Happy 3rd Birthday Jacob!

 Opening his trains from us

 Trains and train table with a "Choo! Choo!" face

 Play tent

 New bike!

 "Silly guys" shirt from Gramby

Blowing out his birthday ice cream, since he hates cake

I love this little man! He has brought such joy and laughter into our home. Sure, he keeps me busy always chasing after him. He gets into all sorts of trouble and is a very curious guy. But I love him dearly. He is always wearing a smile, willing to give a hug or kiss, and one of the most polite children ever. Always there with the "please" and "thank you". I cannot imagine my life without him. He is so precious and tender. He makes me smile! I am so blessed to have him as my son. Happy 3rd Birthday Boo Bear!

Merry Christmas!

May we always remember the true reason for this season. Merry Christmas!

Our 2011 Christmas Letter (for those I didn't get it out to)

Dear Friends and Family,
Another year of adventure, fun, and plain old real life has passed us by again! I think time has started moving at warp speed because I don’t know how it got to be Christmas already. The big news of the year is that we got a cat, Penelope, whom we all love. She’s brought a lot of fun and laughs to our house. And now for the update . . .

Marshall: Has been working for the government as a prosecutor for two years now and STILL enjoys his job. How many people can say that? There is a never a lack for interesting stories in his life now. He has helped start the Washington County Mental Health Court and oversees all the cases. He’s been bishop for 3 ½ years and still is sane! We love him.

Sue: Had plans to run the St. George Marathon in October, but a stress fracture in her leg during training changed that all. After being injured for 5 months, and wearing an obnoxious boot on her leg, she is now free to start exercising again. What an adventure it was to follow Jacob around while booted! Sue also keeps busy with home improvement projects, as the Laurel Advisor at church, and filling the role of super mom and wife.

Anna 9 ½: Loves 4th grade, her teacher, and helping out in the lunch room line. She completed her goal of reading the Book of Mormon on her own before turning 9. She keeps busy with friends, reading, sketching, piano, writing stories, and Activity Days. Her favorite play this year is “Les Miserables”, which she saw on a field trip. She takes after her father and is an avid fan of musicals.

Rachel 7 ½: 2nd grade has been much kinder to Rachel than 1st. She now goes to school without tears and really loves her teacher. Shy Rachel has become our little social butterfly and has made friends with a few girls in our neighborhood. They always are playing together. Legos, Wii games, and our cat Penelope are among her favorites.

Jimmy 5 ¾ : Kindergarten rocks! Riding the bus, learning how to read, and playing with friends at school. Jimmy loves school. He enjoys doing crafts and creating things, like the bird house he built with Mom. Jimmy is fascinated by dinosaurs, mummies, and reptiles and repeatedly checks out library books on those subjects with his own new library card.

Jacob almost 3: Often called insane, with the hair to prove it, Jacob enjoys life to the fullest. He never stops, which is why his napping less has made his mother very sad and tired. When he’s not running off to visit the neighbors, digging in the garden, filling his dump truck with rocks, begging to live with Mickey Mouse, trying to demolish the house, or chasing the cat, Jacob is one pretty cute loving guy. Jimmy and Daddy are his heroes, but he almost always wants Mom.

How blessed we are at this time of year to remember the birth of our Savior and the joy that brings to us. May you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love and miss you all,

The McConkies

My Christmas Gift

Ever since we moved into our house, almost 4 1/2 years ago, I have wanted to replace the carpet on the stairs and in all of the upstairs. The carpet is the original from when the house was built in 1997 and was showing it's age. Not to mention that it is a light cream and that shows any kind of stains. Last year we replaced that said carpet in the downstairs office. Next on my list was the upstairs hall. When Marshall asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year, I told him new carpet in the hall. (I want new carpet all upstairs, but one thing at a time, right?) So he talked to our dear neighbor, who does carpet, and together they picked out carpet for me. Today was the big installation day and I am giddy over my new carpet. I love it!!!!! I guess it means I am officially old since I asked for new carpet for Christmas this year. But who cares! 

During installation

New carpet!!!!

The Great Outdoors, a.k.a. Jacob's Potty

I know that I blog a lot about Jacob, but I've never had a child like him. He is his own person and will do whatever he wants whenever he wants, regardless of rules, me, or anything else that might stand in his way. It's like the Lord has taken all of the crazy parts of my other children and molded them into one, Jacob.

I should have known I would be in trouble when during potty training, Jacob went and peed in our next door neighbor's front bushes. Right by their front window. They weren't home at the time, but she thought it a hoot when I told her, apologizing because I thought she had been at home. Nothing has changed with Jacob since that day. In fact, he thinks the outdoors are his bathroom free space.

I am sure almost all of our neighbors have seen his little bum cheeks as they've driven up the street and seen Jacob out front letting it go. He is faster than lightening and can get those pants down and stream going before I even know what is going on. He loved to pee in our garden during the summer. I thought the colder weather would stop him from his outdoor habit, but not so. He still prefers to do #1 outside. Is it the fresh air? Freedom? Who knows?! I myself prefer the warm house.

Yesterday he was playing out back and I witnessed him pulling down his pants and peeing in a bucket in the sandbox. Ahhhhh! Before I could get to him he was busily mixing sand and pee. I wish he had gotten it all in the bucket, but he managed to get some in the sand as well. He was very perplexed at my disgust.

His Granddad McConkie thinks this is all a brilliant solution to the problem of not having water. Jacob probably wanted to play in wet sand and so decided to make his own. Not having an idea of germs, he didn't think it would be a big deal. Of course, Granddad can giggle and awe over it all he wants because he didn't have to clean up the mess! Evil grandparents.

Oh Jacob, where will you strike next? Just think of all the stories we can embarrass him with when he is older. I hope and think by then he should be house trained, right?

One of my favorite treats . . .

Candy Cane Hershey Kisses. Another reason to love this time of year. If you like candy canes, you have to try these smooth minty treats. Mmmmm!