so proud of him. It was Ayden's 1st pack meeting and he had a great time. He participated in the flag ceremony and is working very hard to earn his wolf. We sure love our scouts...way to go boys!!

4

Happy 4th Birthday Landon!!

I can't believe it...my baby is 4, yes 4!! It seems like yesterday that Landon was born or maybe I just remember it so well because it was so traumatic... Landon is one of a kind and I am so blessed *most days* that he is mine. Landon was due on Christmas Day but due to an emergency c-section he arrived a little early. Landon spent his first Christmas in the NICU at PCMC and took his first ride on an airplane when he was 3 hours old. We were all so happy when he came home and completed our little family. Landon is curios, outspoken, stubborn and LOUD very loud. A couple of weeks ago I told him to use his inside voice and stop screaming all the time he quickly replied with a smile "mom, them you wouldn't ever be able to hear me because I am the smallest" looks like he's got it all figured out. Landon is so lucky to have 2 older brother that adore him and that teach him everything. He can't wait to play sports like his brothers. He developed a very special bond with his daddy during the summer while Ryan was lucky enough to work form home and misses his daddy so much while he is gone. Landon loves to play Sorry with his daddy and will ONLY play it when he is at home to play. I asked him one day if he wanted to play and he said "mom, that's daddy's game" :) He always has it ready to go when Ryan walks in the door. Landon has grown up so fast and is no longer my baby. He has wanted to be 4 for a very long time. I don't know why 4 but he has been counting down and asking us when he will be 4 for as long as he was able to talk and knew about birthday's. I know he will love being 4 and I hope this will be his best year yet! We are all so blessed to have Landon in our family :)

4 things about Landon

1. He LOVES chocolate milk *it's pretty much all he eats*
2. He LOVES to play Sorry with his daddy
3. He LOVES to cuddle at night when he is tired *the rest of the time he is way to busy*
4. He has a smile that can make you forget why you were mad at him ;)

Festival of Trees

Last night we went to the Festival of Trees with my mom and Chanelle, It was so much fun. Jackson Webelos troop handmade darling snowman ornaments and donated a small tree...they did a great job and Jackson was so proud to see his tree in the festival. The boys had a blast looking at all the amazing trees but their favorite was a Star Wars group of tress that had vintage Star Wars toys...it was out of this world *lol* We loved all the amazing and creative gingerbread houses and enjoyed yummy scones. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...now bring on the snow!!

a night with David Archuleta

Last Wednesday night we went to David Archuleta's Christmas concert, It was a blast!! I bought his Christmas CD *a must have if you don't have it* a couple of weeks ago *it is amazing* so we were all excited for the concert. He sang one of my all time favorite songs Prayer for the Children by Kurt Bestor and it was breathtaking. He did an amazing job and my boys have been singing along with his CD all week. We look forward to seeing him again soon.

no time like the "present"

There are ONLY 25 days until Christmas!!

I need your help with my NICU PCMC quilt/hat project this year. With my recent health issues I have gotten far far behind :) Many of you know that our precious little Landon born December 15th, 2005 spent his first Christmas in the NICU at PCMC. It was a very hard Christmas for our little family because our sweet baby boy was so sick and couldn't spend Christmas at home with us. For the past 3 Christmas's I have enjoyed playing Santa to all the babies in the NICU. I have taken quilts/ blankets and knit hats for all the babies who will spend their first Christmas in the NICU just as Landon did so they know they too are loved and that Santa didn't forget them. So here is where you come in...there are 60 NICU beds at PCMC and for the past 3 years everyone of them has been occupied on Christmas Eve by a precious newborn. This year with the H1N1 virus , RSV and seasonal flu infections expected to be extremely high, I expect that every bed in the NICU will be full again this Christmas. That is a lot of hats and blankets that need to be made so I need your help, if you are a quilter, knitter or would like to help in any other way *or know someone who is* your talents are much needed and truly wanted and there is no time like the "present" to get started!! The snow will be flying again soon at my house and it will be Christmas Eve before we know it....so if you would like to help, please send me a message of how to reach you and our family and the babies in the NICU will be forever grateful...Merry Christmas!!

