Three things about ME . . .

If you know me really well, you know 3 things about me:

1. My little family is the most important thing to me. I only want the absolute best for them.
2. I am totally OCD when it comes to cleaning. I love a clean house and clean kids more than just about anything else.
3. I love a good deal. I am a bargain shopper; I like nice things for a good price. I love coupons!!!

So, when I found out about a store that fills all of these needs, I WAS SO EXCITED! You know the feeling when you have found out something so great and you just want to share it with everyone you know? Well, that's me right now! : )

I have been thinking about green products for awhile now. I worry with my kids and how long I should wait before I bathe them after I cleaned the bath, the strong smells that my cleaners left, etc. I love certain products because of their smell and the way they cleaned. But, when a product makes your eyes water and your nose run while using it, it is just NOT okay. I have bought a few Method (green) products from Target, but haven't been overly impressed. My friend had been posting on FB how much she loved her green products she had switched to, and I know that she is a clean freak like me, so I got the info. For just $1, I switched stores and started switching out all of my products for green, natural, better-for-you (and your home) products. Everything from deodorant and lotion, to laundry detergent and disinfectant. I have been so happy with the quality and effectiveness, and I feel so much better about having safe products in our home, especially with my kids. Did you hear about this craziness?

I was so surprised with the variety of products available too, and for the cost. I love that the cleaning products are concentrated so they last a lot longer. I'm buying the same kinds of products I did before, but I'm no longer wasting money on advertising, fillers, and toxic chemicals. I'm actually saving money buying better quality, all-natural products that are helping me and my family be more healthy. It's a win win!

And, I can't believe what the old products I used to use have in them. There are so many harmful toxins, carcinogens, and other chemicals in products you use (and I used to use) EVERY DAY! If there are better, safer, affordable products out there, why not use them?!?!  Please read these articles (Thanks Bree for the links):

*ABC News: Chemicals in beauty products
*Hidden dangers in cleaning products
*Cancer-causing ingredients in laundry products
*Harmful chemicals in baby shampoo
*Chemicals & Cosmetics
*'Green' products that aren't so green
*Consumer Reports: Harmful chemicals found in products related to asthma and other health issues

I am SO glad I made the switch. I love that I am protecting my family and saving money doing it! Until the end of June, you can start making the switch for just $1 too. Message me or e-mail me at jilljake7(at)yahoo(dot)com for more info. or if you have questions. I'd love to help!

And, be ready for some blogging. I'm back! Does anyone blog anymore? : ) It's been WAY TOO LONG!

DANCING QUEEN - BROOKLYN!!!

In September, Brooklyn started dance class. She takes once a week from Jill Searle in Shelley. It is ballet and tap class. She LOVES it, and I love it. It is so fun to watch her, and to watch her coordination improve. Love this girl!!!

My sweet little girls!!!

THE REAL REASON FOR MY LACK OF BLOGGING - PRESCHOOL. . .

So, the real reason for my bad blogging is this: I started teaching preschool. Brooklyn is 4 and I was looking at my options of where to send her, and decided I could do it, after all, I did teach kindergarten! I have two classes; a M/W/F class and a T/T class. It keeps me extremely busy! There is so much prep work and planning, and between that and being a mom, and keeping up with everything else, it just consumes me. Oh well, Brooklyn LOVES it, and that is all that matters.

The cute little Miss B on her first day of Preshool at The Kiddie Garden!

My M/W/F class - I love them!

My cute little T/T class!
My M/W/F class when we were learning about luaus. Love them!!!

They really are such cute little kiddos, and I love teaching again. It is hard with London though, thank goodness Erica takes her most days for me. She has SAVED me! So now you know my life - kids and more kids.

FALL TRAVELS. . .

In October, we went to Las Vegas for one of our college friend's, Gary's, wedding. We stopped in St. George on the way down and walked around the temple. This is my favorite temple ever, I just love it!

We took the kids to the M&M Factory, so fun!

The girls and I waiting outside the temple for the happy couple to come out. I had to get a picture by a palm tree.
On the way home, we stopped in Kanosh, UT to visit Grandpa Watts' and Uncle Jacob's graves. Brooklyn and London picked dandelions for Uncle Jacob.

