My Jackson is 4 !

I cannot believe that my Jackson is four years old.  A cool story about our Jackson is when he was born.  Don't worry I am not going to share all the horrific details of my labor.  By the way it was horrific.  Jackson's due date was December 27th.  Because of pregnancy complications they induced me on December 13.  I had Jackson on December 14.  That is my dad's birthday. Many of you may or may not know that my dad passed away when I was 13.  So, Jackson never met him. However we gave him his Grandpa Ator's name as a reminder of him and what a great man he was.  That is how Jackson got the name Jackson Boyce McCarty.  A few years ago Elder Bednar gave a talk in conference about God's tender mercies.  I felt like it was a tender mercy of my father in heaven to give me this little guy on my dad's birthday.  It was like the Lord was saying I love you Amanda and so does your dad.  Jackson has been a delight in our life since the moment we had him.  He is so stinking funny.  He says that funniest things and is such a sweet heart.  We are so lucky to have him in our home.  Some things that Jackson is doing and liking at 4

-He loves Transformers, Cars, Indiana Jones, & Star Wars

-He loves football, soccer, and basketball

-He loves to be active . . . playing with his friends . . . riding his bike . . . anything that is outdoors

-He loves his little sister

-He says the best prayers.  The other night he thanked Heavenly Father for the ocean that it is so deep and awesome.  What a great kid.

-He loves preschool and can't wait until he can go to the "big kid school"

-He is learning to write his name and can write almost all of it.

Jackson is such a great kid and we love him so much.  Happy Birthday kiddo.  

Christmas in Utah

One of the fun things about living in Utah is Temple Square at Christmas time. It is so beautiful and you really feel the true spirit of Christmas.  We also had the opportunity to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert at the conference center.  It was incredible.  We got awesome seats and the music of course was amazing.  They had a guest soloist, which I don't remember his name but he was Trevor on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.  Ryan and I were super excited.  They also had Edward Hermann he Richard Gilmore on Gilmore Girls (one of my all time favorite shows).  He did some readings.  It was such a great night.  I love being in Utah at Christmas time.  

Miley's Birthday Party

We had the family over for Miley's 1st birthday party.  It was so fun.  My mom made her a tutu and we had a little princess crown.  She looked so cute.  It is so great to have a girl to dress up.  I can't believe that she is one.  She is such a sweet girl.  She got some great presents and she LOVED her cake.  Thanks to everyone who came.  

Miley and I are Famous!!!

Well kind of. We went to a performance of the live nativity at the Provo Tabernacle and a man from the Daily Herald (local paper) took a great picture of me and Miley looking at the animals. Check it out!!


http://www.heraldextra.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=163192

Miley is ONE!!!!

I can't believe my little baby is one. I can't imagine life without her. She has such a sweet disposition and is so loving. Here are some things that she is up to at one.

-She is walking. I can't believe it. She started walking around 11 months. She is not only walking, but she walks fast.

-She has nine teeth. The better to eat with my dear.

-She loves getting into anything that has a handle. Lately it has been the playstation cupboard, and Jackson's dresser.

-She has more hair than I know what to do with.

-She loves Jackson so much, she gives him hugs all the time.

-She gives kisses on the cheek (better watch out because sometimes those kisses may come with a bite, she's already a Twlight fan)

-She sleeps through the night since she was 2 months old. That is the best thing ever.

-Yesterday she started to sip through a straw for the first time, I don't know if she totally liked the Sprite she was getting, but I was a proud mama.

-She certainly lives up to her nickname "Smiley Miley"

-She says, Mama, and Dadda, and Baba (which we thinks may mean bottle)

We love this little girl and I am so grateful to have her part of our family.

Family Pictures 2008