#24 Write 25 Blog Posts

Christian gave challenged me at the beginning of the year to start a blog, and for my 25 Things (for my 25th year) he said I should make a goal to post 25 times. Of course I planned to keep going after the 25, and I have. I'm up to 33 posts now. I hit my 25 post goal on October 3rd!

I used to be really consistent with my journal writing, but after I got married I had less time to myself to write. I like blogging because it's like a journal that I can also dump my pictures in. Thanks Christian, for the great idea!

#10 Read the Entire New Testament

I started reading a chapter or two in a day in the New Testament back in February, and I finished just last week. I made it a goal for this year because I have always spent my time reading the Book of Mormon or the Doctrine and Covenants, but haven't really focused my personal study on the Bible (except during Seminary in high school).

I loved learning more about Christ's ministry on the Earth and about the Apostles' missions after Christ's death. I'm so grateful for this book of scripture, and I'm excited to have started reading the Old Testament this past week.

#1 Post Jackson's Monthly Photos and Updates for Family

I started posting all of Jackson's monthly pictures and updates to facebook, but with new posts added to my "wall" throughout the month it took too long to find them when I wanted to look at them. (I love looking back at all the things he has learned over the last year!) So at the same time I started my family blog I decided to make a blog to put Jackson's monthly pictures and updates in, and so I can add to it in the future. Only, the future posts probably won't be as often.

I'm planning making a photo book with the monthly pictures from his first year!

Jackson's Monthly Updates

#21 Make a Cake with Fondant

I had the perfect opportunity to check off my cake making goal. Jackson's first birthday! I've always wanted to learn how to use fondant to decorate a cake. Not necessarily to cover the cake, but to make fun things to put on as decoration. I did a bit of research on fondant and actually decided to change it and use marzipan instead. Basically the same thing, except it tastes better, and it is softer (which made it easier to form into shapes).

I colored the marzipan to match the colors in the book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." Then I started making some of the foods in the book that the caterpillar eats, and punched holes in them. I made little round balls so I could decorate around the bottom of the cake, a number "1," and the hungry caterpillar. It took few hours to do this. (I had started out using almond paste which was totally the wrong thing, so I spent a lot of time re-doing things with the marzipan. And making it perfect.)

The night before the party I made the cakes and buttercream frosting. I frosted the cakes, being careful to make the smash cake as smooth as possible. I didn't care so much that the big cake was perfectly smooth and line-less. I wanted that one to have some character.

The morning of the party I decorated the big cake with all the marzipan pieces. And did a little bit of decoration on the smash cake.

I did not write Jackson's name on the cake. I did it initially, but didn't like it or the color. So I put it back in the refrigerator to chill it, and then peeled the letters off. I really wanted it to look nice so I asked my mother (who has many years of experience writing on cakes) to do the honors. And I'm glad I did, it looked great!

The boy and his finished cakes. I had so much fun doing it! And Jackson had a good time digging in to that smash cake.

#22 Crochet a Blanket

Christian got me crochet hooks for Christmas last year. I was so excited to use my gift, and to learn something new. I started watched YouTube videos to learn how to crochet, and made a goal to crochet something simple this year. A blanket.

I started over at one point because I didn't like the pattern I was using. So I came up with the idea to make 20 large granny square pieces, and then put all of those pieces together to make the blanket. It took a few weeks of working on it when I had some free-time. And I'm so happy with the results!

Now I have a nice blanket to hang over the rocking chair in Jackson's room!

#17 Go to the Minnesota State Fair

We made it to the state fair on Friday! It was Christian's first time, and I think he enjoyed it! Really, it was my first time to the fair. The only other time I've been on the fair grounds was to see Weird Al at the grandstand.

Me, Jackson, Christian, and Matt.

My mom and the Scott County tile.

We went to the Miracle of Birth exhibit and Jackson got to pet a pig! Actually he hit the pig and made the poor pig squeal. Oops!

Daddy and Jackson looking at the cow.

Baby cow!! Co cute!

Little goats.

Christian was told he had to get the bucket of cookies...so he did! The bucket was overflowing! Yummy breakfast!

The food was one of the BEST parts of the fair! We just wished that we could have tried more of it. We had Sweet Martha's cookies, fried cheese curds (I believe this was Christian's first time having fried cheese curds, and he LOVED them!), a tater dog, steak dinner on a stick, orangeade (the oranges were squeezed by a John Deere), and a pineapple juice served in the pineapple.

We saw a 1473 pound pumpkin!! This thing was MASSIVE!

Jackson had lots of fun looking around, but mostly liked this plastic bottle.

Some of the favorite crafts. Actually, I had LOTS of favorites in the craft displays. I would love to make quilts similar to these, and I took the picture of the Ron Swanson cross-stitch because it was funny and I knew Christian would appreciate it. (Christian took Matt and Jackson to look at the trucks and machinery while my mom and I perused the craft building.)

 And then there was the seed art. I'm so impressed that people can make art with seeds, that actually look good! These were the two favorites of mine.

 And you can't forget the butter heads. Unfortunately, when we got here to look the butter head carver was on break. 

Jackson was a tired boy! He slept for a good 2 1/2 hours while we pushed him around in the stroller. I was amazed he was able to sleep with all the sun, heat, and humidity!

Jackson wasn't the only boy who was sleepy. Matt took a little nap on the mommy's shoulder.

Here we are waiting for grandad to pick us up from the fair. He was even nice enough to take us for ice cream cones after.

We had a GREAT TIME! We are soooo going again next year!

#7 Run a 5K

Before the race selfie

After the race

I trained for two weeks to get my body used to running that far. Christian and I ran the Dan Patch 5K (on June 27th in Savage). I finished in 40 minutes and 39 seconds. A bit slower than most of the people, but I did it! And since then I've been able to get my time down. I'm still not as quick as Paul though.