Such a fun trip and it was so fun to see so many of our college friends! Congrats Gary and Valerie!!!

Big Time Catch Up - Summer 2011

We traveled a lot this summer. First up in June, a family reunion in Mesquite, NV for my mom's side of the family. We had fun playing in the heat, swimming, meeting family, and gambling. : )

This picture is four generations. My great-great aunt Helen, my Grandma Jan, my Mom Patti, me, little Miss Brooklyn and Little London. Kind of fun!

Next up: The Fourth of July - Idaho Falls style. We went to Driggs on the 3rd for the Huntsman Celebration, then the good old parade on the 4th followed by a barbeque and the fireworks down by the river. Both kids did awesome! Brooklyn wore my Dad's sound deafening earphones and London loved it noise and all!

Next up: a trip in July to visit my grandparents in Garden Valley. Brooklyn had her first smores. I think they were a hit.
London loved the dog. : )
Ben picked us up in Boise, and we were off for California. Ben's grandpa passed away, and we went to Chico for the funeral. With the family, after the funeral, we caravaned to Kanosh, UT for the burial. Memorable trip for sure, but the kids did great, and it was great to see the family. We went to Cove Fort since we were so close.

The cute kiddos at Cove Fort. Fun to visit there - my Grandpa and Grandma Jacobson served their mission there.

After we got home from CA/UT, life had seemed to settle down. At the beginning of August, my sister's husband, Andy, passed away. He had been in Idaho Falls for about a week and a half and was working as a manager for Sam's Club. Erica was still in AZ, and was getting things ready to move up. So unexpected and still so hard, still breaks our hearts for Erica. She was amazing, and even bore her testimony at his funeral. She amazes me everyday.

Sorry for the lack of pictures, I promise to do better. Up next - fall!!!

DENVER - MAY 2011

We decided very last minute to take a little trip to Denver. Brooklyn was pretty much bouncing off of the walls when we told her we were going! : ) We left on Saturday and were able to stay until the next Sunday. As always, it was so nice to get away and we had a great time! We stayed the first night in Cheyenne, WY with my aunt and uncle and it was so fun to visit them. Thanks to them for being so wonderful. The next morning, we got up and drove another 2 hours to Denver. where sunshine and warm weather greeted us. : ) It was fun to be able to visit with our family, and Brooklyn had so much fun playing with her cousin Caroline. We did lots of fun things during our visit:

The Downtown Aquarium (pardon Brooklyn's fit)

Tiny Town
We rode the train!

London and Henry enjoying the sights of Tiny Town.

Playing at Tiny Town

The ever popular mall carousel
Brooklyn decorated Grandma and Grandpa's sidewalks for them. Her cute bunny she drew:

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Watts for letting us come last minute and for all of the wonderful meals in and out, fun things to do, and most of all - the great company! We love and miss you guys!

PRINCESS BROOKLYN TURNS 4!!!

This little beauty turned 4 on Saturday, May 14! I can't believe she is 4 years old! We celebrated princess style first with a "friend" party Friday afternoon! She had 7 little girl friends over . . . it was a party!!!

We played every princess game imaginable: 1. Put Cinderella in her castle window. 2. Guess what princess I am? 3. Find Snow White's poisoned apple. 4. Princess puzzles. 5. Princess coloring. 6. Musical Princesses, and so on and so on. We had princess cupcakes of course. : )

The princesses themselves. Such cute little friends!

On Saturday night, we had a family party with my family. The above is a classic shot of B these days. Funny girl! :)

Little Miss London all dressed up. So funny!

B got a unicorn pillow pet from Aunt Brett and was in heaven!

Below: B checking out her gifts from us on Saturday morning. One happy girl!

"Happy Birthday" round 2 with the family!

We love our little Brooklyn! Happy Birthday sweetheart. Thank you for bringing so much joy and laughter into our lives!

Easter weekend 2011 . . .

Every holiday gets more exciting as the kids get older. I LOVE it! This year, we were lucky to have my Grandpa and Grandma Fowler and "Uncle" Lou come over for the weekend to visit. We kept everyone busy with the usual Easter festivities. : )

The kiddos checking out their Easter stash.

