Las Vegas

Inside of the Bellagio there is a biotanicle garden that was really neat also. They change the plants five times a year for the different seasons. They had gorgeous orchids and plants growing in Panda Bear shapes.


Down the hallway from that was a chocolate factory. Everything they made was edible but to pretty to eat.
They had a cool looking chocolate fountain against one was incased in glass.
. I would have liked to go to a show or two and visit a few other places like the Gondola ride at the Venetian, and visit the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory. Maybe we will have another chance to go there and spend a couple more days next time. All in all it was a fun filled two days.

That top picture was supposed to be a cute video of Bentley. I guess I will have to experiment a little.

Surprise

Sunday I basically did very little. I have been fighting a cold now for about 10 days. So after church I layed around and watched the football game then went to bed. I had a wonderful surprise around 8:45. My grandson Bentley and daughter in law Brandi paid me a surprise visit. They flew in to do some things with her family and I didn't know that they were coming. It is always so good to see them. Bentley was his usual cute self.

Dancing girls

Saturday evening was fun for me. I got to go to Mesa High's showcase dance show. Their were a lot of really entertaining numbers to watch. I couldn't take any pictures of the actual dances but got a picture of both of our dancing girls afterwards. Tiffany was in two numbers as was Shandraya. They both do great and have a lot of fun dancing.

30th Anniversary day

Saturday was a fun day just spending basically all day together. We don't get to do that very often with all of the kids comings and goings. We went to a quilt fair. I think Doug did this all for me. He is such a good sport. Then we went shopping again for me. I had a great day!

Baby Boy

I wasn't going to say anything about Drew and Tiffany's exciting news but decided to anyway. I was going to let them share that with everyone but some people might not be able to view her blog so I decided to spread the great news. Their baby is due the first week in June and we are so excited!

Well not much is really happening here at our house. Same old stuff. I owe, I owe so off to work I go is what Doug says.
Everyone watch out because Caleb got his license last week. Yes, now I don't have to load up the daycare kids to pick him up from school and take him to work.
The only other thing is Jeremy and Caleb went Javelina hunting last Saturday and Monday (no school) but they came home without on both days.

The parties over

When almost everyone had gone home Keegan tuckered out. We thought he would be going for a long time after all the cotton candy he ate, but was sound asleep by 8:45. Sweet dreams sweetie.

Jones Family Potluck

This year's potluck was a success. We had a crowd of 43 people. We missed quite a few people but maybe next year won't be as busy for so many. Hopefully we can top 70 next year. Everyone needs to mark your calendars now for the last Saturday in December. We all enjoyed the bounce castle and eating cotton candy along with the tons of food and enjoyable company. We had Drew's family join us this year and hope that they can continue along with us each year for our traditional get together.

We want everyone to know how thankful we are for each member of our family and our friends. We have all been so blessed with a rich abundance in health and happiness throughout this past year. The knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ is so important in our lives. We want to wish each and everyone of you a Very Merry Christmas and an enjoyable and prosperous New Year.

Keegan got some new Lego's, Tiffany and Drew got the Bosch she was wanting and Shandraya got her bike. All of the rest of us got the things they were wanting also.

Christmas 2008

Christmas is truly for kids. It is so easy to buy too much for the little ones. Kierra seemed to be oblivious to anyone else once she opened up her things. She played quite contentedly all morning long. I think everyone had a good time and things seemed to run smoothly

Winter formal

Then we had Caleb go on his first date. It was to the schools winter formal dance. The girl that asked him is a real cute girl.

My mom and my niece came for a short visit. That is always a lot of fun to be with them.

Fun weekend

It started off with a bang. Colten got into a little car accident. He wasn't hurt other than a headache and a sore neck. The car isn't too bad.

I think I'm finally getting into Christmas. It has crept up on me so fast. We usually put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving and get the house decorated, but this year I have been really slow. Finally yesterday the decorations are up and the tree is done. The shopping is all done we just need to wrap things up now.

Beehive Recognition night

Shandraya sure had a lot of fun last night. For mutual it was a Beehive recognition night. It was at Sister Alston's house. She had everything set up so beautiful. It was a night to remember. The girls were asked to wear their prettiest dress and so Shandraya and Stephanie got out some fancy ones from the dress up tub. The girls and moms ate a delicious dinner and then the recognitions were made and then a gift exchange. You can tell by the pictures that all the girls looked beautiful.

My Three Grandkids

While Trevor was here Jeremy and Joanna were gone for a few days so Grandma and Grandpa got to have all three of the grandkids here together. It was so much fun with all of them. Life is great and grandkids are the best.

Bentley wasn't too sure about Tiffany's puppies

We sure enjoyed having Trevor and Bentley here for a few days in Nov. It's always fun when they visit.

Doesn't Jeremy look like he's having a blast! It was one of those experiences that you only have to experience once. It was interesting. It was suppose to be really cold down inside of the cave but with the wind blowing outside and the temperature being cold outside it was actually warmer down in the cave than outside.

We had a fun little trip up to Flagstaff last weekend with our immediate family and Jeremy, Joanna, Keegan, and Kierra. It was real cold and the wind never stopped. On Saturday we hiked down into the lava river tube, and spotlighted a bunch of elk that night. Sunday morning when we woke up the water bottles that were in the back of the truck were frozen. I’m so glad that we were in a hotel and not a tent. I do enjoy camping in tents but it has to be the right conditions. I guess I’m kind of a wimp.

Tiffany and I took a cake decorating class together over the past few weeks. I think the cakes turned out pretty good for our first try. It was fun learning the different techniques.

Doug, Colten and Caleb went to Tucson a couple weekends ago to a reptile show they came home with two of the most beautiful snakes that I have ever seen. They are really into snakes lately. They are really one of the easiest pets or animals that we have ever had. They don't shed, don't bark or meow, they don't eat a lot I have to say they are ok as far as pets go.

I am not to good at updating this blog. I can't believe it's been two months. The kids are all back in school, I had a great birthday, Bentley has had a Birthday, Caleb turned 16 a couple weeks ago and is finishing up his eagle project so he should be driving soon. Oh what a scary thought. We are all very busy in daily living. We finally finished the waterfall in the backyard project. Now on to other things.

I just bought this horse today and Bentley is loving it.

All three grandkids together. What a blessing they are in my life.

playing with Kierra in the irrigation

Playing in the sprinklers with Bentley. Chasing Shandraya around saying "get you, get you" and "peek a boo" with the sprinkler head.

I went to Texas this past weekend to visit Trevor, Brandi and Bentley. Drew and Tiffany went flew out with me and we picked up Colten who has spent a month out there with them. It was so nice seeing them all. One of the best parts of going out there though is I got to bring Bentley back with us. He is such a great little kid. We have been having so much fun with him.