Jones Family Reunion 2010

This year for our family reunion we decided to do some camping instead of Park City. I'll be honest that I love to go to Park City, and was a little less excited to go camping, but we had a huge hook-up, the High's motorhome. I know, I'm a drag, but I don't love to camp with little kids who don't nap in tents, and I know there was a possibility of storms, so I was very excited about the motorhome. Off to Palisade State Park we go!

Sorry sir, but you don't look old enough to be driving this rig. I asked Kimball what it felt like to drive the motorhome. He told me that it drives like how you'd imagine your couch to drive.
Blake got a little carsick, I got a little carsick. The rest of the kids loved riding in a 'house'. We stopped at In-n-out and got lunch.
Andrew sat on my lap most of the way. I kept thinking, is this even legal? He was buckled, and I figured it was better than having him run around back there.

Want to be like dad

I think this picture is precious. Kimball occassionally plays on a softball league when they need a sub. We went to one of his games and watched him play. After we came home, Benson was all about the batting glove and softball. Then, he did the sweetest thing and fell asleep in Kimball's arms. ( I just have to remind myself how the planes flew over the baseball field every 3-5 minutes and how stinkin' cute Andrew was when he heard and saw them. He squealed, pointed, jumped, danced, ran in circles and tried to climb the fence to reach them. We may just do that all day long sometime.)

Triple Birthdays

I brought Jackson and Audrey home with me after an outing to Wheeler Farm to go swimming at my place. They didn't think a thing of it, except that they were excited to go swim. All the time they were swimming, having lunch and watching Toy Story, the rest of the family was decorating the house, making cakes and getting ready for a triple birthday party.
When we pulled up to the house, Steph and Laura met us with the video cameras so that they could catch their little faces. When they walked in to the house, they saw streamers and balloons everywhere, and three cakes on the counter.

Jackson is "Mr. Happy"

Audrey is "Little Miss Sunshine"

Connor is "Mr. Bumps"

And then we took them into the backyard to see a BIG surprise. . .

A jump house all to ourselves!

There were a few collisions, but the kids couldn't get enough of it.

Even Andrew was loving it. Notice him in the right side of the picture in mid-air

Benson sure loves Jackson and follows him around.

Little miss Sunshine- the perfect description for Audrey. She has always been the most beautiful, happy, and sweet girl in the world.

Steph had these little treat bags with punch balloons and stickers and a sunshine squeak toy. The kids drew pictures and their names on the bags.

Can't forget about the food. Not pictured, but we had grilled chicken, wonton salad, fruit, along with the other BBQ regulars.

Jackson saw Benson's guitar shirt when he was over and liked it, so we made him one for his birthday.

Singing. . .

Jackson

5 yrs. old

7/19

Audrey

9 yrs. old

7/13

Connor

1 yr.

7/15

Since this was Connor's first birthday, we included the tradition of letting the kid have their own cake and eat it too. Connor LOVED his cake. He would have probably stayed up there all night and slowly nibbled on that cake.

Brothers Part 2

Erica's sister is in town and that means I'm flying solo on bath duty for a few nights so she can spend some QT with Snuf.

Benson and Andrew are constantly fighting over the same toys. They are brothers duh. When one has X the other suddenly wants X. When he switches to Z, the other now wants Z. You know the drill. We've been effective at teaching share (with associated sign language for our non-speaking 21 month old), and we've also introduced trade. Trade in our house is kinda like the Frontier Americans and the Indians where one party just takes what he wants and replaces it with Oklahoma. Unfortunately Andrew plays the Indian most of the time.

Well a new development happened the other day in the tub when I was yelling share and trade. They monkeys in the zoo are cooperating!!!

Oh so Preeetty

My boys love my jewelry. . . Andrew is especially in love with the red bracelet. he always chooses that ONE. He'll add to it, but you can bet that it will be on his wrist if anything is going to be. I'm sure they'll grow out of it, when they realize that it's a "girl" thing, but I think it's sweet when they imitate momma.

Scooter

Benson has a new cousin named Scooter. Carlie and Foofrey brought him over for a little visit. The cutest thing was hearing Benson say, "Scoot! Come on Scoot. Hey Scooter." He was really trying to win him over, and it doesn't take much for Scooter to reciprocate.

For a long time Benson has been telling us that we're "going to have 5 babies." Just the other day he said, "mom, we're going to have 5 babies, um 5 kids, AND a dog." Oh boy- how should I break it to him??

Nigh nigh

This is little Rew snuggling his nigh-nigh. He has two nigh-nigh's that he is really attached to. They are the best signal that it's time to sleep and a reassurance when he is upset and crying. I love to see his little hand hold onto the edge and rub it in between his fingers. Kimball told me that he did the same thing as a child. We know that when Andrew has his nigh-nigh, the chances of him laying his head on our shoulders and snuggling with us are certain.

Girls night

I've been waiting to see Eclipse until Stephanie came because I knew that we were going to do a girls night out. We did several hours of shopping and then ate at Rumbi's. We caught a 9pm showing of Eclipse (minus Audrey). It was pretty much just like the book. We stood outside, enjoying the awesome summer nights in Utah, discussing what we liked and didn't like, etc. Tons of fun! I really appreciate times when I get to do this. (thanks Kimball- you're the best!)Jenn, Steph, Laura, Angie, Audrey

Finally Here!

I haven't seen my sister or her family since October. I think that might be a new record since my mission. Regardless of records, it's been way too long and I've been missing them like crazy. I knew the kids would be bigger, but I was still in for a shock- they're getting so grown up. They drove all the way from No. Cal. (after visiting Matt's family) in one day. Even though they didn't get in til 10:30pm, I wanted to be there. We are all so excited to see them and are looking forward to all of our plans while they're in town.

sugar cookies for the Cannon's

In preparation for the Cannon family to arrive, the boys and I made sugar cookies. This was upon the request of Blake, who loves the cookies. I made them turquoise for Audrey since that's her new favorite color. This is the goofy grin that he shows me when I show him the camera.

I gave him the beater to the frosting and let him lick it. It was so adorable that I just stood back and watched him. He's dip his finger, then lick his finger. It took him a while, but he pretty much licked it clean.

4x's the beauty

One Sunday evening in June we were driving home from dinner with the High family. It started to rain, then pour. As we neared our home Kimball said, "Look at that vibrant rainbow -wait it's a DOUBLE." Benson was so excited, cranking his neck in all different contortions to see the rainbows from his car seat. As we pulled into the complex we spotted a TRIPLE rainbow. At first I didn't believe Kimball when he corrected us all and told us it was actually a QUADRUPLE rainbow. It was a fleeting sight, but I did see it, it was amazing. I was unable to capture it on the camera, but it was a wow moment.

Wheeler Farm

The boys and I met my friend Tiffany at Wheeler Farm for a fun walk. The boys were entertained with all the animals to see while Tiffany and I talked- it's been way too long since we'd seen each other. Her little boy is so cute and happy. Benson was really excited to see the ducks since that's what he remembered from the last time we were here.

Andrew and Tiffany's adorable little boy, Taylor (8mo).

Love that mug!!

There are some "stinky" spots.
Andrew wanted a picture with the tractors too.
Benson took this picture because he thought the
"pink pigs are beautiful sleeping." Otay.
I loved seeing Andrew's little pointer finger going crazy darting every which way.
As happy as two kids in a candy store.