Peeps are a major hit with London these days. : )

On Sunday, we had dinner at Ben's aunt and uncles' house with the Marshall crew and another Easter egg hunt. Brooklyn made out like a bandit!

We colored eggs with Grandma Fowler. You like B's apron? Yep, that sweet thing was mine. She calls it her "maker." : )

We had an Easter egg hunt for Brooklyn at my parent's house. The eggs were filled with money and jelly beans, it was a hit!

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter! Sorry I am a month behind, but I promise to be a better blogger! ;)

Brooklyn's Harmonica . . .

Brooklyn picked out a harmonica as her prize for sleeping in her bed all night five times. : ) (Small steps right?) She was so excited when Grandma Jake told her that Grandpa Fowler plays the harmonica too. She called him and asked him to bring it when they came over Easter weekend. The two of them put on some sweet concerts for us!

Enjoy the sweet music! ; )

BROOKLYN!!!

Miss Brooklyn is quite the character lately, I guess as ALWAYS. I had been trying forever to teach her how to write her name, and it just wasn't clicking. One day, I looked at her coloring and she had done it! Now, it is mastered along with her last name! Yay Brooklyn! Here is a picture of that first time milestone of writing her name:
And here is a video of Brooklyn's favorite dance, The Tooty Ta. I used to do this with my kindergartners when I taught school, and they loved it, so it's really no surprise that she loves it to. And about halfway through, you will hear Brooklyn say, "Thumbs up Daisy." Yep, she is talking to her imaginary friend, Daisy. Daisy comes everywhere with us, and apparently the other day, I locked Daisy in the car. Whoops!!! Brooklyn is seriously such a crack up, we sure love her!!!

Garden Valley GETAWAY . . .

At the end of March, my mom and I took a little road trip with the little ladies to visit my grandparents in Garden Valley, ID. It was so fun to visit them and I absolutely LOVE seeing my kiddos love my grandparents just as much as I do. Brooklyn LOVES them, and wanted to sit with my Grandpa, watch movies with him, and comb his hair. London LOVED giving Grandpa kisses and would reach out for him when we he walked away. London actually let my Grandma hold her even, huge breakthrough there!!! The kiddos are so excited for them and Uncle Lou to come visit again this weekend!!!

London started coloring. . . with Brooklyn and second cousin Jayla.

London found her a little "house" under a side table and would crawl in there and just sit and smile.

32 YEARS OF FUN!!!

This little guy turned 32 on March 29!!!

We celebrated in style with Reed's Dairy cotton candy ice cream cake.

The birthday boy got spoiled with some new clothes, sandals, white shirt, tie, and the ever wonderful cash and gift cards.

My parents treated us to dinner at Texas Roadhouse in honor of the birthday boy the Friday before his birthday. The actual day of his birth, our cute little family hit up Red Robin. Yum!!! Happy Birthday Benny, we love you!!!

THE GREAT LONDINI TURNS ONE!!!

Well, little Miss London is now one year old! She has really grown up to me in the past month; she is crawling all over the place, is into everything, and is losing those "baby-like" qualities. We had a little party for her on Friday night, and she was definitely spoiled. Little Londy loves cheese,mandarin oranges, baths, playing with toys, her sister Brooklyn, and apparently she LOVES cake. : ) Happy Birthday sweet London, we love you!!!

The night before her birthday - we let her open one present. Brooklyn was so helpful. : )

Opening her cute new outfit from Grandpa and Grandma Watts, the hangers were a big hit. . .

A fun new book for the birthday girl.
A new camera (which Brooklyn also loves).

A new hairdo for the birthday girl, she cried while I did it. I LOVE it!!!

Yummy cake!!!
She got it everywhere (eyes, ears, sprinkles up the nose) : ) . . .

Loving her birthday . . .

Singing Happy Birthday:

Digging In:

P.S. I was a little nervous of what she would do with the cake. She's not a big eater, and if you remember back to B's first birthday (when she wouldn't even touch the cake - it was so anti climatic), I was worried London would be the same way. Not to worry, she LOVED it, and dove right in! : )