Alexander Christmas

Christmas Eve we did our annual sibling gift exchange and had a very yummy dinner. Bruce and Deb went in on our new Nikon D-90 that we've been saving for. I was so excited to get it! Gregg let me open it early for the Jackson party hence, the awesome pictures (haha).

Christmas day was pretty low key this year which was kind of nice. Gregg got me a pocket video camera which surprised me because we weren't supposed to spend too much since we got the camera, but then again I did get him an iPod so I cheated as well. We had the usual awesome breakfast that Debbie makes. Then Bruce, Deb, Staci, Gregg, and I decided to go see Marley and Me. I read the book so I was really excited for it. Last we headed to Brad and Tricia's for some Wii Music and when I figure out how to put my videos on here I'll show a few clips of the hilarious night.

Jackson Christmas

Our party was better than ever this year. My mom rented the top of Doc's Pizza out so we had the whole place to ourselves. Food was followed by a traditional white elephant and great company. We also got a special present from a secret Santa that will not soon be forgotten. My favorite gifts were Ryan's senior picture (autographed), a fake fruit basket with teeth marks in the banana, and the bling that Ed picked out, but somehow ended up in Kent's mouth.

After Doc's we went to my parents house where we surprised them with a new sleep number bed. Then we all got to open presents from my parents. Gregg and I got the garbage cans we have been eyeing for a while. No more touching dirty lids for us! If you know me well enough you'll know I'm a little bit of a germ-o-phobe(sp?).

Finally an updated picture with everyone!

We finally convinced Ed and Alpha to take a picture as well.

Also, in other news my niece Kelsey turned 16 this month! What is up with that? I'm just a little freaked out by it, but excited for her at the same time.

Downtown Adventure

Gregg had to work the day after Thanksgiving, but the rest of us decided to take the kids to see the lights at temple square. We thought Trax would be fun and I guess you could say we'll never forget it. Trax was absolutely packed on the way there and not as bad coming home. Future note to self...Christmas lights+Jazz game=Armpit in face.

Coming home.

Virg's for some yummy diner food...and no Brenda, not Virgins.

Full of Thanksgivingness

Thanksgiving was awesome this year! We had 130 Jacksons all come together and celebrate at a junior high school. Yes, I said 130! This was still a fraction of how big we really are. We had ping pong, bowling, balloon making, air hockey, a big screen TV for sports fans, basketball, fuse ball, movie's playing, dodge ball, oh yeah and TONS of food! I also have to mention the company was amazing. My thanks goes out to Erma's family for making it all possible. Especially, Don and Sonja for providing the facility and cleaning up after us. It was one of those days I will always remember.

All of my dad's brother's and sisters. We are missing Colleen who passed away when I was little and who's husband couldn't make it.

I

am... Lacey Camille Jackson Alexander
I think...too much about things    
I know... My ABC'''s
I want... a new camera
I wish... elections were over
I had... an Acura in High school
I hate... Hearing about how it's the end of the world at church
I miss...living on a farm and living close to Erica
I fear... about food storage, ha-ha it's true though
I feel... better than I have in a long time
I hear... Hercules barking at the Schwan's man
I smell... The Kit Kat I'm eating
I crave... Potatoes and Gravy
I search... the internet for blogs (we all do!)
I wonder... what life will be like in a year
I regret...Not standing up for people in school
I love... when Gregg makes me laugh
I care... more than I let on
I always... want more
I am not... very outgoing
I believe... in the Church
I could... travel the world
I dance...in the car
I sing... always
I don't always... know what to say
I write... not very often
I win... rarely
I lose... my stuff everywhere
I never... go shopping a lone
I never listen to... know it alls advice
I can usually be found...at work or home
I am scared of... dirty toilets
I need... reassurance
I am happy about... the upcoming holidays
I tag...my sister in laws

Colby Zane

Curtis and Brenda had their baby on September 29, but I just barely got to meet him this weekend at his blessing. He's super cute and sweet and loves to cuddle. I believe this makes my side of the family up to 11 grandkids.

