We did lots of fun things post Christmas while in good old U.T. Therefore, this post is really long with
lots of pictures, just so you're forewarned ;) (This one might be a record, even for me, which is frightening! :)
{Strumming the Ole Banjo}
The day after Christmas there happened to be a small guitar concert in the Bushman's living room. Jackson thought it was super cool and didn't hesitate to get in on the action.
I'm pretty sure Jackson is destined to be a gifted musician with so much talent in the family. ;) Ha!
{Shooting}
We all went shooting one afternoon in Payson. It was really foggy which is why we look like we're in Narnia. ;) I'll be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of guns. They scare me. But Troy's dad has this shotgun that doesn't break your shoulder when you pull the trigger, so it was actually pretty fun to shoot. We had a great time!
That would be me in the blue on the right. I know. I don't have the greatest form while shooting. Ha! Troy always teases me about how I hold the gun. I guess I'm kind of tense when I hold them, okay?! Ha ha.
Don't Troy and I look like the stuff with all our sweet shooting poses?!
We had fun! Thanks for letting us tag along all you hunting, gun savvy, family members. :)
{The Carlsens}
While in Payson we got to stop in and see the Brian and Ashley Carlsen. Troy and Brian were roommates way back when. We hadn't seen them in WAY too long. We had a nice lunch and Jackson and Tyson had fun playing with all sorts of cars and trucks. Yes, this was the best picture I could muster of the two little guys. They were more interested in their crackers and juice than being photographed. Thanks for a lovely lunch Carlsens. It was SO good to see you!!
{Bushman Family Get Together}
We had a get together with Troy's Bushman cousins in Highland while we were in town. We hadn't seen them since last Christmas so it was pretty fun to be all together and visit.
We are quite the group these days! This is everyone minus ten children. The kids were occupied in the stellar playroom for most of the night...
Mckay was so cute to keep all the little guys entertained back there.
Me and Jackson with Troy's cousin Jill, her son Easton, and Uncle Ken in the back. We just love these guys. They are so fun.
And here we are playing with cameras. Matt sort of became a super model! Ha.
T-roy with our cute niece Grace.
While at Uncle Ken and Aunt Linda's house, Jackson picked up the whole gun thing himself. He saw all the other boys playing with them and thought it looked fun I guess. He came out of the playroom with this pretend gun. He had it upside down and sometimes backwards and could barely hold it up. But he still knew he was supposed to do sound effects. So funny.
{Picture Perfect}
I am ELATED to announce that while we were in town Suz took our family pictures again. I know, right?! We are the luckiest in the world! She took the CUTEST snowy pictures of us in downtown Payson. I can't WAIT to see how they turn out after she works her photoshop magic. She really is amazingly talented. If anyone wants to hire her, she's extremely reasonable. Check out her lovely photo blog here:
http://suzbushmanphotography.blogspot.com/
I love this picture, so cute.
Matt served as Suz's faithful assistant. He was really good at getting JT to smile, something that is sometimes a feat. Like I already said, I just can't wait to see how they turn out. I'm sure you are all on the edge of your seats too. No need to be anxious. I'll post pictures the moment they are in my possession. Sigh. I love pictures.
{A Goodwood Adventure}
Arizona has just about every store or restaraunt you could ever want, save one: Goodwood Barbeque. Mmm. It was one of our favorite places to eat back in the days of Provo living.
Troy and I were discussing how many important things have happened to us in this restaraunt. Such as:
- I met Troy's friend Bryce during my first visit to Goodwood. Bryce
paid for our meals to celebrate Troy having broken his long non-kissing
streak. ;) Ha!
- After becoming engaged. My parents met Troy's parents at the Goodwood.
- We announced Jackson was coming to Ryan and Christy Dalling at the
Goodwood. This was partly because I was so sick all I could do is stare
at my hamburger and wonder if I was going to make it through the meal.
We wanted them to know why I was out of spirits and basically I couldn't
keep the secret any longer anyway. Luckily, my pregnancy nausea didn't
deter my love of the Goodwood cuisine.
- The Bushmans all went out to dinner the night before Landon and Steph were sealed. We ate at Goodwood.
- After nursing school graduation, the traditional graduation lunch?
Held at Goodwood. This was Jackson's first visit to the adored
restaurant. He was two weeks old.
See? It's an important place! The best thing about the Goodwood is the Honey Stung Chicken Sandwich. It will change your life. Guaranteed. It's completely delicious. Nearly everyone at the table ordered the beloved sandwich. Here is photographic proof of its magnificence...
Troy was enjoying his so much he didn't want to look at me for a picture.
But I got him eventually ;)
Both Matt and Mckay are mesmerized, but Matt's expression is classic. Love it.
