Best Imitation of Ourselves

Forget Not...

2011-09-25T11:34:00.000-07:00

I was inspired last night as I attended the RS meeting to make these for the women I visit teach. I thought that others could use it too, so here it is.

Becoming....a Father

2011-06-19T10:43:00.001-07:00

I had no idea that having a baby would make me fall in love with Scott in a whole new way. Look at this first picture (taken the day we took Charlottle home from the hospital), how do I not fall instantly in love with those big hands that are being held by such a comparatively little one? It was love....love at 1st baby!

It has been fun to watch Scott become a father. He loves our little Charlotte and takes such good care of her. He is always trying to make her giggle, and is a champ at getting her to fall asleep (they frequently nap together). She loves him too! She loves playing with his beard and flying "like Superman" in and out of rooms and over his head. I think these two will have a pretty special relationship as the years go by.

I love my little family, they bring me so much joy. Happy Father's Day, Scotty!

Becoming....a better cook: Baked Montana

2011-04-26T13:19:00.000-07:00

This is a delicious cousin to the Baked Alaska

Start with pre-made Graham Cracker Crust
(I decided to use the mini tarts...just for fun!)

Add a few real Montana huckleberries....(I happened to still have a handful in my freezer from picking huckleberries at the Cabin this summer)

Add a scoop of Tillamook Mountain Huckleberry Ice-cream (sold at Dan's, Harmon's and Winco)

Cover with a Meringue....(make sure there is no Ice-cream showing)

Put the tarts or pie in the freezer for at least 5 hours

Bake at 500* for about 3-5 min or until the peaks of the Meringue are golden brown

Meringue (will cover 2 pies)
8 egg whites, room temperature
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup sugar

With electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the egg whites and cream of tartar for 2 minutes on medium-high speed. Increase the speed to high and add the sugar in a slow stream until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Must see...

2011-04-05T21:24:00.001-07:00

Becoming....a Choreographer

2011-02-24T09:18:00.000-08:00

Choreography: the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" (circular dance, see choreia) and "γραφή" (writing). A choreographer is one who creates choreographies.

Part of the fun of being a dance teacher is choreographing dances. I spend 10's of hours listening to music, making lists of themes and variations, listening to even more music, experimenting, dancing in my kitchen, changing, editing and redoing. I love this process, it is invigorating and rewarding. Now obviously some choreography that I do (like say for the 3 yr olds) is much more basic. Basic as they may be however, there is a different set of skills (which I am hard working to master) that help you create a dance that is clever, fun and age appropriate. Basic, but not easy.

Time, Space and Energy are the 3 basic elements of dance and choreographers essentially just mess with these to create new motifs and patterns. I am highly convinced that no one has really made up a new dance move in many many years, like 100's. "New Moves" are just old ones reincarnated to different genres, cultures, and themes.

A good dance has a lot of things that contribute to its success; music, movement, technique of dancers, venue, costuming, lighting and more. MUSIC is single handedly my favorite part of the process of creating a dance. The beat, rythmns, nuances, and dynamics inspire movement. Some songs almost beg for moves. I love that Scott is always playing NEW songs for me to hear. He will say "and listen right here....wouldn't it be so cool if..." and then he describe the movement that he visualizes complimenting and augmenting the awesomeness of that part of the song.

Recently, Scott shared these three videos with me. I think they perfectly and amusingly illustrate what a difference the music makes in choreography.

What you are about to see:

1- this video is the original, Thom Yorke of Radiohead is doing his thing. His movements are quirky and strange. My professors at the U of U Modern Dance Department would love his movement choices. I love them! If you have had the privilege of seeing Radio Head live in concert this is what he does the whole time on stage.

2- Same moves different music. Here to Maroon 5, Thom, and his crazy dance moves look just that CRAZY. And not in a good way. He looks ridiculous.

3- Same moves different music again (also better video editing....) and its hilarious. This video looks intentionally funny...like something choreographed for the Senior Men's Dance Company.

crazy, huh? I think so!

So all morning, while my baby napped in the other room I have been working on choreography (aka: dancing like a crazy lady in my kitchen) for our Spring Show to this song by Adele (just released in the US on the 20th). It is going to be our show opener, I am so excited. If I had the money and resources I would love to play around in a bunch of white flour or powder like the "ninja" in the video does. I love the white clouds of powder and the black silhouette. AMAZING....love Adele! Please enjoy!!

Becoming....

2011-02-21T10:49:00.000-08:00

I have reflected frequently about what I "want to be when I grow up". What type of skills I do I want to have? What do I want to be known for? What do I want to enjoy? What do I want to do and be? How do I want to live? You would think that I would have some of this figured out already, and yes that is partly true. I have a fabulous husband, a beautiful baby, a partial ownership in a dance studio, a great house. A lot of those things, like being a wife and mother, teacher and homeowner are on my list for sure...However I want to focus my energy on doing those things a little more purposefully. Because it is really easy "just to be", rather than to be improving or "becoming" if you will.

A little side note disclaimer: Any one who knows me well could tell you that I like to succeed. I don't like doing things I am not good at. Even as I write that last sentence I realize how egotistical and cowardly that makes me sound. But its true. I really struggle even trying things that I think I may not be really REALLY good at. For this reason I can tell you quiet honestly that I don't play Volleyball....I either hit the ball into the net or straight up. When I first started learning how to play it didn't come naturally so I gave it up quickly. As an adult I don't participate in pick up games on the beach at Hebgen or with my YW because I am not good at it.

There are a lot of things I don't do because I am afraid of not doing them well, (and to be honest there are a lot of things I will try because I have the confidence that I will simply excel at them). Sometimes I am right...I am terrible at the things I think I will be terrible at and great at the things that I think I will be good at. AND sometimes I am delightfully proven wrong and something I fear trying isn't all that bad. AND much to my dismay often the things that I am or think I am good at don't turn out (like my bundt cake last week of which half stayed in the pan when I attempted to plate it to take it to my neighbor- I was not happy).

Back to the point: There are a lot of things I would like to be, do and try. For starters I want to be a more candid blogger. I want to be honest rather than perfect. I want to be more consistent in my posts because; I really think a blog can be a great Motivator as I share my goals in a forum that cannot be easily erased. It makes me dreadfully nervous that no one will read my blog, but that is precisely the fear I am trying to address. It is okay, right? It doesn't have to be perfect. I don't have to an amazing blogger to keep to it. Because what I want to have this and subsequent posts chronicling my adventures in "becoming" to be is journal and sharing place. Hopefully I can foster my own blogging environment that can laugh at my mistakes, not take myself too seriously and celebrate with myself as I learn new skills.

Some of my Goals: In my frequent thoughts of what I want to become I have come up with a little list of things that I would like to become:

Motivated

Fit

a Gardner

a Cook

Patient (mostly with myself)

a Graphic Designer (reveal: I am looking into online courses so I can actually finish my college degree that I started 10 years ago and I think this is what I want to study)

a better dancer

Organized

Financially self-reliant

Clean and tidy

a monthly temple attender

a student of the scriptures

a reader

a journaler

fashionable

Things I want to try and/or learn:

new recipes

making Baklava

knitting

making my own clothes (at least one item)

composting

painting my fingernails more

a new hairstyle

reupholstering a piece of furniture

making my own baby food

Zumba (believe it or not I have never tried it)

Adobe Photoshop

Capoeira

how to make picture frames and cut mats

This list is a living list, it will grow and change almost for sure, but for now I am excited to get started. To start becoming and start doing....

Charlotte Louise Jacobsen

2011-02-04T09:33:00.000-08:00

jan 4 2011

8lbs 1 oz

7:21 am

Our Summer so far....

2010-08-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

We visited our friends Ryan and Julie Sauve and Josh and Alli Sine in Portland.
Highlights include:
Camping at the Beach
Mountain Biking
The Tillamook Factory
Dinner and Vodoo Doughnuts with Josh and Alli
Josh and Scott getting hitched as "cowboy" and "snuggles" at the Virtual Church of Elvis
The Saturday market
4th of July firework over the river in Downtown Portland

Girls Camp

Out to lunch with Brittney, Brooke, their girls, Tracie, myself and Mama Brenda

Not pictured....Beach Week
Why you may ask?.....Cause I dropped our camera and broke the lens about 3 days before. Sad times. Luckily it is at the repair shop now getting fixed.

Pictures from our Ultra Sound on Monday! We are expecting a baby girl in January!!

Music Mondays: Peter Gabriel "Mirrorball"

2010-05-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

Peter Gabriel has a whole fabulous album of covers.....like this one of Mirrorball!

Enjoy, I know I did! (thanks Scotty)

ABC's...

2010-05-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

A - Attached or Single: Definately Attached to my Scotty and Scout
B - Best Friends: You know who you are and I love you!
C - Cake or Pie: Chocolate Cake, rich and moist please. Just give me a torte and I am happy!
D - Day of choice: Birthdays! I always try to drag mine out and make birthday month!
E - Essential Item: Laura Mercier: tinted mousturizer....never leave home without it.
F - Favorite Color: right now it is purple and mustard
G - Gummy Bears or Worms: gummy cinnamon bears
H- Hometown: Salt Lake
I - Indulgences: Frequent Massages
J - January or July: July (Beachweek, fireworks, waterskiing, Hebgen, all loved in July)
K - Kids: are welcome anytime
L - Life is incomplete without: laughter (I take myself way to seriously most days)
M - Marriage Date: Nov 3, 2006
N - Number of Siblings: 5 fabulous sisters
O - Oranges or Apples: Honey crisp apples
P - Phobias or Fears: House fires
Q - Quotes: good land wayyy to many.
R -Reason to smile: my little dancers
S - Season: I like them all for different reasons...I like that they change
T - Tag Three Friends: brittney, jeanette, barb t.
U - Unknown fact about me: I have perishable food paranoia (made the term up myself, but i think it describes the anxiety I get when food goes bad in my fridge or cupboards)
V - Very favorite Store: Walls (1400 S. 700 E.) fabulous wallpaper and more for my house :)
W - Worst habit: hitting snooze
X - X-ray or Ultrasound: Ultrasound (one day i hope)....I have never had either so I don't really know
Y - Your favorite food: sushi or butternut squash soup (but not together please)
Z- Zodiac: Leo

Music Mondays: The Hours

2010-04-18T20:10:00.000-07:00

This song is my new battle cry...it has become my theme song for the month. Scott and I were first introduced to the song on this Nike commercial:

Here is the full song:

I recommend adding this to your workout playlist! You will be inspired to do something great, and to be something great!

Music Mondays: Fanfarlo

2010-04-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my brother in law Paul, I heard was introduced to Fanfarlo in November while Scott and I rode in his car on the way home from the boys ranch. This is a great song, but I really like most of their music, so pull up a chair, listen and enjoy! Thank you Paul!

Try this....Tuesdays: Cafe Terigo

2010-04-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

My favorites:

Appetizer: Baby Onion Rings with berry kethcup

Entrees: Braised Short Ribs with Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Pomegranate Sauce

Dessert: Bread Pudding...the most amazing thing you will ever taste in your life!

