Called to Serve......saying goodbye!

Our good friends Sherm and Sherry Margetts have been called to serve as Mission President in the Fukuoka, Japan Mission. They have been serving with us as first counselor in the Singles Ward. It's hard to say goodbye but we know that they are going to do such an awesome job in Japan. The missionaries and every one else they come in contact with will love them as much as we do. Last night was their last FHE with us so we enjoyed a yummy sloppy joe dinner, visiting and saying goodbye. Our ward conference is on Sunday so they will be getting released so they can prepare for their mission. Sherm served his mission in Japan over 35 years ago, so he has a lot of work to do to relearn the language. Sherry has to learn a prayer and her testimony in Japanese.

Grandpa...can we go to the Reindeer Store?

We heard that Carter wanted to go to the Reindeer Store. Since AJ had ordered some waders and they had come in and we needed to pick them up we took Carter with us. We saw them feed the bass. They feed them goldfish. Yuck. Then we walked around and looked at all the animals. We went upstairs to where they have target shooting. So you have to get tokens well, the 1 dollar bill that I had wouldn't work, I had a ten, but AJ gave it back to me. So he got frustrated and finally used a 20 and got twenty dollars worth of tokens. Then Carter was afraid to shoot and to small. By then Carter was hungry and wanted lunch so we drove to McDonalds however, on our way he fell asleep and we tried to wake him -- so we took him home with his Happy Meal. The End.

On our Way

Here's the Reindeer Store



On our way to McDonalds

Happy Valentine's Day

AJ surprised me yesterday with flowers and a card and I gave him a Marie Calendar's Coconut Cream Pie (his favorite) and a card today. We have a surprise birthday party/dinner tonight for our friend who turns 70!!!!

Human Games

Last night was our ward activity and they called it human games. This is the game SORRY. One of the girls knitted hats - blue, green, red, yellow for the play pieces (humans).

Ward Ski Night

Saturday night was our annual ski night up at Brighton Ski Resort. We had over 60 kids come which is fantastic. It was such a great night. The weather was good and so was the food and company. We did end up with one mishap - one of the girls broke her hand.

Smoke Alarm.......False Alarm

Last night we went to bed and I was hoping for a good nights sleep since I haven't slept well at all because of the strep throat....and at 2:09 our smoke alarms went off--the ones that were put in when our house was built....I even felt our door before I went out....SO we went around not really knowng what to do there definitely wasn't a fire or smoke just COLD -- I turn the heat down quite a bit during the night. So about 8 minutes later they stopped. We went back to bed trying to get back to sleep when at 2:50 the alarms went off again. SO this time AJ went around and disconnected 7 alarms -- and the last one was in our room. It would not stop ringing after he had pulled it out so I took it into our laundry room and put towels over it and shut the door. I slept right through AJ getting up and getting ready for work and I finally woke up at 7:20. So I went into the laundry room and it was still ringing that shrill ring and I noticed that our washing machine and been unplugged -- I knew I hadn't done that well it turns out that when AJ was leaving for work he heard that noise and thought it was the machine I guess he didn't realize that I had put the alarm in there and put towels over to muffle the sound....Anyway I took out the battery out and it stopped...but now should I put them all back in and wait to see what happens tonight....We actually have 4 other alarms that aren't connected to them. So maybe I'll wait a few days.

Happy New Year........Goodbye...... Countdown.......Strep Throat

Everyone came over for New Year's Eve. I made a dinner for those that could come for that. We watched the Utes basketball game and then played Rock Band. I hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve....It was also time for all of us to say goodbye to Meg, Ty and Judson. They left New Years day morning.... It's also my countdown of when they will be done with school in Virginia. Only 16 months to go....I started getting a sore throat that night and all day yesterday - then last night it was really bad so I went to Instacare this morning and sure enough I have strep throat. I just hope nobody else gets it, especially Carter.

Christmas Day

On Christmas morning we woke up to a lot of snow and drifts. The wind blew all night long with heavy snowfall. Many parts of the valley didn't have this. But those of us who live in the south end of the valley did infact Cory and Tara had over 20 inches. And Krin and Court came from Malad where they were having a blizzard also. Krin said it was the scariest drive ever until they hit Perry, UT. But they made it safely. We were suppose to start at 3 p.m. but because of the huge amount of wet heavy snow Cory and Tara had - Court dropped Elsie and Krin off and went out there at three to help them with his snow blower. Megan and Tyler and Judson came at three. So we waited, waited and waited, finally at five Court, Cory, Tara and Carter (who fell asleep in the car) and Ava came. So we opened gifts and then had a nice Salmon dinner (not the traditional exactly) but we enjoyed it. The storm front finally came through around 7 pm so Cory and Tara left and AJ & my sister took my dad back up to Sunrise. The roads were really bad. And it snowed all night. We got another 8 inches of snow. But this was the nice powdery kind. Because of the storm it was a very rushed celebration. But it was nice to have everyone here for Christmas. I love my family. The kids suprised us with Rock Band (I think it's more for them than us)
Christmas Morning Blizzard

Opening Presents

Enjoying Christmas Dinner

Ava being "Cheesy"


That night the storm front came through and we got about 8 more inches of snow - these pictures are from Friday morning we got up at 5:45 cause my sister was flying out so I started snowblowing the driveway. And it snowed most of Friday

Jackson Christmas Party

On Saturday we had the Jackson Family Party. They decided to do it in the morning and we enjoyed a great breakfast. We played the left/right gift exchange game and then had a special visitor come.

Christmas Poem

It's now Chirstmas Eve
And all through our house
It's quiet and peaceful
So I picked up this mouse

And started to write
A few thankful thoughts
Of all that I have
And those who have not

I am so very grateful
For my wonderful life
For my health and my strength
And a wonderful wife

For family and friends
And for each one of you
For the time that we spend
Serving you too

You're a belssing to us
And may you all know
How we love and we cherish
This time that we sow

For each one of you
Is a gift in our life
May you know of our love
Through your struggles and strife

Think of the Savior
And the gift's that he gave
For each one of us
As he went to his grave

For one of those gifts
Is the peace that we find
In doing what's right
Being giving and kind

Thinking of others
Instead of our self
Giving and sharing
Takes no great wealth

Just kind thoughtful deeds
As we live out each day
Serving and giving
In a wonderful way

So the Spirit of Christmas
Is all through the year
The Spirit of Christ
Bringing good cheer

So peace may you find
And peace be your joy
As you celebrate Christmas
Without all the toys

So we wish you all well
At this time of year
A Merry Christmas to all
And a Happy New Year!!!

Love,
Bishop and Sister Jackson

Thanksgiving Point

Last Tuesday night we drove down to Thanksgiving Point to see their holiday light display. You drive threw in your car. Then we went over to Cory and Tara's for Hot Chocolate and some goodies.










Santa's Reindeer





Trying to get Warm