Jackson's dentites aren't quite ready for the honey stung, but he sure enjoyed the fries and ketchup.
I forgot to mention that on the way to Provo to enjoy the honey stung
deliciousness we encountered a semi blizzard. Funny enough it was only
raining in Payson when we left. Luckily we had my sister's four wheel
drive car, but before the before mentioned four wheel drive was on, we
slipped and nearly collided with a cement barrier. Lovely. It was
extremely fortunate Troy was driving because I don't handle snowy
driving situations so well ever since my car accident in high school. I
know what I'm supposed to do, but I panic sometimes. It doesn't help
that I rarely have to drive in it anymore either.
ANYWAY. So on the way back to Payson, we entered the on ramp to the freeway and encountered a
dead stop. We're talking I-15 parking lot. We sat on the on ramp for what felt like a
long time,
listening to KSL tell us that cars had been stuck at that exit for 45
minutes and only moved 15 feet. Perfect. Luckily heaven smiled on us and
all the cars behind us turned around and drove UP the on ramp. Yes,
up.
This meant we could do it too. Hooray! It was quite the rush drive the
wrong way up the street. We were afraid we might get a ticket when 2
police cars with flashing lights followed us up to the street, but
luckily they had bigger problems to take care of.
This is what the freeway looked like as we were escaping after driving illegally ;) We would have been sitting there for hours had that miracle not occurred.
We drove the long way through Provo to get back to the freeway in this kind of weather. It was slow because he plows weren't keeping up with the snow so much. I played with my camera to pass the time.
Provo Tabernacle that burned down last month. My silly camera was too slow to catch the side with all the damage. I am so sad about the loss of this building. We lived one block away and always had stake conference here. It was beautiful inside. I hope they can restore it.
Luckily for all of us Mckay was in our car and helped entertain Jackson. Thanks Mckay!
Don't worry, it only took us nearly 2 hours to get home. A drive that usually takes 20 minutes! I am just sooo glad we didn't get in an accident or get stuck on the freeway for a million hours.
{Pajama Party and Girls Night}
We got the cutest pictures of all the Bushman babies in their footie pajamas one morning. They looked adorable running around in all their fleece.
(This picture of Madi on the bottom with the cars and the wild hair is my favorite! Cute Miss Madi.)
Our last night in Payson, all the boys and Ashley went snowboarding. (I was supposed to go too but I chickened out because the
high for the resort was going to be 19 and they went
night skiing. Talk about freezing frigid cold!) Here is the crew headed out.
While the boys were gone all the women had a girls night! It was lots of fun. We made treats, chatted and watched a movie. Unfortunately all the kiddos were kind of crazy. Grace got sick and Jackson was as hyper as could be. Ha ha! Next time we'll have to leave the babies with the boys ;)
{Other Payson Excitement}
More miscellaneous activities while in P-town...
Madi, Grace and Jackson all love Elmo.
Jackson and Grace were able to spend a lot of time together while we were in Payson. Grace is so cute. Too bad Jackson wasn't the nicest at times. (Sorry Gracie, Jackson doesn't understand that you're supposed to be gentle with girls. He beats me up too! Love, Aunt Brooke)
Uncle Matt giving Jackson towel rides across the kitchen floor.
Bry and Ash watching a football game with us.
We loved being able to spend so much time with all of our Bushman peeps. Thanks for having us!
{Ringing in 2011}
We traveled back to Bountiful on New Year's Eve. Ringing in 2011 was lots of fun.
First we went to dinner at Iggy's with the Martins. Yum.
Then we went home and played games. Here are various shots of us playing "smurf." It was quite the entertaining game.
Jackson wore Grandpa out with his never ending requests for airplane rides ;)
I totally fell asleep before midnight came along. When did I get so old? Luckily I woke up for the last few minutes of 2010 so I could count down and get my new year's kiss ;)
The New Year celebrations totally wore Jackson out. So much that he fell asleep on Jeremy's arm the next morning. He slept through me taking him to bed and through an entire movie after that. Unbelievable!
Mom was the nicest and stayed with Jackson while we went to see the new Narnia movie. Great fun.
This is Jackson dancing in the
cute new Sunday outfit Grandma and Grandpa gave him for Christmas. He looked like a stud! He loved that he had a tie on just like Dad, Grandpa, and Uncle Jeremy. It was really cute how excited he was about it.
He even had to wear his tie with his t-shirt when he found it on the counter the next day. He was dancing around holding his tie and loving life.
Thank you SO much for letting us come stay with you for forever Bountiful family. We loved being there for all the holiday excitement. Love you!
So now we're finally back in Arizona. We had so much fun, but it will be good to get back to routine a little bit. Although I think Jackson is missing all that extra attention.
Can you believe Christmas is over? It's January now. Crazy. Bring on 2011!