This restaurant is pricey, but I highly recommend it for a special event. Anniversaries, birthdays, or any other celebrations are better at Terigo! Thank you Jeanette and Hadley for celebrating the completion of a wild week with us at Terigo! I am dreaming about the bread pudding now, can't wait to get back there!!

Music Mondays: The XX

2010-04-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

Love this song...want to do a mash-up with this and Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z. It would be amazing! (Ask Scotty to sing it for you!)

Try this.....Tuesdays: Photo journals

2010-03-31T07:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I know it is Wednesday morning, but I wanted to share this anyway....A few weeks ago for Young Women's activity we made these fabulous photo journals. Since then I have made like six more just for my own enjoyment. I think it is fair to say that I am just a little obsessed. They make fabulous gifts and are super easy!

Click here for the tutorial

Music Mondays: Lisa Hannigan

2010-03-29T14:08:00.000-07:00

Favorite Song for the last 3 months running!

Try this.....Tuesdays: Pizzeria 712

2010-03-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday last week my sweet friend Brittney and I tried this fabulous restaurant in Orem.

We shared an appetizer, a salad and a pizza. It was the perfect amount of food for us! The atmosphere, the quality of food, the service, taste and price were exceptional.

We ordered the following:

Appetizer: ciabatta toast, cannellini beans, arugula and parmesan
Salad: hand pulled mozzarella, arugula, Moroccan olives, and preserved lemon vinaigrette
Pizza: house made sausage, carmalized onion, fennel, tomato sauce and mozzarella

Apparrently the same people who own Pizzeria 712 also own Communal (which I have heard amazing things about). I guess the next time I am in Happy Valley I will have to try Communal

Music Mondays: Pomplamoose

2010-03-22T12:19:00.001-07:00

Love these guys....

other favorite covers "Favorite Things" "September" and of course "Single Ladies"

Hebgen- President's Day Weekend

2010-02-18T13:10:00.000-08:00

We went to Hebgen Lake, Montana over President's Day Weekend with our friends Julie and Ryan Sauve. Scott's parents have a cabin there and we go there a few times each summer, but I have yet to be there in the winter. We X-country skied in with backpacks full of food and clothing for the weekend. It took us about 2 1/2 hours to get to the cabin, but it was worth it. The scenery was beautiful, the temperature was mild (for MT in the winter) and the company was fabulous. Our little dog Scout was too little for some of the snowbanks so we brought a baby carrier and strapped to our bellys. I think we are a little crazy sometimes!! It made for some hilarious photos, for sure!

Some of the pictures are from an early morning that was misty and enchanting...I realized after adding them that they made the weekend look much more cold than it was!

This picture of the pier was sent to us before we left...I don't think the ice has been to kind to it this year!

Frosty Trees

Happy Family!

Julie and Ryan Sauve

The road...well packed by Snowmobile tracks

the south fork (the river that feed into the lake)

Paul Jacobsen and the Madison Arm

2010-02-11T20:34:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: I am related to Mr. Jacobsen (he is my talented brother in law, but I am truly amazed by his talent and skill. I feel that he is someone you should all have on a playlist or two or ten!

Families Helping Families- Christmas 2009

2010-02-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

For Christmas this year Scott and I went to Puerto Peñasco to work with a foundation called Families Helping Families. This is the 3rd year that we have been fortunate enough to go and help build homes for hard working families in need. Below are some pictures of the week. I am currently working on a slide show because I have so many photos....I will update this again soon with captions and more details of the week!! But for now, please enjoy some of the photos!

Thanksgiving- Teton Valley Ranch (Bennion Boys Ranch)

2010-02-02T12:10:00.000-08:00

The view

Dipped Chocolates for the first time...here they are packaged for Christmas

The Firing Squad

The Targets

Ice Skating on the Pond

like something from a movie

Nathan

Hannah Jane

Jane

Cameron

Not pictured: The fabulous Turkey dinner and bounties of other delicious food consumed, the headband making, the countless games of hearts and BANG!, snow football, rides on the four wheelers, Rock Band, sled rides, basketball tournaments, approx. 13 of 17 nieces and nephews, and more!

I am loving Phoenix....

2009-12-07T09:41:00.000-08:00

Phoenix - Long distance call - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Headbands for Sale

2009-12-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

Holiday Gift Boutique

Sat December 5th

11am to 4pm

Sydney Tolman's Residence

1548 E. Fuller Drive (4270 South)

Featuring:

Purple Tree's Handcrafted Jewelery

MY HEADBANDS and more....

My New Obsession....Headbands!

2009-11-15T19:50:00.000-08:00

Thank you to my fabulous head/hair model Lauren! I am in love with headbands, and made these yesterday!!

Big Flower on stretchy band-

-Feathers and Fans-

-Big Flower-

-Beige and Gold Fabric Flower-

-Cute as a Button-

Fabric Flower Clip

Even my adorable Nana loved them!!

If you are one of the first three people to comment....I will make you one of your choice!

Barbara Thornton, My Cousin-in law Anne, Sally Jeppson, and Julie Tidwell (automatically qualify for one because I still owe them something handmade....unless of course you would rather have some cookies!)

One of My Best Friend's Weddings

2009-10-04T15:16:00.001-07:00

Tracie and Dane

The Sisters (in blue) and some of the Bridesmaids (In green)...I think i caught dane with his eyes closed!

My adorable Mommasita

Me and Tracie (isn't she goregous)

My Mom and Dadio

Brittney and Chris (our traveling companions...we love you!!)

Brittney and Me

(after driving around LA lost at 7:30 in the morning, we were loopy and ready for breakfast)

The Reception (this does not even capture how beautiful it was)

Congratulations to the Happy Couple...we are thrilled for you!!

40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes

2009-09-28T17:32:00.001-07:00

So recently Courtney and i have run into a few more "bumps in the road" than we would like. I think we filled our annual quota in just the last 2 months. I am sure everyone has had days, weeks, months, even years like that. It can be exhausting. But today i came across this clip....so for us, and for anyone else out there who needs a little encouragement enjoy! I know i did. I can't get enough of Fozzy's "Shame on you" Ron Livingston's "your like a big bear man!" or the grinch clip. This seriously made my day

Lotoja--not just a race!!

2009-09-18T09:51:00.001-07:00

Scotty

this tough stallion battled crazy leg cramps early on but fought to the finish

i love you and am so proud to be your wife!

a special thanks to the Jacobsen Construction Team for adopting him...and giving him a jersey!!

Cousin Mike and Uncle Bill

this father son duo had quite the showing

Mike placed 5th in his start time group....and simply flew the entire race

and at 63 years old Bill completed the race and inspired us all

Ben - a.k.a. FIRESTORM

In late July Ben was diagnosed with cancer

He starts chemo-therapy on the 20th but rocked Lotoja with a strong body and even stronger spirit.

I cried when he crossed the finish line assured that if he could ride 206 miles in one day with cancer that

he would be able to use that same strong body and spirit to fight the cancer.

Team Firestorm

below are a few of the proud members of Team Firestorm

Some of us drove support, some made banners and signs, some drove many miles to watch the finish,

some cheered from Montana, others cheered from Utah,

and all and more are cheering for Ben in his race and fight against cancer!

We love you!

Lotoja...not just a race! A phenomenal day!

Signs of Summer 2009 - Part 2

2009-08-26T12:44:00.001-07:00

Beach Week 2009- Oxnard, CA

My 26th Birthday Week!!

Dance Teacher Web Conference - Las Vegas

Kingfisher Bend Ranch w/ Soffe's

Iron & Wine | Okkervil River

Twilight Summer Concert Series

Signs of Summer 2009

2009-07-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

Winder Stake Young Women's Camp

Heber Valley Camp

Hebgen Lake, Montana

Jenny Lewis / Bon Iver Concert

Winder Stake Priest/Laurel River Run

Colorado River, Moab Ut

Happy Birthday Scotty!

2009-06-07T23:50:00.000-07:00

I love you! Thanks for being such an amazing husband and for being my best friend.

I hope that 26 is your best year ever!

Today is Monday March 27, 1989.....I love you Mom

2009-06-02T20:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight I was looking through an enormous box which is home to almost all of my photos, certificates, awards, and random school projects....and I came across this journal entry from my Kindergarten school journal.

My beautiful Mom celebrated her birthday this past week....and I have been thinking about how amazing she is and how lucky I am that she is MY mom. She is so generous, always thinking about others. She is an amazing cook (which has made me a bit of a food snob), and a great hostess. She puts her heart and soul into every project. She is no stranger to excellence. She has a sense humor and a sense of style. She is strong....physically, emotionally, spiritually and emotionally. She is my role model and my friend. She loves me and I love her. I am proud to call her mine!

I love you Mom! - Courtie

Dear...

2009-04-29T22:11:00.000-07:00

So my sister Ashley often writes little "dear...." posts. Then Lauren and Adrianne joined in and now I feel like I might just be left out if I don't join so here it goes...my very first "dear" post.

Dear Mexico,

I miss you! Let's reunite again soon!

Dear Jacobsen Ladies,

I am so lucky to have married into such a great family. Thanks for a fun weekend!!

Dear Amazing Husband,

Thank you for the "surprise bathroom makeover"...I love it! It was so much fun to come home to!

Dear Parker Sisters,

Thanks for a great evening. I am sad that it will be a while until we get to hang out all together again. (Nick- good luck in Canada)

Dear Modie,

Congrats on finishing your first year of college!! Welcome back to the blogging world. How was Disneyland today?

Dear Dwayne Wade,

You are a Man!!

Dear Chali2na,

Thank you for your contribution to the Radiohead Remix album...I love it!

Dear Gateway Dodo,

Sad you are closing. Glad you still have a sugarhouse location. I love your turkey sandwiches and your tollhouse pie is delicious!

Dear P90X,

Wanna be friends again?

Dear Sauves,

Thank you for being our built-in friends. I love playing Mario Kart with you.

Dear Rainbow Road,

I hate you!

Dear 30 Rock,

Great Season...let's do it again next year!

Dear bed,

I am coming!

Dear friends, family and blogstockers,

Please comment. It is nice to know that someone is out there!

Easter Eggs w/ Mike and Catherine

2009-04-17T07:56:00.001-07:00

Catherine received her inspiration from the egg!

America's next top model poses w/ her eggs

Ninja Mike with his eggmazing creations

Scott's Eggs:

Don't worry be Happy

and

a Spalding Basketball

"how bout eggs?" "don't worry there is a bunny!"

-Jim Gaffigan

Introducing Scout!

2009-04-10T08:29:00.001-07:00

We got a dog! Scout is a 3 yr old Basenji. She joined our family on Monday and we are loving her. She is super sweet, affectionate, she hardly sheds, she is barkless, not to mention cute. We are in love with our sweet pooch!

More on her story and how she came to live at our house. For now, enjoy the pictures!

Scout in her pillow fortress!

Scout in the window (I took this picture from my car...it was too cute!)

Profile

Isn't her tail cute....I love how it curls!

How Bout That.......Cavs!?!?