Colby Zane Jackson 5lbs 10oz 19in

My attempt at a family photo. I took a much better one with Curtis' camera, but by the time I got mine out the boys were ready to be done.

Fall Night

I love FALL for a couple a reasons. First, it reminds me of when we got engaged. I remember looking for a ring and just having butterflies all the time. I remember Gregg proposing in the canyon on a beautiful Fall night with candles everywhere and amazing orange leaves. Gregg loves that it's football season and I love wearing my U of U sweatshirt. Fall to me brings feelings of new exciting beginnings. Now of course I can add France memories to this great season.
Anyway, back to why I'm posting...We had some pumpkins left over from the party on Saturday and at 8 last night after Gregg got home from school I thought it would be a great idea to carve them. I was surprised to see that Gregg had the energy after a long day, but glad he wanted to do it too. As we were gutting our pumpkins I thought it would be a great idea to bake the seeds, I mean how hard could it be? Well, to make a long story short let's just say we will be finding pumpkin seeds in all places of the kitchen for years to come. Another lesson learned is that I really suck at carving pumpkins. Last year I about teared up when mine completely fell apart after working on it forever. This year I decided to try the easiest picture in the book and well...below you see Gregg taking over my dumb cat. I don't even like cats!
So here is our new Fall tradition...Gregg carves and will carve his, mine, and the kids pumpkins from now on while I gut and bake pumpkin seeds.

Gregg taking over. Look at the awful drawing! I can't even trace a stencil!

Our Yummy SALTY seeds!

Me pretending to carve.

The finished product.

She's Home!

My Aunt Erma got home from her mission in Jackson, Mississippi on Thursdsay. Her report was yesterday and it was so good to see her! She is such an amazing person and I just love her to death! I aspire to be just like her because of her hospitality, humbleness, the fact that she never judges, and she always makes me laugh. Her doors are literally ALWAYS open to anyone who needs a room to stay. She has been widowed for around 17 years, but she has always made the most of it. She is not one to let life pass her by. I am so grateful for her example and happy to have her home. It was great to see so much family yesterday and I can't wait for Thanksgiving!

To see more take a look at Amanda's blog!

Halloween 08'

So this year Gregg and I were really excited for Halloween. We were going to be mimes because it seemed easy enough, but when my brother asked me what we were going as I said "mimes" and he said "oh! you put the lime in the coconut..." It took me a second to realize he thought I said "limes" instead of "mimes" and of course we laughed forever about it. I thought "who would go as a lime?" Well, what do ya know? Gregg thought it would be hilarious so we set off in search of a lemon and lime costume. With no luck my mom took to the sewing machine and made these amazing costumes! They turned out great and we won the award for the funniest costume.
The party was wonderful as usual and I can't wait to wear them again on Halloween!

Britt, Me, Staci, and Tricia

So fun to have the girls together! Kaylee "Angel," Jocelyn "Butterfly," and Kenzie "Devil."

The Story

Take your ipod, put it on shuffle and answer the questions with the song you get. I saw this on Aubrey's blog and thought it looked fun.

If someone says " is this okay" you say....
God's Will (Martina McBride) That's what I should say I guess

How would you describe yourself?
Only Fooling Myself (Kate Voegele) About what, I don't know

How do you feel today?
Don't Save Me (30 Seconds to Mars)

What is your life purpose?
Lip Gloss (Lil' Mama) okaaaay....

What do you parents think of you?
Can't You Just Adore Her? (Mandy Moore) ahhh

What do you often think about?
Piano Man (Billy Joel) I really do want a piano

What do you think of the person you love?
Thanks For The Memories (Fall Out Boy)

What is your life story?
'Til I Can Make It On My Own (Martina Mcbride)

What do you want to be when you grow up?
My Immortal (Evanescence)

What do you think when you see the person you love?
Let's Make Love (Faith Hill) Well then...a little tigress!

