Merry Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas! We know we are late, but in the spirit of better-late-than-never we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2008 was a very significant year for us… (drumroll please…)

Welcome Nathan Robert Jackson! Nathan was born on October 11th (the day after Dallin’s birthday). He weighed 6lbs 4oz and measured 20in long. He has a lot of blond hair and still has his blue eyes, which Mommy is hoping he keeps forever.

Dallin (age 7) lost his first two teeth and started First Grade. A new elementary school opened half a block from our house and he has had to change schools. He is a little inventor and armed with his electricity and chemistry sets he spends afternoons creating things (like bad-guy traps). He wants to be a rock star astronaut so he started piano lessons this year. He’s an excellent biggest brother and plays with and looks out for the other three kids.

Sam (age 4) began preschool this fall and loves playing with his new friends. He is progressing well during his reading time with Mommy. He loves coloring, riding his new bike, and dressing up as Superman. He got his first LEGOs this year and loves building with them or just studying the instruction manuals. He adores his big brother Dallin and never wants to see him upset. He’s a great big brother to Nathan and has the easiest time getting him to smile.

Kaylie (age 2) is our ninja princess. She can hold her own surrounded by boys but in the same minute, can be perfectly angelic. She loves taking care of her dollies and her stuffed animals. She likes playdoh, puzzles, and coloring. She has moved into a big-girl (twin-sized) bed and has given up her pacifier. If you ask her what her name is, she says, “Big Sister.” Kaylie is a very sweet girl and all the boys in the family adore her.

Nathan (age 4 mo.) is eating and growing and giving out thousands of smiles. He is a really happy baby, and since he started getting up just once a night, he has made Mommy really happy too. He rolls over and grips things to put them in his mouth. He is very ticklish and laughs when we change his clothes. He is such a precious baby and we are so happy to have him in our family.

Preston is enjoying his job at Google. They released a new version of the product he works on (SketchUp LayOut) this year. In the summer he gave the boys swimming lessons and took a class in firearm safety. He took care of the housework in order to avoid another 10-weeks of bed rest for Jana (she only had 2 weeks this pregnancy), but still managed to get out fishing with the boys. He still enjoys reading War and Peace, but vows to finish it by the next Christmas Letter.

Jana is super busy with her four little ones, but wouldn’t trade it for anything. She wouldn’t mind a little more sleep, but she hears that won’t happen for eighteen more years or so. She enjoys a monthly book club with friends and being able to go outside so much, even in the winter, especially taking Dallin and Sam ice skating.

We were grateful to receive letters from you and to hear how you are doing. We hope you have a great 2009!

With love,

Preston, Jana, Dallin, Samuel, Kaylie, and Nathan Jackson

Camping in the Loft

4 February 2009, Wednesday

Recently, Kaylie has started saying "Yes you are!" at the end of things she says to Nathan. For example, "You're the cutest baby! Yes you are!"

Dallin had his first piano lesson today. He is very excited.

9 February 2009, Monday

It was extremely windy today. When Jana took Dallin to school, our recycle bin had been blown over and so had our empty (fortunately) garbage bin. Jana pulled it up to the house and brought it down only when she heard the truck coming. By the afternoon, all of the bins that were left out on the street had been blown all the way down to the school yard. There was even a recycle bin the blew up our lawn and up to the porch.

10 February 2009, Tuesday

Today Kaylie told Jana that she didn't want her to love daddy anymore. She said, "I want to hug him first!" Jana replied that she could hug me first when I got home from work.

As I put Sam to bed tonight, I just sat down for a second on the edge of his bed and looked into his eyes. He looked back and I said, "I sure love being your dad." He smiled and said, "I'm glad I picked you."

11 February 2009, Wednesday

Nathan went to the doctor today. He was just over 10 lbs 8.5 oz (3rd percentile). He was 25" tall (60th percentile) and his head measured 40.5 cm (15th percentile). They're worried a little bit about his weight. He's fallen behind his growth curve. Developmentally he is doing fine. Dr. Rosequist gave Jana a referral to have his hypospadias and circumcision done down in Denver and didn't seem worried at all about the procedure. He's a happy little boy and eager to smile and laugh. He loves his siblings, especially Sammy who is the best at getting him to calm down. He is ticklish and laughs when we change his clothes. He is sleeping pretty well, going to bed around 7:00 and usually getting up only once before 7:00 in the morning.

Tonight while I was reading with Dallin, Jana put Sammy to bed. They sang songs and laughed together. When she left the room he said, "I love you so much my heart is going to explode."

12 February 2009, Thursday

Today Jana took Kaylie to the Dentist. She wouldn't let them in her mouth. She finally let them count her teeth as she sat on Jana's lap. This afternoon, Sam had his valentines day party at school. Jana brought some flowers for Sam to give to his teachers. He was emphatic that Jana bring them after school, when the other kids had left. Jana asked why, and he said, "Because Ms. Sarah and Ms. Pam will hug me!"