2009-04-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

From as early as i can remember i have been a dedicated fan of the Utah Jazz. As a kid i played on a Jr. Jazz team. I remember going to games at the old Salt Palace. I meticulously maintained the quality of my John Crotty, Mark Eaton, Delany Rudd, and Blue Edwards basketball cards. I was there when the Jazz eliminated Mutumbo and the upstart Nuggets from the playoffs. I watched as the Jazz beat MJ and the Bulls in triple overtime. I think i have heard Marv Albert say "Yes, Yes, John Stockton sends the Utah Jazz to the NBA finals" at least 1,000 times. Durning the late 90's i looked forward to the annual sweep of Kobe, Shaq, and the Lakers. I have giggled with joy as i have watched Deron Williams cross-over a multiplicity of defenders. I have yet to receive an acceptable answer to the question "Why has Jerry Sloan never won the Coach of the Year Award?" I watched as John and Karl were named Co-MVP's of the All-Star game in SLC.I have enjoyed listening to Hot-Rod call numerous games. There is something soothing about the the sound of: "...hippety-hops left goes right, pulls up for the 15-foot jumper, and with a gently push and a mild arc the cow-hide-globe hits home." I tried to become a 90% free-throw shooter just by wiping the side of my face twice before each shot (just for clarity, it did not work). On the other side of the coin, i can still hear my brother Andy scream
"KARL WATCH OUT...KARL!!!" just before MJ steals the ball only to finish off the jazz with a cold-blooded jumper over Bryon Russell. I am still amazed that the Jazz we unable to win a championship during Jordan's Baseball "Career." Over the last 7 years i look forward to hearing my friend Jeff rattle off the 5-10 draft picks that the Jazz passed on only to pick up Deshawn Stevenson, Raul Lopez, Kris Humphries, Curtis Borchardt or Kirk Snyder. Just to name a few that we missed: J.R. Smith, Kevin Martin, Boris Diaw, Josh Howard, Leandro Barbosa, Rodger Mason, and Luis Scola. I have suffered as i have watched talented free-agents go to other teams because hardly anyone wants to come play in SLC. To put it simply i have seen/experienced/felt the highs and lows of Jazz Fandom.

However, recently it has become too much. Over the last month i have watched as the Jazz have looked like my 4th grade Jr. Jazz team. Coughing up 20+ point leads, losing to Minnesota at home, losing to any capable team on the road. But it is not just the losing, it is that they do it such painful ways. The net result is....I am done! I can't do it. I can't keep watching a team that i think should be in the western conference finals, play like a team that deserves a lottery pick. Now this is not a permanent change. I will try again next year, but for now it has become more than i can bear.

So i have picked a new team....The Clevland Cavaliers. Hey if i am going to cheer for team i may as well pick a winner. They have the best record in the NBA, they have Lebron, they play defense, the have Lebron, they have sweet throwback jerseys, they have Lebron. But thats not all they have al lot in common with the Jazz. During their best years in the 90's they were beat two years in a row by Jordan and the Bulls. They have a long history of players that painfully tan-free. So untill next year....Goodbye John Stockton, Karl Malone and Jeff Horneck - and Hello Mark Price, Brad Daughtry, and Craig Ehlo. Goodbye Boozer, Memo and Deron - and Hello Lebron, Mo, and Big Z. WE ARE ALL WITNESSES!

Families can be together forever

2009-03-25T21:50:00.000-07:00

This last saturday Scott and I had the opportunity to see the Wallace Family sealed in the Bountiful temple. Scott meet the Wallace's as a missionary in Neosho, Missouri and although Missouri is their "home", they currently live in Clearfield, Ut.

As we witnessed this beautiful family in the sealing room I couldn't help but think that "this is why we do missionary work". We invite others to Come unto Christ and enter the waters of baptism so that as families we can return to live with God.

About a year and a half ago I had the opportunity to see the Steigmeirs, a family that I worked with as a missionary in New York, sealed in the Palmyra temple. There is not a sweeter experience for a missionary than seeing those that they loved and taught sealed as a family by the holy Priesthood in the Temple.

I hope that each of us has the opportunity to be with our families in the temple, so that we too can feel of God's love for us as families and individuals.

And the winner is.....

2009-03-19T08:38:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to the Golden Ticket Winners....

Anne Jacobsen

Sally Jeppson

Julie Tidwell

Tiffany Kimble

Chelsea Thornton

Lindsey ? (I know a few too many Lindseys please identify yourself)

Something fantastic is coming your way!! Get excited!

Are you feeling Lucky?

2009-03-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

Are you feeling lucky enough to win?

here it is...

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me.

My choice.

Just for you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done before summer
4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a dance. It may be a photo or picture frame. I may sew or paint something. If you are lucky I may bake you something. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange...but that is unlikely!

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your own blog and offer the same deal to 5 of your own lucky blog readers. So, the first 5 people to leave a comment telling me they are in, win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it. The end.

By the way...for all you blog stockers, feel free to enter to win! Don't be shy! Just make sure I know how to get your gift to you!! Spread the love...and feel a little Irish luck!!

Some possible items to win:

Breakfast in bed featuring my famous Eggs Benny!

(actual photo from this mornings breakfast)

A fabulous mirror

A plate of delicious cookies

and more!

Disneyland!

2009-03-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

We are always up for an adventure....especially with friends.

So when Dave and Kristin Johnson called us on a Sunday wanting to know if we were up for a trip to California that weekend...we just couldn't resist.

We stayed with my best friend Brittney in Vegas on Thursday night after a 9 hour drive from SLC in the snow and ice. We enjoyed hanging out with her beautiful girls and a delicious breakfast before continuing our drive to LA.

After picking up Dave and Kristin at the Airport we enjoyed the evening with some crepes and shopping on 3rd Street.

Saturday, Valentine's Day, we went to Disneyland and California Adventure...so romantic and truly the perfect Valentine's Date!

Sunday we went to church at the Anaheim third ward, the Holocust Museum and then headed up to Thousand Oaks to spend time with our friends the Bryan's.

With the Bryan's we enjoyed a fabulous pot roast dinner, lots of chippers (chocolate chip cookies), a very rain day of golf, plenty of Phineas & Ferb, and lots of mexican train.

Of course our trip was not complete until Scott endulged in some amazing ribs from Playoffs in Mesquite, NV.

(thanks Modie....for letting us crash at your apartment! We love you)

My style

2009-02-27T08:35:00.000-08:00

43% Modern Elegance

Variety is the spice of life! And nowhere is this truer than in the design of your home. You may love contemporary, but wish it wasn't quite so cold and austere, or perhaps you're drawn to traditional rooms but you'd like to create a less cluttered and busy space. Transitional Style is here to marry those apparent contradicting designs.
And guess what? It's the contradictions that make the mix of contemporary and traditional so successful. The result is an elegant room that appeals to young and old alike. A sofa with modern lines blends seamlessly with a pair of traditional chairs. New fabrics work so well on antique pieces. It turns out that modern art looks even more exciting above a collection of traditional pieces. The room feels simple and sophisticated, elegant and hip.

29% Cottage Chic
Who says that cottages can't be modern and chic? Who says that they have to be floral and cheesy? Not you!
You love the carefree spirit that the cottage interior inspires, but you are also serious about your appreciation for modern art and hip treasures. You love old and new alike, and love to highlight them all to expose the uniqueness of each. What better way to show off these treasures than with a light background?

28% Traditional Asian

You tend to find interiors that hail eastern influences to be both comforting and exciting. Traditional Asian antiques and reproduction pieces interest you on more than a simple level. And you love the contrast between the sometimes intricate detailing of these furnishings to the simplicity of the rest of the home.
Natural materials such as bamboo, which are very prominent in so many Asian countries appeal to your senses. You find contrast very appealing and spaces that emphasize the opposites in life, the Yin & Yang, help bring you a feeling of balance and well-being. Because really, what is dark without light? What is smooth without the contrasting texture? What is hard without soft?

Find your style at
http://www.sproost.com

A dreamy MLK Day Weekend!

2009-02-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

KINGFISHER BEND RANCH....just outside of Evanston, WY

Nice air eh?........too bad I smashed my face on the landing! (luckily the nose wasn't broken...I just split my lip open)

We are in love!

The gorgeous Uintahs! The perfect backdrop!

Ryan and James vs. their wives Julie and Tiere...in a competitive game of foosball

Scotty, my adorable husband!

Favorites of 2008

2009-01-14T20:04:00.000-08:00

I recently read the book "Songbook" by Nick Hornby. The book is a collection of 2-5 page essays about the authors 31 favorite songs of all time. It is short book, it reads fast and i highly recommend it. On the back cover is a quote from Hornby which says: "All I have to say about these songs is that i love them, and i want to sing along to them, and force other people to listen to them, and get cross when these other people don't like them as much as i do." That pretty well sums up my feelings about my favorite music of 2008. I have loved these albums and songs. I hope in this post to express why exactly i love them. (by the way, if you are not interested in Scott's music yada yada yada, feel free so scroll past this post and read a very well done post about our trip to Hawaii which was done by my wife!)

In no particular order:

Bon Iver - For Emma Forever Ago (Album of the Year)
Genre: Indie Folk
First Heard It: On KRCL, they played "Flume," it floored me. I didn't hear them say the name of the artist. For the first and only time in my life i called the radio station to find out who it was and if the record had been released yet.
Favorite Bon Iver Moments: Seeing him play on Letterman. It was just him and three drummers. Feel free to follow the link and watch it on you tube. I hope it gives you goose-bumps like it did to me, and if it doesn't do it for you....please don't tell me.
Best Songs: "Flume" - "Lump Sum" - "Skinny Love" - "For Emma" - "Re: Stacks"
Mixes Well With: Ears

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Genre: Electronica
First Heard It: On my brother Andy's girlfriends myspace page (thanks wren!), the song was "time to pretend" I probably listened to it 5 times right then.
Best MGMT Memories: a.)The song is super energetic, and triumphant. The beat is steady and strong. It was on just about every hill climb bike mix i made. I feel pretty confident in saying that i made it up many hills as a result of this song. If you bike you need to try it!
b.) Playing "electric feel" far too loud in Courtney's car while dancing like fools and drumming on the dashboard. You should also try this some time.
Best Songs: "Time to Pretend" - "Electric Feel" - "Kids"
Mixes Well With: Exercise and dancing in the kitchen

Frightened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight
Genre: Folk?
First Heard It: While working on a deck in Farmington with my brother-in-law John.
Best Frightened Rabbit Memories: Courtney Jacobsen "Is this a new counting crows album" yeah it was funny, but he really does sound like Adam duritz sometimes.
Best Songs: "Backwards Walk" - "Old Old Fashioned" - "Floating in the Forth" - "Good Arms vs. Bad Arms"
Mixes Well With: Scenic car rides

Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
Genre: Indie Rock
First Heard It: For some reason i was skeptical about this album. However, my fears were put to rest when KRCL played "Grapevine Fires" the day the album was released. (I should note that again i was with John in Farmington building a deck.)
Favorite DCFC memories: Not getting rained on at their concert despite the clouds looking very ominous.
Best Songs: "Your New Twin Sized Bed" - Great Great story telling! Breaks my heart every time.
Mixes Well With: Saturday Chores.