Jackson playing santa at PCMC in 2006

I am thankful for

I am thankful for everything I have experienced
In this life of mine
For in all I have found
That in His Word-the answers I find

I am thankful for all the tears I have cried
For they have taught me to appreciate laughter
They have given me the ability to see the
The joy that comes after

Through my tears I have come to know
His Holy Spirit in my life
How He is always there
And comforts through the strife

I am thankful for the storms I have encountered
Knowing that the rainbow is at the end
Realization that they are only temporal
That with time all will mend

I have learned that I don’t need to be strong
For Jesus supplies the strength for me
He shoulders my burdens
Regardless of what the circumstance may be

I am thankful for all the relationships
For the good and yes, for the bad
For they have given life to my emotions
An appreciation of what I have had

My most valuable relationship
Is that with Jesus, my Father
I know that I can trust Him
As I can trust no other

I am thankful for the pain I have known
It has given a compassion for the suffering
An ability to reach out to others
An appreciation of little things

I understand the greatness of Jesus's love
And the pain He has suffered for me
How He endured all things
So that I could be set free

I am thankful for the hunger and thirst
That I have had to go through
I appreciate having food before me
And sharing it with others too

He has given himself as my food and drink
To make sure that I was fed
His Blood shed for my drink
And His Body broken for my bread

Most of all, I am thankful for His Grace
For the provisions that it brings
How it has provided for
Me in all things

~Kathleen Shelton Poulson

New Moon

Last Friday I went with my sil's to see New Moon at midnight. We all wore our Team Edward tee-shirts but all had a little puppy love for Jacob after we saw the movie. We were in the "Fangs" theater and got a vampire themed goody bag....we has so much fun and the move was awesome!! I look forward to seeing Eclipse in June!!

ornaments for Christopher

With Christmas just around the corner, my cute sil Natalie and I got to work on hand painting family Christmas ornaments for our brother Christopher who is on his mission in Concepcion, Chile. We spent the week painting an ornamnet for each family member and they all turned out really cute!! The hard part was finding small pictures of everyone to put in them. I am sure he will love them and I look froward to the long wait of his package finally arriving in Chile in about 5 weeks! We all miss Christopher so much but are so thankful that he is serving a mission for the example he is to all of us!! We look forward to him returning home in 18 months!!

fall leaves

Last Saturday while everyone went fishing, Brenna and Landon had a fantastic fall day. They raked the leaves all day, making a huge pile, burying each other in them and jumping in over and over. It was so much fun to watch them play enjoying the last warm fall day :)

football 2009

Last night was the official end to Jackson's 2009 football season. His team was in a 3 way tie with Alta and Riverton and had to play a a tie breaker with both....to our disappointment we didn't advance to the playoffs :( Despite his knee injury, Jackson finished the season with 14 Touchdowns...AMAZING!! His team finished the season 6 - 3 and had a fantastic season. Ryan had a blast coaching, getting to spend time with Jackson and getting to know all the boys on the team. Jackson started the season at 61 pounds and finished weighing in last night at 58?? I guess his light weight makes him extra speedy!! He had a great time playing this year and we are hoping that he will play next year but he says that he wants to focus on Lacrosse so we will just have to wait and see. We want to thank everyone that came out to support Jackson this season, it was so fun to have extra cheerleaders on the sideline :) We are so very proud of Jackson for being so humble, being such a good example and playing through his knee pain not wanting to let his dad, coaches or team down. Jackson is so much fun to watch and we are so blessed that he is our son. Get ready because Jackson doesn't sit still for long...Jr. Jazz starts in 2 weeks so come and cheer him on with us!! We love you Jackson and way to go Bengals!!

letter from Elder Morgan

Dear Renee and family!

Thank you for the pictures! I heard that you had a lot of fun for halloween. I did too. I dressed up in my pj's that you sent me and the maskes and made the pumpkin. My companion is going to make pumpkin pie with it today.

How are you? I hope you are all good. I am loving it here except for this rash that I have that is not allowing me to sleep these days, but I'll be ok.

I love this mission. It is amazing. We are going to have 2 baptisms this week and 5 more this month. It is great here. I love being able to preach the gospel to those that need it.---Everyone needs it

Yesterday I talked to this homeless man about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. His hopeless eyes filled with faith and a desire to change. I love helping people to come to Christ and be changed. I have kind of lost myself in it. The other day I realized how different I am compared to the old me. Don't worry, this me is better...I hope.

I love you all so much thanks for the letters and packages. Please pray for me to get better and keep sending me pictures and letters! Tell everyone to write me, I need it more than you know. Thank you for everything. I love you.

Adios,

Elder Morgan

A Frightfully Fun Halloween!!

pumpkins

Cundick's TOY STORY

snow day

The boys were so excited get their snow clothes on and play in the snow this afternoon. They quickly rolled balls to make a snowman but they got so big they couldn't lift them onto each other so they just took turns smashing them, boys will be boys. We love the snow but don't look forward to trick-or-treating on a freezing Halloween night :(

5 days until.....

jackson's knee

It's semi good news.....no cast is needed!! But Jackson has posttraumatic injuries in his knee. These include moderate bone bruising in the patella (knee cap) and the medial femoral condyle, moderate anterior cruciate ligament sprain, he has fluid between the fibers of his knee and severe bruising and edema in his Hoffa's pad (the fat pad below your knee cap) He will wear his brace for another 2 weeks, ice it twice a day and can start mild activity after that. The Orthopedist will reevaluate him in 4 weeks. We are thankful that he doesn't need surgery or that his injuries with heal on their own with rest *fingers crossed*. We look forward to Jackson getting back to his speedy active self very soon!!

raking leaves

Today I couldn't find Ayden and Landon. I quickly discovered them outside in the backyard raking leaves. When Ayden saw me he quickly said with a huge smile "We are raking the leaves to surprise you because you don't feel good, now you don't have to do it!" I couldn't ask for a better surprise!!

all heart...