What will you dance to at your wedding?
Learning To Fall (Boys Like Girls) haha

What will they play at your funeral?
The Long Way Around (Dixie Chicks) I always seem to do that

What is your biggest fear?
America (Jewel) This is true at the moment

What is your biggest secret?
Midnight Bottle (Colbie Caillat) um...no comment

What do you think of your friends?
Think of You (A Fine Frenzy) True True

What did you see out your window today?
Heirlooms (Amy Grant)

What motivates you?
I'll Stand By You (The Pretenders)

What do you dream about?
Voice Inside My Head (Dixie Chicks)

How would you describe your high school years?
Stupid For You (Marie Digby)

What are your hopes for the future?
Break the Silence (Alana Grace)

How would you describe the way you look?
Make Me Sick (Danity Kane) haha somedays...

What is the purpose of your blog?
Looking Forward To Looking Back (Mandy Moore) that's fitting

What goals are you currently working on?
Now (SHeDAISY)

What will the title of this post?
The Story (Brandi Carlile)

The Reasons why I'm not on TV 4

This is the last of France I promise. I know it was forever long. Thanks for all the comments!

The Reasons why I'm not on TV 3

Introducing......Nagy wife.

This bottom one was just kind of funny, cause I'm an idiot.

Reasons why I'm not on TV 2

The Reasons why I'm not on TV

Everyone says this, but I hate my voice.

Boat Tour

We got to the boat just in time to get tickets for the 8:00 tour. Like everything else it went smoothly and perfect. We were 3rd in line so we got the best seats and the sun set as we were taking off and we came back to port just as the light show went off on the Eiffel tower. Look people...I'm a huge pessimist and that's something I'm working on, but I really had nothing to complain about. Everything went great on this trip. Well, okay...so on the boat tour I felt something wet on my hand and it turned out to be bird poo. But, nothing got anywhere else so it was all good. I think in some countries this is actually a sign of luck or at least I'm telling myself this.

Tour Eiffel

I can now check this off my bucket list. I've had dreams about going to the Eiffel Tower and I really wanted a picture of Gregg and I kissing in front of it and it FINALLY happened! I kept saying to Gregg, "this is my DREAM, I can't BELIEVE I'm really here!"
We decided to take the stairs because Rick Steves told us to and for the first 20 flights of stairs it was a good idea, but after that it got to be not such a good idea. It didn't really phase Gregg, but man I had a hard time. The funny thing is that you get a discount if you are under 25 and take the stairs and Gregg kicked butt over me. We only went to the 2nd level (another Rick Steves suggestion) and it was AWESOME! I'm gonna go ahead and even say "Majestic!"

Now I'm going to share kind of a cool story. Gather round...So once upon a time I was having a really frustrating day. Life wasn't going the way I thought it should and I said a little prayer for help. Well, I flipped on the telly and there was Oprah. I'm not a big Oprah fan, but it caught my attention. It was an episode that talked about the book The Secret. Now, I'm a person who thinks if you live as the gospel teaches you will be a happy person, but this book does have a good point. You should always think positive. They also suggested to make a board with goals on it. Supposedly if you make this board you will subconsciously think about it and make it happen. I had hit a low point and I thought "what the heck." So I did it and kept it on the mirror for a while, but took it down when family came to stay because I felt stupid and I forgot all about it.

Fast forward about 5 months....I'm sitting in the back yard trying to think of where to go on a vacation when all of the sudden it hits me...I need to go to France. Why not? I have a cousin there who I love and miss and what better time to go than now? After I convinced Gregg what a great idea it was, we booked tickets. A couple days later I remembered a little goal board I made and ran to the drawer it was shoved into. I pulled it out to find a picture of the Eiffel Tower and next to goal #4 was France. When I wrote it I never thought it would happen, but there you go folks...it did!

Let's just say it was a well needed vacation and I'm so happy we went.