13 February 2009, Friday

Dallin has been begging me to camp with him. We finally decided that we could camp up in the loft where we keep the computer. This evening, I set up an air mattress and Jana and I tied a quilt over top using the kitchen stools. The kids and I set up sleeping bags and we read stories with flashlights and then I told them the "Purple Monster" story. Then Dallin told us a really, really long story, and Kaylie's pillow kept falling off the bed. Sam needed a snack, and Dallin was going to die if he didn't get a drink. There wasn't enough room for all of us on the mattress so I moved off on to the floor and then Sam and Dallin couldn't stop playing with their flashlights. Dallin got too hot and had to sleep on top of his sleeping bag, and Kaylie kept losing her water cup. Finally I asked if they just wanted to sleep in their own beds. They all got up and said that yes, that would be a good idea. So they all went to bed and were asleep in just a few minutes. We're going to have to practice a couple of times before we really go camping.

14 February 2009, Saturday

Since Jana cleaned the whole house yesterday, we were able to spend the entire day together today. After a sausage and pancake breakfast, we went to target. The boys spent their allowances on LEGO Bionicle figures. It was a very big day for Kaylie. Jana has been working her up to it for the last two days. She got to pick out a toy that she would trade for her binky. This morning she came in to my room as I was getting ready and said that she was going to give away her binky and be "a big, huge sister." She loves being Nathan's big sister. She finally decided on a doll-sized high chair to feed her babies. When we got to the check out, she began hiding the binky in Jana's shirt. But finally she let Jana give it to the cashier. She had a hard time getting to sleep for her nap, but by bed time, she was just fine. What a big girl!

Good Brothers

Jana took some great pictures of Nathan on his 3-month birthday.

25 January 2009, Sunday

Dallin had gave a nice talk in Primary about The Proclamation on the Family. He is doing a great job reading.

We had a video-chat with Bob and Tanya on the computer for the first time tonight.

26 January 2009, Monday

This morning, Kaylie came into the bathroom while I was getting ready and said, "Daddy, I have a big heart for you!" I love that little girl.

Jana and I did bills tonight. I finally moved from a paper system to a spreadsheet. One would think that someone like me, who works at Google, would have the whole thing automated, but there's something satisfying about writing down where everything goes. The thing that made me change is the miscalculations that inevitably come up and the hours spent searching for addition errors.

27 January 2009, Tuesday

I came home early so that Jana could attend the parent-teacher conference with Dallin's teacher. She said he is doing really well and is already reading at a 2nd grade level. He doesn't get in trouble (contrary to what he tells us) and is making friends with a girl named Daphne. His teacher told Jana that Daphne is shy and Dallin will ask the teacher questions for her. He a great kid and so smart. He's also been in a really good mood this week. I wonder if having a friend at school is helping out.

28 January 2009, Wednesday

I'm always impressed with Sammy and what he does when he gets a treat. He has to make sure everyone gets some of his treat. He doesn't try to hoard it or prevent other people from getting it. In fact, if one of his siblings complains that they didn't get enough of his treat, he will give them more. Especially Dallin. Sammy adores Dallin. His behavior makes me want to give him more treats. In fact, if I had to only give one kid treats, it would be Sam because I know he would share with Dallin and Kaylie. I think that Heavenly Father wants us to be like that. He want us not to hoard the gifts we've been given.

29 January 2009, Thursday

This boys got up on their own this morning. They wanted more time to play. I didn't have to wake them up or nag them to get out of the shower. Dallin even got out of the shower to get Sam's towel for him. He's really showing a lot of kindness lately.

Kaylie put her binky in her purse today. She thought it was so clever. She showed it to Sammy's preschool teachers Ms. Sarah and Ms. Pam. When I got home from work she showed me her purse too and then pulled out her binky and started laughing. I had to laugh too.

30 January 2009, Friday

Tonight Jana make a little pizza crust for each kid and let them put their own toppings on them. The kids had a good time and didn't complain a bit about not liking their pizza.

31 January 2009, Saturday

At lunch Dallin and Sam split the last piece of pizza from last night. Dallin inhaled his and then asked for Sam's. I asked Sam if he wanted his pizza, and he looked so worried and pinched his lips in thought. He kept looking between the pizza and Dallin. Dallin said, "He doesn't want to take the pizza because he knows I want it." I told Sam that Dallin already has his and that Dallin wouldn't be sad if Sam got to have his own piece. Sam asked, "Is that true Dallin?" and Dallin said he wouldn't be sad. Sammy said, "Then I want it!" He is such a thoughtful kid.

Necklaces

16 November 2008, Sunday

I made pancakes and sausage for dinner and then we talked to grandma and grandpa Jackson on the computer. The kids and I had a "clean up" race. They cleaned up the loft, their bedrooms, the library, and the family room (what they had cluttered during the day) and I cleaned up the dishes. They won, but just barely. Jana helped keep them on task, but Samuel surprised both of us by straightening up the entire downstairs, without help. Then he went upstairs and helped Dallin clean their room. Dallin made and "animal slide" invention. Kind of like a zip-line for his stuffed animals between the front door and the balcony. Jana let him keep it up for another day or so.

17 November 2008, Monday

Kaylie is so sweet to Nathan. When he starts fussing, she comes up to him and says, "Calm down." "It's okay, baby." and other motherly phrases.