The Broken West - Now or Heaven
Genre: Indie Rock
First Heard It: Saw them on Letterman playing "Auctioneer." It was my second favorite talk show performance of the year.
Favorite Broken West Memories: I heard them for the first time like a month and a half ago so i am sure many great moment are a head...but none yet.
Best Songs: "Auctioneer" - "Gwen, Now and Then" - "Terror for Two"
Mixes Well With: Road Trips

Dan Tyminski Band - Wheels
Genre: Folk and/or Bluegrass
First Heard It: On the "Live on KXEP" Podcast. The info section said that he was the singing voice for George Clooney on "O' Brother Where Art Thou" and i figured i would give it a listen. It lead to my recent bluegrass infatuation.
Favorite Dan Tyminski Memories: Thinking from the very first listen - "If Joe Hinckley doesn't like this guy i just don't think we can be friends."
Best Songs: "Wheels" - "How Many Times"
Mixes Well With: Barn Dancing

Mates Of State - Re-Arrange Us
Genre: Indie Pop
First Heard It: This one is fuzzy, i am pretty sure the song "Lullaby Haze" was on a music sampler CD from PASTE magazine.
Favorite Mates of State Moments: For the better part of 3 months, every time i would get in my wife's car this CD was playing. When you are first married you sort of think that you and your spouse will love all, or at least most of the same things. As the months roll on you come to understand that the reality of the situation is that she will likely never play golf and you will have to be tricked in some way to watch "P.S. I Love You." And that is OK. That being said, one of the better parts of being married is loving stuff together. I love this album, it was one of my top three of the year...I has been a lot of fun to see Courtney love it too! (that was a long one)
Best Songs: "Lullaby Haze" - "Re-Arranger" - "Get Better"
Mixes Well With: Happiness, Chores, Road Trips, Exercise, In Car Karaoke....

Paul Jacobsen & The Madison Arm - s/t
Genre - Folk Rock?
Bias Disclaimer: Yes, i have my reasons to be biased here but the truth is the album is great!
First Heard It: In rough form...for the last five years. Finished Product....At the CD release show. It was a great show. I have been to many many PJ concerts and this was his best.
Favorite PJ &TMA Moments: Again the CD Release show. Sharing it with friends.
Best Songs: "Time" - "At That Day" - "You Were" - "Lung" (Of all the albums i have enjoyed this year this is the one that i know i can unapologetic ally encourage people to buy, and be pretty certain that everyone will like almost every song)
Mixes Well With: A good sound system, headphones, relaxing...

Sera Cahoone - Only As The Day Is Long
Genre: Folk/Alt Country
First Heard It: John Connors makes his third appearance. I heard it on my computer, but it was via his recommendation
Favorite Sera Cahoone Moments: Not being able to find the album because i can't spell her name (Sara, Sarah, Cahone, Cahoon Etc.)
Best Songs: "Baker Lake" - "You Might As Well" - "The Colder The Air"
Mixes Well With: Feeling Lonely

Albert Hammond Jr. - Como Te Llama?
Genre: Rock
First Heard It: On the way to the Radiohead concert. we were listening to the Boston equivalent of KRCL. They played "GfC." It was super catchy and i had Courtney write down the name and song when it was announced.
Favorite ABH Jr. Moments: Hearing the song on the way to Radiohead. This album also kept me alert while on a LONG drive to Augusta, MT.
Best Songs: "GfC" - "Victory In Monteray" - "In My Room"

Other Albums I Enjoyed:
Ben Folds - Way to Normal
Shearwater - Rock
Conor Oberst - s/t
David Byrne & Brian Eno - Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue
Matthew Ryan - Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State
Blitzen Trapper - Furr
Coldplay - Viva la Vida
HoneyHoney - First Rodeo

Christmas in Hawaii

2009-01-11T09:01:00.000-08:00

Turtle Bay, Oahu

Surf-in-turf, Burger-a-day challenge

Dunlop Beach Bumbs a.k.a. Caitlin, Hannah and Max

Leo "the unripe Coconut"

PCC, Samoan Village, Fire Lessons

Romy's Road Side Shrimp

Our Sponsors, the fabulous Charlotte and Ted

Christmas Eve, Dunlop Family, Captain Cook Monument, Big Island

Leo's Parents a.k.a. Holly and Paul, Captian Cook Monument

A napping Monk Seal, Captian Cook Monument

My sexy snorkler, Scott, Captian Cook Monument

Our Coral cuts, Captian Cook Monument...Ted, Hannah and I got pretty banged up

Sea Kayaks, our transportation to and from the Captian Cook Monument

Our view, Surf and Rachet Club, Kona-Kahula

Whale Watching, Humpback Whales

Whale Watching, Self Portrait on boat

Lava meets Ocean, Black Sand Beach

Leo, Volcano National Park

Max, looking for Dinosaurs, Volcano National Park

Courtney and Scott, Volcano National Park

What we saw......a BMW following a biker on the shoulder of the highway

Who it was.....LANCE ARMSTRONG!!!!

Our Last beach Sunset.....tear!

Jason and Hannah, leaving the beach, a very somber moment

Not pictured: spinner dolphins, animals seen snorkling (tons of fish, an octopus, turtles, and sting rays), Mexican train (dominoes), the endless amounts of food, Macadamia Nut and Chocolate Haupia pie from Ted's Bakery, Church at the Tongan Branch in La'ie, meltdowns in the minivan's, Pesto's mmmmm!, Scott's victories over his Dad in Tennis (lifetime 1st), a day at the Spa (for Courtney) and more!

Thank you Ted and Charlotte for a wonderful Holiday!

Mele Kelikimaka!

2008-12-24T22:40:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from the beautiful isles of Hawaii!

more pictures to come upon return to the mainland.....

(today we went kayaking to the Capitan Cook Monument....enjoyed spinner dolphins, snorkling, turkey fish, eels, and a few scrapes and bruises...it was pretty incredible!)

Half as cute!

2008-12-13T11:48:00.000-08:00

My sister Ashley and her husband John welcomed baby number three earlier this week.

Ruby Louise is beautiful and perfect and so precious.

If our children (this is not an announcement) are as half as cute as our neices and nephews we are going to be set!

Congrats Ash, John, Sophie and Parker!

Ouch!

2008-11-30T19:08:00.000-08:00

I threw out my back on Tuesday night. I think the stress that I put on my body in preparation for my show last week, was about all it could handle. I am healing slowly, but I can't help but be grateful for fantastic timing....I would have been in real trouble if this had happened a week earlier. BUT, it didn't! I got to perform, the shows were fantastic and I am really grateful to all of those who came to support me: Scott, Tracie, Kelly, Walter, Connie, Bob, Kathy, Mom, Dad, Naomi, Adrianne, Nicole, Ted, Charlotte, Ryan and Julie. Thanks it really means a lot to me that you would be there! Especially thanks to Scotty for coming twice! (and thanks to all those who wanted to come and sent the love my way!!)

Tabula Rasa

2008-11-18T16:28:00.001-08:00

Nov. 20, 21, & 22 7:30pm Marriott Center for Dance, University of Utah

For the last year I have been working with my friend Monica Campbell as a part of her graduate thesis piece for the Modern Dance Dept at the University of Utah. I and 5 other (amazing dancers) have rehearsed for countless hours, for 52 weeks, and it all comes together this weekend.

Tabula Rasa, is a piece about 9-11. It is about the shock, collapse, the rebuild and the individual experience inside of such tragic event. The piece is a collaboration between Monica and her friend Evan Ritter (who is working on his masters degree in lighting and set design at the University of Washington). It is well choreographed as well as amazingly complimented with lighting and set pieces.

Other graduates will be showing there works also this night, ours piece is the last in the program, so even if you can't make it there on time, you could still make it to see this piece (which in my option is the best in the show).

Hope to see you there!

Skinny jeans and tall socks are not friends!

2008-11-02T15:55:00.000-08:00

skinny jeans

tall socks

I have recently discovered that skinny jeans and tall socks are not friends. You see I usually get dressed in the following order:
1)undergarments
2)pants
3)shirt (I then pick out my shoes...which leads to...#4)
4)socks (where applicable)
5)shoes

In the case where I choose my skinny jeans for my "pants", I always get in trouble at the sock step. You see because of the tapered nature of skinny jeans I find it really difficult to pull my socks up, because I cannot pull my jeans up high enough to make it so that they feel right. I end up having to start the whole process over putting making step 2: socks, and then step 3: pants....etc. I laugh at myself everytime, because I should be smarter than my pants, but I guess not.

Thankful part 6....neices and nephews part 3

2008-10-24T21:57:00.000-07:00

Nathan

Katie

Spencer

Hannah

Thankful Part 5.....neices and nephew part 2

2008-10-17T20:08:00.001-07:00

Max

Catlin

Sarah

Cameron

(my pictures of Hannah and Nathan won't load so look for them tomorrow....more neices and nephews to come...schmidts & jacobsens)

Thankful part 4

2008-10-16T21:51:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful for......

1) a great boss (thanks dad)

2) being able to work in my sweats

3) a husband takes such good care of me while I work all day (thanks Scotty!)

4) the Office (the best show to watch after a long day)

5) Kath and Kim (my new favorite show)

Thankful part 3......nieces and nephews (part 1)

2008-10-14T23:21:00.000-07:00

I am grateful for Annie....she has an awesome laugh, she is smart, an amazing leaper and great at turns (I am her dance teacher), she is nice and a great helper.

I am grateful for Kate....she loves animals, she is a beautiful singer and dancer, she is great at sharing, she is almost always happy, she gets excited about little things, and she loves to cuddle.

I am grateful for Meg....she makes the best faces, she makes me laugh, she can climb/reach/get into/find anything, she is always moving, loves popcorn, and she loves baths!!

I am grateful for Sophie....she is a great artist, she has a great imagination, she can skip backwards, she loves Scotty's french toast skills and she gives great hugs.

I am grateful for Parker....he likes my zucchini bread, he likes when I rub his arm and back, when his mom is not around he prefers me over Scott, he has the most awesome looking dog and blanket, and he is the best to play imaginary catch with!

(thanks to my sisters blogs for the pictures!)

Thankful part 2...

2008-10-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

1) The robot dance (as featured on Phineas and Ferb)

2) Phineas and Ferb (my new favorite new show, thanks to Sophie and Parker)

3) Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (thanks Mom...I think I ate at least 3 if not 5 today at your house!)

4) Car Brakes (we would be in serious trouble without them....Scott had his replaced today!)

5) Scott is grateful for..... Power Tools

I am thankful for...

2008-10-13T21:25:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been haunted by what an awful blogger I am....I feel that I have to make some big statement or tell you all what has been going on in my life since my last post, but I get overwhelmed by both. So here is my attempt at the simple blogging life. From now until Thanksgiving. I am going to find five things that I am grateful for each day (we will see if I truly make it each day). Obvious or subtle, big or small, lasting or trivial! You should note they are in no particular order!

1) Spell Check...I am an awful speller. I am grateful that I can improve my writing skills will a click of a mouse.

2) Birthday parties (a special thanks to Ryan Sauve, Adrianne, Grandma Barbara and all you October Birthdays)

3) Monday Night Football (it gives me a chance to cuddle up next to Scott for an hour or so)

4) Our Laptop (allows me to work...while "watching" football, baseball or ESPN in general)

5) Leftovers (from birthday parties feed us for days....we love leftovers! Although they expire after about 3 days in my mind so we have to enjoy them fast!)

