Photographer Jack

For Christmas Jack got a new digital camera- just a crayola kid camera. He lOVES it! He follows me and Hank around the house all day saying "say cheese!" He was so excited to bring his camera to Pocatello to see my grandparents because he wanted to take a picture of my Grandma's dog Buster. He is getting pretty good at taking pictures at everyone else's expense.
On the way there he saw a train he just HAD to get a picture of.

A lovely picture of one of the hundred pictures of me.

He was so hilarious telling my Grandpa to say cheese!

A self portrait of Jack.

Grandma Cowman

Baby Ben

The fish tank at the Veterans center where my Grandpa is.

And his prize picture of the day Grandma's dog Buster.


Jack didn't take this picture with his camera, but he came out of his room SO proud of himself because he can get dressed all by himself now! Let's just say sometimes as a mom you just have to smile, say they look great, and look away. Especially when he dresses himself to go somewhere out of the house... He is such a nut and is growing up so fast. Jack is at the stage where he can do EVERYTHING by himself which requires a LOT of patience from his mom and dad.

Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas this year with family and fun. We had our first Christmas in our new house. It was so fun to wake up with our little family to see what Santa brought. Christmas was fun as a kid, but having your own kids makes it so much more fun. Jack talked about Santa and Christmas for a month before. Cort was so excited he had a hard time sleeping and wanted to wake Jack up in the morning.
Santa even left Jack and Hank a letter!
The presents under the tree.
Jack and Hank's stockings.
Hank was so funny Christmas morning. He opened all his presents in the buggy he got from Grandpa Rod and Staci. I think he just didn't want Jack to get in it.

Then we went to Granny and Pa's house. Santa found Jack and Hank here also- Big time!

We have to wait until Pa wakes up to go into the living room to see what Santa brought. So, about 9:30 we ran in. Jack did sneak in early and yelled "I got a Buzz toy!" He was not happy when Granny ran in and took him out. I love the Santa hat Jack wore- he does EVERYTHING Sawyer does, it is a good thing Sawyer is a good influence.

Hank's grand appearance.
We all got nerf guns and had many nerf gun fights. My dad is such a good sport letting Jack and Sawyer shoot him a million times.

My little brother Scotty- he is single and available- any takers?

Jack gave Cort a box of ping pong balls for his new ping pong table!

Nate's favorite present Susan Boyle CD. He loves her!

Hank would have just loved wrapping paper.

Hank got a new rocking horse.

We love Christmas!!!!

What a bunch of dorks. Did I mention the one on the left is single?

Our nephew Baby Ben's first Christmas. So cute!

This is of Hank exactly one year ago. Amazing how fast they grow.

And the traditional Christmas dinner picture.

Country Living

I have lived on main street my entire life. Cort lived in Holbrook growing up- if you don't know where that is there is a reason, because it is in the middle of NOWHERE about 30 miles west of Malad. He would move back there in a heartbeat if I would let him, there is also a reason why I won't... Anyway, Cort has always been a country boy at heart. When we first got married we had a lot of adjustments to figure out living on main street in the big P-town. We are so thankful for those times we had living next door to my parents for seven years. Now I can really say that I live in the country though. It only takes about six minutes to get to town (if I am driving) but we really are in the middle of (in our opinion) the most beautiful place in the valley. Surrounded by mountains, a reservoir, and rolling hills as far as you can see. We love that we have our horses right outside and a four wheeler and tractor to scrape snow with. This first month has been a little bit of an adjustment for me. I have to actually plan for the day when I leave the house for what I might need. I can't just run home to grab something if I need it while I am in town. I love that when I am done with work or whatever and headed home that I am going home to stay the rest of the night. It has been so relaxing so far to just be home. We have been able to spend so much more time with our boys and have been able to do some things we have put off for a few months while building the house. Cort has pretty much made the house his hobby by still building things like a cupboard for my dining room, T.V. stand, cold air returns, door bell cover, and a frame for our family picture. He loves working with wood and is very good at it. We have been able to have a few parties- OK a LOT of parties and plan to have many more. The boys have adapted very well to living here as Jack says "in my new house in Glendale." Our ward is great and we have moved right in and are very comfortable with where we are. I know I have posted about this already but we are still continually thankful for all the help we received in building, moving, settling, etc. We just love this laid back country living...