The other night, we had our babysitter, Emma, over to watch the kids while Jana and I went on a date. The kids were all at the counter eating dinner when she arrived. Emma smiled at the kids and Sam screamed and put his head in his hands. He started yelling, "I don't want to look." We finally got him calmed down and he said, "I don't like when people have necklaces on their teeth." Emma has braces.

And its out! SketchUp 7!

I don't usually talk about myself much here, except in reaction to something my kids do, but I've had a big week so you get to hear a little about me. As most of you know, I've been working at Google for the last year and a half. I work on SketchUp, a 3D modeling tool written for designers, not CAD jockeys (no offense to CAD jockeys, ahem). SketchUp is by far my favorite Google product. @Last software, the original creators of SketchUp, was acquired by Google about a year before I got here. Fortunately, we have been able to keep the same passionate development team together (except for a few additions, like your truly). I really love working with these guys.

Today, it has finally gone public that we are releasing SketchUp 7. You can even see a video with me in it on that page, though I can't really recommend my acting. I work on the 2D presentation tool called LayOut. I helped develop the new curve tool, the editable paths, the move rotate and scale manipulators, and the in-place group edit. It has been a great year and I'm really proud of what we've come up with.

So that's it for this week. It has been a crazy few months. I think we're all looking forward to Christmas break!

The Fishing Trip

3 November 2008, Monday

Jana had parent teacher coference with Sam's teacher. She said he is doing great academically. She said he can be pretty intense at times. That's our Sammy!

Tonight, Jana taught a family home evening lesson on self-discipline. Sam was SO good tonight. He sat still on the couch, listened, raised his hand to comment, and was very very well behaved. Both he and Dallin still need the little treat (tonight it was three Skittles) to focus on during the lesson to keep them under control. They don't get it until the lesson is over, but it is out in the open where they can see it, and more importantly, where I can eat it if they get crazy. I know it is just a bribe but it is worth it in my mind.

5 November 2008, Wednesday

Jana put Kaylie down to bed today and told here that she loves her "infinity squared!" Kaylie replied "I love you... rectangle!" Jana was puzzled for a couple of minutes and then she figured it out. Something to do with the "squared."

6 November 2008, Thursday

Jana took Sam, Kaylie, and Nathan shopping and survived. Sam kept asking "Am I being good, Mom?" The kids were so good, Jana bought them each a doughnut. Kaylie didn't like hers and she decided to give it to Dallin. I was surprised. I'm usually her favorite food disposal.

8 November 2008, Saturday

Our neighbor and I took the boys fishing this morning. We bundled up and drove up to Estes Park to fish at Lake Estes. It was pretty windy and cold. We stayed for about an hour. The kids got a dose of reality when our neighbor cut up the worms to put on their hooks. He caught a fish and let each of them reel it in. He finally released it, but caught another bigger one and kept it. We went on to another place to try and get out of the wind. The boys had fun playing on the rocks and I got some more practice casting. It was really my first time fishing is years and years.

When we got home, I asked our neighbor if we could watch him clean the fish. I had never seen it done before and thought it might be nice for the kids to see where meat comes from. It was too gruesome and I should have left the kids at home. Dallin really freaked out and told our neighbor that he shouldn't do that. He said, "How would you like it if a fish pulled out your guts?" We tried to explain that people eat meat, and in order for us to get it, an animal has to die. I think it was a good lesson, but probably premature. I hope Dallin doesn't decide to become a vegetarian.

Jana took Kaylie and Nathan with her shopping today. They went to Bed Bath and Beyond for some curtains and then Jana told Kaylie that they were heading over to Michael's. When they got there, Kaylie asked for Uncle Miles. She asked a couple more times and Jana finally figured out that Kaylie had thought Jana said they were going to "Miles."

Jana got a lot of complements for Kaylie and Nathan at the store. There was a mother and daughter that came over to talk to all three of them and they couldn't stop oohing and ahhing over Nathan and thought Kaylie was adorable.

9 November 2008, Sunday

Kaylie keeps asking to go to "Grandma's airport." We think she says this because she has gone with me to pick her up at the airport and she thinks Grandma lives there. Jana tells her "She's not at the airport." Then Kaylie asks, "She went to Grandpa's house? But I love her at my house."

Halloween Pictures

I've been pretty lousy at keeping a journal the last two weeks. I guess having a new baby is just making me tired. However, we have been taking pictures. Here are some pictures from pumpkin carving and halloween night.

Here are the the kids and me carving pumpkins. Dallin carved his own pumpkin this year. Kaylie drew her own face this year. It was about the size of a quarter, and I enlarged it on her pumpkin. Sam drew his pumpkin face, including the ears and mustache. Dallin drew and carved his own face. I'm not exactly sure what all the holes are, but he couldn't be outdone by Sam's mustache and ears. Cute Jana and Nathan. Jana helped me clean out pumpkins this year. It was very nice. Nathan in his ghost onesie. Here are the kids on Halloween night. Sam was a knight, Dallin was Spiderman, and Kaylie was a ladybug.