Moved!

2008-09-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

We have moved...AND as a direct result we have been without internet for a few weeks and I cannot find out camera cord to download all the great pics we have been taking over the last few weeks! Tune in again in a couple of days for pics of our new house, Scotts race and more!

My Hero

2008-09-16T20:19:00.000-07:00

Lotoja 2008

a man
a bike
1 day
3 states
206 miles
4 fellow Scotts
1 CD Soundtrack full of inspiring tracks
2 awesome support cars
2.5 gallons of water
30 scoops of Perpetuem
11+ hours

* the most amazing race I have ever had the privilege of supporting *

WAY TO GO SCOTTY!!!

So Good, So Good, So Good

2008-08-15T19:13:00.000-07:00

When I was in 6th grade my brother Paul said to me "Scott, Dude, all I can say is enjoy recess while you can cause next year you wont have it and you will be like...dang! I wished I had played more at recess." (Or at least that is how I remember him saying it). That concept seems to have followed me my whole life. I was told to enjoy high school, my mission, college, single life etc. while they last cause when they are gone... The most recent version that Courtney and I hear goes as follows "Oh my gosh you guys just take advantage of the time you have without kids, because once you have kids everything changes." So to all you people who have told us this...I can say with a high degree of certainty that this summer we have heeded your council. In the name of not having the longest blog posting ever, I have broken our summer into several posts. They are as follows: President and sister Jacobsen return - Saltoev (pronounced sal-to-ev) Lotoja's shorter but stronger brother -Beach week – Courtie’s B-day - Martha's Vineyard - Boston. Feel free to nibble and read one post at a time, feast and gorge yourself on all the posts at once, sample by glancing at the posts but mostly the pictures (a very popular choice), or even fast and not read any of them. Pick your poison.

Boston -

2008-08-15T18:37:00.000-07:00

After the Vineyard we spent a jam-packed day and a half in Boston. We did a little sight seeing - Quincy market, the freedom trail, Harvard. But most importantly we saw the Red Sox play and we saw Radiohead in concert. If I were to make up a list of the top 10 things I want to see before I die the top three of that list would include a red sox game at Fenway and seeing Radiohead in concert. AND WE DID THEM BOTH IN A DAY AND A HALF! The Red Sox game was unreal. If you haven't been to Fenway...GO! It is such an amazing park, it is chuck full of history and character from the OLD wood slat seating to singing "Sweet Caroline" in the middle of the 8th inning. Before the game we got a couple of Fenway franks and enjoyed the atmosphere of being surrounded by the most fanatical of fans. The game it self was one for the ages. The Sox played the Texas Rangers, so we got to see Josh Hamilton play, which was awesome (if you haven't heard his story you need to google him or something he is amazing). David Ortiz hit 2; 3-run home runs in the first inning! The place was going NUTS! However, even though the score was 10-0 for the Sox after one inning it turned out to be a barnburner. The rangers came back to take the lead in the 6th inning 15-14. Until Kevin Youkilis (YOUUUUUUUUUUK!) crushed a 3 run homer over the green monster to take the lead back in the bottom of the eighth. From there Jonathan Paplebon took over and that was the game. Final Score 19-17 Boston. Classic!

The World Series banners that hand outside of Fenway

Courtie and I Pregame

The view from our seats

Papi rounding the bases after the first of his two homers.

Youuuuuuk! That is the swing that sealed the game.

Papelbon showing the Rangers the international sign for Game Over!

Scoreboard! it was a crazy game

Courtie and I Post Game

Radiohead was far and away the best show I have ever been to. Thom Yorke's White-tastic trance dancing was awesome, but all humor aside they put on one heck-uv-ah show. They played two encores and I was never bored. WOW!

Thom Yorke - it may look painful but it sounds awesome

Yorke Displaying his white-tastic trance dance

Johnny Greenwood

An Awesome Green wood and Yorke Duet

Radiohead!

From there, we slept in the car for a couple of hours while we waited for the parking lot to clear, drove to Boston, hopped on a plane a wah-la we were back in SLC. What a trip.

Martha's Vineyard -

2008-08-15T18:20:00.001-07:00

Martha's Vineyard - Three summers of Courtney's life were spent on Martha's Vineyard as a nanny for the Pertile family. Needless to say she developed a lifelong friendship with the Pertile family. This was her first trip back to "the Vineyard" since before her mission. It was a great trip. The Pertile's put us up in their home and were the best hosts anyone could ask for. The Vineyard is gorgeous. The center of the island is thick green forest dotted with lakes, while the edges are perfect sand beaches. I rented a bike while I was there and was able to ride all the way around the island. It was easily the prettiest bike ride I have ever been on. We spent our days sight seeing in the Pertile's jeep, taste testing lobster ice cream (yuck), window-shopping, and playing around with the kids. We got to watch the future Rafael Nadal and Rodger Federer (a.k.a. Jake and Grant Pertile), and Martin Sexton also happened to be playing at this awesome little bar on the vineyard so we got to see him, which was an unexpected bonus. I got to swim in the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in my life. It was great to see such a beautiful part of the world, and a place that I know means so much and hold so many fond memories for Courtney.

Courtie enjoying the windblown look in the jeep

The red cliffs of Aquinah. This beach was sooooo pretty. Unfortunatly if you venture far enough down you find out that nudists also think it is pretty.

Courtie and i at South beach. A really drunk lady took this picture so we are impressed that it turned out OK.

Martin sexton put on great show

The Gayhead light house.

After a gnarly bite of lobster ice cream we enjoyed a delicious serving of blueberry

Sarah Pertile savoring an ice cream cone.

Courtie's B-Day

2008-08-15T18:04:00.000-07:00

Courtney turned 25 (finally old enough to rent a car!). My parents had us over for dinner and the Parkers invited everyone over for desert. Courtney was showered with gifts and deserving praise from friends and family. I will just add that i love her, i am proud of all she manages to do, and i could not be happier to be married to such a wonderful woman.

Courtie by the Ben and Allison Jacobsen kids who were more than glad to help her open presents.

Courtney and our niece Sarah in their stylish bow decor.

Beach Week -

2008-08-15T17:51:00.001-07:00

Every year the Parker family travels to Ventura California to spend a week reading great books, soaking up the sun, swimming in the ocean, playing bacci ball, football, whiffle ball, golf, and eating phenomenal food. This has been a Parker tradition for over 19 years and I consider myself lucky to have married into a family with such a great tradition.

Beach Week is not just he Parkers. It the families of Jared Parker 3 of his closest friends (the Hyde's, the Pew's and the Bryan's). So all in all we have a pretty big group (55 and counting).

Our niece Sophie (a.k.a. Ashley's Clone) and me chillin' on beach. She is enjoying a classic beach week treat...a cow cookie from The Royal Bakery

I had plenty of time to read

The 1st presidency of beach week G2..Courtney, Will Hyde and Tracie Bryan.

Saltoev (pronounced sal-to-ev) Lotoja's shorter but stronger brother -

2008-08-15T17:40:00.001-07:00

My brother Ben, Jared Madsen and I biked 105 miles from Salt Lake to my families cabin just outside of evanston. It was brutal. we traveled up big cottonwood canyon, over Guardsman's pass to park city. From park city to Kamas and finished it all of with a grueling ride up and over mirror lake pass. I am eternally grateful for my two riding partners that allowed me to draft behind them for a good majority of the ride. However, i am even more grateful for my stunning wife who was kind and patient enough to drive the support car for us. Having her there with our food and water aver couple hours made all the difference. We also got to spend an evening up at the cabin, which was a blast. We played a few hearty rounds of the dice game, and otherwise just relaxed and enjoyed the scenery and company.

Ben and I at refueling at the top of Mirror Lake Pass

SLC is at 4330 feet....so it was a long climb.

Courtney took this picture as she followed us in the car to the finish line.

My dad and our nephew max trying to catch a fish in the pond.

President and Sister Jacobsen Return -

2008-08-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

After 3 years of wonderful service in the England Manchester Mission, my parents made it home. And for the first time in our marriage Courtney has in-laws that live in the same country as us. It has been great to have them home!

June Update

2008-06-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been so long since we last posted... we got a little sidetracked. Here is what we have been doing.

Indoor surfing at Flowrider in Ogden for Scott's Birthday...it was really fun and dangerous!

We both had our bells rung a few times...I think I had got mild whiplash.

Scott lost half of his toe nail when the board flipped back and clipped his foot

We had Paul, Holly, Leo, Ben, Allison, Sarah, Cameron, Nathan and Andy over for Scott's Sunday dinner (it a was birthday weekend). This is Sarah enjoying a smore made in our back yard!

The Salt Lake Jacobsen Boys! (missing Bruce (Montana), Brian (Idaho) and Jason (Wyoming))

Of course we played Rock Band!

I planted an herb garden.

We hung and planted widow boxes!

I made my first loaf of bread!

We (mostly Scott) tore out six fence posts and loads of weeds to make room for a vegetable garden! Hopefully by the end of the summer we will have some peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, squash, and zuchinni.

Happy 25th Birthday Scott!

2008-06-06T07:44:00.001-07:00

Let's face it I married a nerd, a romantic, a tease, a friend, a waterskiier, a goof, a video gamer, a good communicator, a skinny legged cyclist, a traveler, a babe and the boy who has always loved me. For those of you who don't know: Scott and I first met at Clayton Middle School, where I knew him as Paul's little brother. At East High School I got to know Scott better. I knew he had a crush on me, but I always seemed to be dating someone else (and wasn't very interested, or at least convinced myself that I was not). We were always good friends and I would frequently tell him things that I wouldn't tell anyone else. We graduated high school, and both served missions, keeping in touch here and there going on a few dates (I even kissed him once before my mission). It did not take long after my mission for me to realize that he was a catch: handsome, nice, funny, fun to be with and totally in love with me! We got engaged 3 months after I got home and married 3 months after that. I am so grateful for Scott in my life... He helps me be a better version of myself. Happy Birthday!
Scott the goof....that is paint primer on my face!

Scott the romantic!

Scott the charmer and me at my Homecoming celebration!

Scott the skinny-legged cyclist!

Happy Birthday to my very best friend, fantastic companion, and husband. I love you! Hope you have a great birthday weekend!

We're going [er...went] to Jackson.

2008-06-01T21:28:00.000-07:00

Over the memorial day weekend we went to jackson to visit my sister laura and her family. So much happened. We saw our nieces Caitlin and Hannah dance. They were awesome, the concert was three hours long, but they were awesome. Our nephew max found his "inner hip-hop." Courtney and I tried to go for a bike ride...but then we got hailed on and wussed out. Jason (Laura's husband) and i played a fair amount of Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3 on the new XBOX. We saw the new indiana jones (and wouldn't recommend it). Courtney got to do some shopping, and her and Caitlin got some asian tourists to take pictures of them by the famous antler arches. On the way home we went through Rexburg to say hello to my sister sarah and her family. We ate some great dinner and played a few games with the nieces and nephew before shoving off for SLC. It was a pretty fun trip.

