Mission Call

Yesterday was an exciting day. Colten got his mission call in the mail. I sent out an email to a few people and got the video camera link with Trevor, Brandi and Bentley up and running so that they could be with us also when he opened it. Jeremy, Joanna, Keegan and Kierra were just arriving in San Diego at that time so we had them on speaker phone. All of his brothers and sisters were here one way or another. It was great.
Drum roll please.......He reports to the Provo MTC on January 6, 2010. He is going to the Houston, Texas south mission. English speaking. We are sooooooo excited.

Fall Break

Well this past week has been nothing but fun, relaxation, and more fun. Colten, Caleb, Shandraya and I took off Saturday afternoon and went to Pinetop, AZ to a Worldmark resort for the week of Fall break (Doug needed to stay home and work). The weather was perfect. Up to the low 70's in the day and in the low 40's at night. While there we played cards, watched movies, played horseshoes,
fed some squirrels,

went on walks, goofed off in a nice pool,
relaxed in the hot tub pools, and went and saw some huge bull elk in the evenings. I also enjoyed sewing a couple of quilts and read a few books. Their are go, go, go vacations and then there are relaxing vacations. I like to do both but this one was definitely one of the most relaxing ones that I have ever had. The kids were great! They got along and we just had a lot of fun together. They are all old enough to be independent and help out too. They helped cook the meals and clean up. They were awesome! I am so blessed to be a wife and mother and appreciate the wonderful children that have been sent to us.

Braces

Shandraya has been wanting to get her braces for awhile now. Well we finally did it. Here is the before and after.
They were really hurting her the first day but she didn't complain. She even went to piano lessons and dance practice that afternoon. She is doing great on following the rules of food that she can't have.

Back to School

I can't believe that school has been going for almost 1 month already. I also have a hard time believing that I only have two children at home going to school. Our family is growing up and moving out fast. I don't know where all the time goes. Caleb on his first day of 11th grade and Shandraya on her first day of Jr. High at Taylor.

Life at the Jones'

This past week has been a fun but yet busy week in our family. Last weekend on the 31st and 1st we went up to the mountains with Drew's family. They were nice enough to invite us to their family fun. We had a real enjoyable relaxing evening and day. Colten enjoyed the quads as did Shandraya and her friend Stephanie. I got to love on Nixon a lot and I enjoy doing that. We had to be home for Sunday meetings because Doug got put into our ward's bishopric on August 2nd. He is such a good man and I am so thankful to be married to him. On Tuesday Caleb finally got home after being gone up to Uncle Maurie's all summer. We all went out to dinner together which was fun to be together. We didn't spend very much time together before he and Colten left Wednesday morning to head to Texas to spend some time with Trevor and family. It will be nice to have them all home again.

Goat milking

Doug was asked by a neighbor to milk there goat while they were out of town. Shandraya and Kierra wanted to go with him on Sunday evening. Kierra wouldn't touch the udder but she did want to give it a hug and was very curious at what it ate.
She didn't seem afraid at all.

Stake Pioneer Celebration

Saturday morning our Stake held it's first Pioneer celebration. It was fun and well organized but very hot for the parade, brass band and the flag raising ceremony. A nice pancake breakfast was served (Wyatt my little friend) and enjoyed. Many games and activities were planned. Shandraya and Courtney at an arm wrestle and Colten and Seth

Nixon

Our little Nixon is already changing so much. He is such a good baby. I get to watch him for a few hours each week while mommy is doing hair for people.

Shandraya and I along with all of the other Beehives and Moms and Leaders had a fun time up at the Alston's cabin in Forest Lakes this past Thursday through Saturday around noon. We ate a lot of yummy food, did puzzles,played games, told stories around the campfire, enjoyed a couple rounds of horseshoes, and the girls really liked the zip line.
It was in the cool mountains and very relaxing. The beehive girls are all so cute and fun to be with.

Nixon and Grandma

Doing two of my favorite things. Snuggling with a baby (Nixon) and reading a good book. It doesn't get much better than this.

Grandbaby Nixon is here

We are so thankful that everything went ok and that he is here safe and sound. Such a little (9 pounds)cutie. Those round cheeks remind me of a few of our children. Can hardly wait to get to know him better and hug on him bunches.

Getting something finally done

This week I finally feel like I got a few things done in the sewing department. I have way too many project to do but I finally finished Tiffany's baby's bumper pads, mended three pair of levis, fixed a backpack, fixed the hem in a pair of Doug's pants and last but not least I finally finished the bang around quilt that I started a long time ago. It is pieces of material leftover from Doug's scrub shirts that I made him when he worked at the hospital. He always enjoyed the bright fabrics. He said that they were a great conversation starter.
Now onto three other quilts that I have in the works and a stack of pants that Danielle want's cut off and made into shorts. It's a good thing that summer is just starting so I have awhile to hopefully finish all of these before too long.

Memorial weekend

Memorial weekend was way too short. We couldn't leave Friday night because Shandraya's dance company scheduled their end of the year recital for that night and it was long and got over way to late to start the drive. Colten, Caleb, Shandraya and I drove over to my mom's Saturday morning. That evening my nephew Steele had his college graduation party.
Mark did a wonderful job at the grill.

All of the food was delicious.

Sunday we went to church and then visited with family.

Monday we went over to my sisters house and had a barbeque and did a little swimming




and enjoyed the jacuzzi. We all got a little bit sunburned but not too bad. The kids sure enjoyed the pool.It was a short 3-day's but well worth it. I always enjoy visiting with my mom, sister, brothers, and their families.