Saturday was Grandparents/Family Day at Jackson's football game. As many of you know, Jackson was injured 3 weeks ago during a game and has been suffering terrible knee pain and swelling since. We thought it would pass but it didn't so we took him to the doctor. After 2 visits to the doctor and Orthopedist, an x ray and MRI Jackson has been put on limited activity and has a brace on his leg supporting his knee. The doctor made the diagnosis of Osteochondritis Dissecans OCD but after the results come back from his MRI and we meet with his Orthopedist on Tuesday will know for sure. Jackson was crushed when the doctor told him that he couldn't play football any more. The course of action to help his knee heal if in fact the doctor's pre MRI diagnosis is correct, worst case will be up to eight weeks in a hip to ankle cast. In talking to Jackson we made the decision to let him play in his game on Saturday as it maybe his last for the season. We are looking on the bright side and hope that the MRI shows something less serious but Jackson wanted to play and has more heart than any other boy I know. He was so excited that it was family day but he was still a little apprehensive about playing with his knee but he didn't let that stop him. He made 2 touchdowns and helped his team to V I C T O R Y with a 27 - 19 win over Woodscross! We are so very proud of him. Ayden and Landon showed their support by coloring their hair Bengal orange and blue...they looked so cute!! We are optimistic and will keep you posted about what the Orthopedist says on Tuesday...keep him in your prayers :)

crazy hair

Pumpkin Seed Necklace

Pumpkin seeds (roasted)
Paint (orange, black, white and green)
Needle and thread
(Kitchen foil to put seeds on while you paint them)

Paint your pumpkin seeds in orange, green, white and black. The easiest way to do this is to put them on kitchen foil so that they will not stick to anything while they dry. But it is a very messy job!

When your seeds are dry, thread your needle with a length of thread long enough to go over your head with 3 or 4 inches to spare. Put your seeds a few at a time on a pile on newspaper or a thin sponge. One by one push the needle down through the seed - when you have pierced the seed safely, pick it up and pull it through the thread. When your thread is about two thirds filled, knot the ends together tightly.

Note: you need a sharp needle for this so make sure children are well supervised or that an adult does the threading.

Grandparents/Family Day

click on photo to enlarge!!

whisk us away...

Halloween is my FAVORITE time of year. I love making spooky and fun meals for my family and friends that bring the Halloween theme to the dinner table. Normally I would share my ideas on this blog but now that I have a recipe blog I will be posting them there so make sure to check out Whisk US Away for yummy and fun holiday recipes!!

46

Jackson "golfing" in Hawaii June 2001

Jackson has always loved golf. When he was 2 he would tee up golf balls on our sprinkler heads...it was so cute. Last Thursday he went golfing with Ryan, grandma, grandpa and Ayden to Old Mill golf course. It was a cold windy afternoon but Jackson's golfing was HOT, he beat everyone golfing a 46, that's only 11 over par...AMAZING, he is only 10!! Jackson walked in the door with a huge grin his face and held the golf card up to me. It took me a minute to figure it out and then I saw it...he shoot a 46! I was so happy for him :) Ryan came in the door and said "wow, I am already getting beat by my 10 year old" he was so proud of Jackson. Jackson is looking forward to the spring so he can join the Utah Junior Golf Association and compete in Junior tournaments. We are so very proud of him and look forward watching him tee up next spring and summer! Way to go JAX!!

fall colors

Gardner Village

We went to Gardner Village yesterday to see the pumpkins and witches. It was ReAlLy windy but they all had fun looking at the Peking ducks, riding the ponies and running from pumpkin to pumpkin!

Love the Utes!!

Jackson's football team had the opportunity to meet several of the University of Utah 2008 Sugar Bowl Champion football players...Louie Sakoda, Kepa Gaison, Sean Sellwood, Justin Taplin-Ross, Mike Wright, and Brad Clifford came to talk to his team and sign some autographs! Louie Sakoda even took some time to punt the ball to the boys and guess who caught every one...yeap Jackson! It was so much fun and I am sure Jackson will never forget it...GO UTES!!!