Evidence that we tried.

Our nephew max...master of his inner hip-hop

Courtney and Caitlin are Jacksons newest tourist attraction

Us and the Schmidts in Rexburg

Come one come all to the world famous....WHAT?!?!?

2008-06-01T21:22:00.001-07:00

We saw this sign on the way to Jackson. What goes on at such a festival? Your guess is as good as mine.

One application process down...206 miles to go

2008-05-19T17:29:00.000-07:00

The following came to my email today:

SCOTT HALDAN JACOBSEN,

THANK YOU for registering for the 2008 LOTOJA CLASSIC. Your online application was processed and approved on MAY 19.

Translation: i got in to the Lotoja Classic.

I am kind of going back and forth between excitement and fear. I am never going to med/law school but i imagine getting into a prestigious school has a similar feeling. It is something that you have always wanted, but it is going to be a very difficult process.
So here we go!

@ a truck stop in tooele...

2008-05-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

Yes, the title of this post sounds like the begining of an improv sketch on "Whose Line is it Anyway?" However, everything you are about to read is true, so brace yourself.

So two weeks ago i was working in Tooele. On one particular day i went to lunch at the Taco Bell located inside the nearby truck stop. I ordered two spicy chicken burritos, and they were delicious. On my way out i glanced at one of the arcade machines that lined the wall. This particular machine was the "win a prize" type. It begged me to play (i think it was the amazing zoltars cousin). The game worked as follows: There were roughly 20 rows, and each row was roughly 10 squares wide. The game would begin with 3 squares moving back and forth along row #1. The player then presses a button that freezes row #1's squares on place. Once row #1 is frozen in place 3 squares begin moving back and forth in row #2. It is the players goal to freeze those three squares directly on top of the previous 3 squares. This process continues all the way to the top, however, as the game progesses you only given two sqauares, and finially you are only given one square. The ultimate goal is two create a tower of squares all the way to level 20. If a player reaches level 15 he/she can elect to recive a prize (this prize is on par with a 50-100 ticket prize at your local arcade) or he/she may elect to forgo that prize and try to complete the tower all the way to level 20. If the player makes it all the way to 20 he/she wins a grand prize (this prize is much more significant, like a wii or an ipod etc.)

I am sure you can finish the rest of the story, but just to be sure. I WON! As a result i am now the proud owner of an XBOX 360. It was pretty awesome.

The Results Are In...

2008-04-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

The winner of the Lotoja team name is........The Flying Scotsmen. The winner of the contest (my sister Laura) gets a free autographed picture with the team, AND she also gets to take us all out to dinner at Bubba's. Congratulations Laura!

Below are a few apparel options. Let us know what you think.
I have yet to find these for sale anywhere, but they pretty cool anyway.

I think this is the official Scotland Jersey

William Wallace Jersey option A

William Walace option B: My personal favorite.

The Contemporary Tartan

Further, Courtney chose a bike this weekend. After trying out probably 20 bikes, and after polling the blog world...she decided to go with the Trek 2.1 WSD. The bike arrives this week and will go on it's maiden voyage this weekend. She is pretty stoked.

WINNER!

Top ten things I don't tell someone I am meeting for the first time!

2008-04-11T19:37:00.000-07:00

1. I am a food snot. --lets face it I like good food and am sometimes too critical for my own mediocre cooking skills. I don't like a lot of the food I make.

2. I am a recovering perfectionist. I say recovering, because I go to therapy on a regular basis to work this one out. I have learned that it is okay if my house is dirty and my hair is greasy, while I take care of other things of more importance!

3. I like to sing. I wanted to be the vocalists of some kickin' band... but never seemed to make it past the East High music department or the ward party.

4. I can touch my tongue to my nose. In fact if I wanted to, I could almost pick my nose with my tongue.

5. I was the Head Cheerleader at East High. People have really weird stereo types about cheerleaders. I just think it is better if someone gets to know me a little bit before they find this one out!

6. If I don't know the answer, I will often times make it up. I don't think this is lying. It is just creative talking.

7. Scott and I got engaged three months after I got home from my mission. And married three months after that. I make fun of people like me! But I don't regret it all!

8. When I laugh really hard I cluck. It would just be weird to tell someone that... one would just have to experience Lady Cluck to understand!

9. I love Hip Hop! Most definitely my favorite form of dance. I took ballet, and jazz, so that I would be better at Hip Hop! I like to listen to the music so loud I can feel the bass pulsate through my body.

10. "I have a confession to make, I write poetry". It was strange enough when I said that to my sisters. It would be even more bizarre to give an almost stranger my confession.

Let's hear yours!

Angel on [her] bike...

2008-04-07T18:13:00.000-07:00

Courtney has decided to enter the world of cycling. So last saturday we went out bike shopping. She tried out probably 10 bikes. We were able to narrow it down to 3 models. And while the final choice will be up to courtney...i kinda liked the "put it to a vote idea"

Now we understand that comfort and preformance are the first priorities, however as the one of the Contender Bikes salesmen said: "you want a bike that looks sexy, so that when you get home from work you see it there and think.'ohhhh, i want to ride that.'" So bellow are Courtney's 3 favorite thus far. Let us know which you like the most.

Orbea Aqua Dama

Orbea Lobular

Trek WSD 2.1

Team Name?

2008-03-31T19:05:00.000-07:00

So last night i committed to my brother-in-law (Jason Dunlop) that i would ride Lotoja (A Bike race from logan, ut to jackson hole, wy) in a team with him. We have to register on April 22, which is still a ways away, but we need a good team name. So i am asking the 4 people who read this blog to suggest a few good names for our team.

A little background may help:

Jason = Rode non-stop, 400 mile race, in Alaska, with an ulcer, and without drafting, teams, or ipods. This will be his umpteenth Lotoja ride. Generally speaking, he is likely the best cyclist that i will ever have the pleasure of knowing, much less biking with.

Me = I like bikes! This will be my first Lotoja effort, and my first bike ride longer than 100 miles. I get pretty tired riding my bike to school (5 miles). While i am confident that, with proper training, i will be able to finish, i am sure that i would struggle mightily without people like jason on my team.

Etc: When i was younger, jason would often make sprite come out of my nose. Jason and i have, on and off, been addicted to World of Warcraft (my charaters included shaide, lanemyer, and haldan, Jason went by Jlope, which was often confussed with j-lo).

My Current Ideas are: Lazerpewpewpew Or Team Pew for short
Team Tortise'n'Hare
Team Stretch Armstrong
(clearly we need you ideas)

Thanks

The Wii is soooo overrated!

2008-03-25T18:52:00.000-07:00

Just ask Walter Day, head referee of Twin Galaxies: "I wanted to be a hero. I wanted to be the center of attention. I wanted the glory, I wanted the fame. I wanted the pretty girls to come up and say, 'Hi, I see that you're good at Centipede.'" In other words vintage gamers get more ladies than David Hasselhoff...in the Night Rider Days

Over the weekend Courtney and i watched "The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters." Although it will never be described as a work of complete, devastating brilliance, and it is unlikely that many review will read: "what's so remarkable about this film is not its time frame but the wealth of its detail, the eloquence of its images, and the sweep of its ambition." However, some reviews have said "A stupendously entertaining nonfiction film concerning the cutthroat battle for world records on coin-operated arcade games." and "A hilarious story about an unbelievable collection of arrested-teenage morons and, yes, an inspiring fable of persistence and redemption." and perhaps most telling

..."Nerds Rule!"

And in my opinion the move was great! It had everything.

A compelling hero - Steve Weibe (say it with me weebee) - a lovable loser on par with the Boston Red Sox (Pre 2004) Chicago Cubs, Utah Jazz, and Roy Munson. Weibe has spent his whole life on the verge of greatness only to fall desperately short, and now, after being laid off, is trying to redeem himself by claiming the world record for Donkey Kong (which has gone untouched since the 80's). Just as a matter of clarification this is the original Donkey Kong, not Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Konga or any of the other more advanced affiliates.

A dastardly villain - Billy Mitchell - A villain comparable to Nasty Man, and the legendary Snidely Whiplash. Mitchell is the current World Record holder for Donkey Kong (800,000+ points). Equipped with a well trimmed beard, long flowing locks, and unrivaled hand-eye-coordination, Billy has owned the vintage gaming world since he was a teenager, and he is determined to stay on top. "...but competitive gaming, when you wanna attach your name to a world-record, when you want your name written into history, you have to pay the price!" - Billy Mitchell

And of course a damsel in distress - Princess peach!

Not to mention that it is utterly hillarious to listen to people who are excessivly passionate and serious about video games. Take Billy Mitchells protoge, Brian Kuh, for example: "You know, he's gonna have to play it perfectly, he's at the hardest part of Donkey Kong, and it's not gonna get any easier. So we may have an exciting moment here, or you know, the pressure may get to him, one of those random elements might happen. Sounds like he just cleared another board, but we could have a wild barrel, or some aggressive fireballs. I thought I was gonna be the first FunSpot kill screen, and then I had three fireballs trap me, I had the hammer in my hand, they still got me. So anything can happen in Donkey Kong. So for someone else to beat me to the kill screen would be a letdown, but lets see what happens, maybe he'll crack under the pressure and maybe I'll get my chance to do it."

Perhaps right now you are thinking...there is no way i am wasting an hour and a half (actual run time: 79 minutes) on a movie about Donkey Kong. However, The guy from Men's Warehouse and i have teamed up to tell you "You are gonna like [The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters]I guarantee it!" (George Zimmer may or may not have actually endorsed the previous quotes).

After watching the movie i waxed nostalgic and tried out Donkey Kong on my computer. I would like to say that i absolutely crushed it and took over the new world record...but in all reality, it took me numerous tries to get past the first level, and at the moment my high score is 15,240 and i have passed 7 levels. So only 20 levels to go, and a mere 800,000 points! Steve and Billy had better watch out! Feel free to try it out yourself (http://donkey-kong.freeonlinegames.com/) and let me know how you do.

You may need to check this book out at your local library!

Just a closing thought for all those who may have a little video gaming addict in their blood. Consider this quote from competitive gamer Adam Wood "I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs. I play video games, which I think is a far superior addiction to any of those other ones."

kaba modern - thriller

2008-03-24T14:35:00.001-07:00

Really this is why I love YOU TUBE! Sorry the first one didn't work!

Kaba Modern Thriller episode 5

2008-03-16T19:08:00.001-07:00

...now this is why "I love YOU TUBE"!

I AM LOST!

2008-03-10T20:06:00.000-07:00

If it is true that...

"You are what you eat".... then I am Beef Stroganoff.
"You are what you spend your money on"... then I am shamrocks and St. Patty's decorations (which I just bought at Walmart for my dance 1 class).
"You are what you grow"... I am a weed.
"You are what you read"... I am subtitles or picture books.
"You are what you think, say or write"...I should be more careful.
"You are what you wear"... I am dance clothes.
"You are what you listen to"... I am Disney Channels Greatest Hits (thanks to my 3 jazz classes of preteens)
"You are what you love".... I am Scott Jacobsen 6'3", 25 lbs.
"You are what you order"... I am Salmon!
"You are what you watch"....I AM LOST!