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve day we spent at Grandpa Rod's house. Jack had a blast riding his snowmobile.

He also liked to slide down the slide in the snow.

Grandpa Rod and Staci gave Jack a motorcycle bike. He loves to ride it in our basement.
And this was Hank's favorite Christmas present. He wouldn't get out of this thing all day.

Christmas eve we made our way to Coby and Steph's house where Steph made a yummy dinner. We relaxed and watched all the cousins play with each other. We had a great Christmas Eve and are glad we were able to spend it with family.
Grandma and Grandpa Bradley and some of their grandkids.

Grandma Cowman

We have been able to travel to Pocatello a lot the past year to visit Grandma Cowman since Grandpa is in the Veterans center. She absolutely loves her great grandboys and the great grandboys love their "Double G!"

Sewing???

I want to be a sewer. My MIL has taught me to sew a few things and with her guidance and her super nice sewing machine I have succeeded in making an apron and a skirt. I have also (by myself) made a bag, and a few rag quilts. I went to a sewing class once when I was in high school and swore I would never return. I left crying because I could sew a straight line. Am I a perfectionist? I didn't think so but I guess some things just drive me crazy. My mom took Shannon and I to a binding class here in town. I should have remembered how I felt from my first sewing class that I left crying from and saved myself the frustration. I guess I will keep trying and little by little I might become a sewer.

Check out how our bindings turned out... Good thing these projects were just practice because none of them turned out how they were supposed to.

Egbert Family Christmas Party

Every year we get to go to a gymnastics gym for our Egbert family Christmas party. And every year it is still SO much fun. Jack and Hank loved to run around, jump on the tramps, slide down the slide, and jump in the pit of foam squares.
Family pic in the pit.

The gift exchange- yes it is always this crazy.
Our whole family was there this year.
Cort jumping from the top into the pit.
I couldn't believe Jack wanted to jump from the top, and he did it twice! Then got a little freaked out.
The boys playing on the tunnel.

A fun filled Thanksgiving weekend

We were definitely busy this Thanksgiving weekend and the Jones' residence. We had Cort's family over for Thanksgiving and had such a good time. We were able to get a lot done on our house, thanks to everyone that came, and had a delicious dinner and lots of other yummy meals.
Cort, Ryker, and Bob made a cabinet for our new T.V. that we braved the crowds and bought on black Friday! Again, I am amazed at Cort's woodsman skills, I will take a picture of the finished project.
Bob put up my Christmas tree. I was so excited because I can finally use all my cook Hallmark ornaments.
Jack LOVES his "best friend" cousin Kai'le. She is so good to him and Jack cried for an hour when she had to go home.
Grandma Jami decorated gingerbread cookies with the kids. It takes great concentration to put frosting on a cookie.
The boys had so much fun with their Grandma here.
Brodee, Grandma, and Jack
The finished product, doesn't it look yummy?
And the clean up crew licking the counter.
The kitchen help. Chef Stacy, and the clean up crew-Jami, and Amanda.
Maybe the best cook I know my SIL Stacy. I have a lot to learn from her, my first lesson- buy new knives... SANTA...
And the Thanksgiving dinner.
The kids' dinner table.
Saturday night we had some friends over to go to the parade and play cards. We always have so much fun with these guys. We even stayed up until 1:00 playing. We went to the Festival of Lights and Jack was so excited to see the parade and get candy.

We were walking to our cars and stopped for a photo op in a little car that was in the parade.
At the parade with Shelly Hubbard and Claire.
We love the Festival of Lights parade!
Cort had a big mouth all night thinking he is a good card player so Hayden took him in speed. He still wasn't humbled after losing multiple games all night.
The best friends in the world! These guys are seriously awesome. We have to much fun with our friends.
Jack loves his friends too.