Utah Valley Competition at Alta - Last Invitational

On Saturday, January 9th, the MMHS Elleves competed in their last invitational competition of the season. It was a great competition and we competed against three other teams from our region.

A couple of the girls being crazy before we performed our hip hop:

Team lunchtime:

We had to vacuum our room at the end so we could get our room checked off, and the vacuum was the highlight of the clean up! They said it looked like a "Ghostbuster" vacuum. At least we didn't have any problems getting someone to vacuum--they all wanted to try it out!

A team prayer before going down for the awards:
Team pep talk about good sportsmanship--no matter what!

The team with their trophies:

We ended up taking 2nd in Kick and 2nd in Hip Hop, 3rd in Military, and 3rd in Dance! We were excited once again. One of our team goals this year was to place at every invitational competition. Well, not only did we make that goal, we surpassed it! We placed in the top 5 at every competition with each of our four competition routines! That is so awesome, especially for a first-year team!

Now we are gearing up for Region and State! Region is on January 21st at MMHS at 6 p.m. I am nervous but also excited. It should be a great competition--our region is very competitive and each school has a good drill team. State is on January 29th at UVU.

Only two more weeks now of hard-core competition for drill team. After that, all the pressure will be gone!

Birthday Lunch

Since my birthday was on December 7th and Amy's birthday is on January 10th, we got together on Saturday, January 2nd at The Cheesecake Factory to celebrate. It was a great time and great food--but especially good cheesecake!

Here we all are:

The birthday girls with the best part--the cheesecake!

When you go there on your birthday, they decorate the plate like this:

There was also a candle to blow out!

We actually had three pieces of cheesecake to share amongst us! The three kinds were: Red Velvet Cheesecake, White Chocolate Macadamia, and Dulce de Leche. I think we all agreed that the Red Velvet one was the best. But the White Chocolate Macadamia one was delicious also!

It was another great time and good conversation! I'm looking forward to the next one--I think it will be in March for my mom's birthday.

New Year's Eve

For New Year's Eve, Scott and I went out to eat at Tepenyaki's in Provo. We love it! We had to wait for a little bit, it is always busy on New Year's. Here we are waiting to be seated:

Our Chef--in the middle of the action:
We took this picture and I said, "I look cheesy," and the chef heard what I said and said, "Yeah, you do!" He was a fun chef--I love it when you have a fun one.

After dinner, we went to the movie, "Avatar" --in 3D. Here we are with the 3D glasses on:The movie was pretty good, I didn't know if I would like it or not, it isn't really "my type" of movie. But, I ended up liking it. It was a little long--when it ended, I looked at my watch and said to Scott--"Oh, Happy New Year!" It was 12:15 already.

Paula's Dinner Party

My sister Paula had a dinner for all of the family a couple days after Christmas at her house in Alpine. We had a good time getting together and the kids had a good time playing with the new toys that the Nielson's had got for Christmas! Here some of the kids are checking out the new doll house that Sophie got:

Cade put on a small magic show for us all. Here he is getting ready to make the salt shaker under the napkin disappear!

It was a good time and Paula and Casey had some tasty food for us all! The best part was that we got to watch Casey's light show outside when we left. It was awesome! So cool--especially the one set to the Black Eyed Peas song--"I've Got a Feeling". Casey did a great job on the light show. He is already making plans for the show for next year!

Sorry we didn't take too many pictures--we will try to do better, especially since we have new cameras!

Christmas Day

Scott and I stayed over at my parent's house on Christmas Eve. So did Annie, Jim, and boys. So that morning, we got to share in Ryan's discovery of his stuff from Santa. It was a lot of fun. I think kids are what makes Christmas so special and fun.

Here is Ryan running over to see what he got:

Checking it all out.
Trying out the new slide!

But, I think his favorite was the Gap stroller! He loved pushing it around. And even getting a ride in it himself!

My dad and mom opening presents:

We had a great Christmas and I'm always glad we can spend it with my parents. My dad got a new game and we spent a lot of time playing it. Scott became the champion! It was a lot of fun! Christmas is always a special time and it is especially special when you can spend it with your family!

Hollie's Birthday

December 22 is Hollie's birthday, so when they came down for Christmas Eve, we gave Hollie her birthday present. Here she is with the present. I made sure we wrapped it in "birthday" wrapping paper--not Christmas paper. Since my birthday is in December, I know what it is like to get your birthday presents wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper!

We gave her a new coat.
She loved and it and looked very cute in it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLLIE!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we all meet at my parent's house in Levan for dinner. We had a great time this year and ate some more yummy food! Here we are preparing desserts:

More dessert prep:
Scott and I in our festive shirts!

My parent's Christmas tree:

After dinner, we all met in the front room and I played Christmas carols and some of the kids came in and sang along. It was fun! Here is Ryan helping me out:

Keaton and Amy watching the Brenchley girls open their presents:

Everyone was excited when Kaycee, Jason, and baby Emmalee arrived. Here she is with Grandpa Scott:

And another shot with Grandma Molly:

Emmalee and Jake--he wasn't too happy to have his picture taken!

Grandma J. and my mom holding Emmalee:

The happy grandparents:

Jason, opening a present:

Hollie, opening a present. Emmalee looks like she is interested in what it is!

Kaycee opening a present:

Amanda opening one of her favorite presents!

Christmas Eve was a lot of fun! It always is great to get together with family.

Jackson Family Christmas Party

Okay--so I'm really behind on my blog! Christmas and the month of January has kept me really busy. But, I'm going to try and get caught up this weekend!

The Jackson Family Christmas party was held on Sunday, December 20th at the Red Cliffs Elementary School in Nephi. We had a great time meeting with family, enjoying good food, and playing some games. Amanda, Hollie, and Kaycee, Jason, & Emmalee were not able to attend with us.

Here are some pictures from the party:

Me holding my nephew Jake.
Scott and me.

Sophie showing us her silly face!

Me and my nephew Ryan.

The Jackson siblings--Lisa, Bart, Grandma J., Scott, Judy, Sandra, and Barbara.

My nephew, Nick.

Another cute nephew--Max.

Another nephew, Keaton and his mom and my sister, Amy.

Paula helping Ryan with one of the games.

The conversation had been brisk, but then suddenly, simultaneously, everyone just got dog tired! My brother in law, Jason!

The party was great! Can't wait until next year, except I think we need to bring back the gift exchange game! I missed that this year and I had a funny gift to bring!