A few weeks ago Scott and I went to visit some friends of ours McClane and Jane Juggler. McClain and Scott were companions on the mission in "OOOOOHH KLAHOMA!" Just before leaving the Jugglers gave us seasons 1 and 2 of LOST to watch. We had told them about our initial attempt to get into it about a year ago which ended after disc 1 season 1. They insisted that it got better and that we needed to give it another chance. When we got home that night around 11pm, we thought we would watch an episode. Seven episodes later, we went to bed. Church was rough that next morning!
Needless to say, we made it thru Seasons 1 and 2 in under two weeks. We had to drive to North Ogden yesterday to return 1 & 2, and retrieve Lost season 3. Oh, and to see the new baby, Riley. She is so cute! And although I argue that Riley is just as cute and entertaining as most of the characters on LOST, she is simply less addictive.
So here go! I am now leaving my computer to watch season 3. I had to wait for Scott to get home from school or he would have disowned me as his wife.

Happy Valentines Day

2008-02-14T17:39:00.000-08:00

My wife is awesome! Today she made me breakfast in bed (coffee cake muffins and an omelet) and brought my favorite cookies in the whole world (Ben’s Cookies) to me while I was at work. So, like I said my wife is awesome. I love her, but although I may be the President of the Courtney fan club, I am by no means the only member. The Courtney fan club is a thriving organization full of people from all over the world that love, cherish, adore, admire, and respect her. Today is Valentines Day, a day that we are to shower those we love with praise and love. So, on that note: Courtney I love you! And you are amazing but as the great LeVar Burton often said “Don’t take my word for it.” Below are some comments of praise from a few of the many people that love you. Happy Valentines Day…I Love You.

Courtney Parker Jacobsen is the greatest. First of all she was the most awesome, loud, goofy, hilarious kid there ever was. Courtney you have been my friend since before we were born I am convinced of that. You were my partner in crime as kids. We came up with the most amazing games; we were obnoxious together and quite funny at times too. My most favorite thing about you as a kid, besides your Beethoven video, was that you would do all of my talking for me when we had to talk to anyone else! I loved it! For fear of sounding ultimately cheezy I will make this brief. You are the most amazing person Court. You have been my best friend through the awkward years, the interesting years, the bad decision years, sad times, good times, ridiculous times and everything in between. You can make me laugh and cry all at the same time! I admire you so very much; you have the most amazing ability to forgive people. You are so talented, you have the ability to talk to anyone, you love the gospel, you like to be crazy silly with me, and you married someone great who can actually put up with me as well! I love, love, love you! Courtney you are my hero. - Tracie Bryan

Courtney is fun loving, outgoing, and includes everyone. I have know Courtney since pre-school and one thing I can say is she is loyal and sincere, two qualities that I rate so much higher than other qualities, because I meet so many people who are neither. She is just all around the kind of person that is fun to know and be around. - Heidi Evans Myers

What can I say there is no one like Courtney! I know it might sound silly to say but I love her more than words can say. She is the true model of a best friend that everyone should have. I still remember the day that I met her like it was yesterday and her bright smile that made me know I had a friend in her when both of us were leaving our family and friends to a foreign land thousands of miles away. She has been there for me ever since that day and I know she always will! I love you Courtney!!!! - Brittany Gardineer

I love that Courtney is passionate. Whatever has caught her attention at the moment is her quest. She gives it her not only her heart and soul, but also her blood, sweat and tears. Love you! - Adrianne Parker Murdock

Courtney is... happy, obviously patient since she deals with Scott, loving, caring and kind to all who come in her path. - Andy Jacobsen

I love Courtney because she helps me see my potential. She is sincere and genuine and gracious. She is amazingly fun to spend time with and has an infectious laugh and smile. I am incredibly excited to be neighbors come August and look forward to the many memories in the making! - Staci Garcia

Courtney is great because:
- She came from good stock.
- She is almost always in a pretty good mood
- She is thoughtful and service-centered
- She once said to me, "Oh, that's great that you're finally getting out and exercising, Paul!"
- She is my only real competition for Favorite Aunt/Uncle.
- Paul Jacobsen

I love Courtney because she loves me. She has always been a friend to me. I love Courtney because she loves Scott. Courtney is the kind of person who cares about everyone, but cares about you individually. You can feel her charity personally. - Mark Taylor

Words could never describe how much I think of "Little Courtie Bug!" One of my very favorite things about Courtney is her testimony and the knowledge that strengthens that testimony. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY Courtney. I love you - Terese Cracroft

I adore Courtney for the bright light that is her countenance, for her knowledge & enthusiasm for the gospel, for the love she pours out upon all who know her, & for her fun spirit! :) - Sarah Haslam

I love Courtney because she is one of the few genuinely nice people that I have the pleasure of knowing. She is wonderfully caring and always makes me and everyone around her feel like they want to be a better person because she is that way. Courtney is a fantastic dancer and performer and I admire her greatly for her wonderful spirit and loving dedication to her life, friends, family and husband. Happy Valentines Day Courtney! - Ali Spehar

One of my favorite things about Courtney is that she has “black magic” When we think of how she always had the ability to calm people and create a situation that would allow everyone to be happy we thought there was something special about her. Now the Black Magic has transferred somehow to Scott…because he got Courtney - Zach Whitchurch

I love Courtney Parker Jacobsen because she loves Scott Haldan Jacobsen. I love her for making him so happy, for causing him to reach a little higher, be a little better, become spiritually taller and seeing their great potential together. She also adds a lot of class to the Jacobsen bunch :). - Charlotte Jacobsen

I love Courtney because she is a great sister, friend and support. I can always count on her for a Wendy's run or a quick shopping trip. Thanks Court! Happy Valentines Day! I love you - Ashley Connors

While I certainly need to get to know her better, when I think of Courtney, cheerful, fun and positive are a few of the words that come to mind, and while I can’t find a word for this – another thing I appreciate is that she loves my little brother who is not so little anymore. - Bruce Jacobsen

The Pertile family loves Courtney beyond words!! She means the world to us and will live forever on our minds and in our hearts. She is permanently a part of our family. She is unforgettable. She is our "Cookie".
She loved Jake, Grant and Sarah like the love Jesus had for children!! She changed their lives and ours.
WE LOVE YOU COURT!!!!!
- Paul,Barb,Jake,Grant and Sarah(and Pancake) XOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXO

p.s. anyone else who may want also want to tell courtney how awesome she is may do so in the comment section, or by emailing me (shjiceman@yahoo.com) thanks!

Families Helping Familes 08

2008-01-06T12:59:00.000-08:00

For our second year in a row Courtney and I traveled to Mexico for the Christmas season. We were able to enjoy a few sunny days by the pool, a game of golf (in the midst of gale force winds), and beautiful surroundings. So while Bing Crosby may have been "dreaming of a white christmas" we are here to say that 75 and sunny is pretty sweet too.
On Christmas day Courtney made abelskievers (a Danish/Jacobsen tradition) that were a smash hit. Courtney continues to try her hand at Charlotte Jacobsen standards, and thus far has succeeded with flying colors. i cant help but be impressed. But this trip was not just about flying (actually driving) south for the winter. While we were there we spent 5 days building houses for families in the Puerto Penasco area. We did this work through the organization Families Helping Families. The organization built 4 houses this year, and we were part of building two of them. It was a great experience, and a fantastic way to take part of the Christmas spirit.

Favorite Albums of 2007

2007-12-28T15:31:00.000-08:00

I love music, and i listen to a lot of it, however i don't listen to enough of it to make a "BEST of..." list, with any real authority. So instead i will present to you a list of my top 10 favorite albums of 2007. The You may also like portion is not really to compare and contrast, but rather to suggest a few bands you might like as well. Feel free to agree, contest, replace, and/or edit with your input.

Honorable Mentions:
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant - Raising Sand (MOST HONORABLE MENTION)
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga
Eddie Vedder - Into the Wild (soundtrack)
Iron & Wine - The Shephards Dog
Kanye West - Graduation
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band - It's Not Big It's Large
Okkervil River - The Stage Names
Avett Brothers - Emotionalism
Teddy Thompson -Up Front & Down Low
The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War
Great Lake Swimmers - Ongiara
Beirut - The Flying Cup
Linda Thompson - Versatile Heart

10. Radiohead - InRainbows: As I have already posted, this album could change music history with it's "you pick the price" release. But this album also has some great music. You may also like: Interpol, Low, Magic Numbers, Of Montreal, and the Weakerthans

9. The National - The Boxer: The song "Slow Show" ends with the line "You know I dreamed about you for twenty-nine years before I saw you You know I dreamed about you, I missed you, for twenty-nine years" I think if were John Cusack in the movie "Say Anything," and i had to choose one song from 2007 to play while holding a stereo above my head and standing out side the window of my high-school crush...it would be "slow show." By the way, the rest of the album is great too. You may also like: Bright Eyes, Death Cab For Cutie, and Fiona Apple

8. Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter: Clean crisp songwritting, His songs are simple and beautiful. If singer-songwritters are your thing, you will love Josh Ritter.
"Rumors," "Edge of the World," and "Real Long Distance" are among my favorite tracks. You may also like: Paul Simon, Gillian Welch, Griffin House, and Josh Rouse

7.Minus Story - My Ion Truss:
This has been my go to album since i bought it. Anytime i cant think of what to listen to, i put this on and i am satisfied everytime. The album has a great mix of energy and emotion. Favorite tracks include "Aaron" "Battle of Our Lives," and "Mamma Mamma" You may also like: The Mountain Goats, Aimee Mann, The Decemberists, and Broken Social Scene

6. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible: Although Canada has a long list of embarasingly bad artists such as; Alanis Morisette, Shania Twain, Crash Test Dummies, Celiene Dion, and the list goes on. Canada however, also has a few fantasic bands like; Neil Young, Ron Sexsmith, Rufus Wainwright, and Arcade Fire can also be added to the list. "Neon Bible," A great follow up to 2004's "Funeral." Tracks like "Keep the Car Running," "Intervension," and "No Cars Go," charge through the album as the Arcade Fire delivers another refreshing album. You may also like: See other good Canadian artists.

5. Band of Annuals - Let Me Live: Local Band from SLC, but this selection is not just about supporting local music. This album is solid all the way through. This is Alt-Country at it's best, simple melodies that ring, perfect harmonies, and a powerful pedal steel that just sounds lonely. Of all the albums on the top 10 i think i am most confident recomending this album to anyone with any music taste, it is hard to dislike such classic songwritting. You may also like: Ryan Adams (and Whiskytown), Neil Young, Atherton, Steve Earl

4. Joe Henry - Civilians: After a good round of tennis my brother Paul recomended Joe Henry to me. Technically speaking he was nausiated that i had yet to hear Joe Henry, and now after listening to "Civilians" i understand his dissappointment. You may also like: Band of Horses, Teddy Thompson, and Damien Jurado

3. Fiest - The Reminder: Despiste her song "1234" being drastically overplayed on iPod commercials, the radio etc, i still can't get enough of it, and that pretty much says it all. Further, "My Moon My Man" could get my vote for song of the year. You may also like: Beth Orton, Stars, HEM, and Damien Rice

2. Fionn Regan - The End of History: If i still used a CD player this album would be stuck in it. You may also like: Elliot Smith, Devotchka, Elvis Perkins, Iron & Wine, and Laura Gibson

1. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky: You have likely heard songs from this album on VW commercials, which is fitting. This album is great fo a car ride.I recently started collecting records which has gotten me into enjoy albums as a whole. Every couple of years a movie comes out that redeems my faith in movies for example A Beautiful Life. Similarly this album redeems my faith in albums. The Advent of CD's, and iPods has killed albums. Just ask yourself when was the last time you listened to a whole album from start to finish, or even bought a whole album? This album is comple album. I have listened to this album on my iPod, and on record, but never on shuffle. Buy the album, and enjoy.

