Playing In The Snow

In the past 36 hours it has snowed about 5 new inches in Circleville. That is on top of the 3 inches that was still on the ground. We got up bright and early and headed out to make a snowman, the only problem was the snow. It was so fine and new that it wouldn't stick together, so we got a big snow hill that Tyson liked jumping in. He still is a bit leery about the snow, I think because it is cold and he is used to the warm.

I taught him how to make snow angels and we must have made them all over the lawn. He liked the fact that he could lay it in and make a picture.

Notice the accumulation of snow on his legs and feet. Well, I forgot to bring his snow boot and so we had to improvise with my old leggings and tennis shoes. Surprisingly he feet stayed dry and warm.

It got a bit nippy after 45 minutes and our little red faces are proof of that. We have had a ball in the snow today. I think we now need to sled it in. That will be tomorrow's adventure.

I Am A New Aunt!

I am, again, an aunt to my new niece Grace Ann Christiansen. She was born on Saturday morning about 4:25 am. She was 7 pounds 4 ounces and 21 inches long. She is a doll and we are so happy to have her in our family. I would post a picture but Vaughn has the camera in Colorado and I am in Utah, so when I get pictures I will post them. I just had to toot my horn!! I have another nephew coming in March!!!

A Great Man Died, But He Is Not Forgotten

Sunday night we learned of the passing of our beloved prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. He is the 15th prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This man truely was a wonderful person. He helped in the building of many temples around the world, bridged the gap with the media and other faiths and was just the neatest man one could ever know. I loved to hear his talks during conference and sometimes they would usually be the only ones that really stuck with me. He will be missed greatly. But I know he is happily reunited with his wife and enjoying the heavens above.

Our Kind Of Entertainment

-31 degrees isn't exactly the kind of weather you want to be out in, and so we tend to stay inside a lot. Which isn't a whole lot different from St. Maarten, but at least there is more room here than there. Actually it isn't -31 all the time it can reach a heat wave of 15 degrees, then you can put on the shorts and t-shirts and head outside. HA HA HA Just kidding, it is still long sleeves, pants, snow boots and a big heavy coat weather, but it isn't AS cold. Tyson and I decided to play indoor bowling yesterday. We even made it more exciting by placing the little people animals on top of the cups. (Now I know you will all want to go and try this LOL) It is a fun time and kept Tyson content for about 45 minutes. He has so much to see and do here in the states, that his attention span went from 30 minutes to 30 seconds, maybe it is the age. Being a 1st time mom, I wouldn't know. Just learning as I go, poor kid, I feel bad he has to be the Guinea pig, but hey, someone has to train me. Tyson is talking in full sentences and so plain in his speech. He will sometimes say things and I wonder where he learned them, and believe it or not, they aren't bad, just different. And he has learned, "WHY?" I will tell him he cannot do something and he replies, "why?" I then explain to him the reasons behind me telling him no and then he says, "Ok mom." And then goes about his business. It is too funny.

Tyson also has figured out that if he is a good boy during a trip to Wal-mart, then he gets to ride the automatic horse on the way out the door. This is basically a ritual every time we go. Here he is in an action shot trying to concentrate on hanging on. This horse actually bucks a little harder than I thought a kid ride should, so he has to hang on pretty tight.

In other news, (that sounded like a news reporter), Vaughn got his scores back from the Step one test and did exceptionally well. We are so proud of him and now the process of going to clinicals can finally begin. We have filled out the financial aid papers, and the online ones, had his physical thingy done, and now we are just waiting to hear back from MEAS to find out what our options are. So far we are debating between Ireland and Michigan/Baltimore. There are a lot of pros and cons for each, so this decision won't be made lightly.

And one last thought, I was going to transfer this blog over to a new one, but figured, what the heck, might as well wait until clincials. So we are still the "Jackson's in Paradise" just not island paradise, more like the USA paradise. Sorry to rub that in for those of you still on the island. LOL But when we begin clinicals we will begin a new blog so keep your eyes and ears open for that one.

Lots Going On.

I need to knock off the blog dust and get back in the swing of things. We have been keeping the roads hot seeing family in Utah and Colorado. We also have had withdrawls from the island. It was weird not to go back to St. Maarten at the first of the year. Tyson is really struggling with it. He wants to go back, "to his home and see the beach." He is constantly asking about Peyton and all his friends from the island. It is hard to explain to a two year old that his home is gone and right now we are living between two grandparents' houses. I hope we hear about the TEST soon and find out where we are going. Tyson needs some consistency in his life.

Here is a recap of what we have been up to the past few weeks. (with pictures)

Tyson and his cute cousin Jaelyn. They were able to spend a few days together during the New Year holiday. Jaelyn follows Tyson around and the two of them were like "peas in a pod."

My brother-in-law Mark is the one making the funny face. He and my sister-in-law Kariann and brother-in-law Travis are watching Brett, another inlaw, climb a rock wall during First Night in St. George. It was very cold that night.Nice form Brett. I know he is going to get me back for this picture, but it was such a good shot. Needless to say he made it to the top. Awe!!! Such a cute, freezing couple. You can't see but my nose hairs were frozen together. I covered it up with my winning smile. LOL

Jennifer, my sister-in-law, and Jaelyn. Notice how bundled up they are, yeah, it was COLD. Tyson, however, slept through the entire First Night Activities. He was bundled up in a stroller and went to sleep.

Giddy Up Cowboy! Tyson loves to ride his rocking horse at Grandma Westwood's. He looks like a mini cowboy!Tyson got to spend some quality time with his Papa Westwood. They read books, rode in the truck, fed the dog and horse and just had a great time together.Grandma T, and Tyson made cookies. Tyson ate most of the dough before we could make the cookies. He loved spending time with Grandma T.He also was able to spend some time with his Great Grandma MamaD.All tuckered out. Tyson and Grandma Jackson, passed out after church last Sunday. Tyson loves being with Grandma Jackson; he even chooses her over me, most days. I am chop liver compared to the grandparents. (I think he gets tired of mom)

Now this picture of an owl comes with a funny story. It hit into my inlaw's double glass windows the other night. It was going after a mouse and then SMACK! It scared the heck out of all of us. We looked out and there it was, all dazed. I have never seen an owl up so close before. It was beautiful and after a few minutes, it regained its bearings and flew off. Kind of a cool experience.

Tyson and Alyssa at Uncle Brett's ball game. Alyssa is the little sister of another basketball player and one of Tyson's playmates at the ball games. They run up and down the bleachers and have a ball watching the boys play basketball.

This has been a quick look at our lives the past 3 weeks. Hope you have enjoyed the run down.