I want to go, Idaho Oh Idaho

2007-11-26T09:22:00.000-08:00

For the Thanksgiving weekend Court and I went to Sky Valley Ranch (the artist formerly known as Bennion Teton Boys Ranch) to celebrate the season with my family. The ranch is in a magical place called....Victor Idaho (population 840). Victor is known for thier majestic view of the Tetons, delicious Huckleberry shakes @ the Emporium, skiing at Grand Targee, great fishing, and an overall great escape!
I have spent 6 summers of my life at the Ranch, and it has been an integeral part of Jacobsen family lore, but this was Court's first trip. The ranch is pretty endearing, lots of little rustic cabins, gorgeous aspen and pine trees a pleanty of wide open space. The days were filled with classic country holiday activities such as: sledding, ice-skating, card games and....Guitar Hero (even my sister Sarah played!...which is historic).
The meal(s) were fantastic. Thanksgiving dinner alone was a pleathora of goodness. Yams & Apples, Mashed Potatos, Stuffing, Red Cabbage (a Jacobsen family classic) and of course the Turkey. I should also mention that the Turkey was prepared and cooked with impressive quality by my stellar wife. This was her first Turkey attempt and she hit it out of the park. This adds to her "Stepping up to the Jacobsen Cullinary plate" list. Which includes aebleskivers at Christmas time (which were aon par with Charlottes for sure).
We had a blast with all the nieces and nephews. My Nephew Soren (age 14) beat my 2 brothers (ben and Paul) and I at a game of 21 (basketball), although i regained my composure to beat Soren in the championship round of the Ping-Pong Tourney. We also played "Mafia" and various other games with them. I am certain that Courtney now has 10-12 more little members of the already enormus "Courtney Fanclub."

Keep On Rocking In the Free World...

2007-11-12T18:24:00.000-08:00

My most sincere regrets to those of you who missed out on what I have offically declared "the social event of the season." On Friday night last week Courtney and i hosted a party in honor of the much anticipated release of "Guitar Hero III: Ledgends of Rock." We invited friends and relatives to come and "keep on rocking in the free world." We also suggested that in order to get the full Guitar Hero experince that people should come dressed up in thier best rocker garb. Some (Matt & Kelly) went all out and we slaute you. They even schlepped thier baby Rachel along, Matt even rocked a song with her sitting on his knee. Impressive to say the least!

You Say You Want A Revolution.....

2007-11-12T12:43:00.000-08:00

Recently my brother Paul (see Paul and Holly link and/or Paul's Music) and I were discussing if there is or ever will be a modern band that will be on par with the established classics such as Zepplin, the Beatles, etc. Paul is certain that, at least at the moment, the answer was a very clear NO, and i dare any of you to prove him wrong. BUT, in this discussion we agreed that Radiohead is one of the only bands that might even approach the everset-esque hights of awesomeness of the Beatles and others.
Recently Radiohead has done something to further raise their status. Despite being worldwide superstars, and having the ability to get pretty much any recording contract they want.....they released an independant album. Not only that, they released it in "revolutionary" fashion. In a generation of musicians (Lars Ulrich) complaining about not making enough money. Radiohead released thier album (In Rainbows) through thier web-site (www.radiohead.com), and the cost...YOU TELL ME! Seriously. You decided how much you want to pay for the album. If you want it for free, go ahead take it. If you can't even pass by the beggar with the harmonica without dropping in some cahnge, go ahead pay $50.00. If you are an itunes consumer i am sure $9.99 is just fine as well. In other words the consumer pays what they declare the album is worth. The current average sale price is around $10. I I have bought the album, i love it. I hope you will too. Come join the revolution.

P.S. For any diehard Radiohead fans the band will also offer a special edition boxed set for $82 which will be available later and will include two vinyl albums, a CD version of the new album and a second CD with additional new songs, artwork and photographs of the band. This package is available for pre-order at radiohead.com.

Fall Boutique

2007-11-11T13:46:00.000-08:00

THIS SATURDAY NOV. 17th at 1955 Laird Drive SLC UT
Hope to see you all there! Tell all your friends...the more the merrier!

Rocky Point, Mexico

2007-11-03T16:12:00.000-07:00

Us, Nicole, Dan and A (not pictured Mush and Jared)

The poolside view

The view from the pool (looking at the Sea of Cortez)

Eating at Lapa Lapa

This being my first post...I am not sure what other details to include. We ate lots of good food (especially lots of shrimp), read books, slept in, and relaxed. I went to the spa and Scott went golfing. It was lovely and well timed....it felt good to get away for a few days. A special thanks to Mushie and Papa for taking us. -Courtney

Clarification

2007-10-24T02:03:00.001-07:00

So the bellow picture (Courtney pointing at a "SOLD!" sign) is from when we bought our "cute little house on the west side." We still live there and don't plan on selling anytime soon. Sorry for the confusion.

"We Are So Out Of Touch"

2007-10-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

"We speak in past tense and talk about the weather
Half broken sentences we try to piece together
I ask about an old friend that we both used to know
You said you heard he took his life about five years ago
We may pass each other on the interstate
We honk and cross over to the other lane
Everybody's going somewhere everybody's inside
Hundreds of cars hundreds of private lives
We are so out of touch yeah." - Lucinda Willams

On occation i catch myself thinking "whatever happened to...." And in my need for self affirmation i catch my slef hoping that at least one or two people out there are asking themselves "what ever happened to Scott?" All too often i feel "out of touch" with too many good friends. So hear i am. Blogging!

I find it technologically appropriate that i am just getting involved with the blogging revolution. I seem to always be one technological advance behind. I didn't own a Nintendo until Super Nintendo arrived, i didn't get Super Nintendo until N64 came out and so on (which made me reliant on good friends, specifically Jeff, Mike and Eric, for my state of the art gaming). To this day i am still clunking along with the playstation 2 while the masses around me are enjoying the vastly advanced game play of the Wii and so on. Similarly in a world of myspace, and podcasts, here i am just geting on the blogging bandwaggon.

Never the less i hope that you will enjoy my periodic updates.
A couple rules to live by as you read my blog:
1. My role model is Karl Malone as a result: Scott wheel bee tyling alot of speling and grahammer errors in this here blog and thier ain't nothin' y'all can do about it.
2. As commited as i now am to keeping this whole thing up to date....chances are my lazy, procratonating nature is likely to take over at some point so i appologize in advance.

Let me begin a quick wrap up of my life to this point
Scott Jacobsen:
Born - June 6th 1983 (9lbs 8oz, and despite my linebacker weight, many maintain that i haven't gained a single pound since)
Preschool - that blue church (i think it is presbetarian) on Foothill Drive. I got a smiley in coloring, a "grape job" in playing with others and the coveted 100% where the 0's are made into eyes and a smilely face is added, in nap time
Elementary - Uintah (formerly Uinta) Yes i had to be a proud Uintah UNICORN and still turned out OK.
Jr. High - Clayton Middle School. My social fame began as i returned to school, after a bike crash that mangled my face, just in time for 8th grade school pictures. After which i had to turn down various offers from modeling agencies. Zoolander himslef begged me, but i just couldn't fit it into my already full schedule of note writting and girl chasing.
High School - East High, accomplishments include to succesful Brittney Spears Piano renditions. Second runner up in the 2001 Mr. Leopard competition. Winner of the Courtney Parker stalker of the decade award
Mission - Oklahoma Tulsa Mission.
College - University of Utah (Go Utes!) After taking some insparational advice from "tourtise" from "tourtise and the hare" i am currently part of the highly respected 10 year graduation track. I am studding PR and communication. I will likely be done this spring. Hooray.
Romantic Intrest - I AM MARRIED. On Nov. 3rd 2006 i married Coutney Parker ( a card acrrying member of trophy wives of america) It has been fantastic. To those of you who just reacted with an audible "WHAT!?!" upon finding out that i am not only married but married to the Courtney Parker (Jacobsen)...I will quote Andy Benard "My success both in business and with the lady folk has come rom my ability to slowly and painfully wear people down" Believe me no one has been more surpised by this out come than yours truly.
Employment - I work for Courtney's father (Jared Parker). He does fine home remodels, and ironically enough is currently working on the Smoots new home. I have not been lucky enough to be assigned to that job as of yet but i am sure i will hammer a nail or two over there before all is said and done.

I think that is it: I am glad to answer questions if you have them (keep in mind, only one "can you explain one more time WHY Courtney married you again?" oriented question.

Now more importantly MY WIFE:
Courtney Parker Jacobsen
Born - August 3rd 1983 (that is 8/3/83 which is a big help to my forgetful mind)
Elementary - Boneville. The beggining of her feline mascot infatuation (the Bonneville Bobcats) and the beggining of her romantic history. Most Notably: Mark Nelson, theorists maintain it began around 3rd or 4th grade.
Middle School - Clayton Middle School. Her first encounter with yours truely. When confronted about this first encounter she responded "What? Who?" She also was elected as Class President during her 8th grade year.
High School - Head Cheerleader, Dance company, madrigals, and is quoted as equating her feelings for Scott Jacobsen to the Vertical Horizon lyrics "hes i everything you want, he is everything you need, he is everything inside of you that you wish you could be, he does all the right things at exactly the right time but he means nothing to yu and you don't know why" (Ouch!)
Mission - New York Utica Mission. It should be noted that in a breif lapse in judgement she kissed Scott Jacobsen just before she left. She quickly recovered from this mistake by giving him a high five to say goodbye instead of a hug or a kiss.
College - Modern Dance Major at the University of Utah. Also a a year at BYU, arguably one of the biggest misteps in an otherwise flawless existance.
Romantic Interest - Despite being presented with various, more qualified, and certainly better looking, suitors (ncluding football players and olympic bobsledders she married Scott Jacobsen ("this is the sound of settling" - Death Cab) And has been caught on various occations saying to Scott "I am so madly in love with you!" Who knew!
Employment - She is the bookeeper for her dads company. And has recently purchased a Dance studio (suzzane [stotts] school of dance). She teaches 3-18 year olds. As well as an adult hip-hop class on tuesday nights. So if you have anychildren that want to dance, or if you have always dreamed of being the next Usher, than please let us know.

Now for Us:
We are approaching our one year anniversary. We are living in SLC. Working and going to school. No Kids yet. We have a cute little house on the WEST SIDE....of sugarhouse. We love it. All in all life is good and we are happy.