Takin it all

Doesn't he look so happy to be in this picture, well yeah the kid in the middle but I am talking about the kid on the far left. Yes, my child, the ONLY ONE NOT smiling.  Hellooooooooo, you just won the Thanksgiving tourney for 5th grade boys!  I guess I am a little more excited than him, as are all the other players!  Kyle and five other 5th grade boys played 5 furious games in 2 days and won the whole tournament.  With only one sub these boys were T-I-R-E-D!  They played their butts off and the little metal around their neck is to prove it! 

With 20+ family member visiting from out of town, we juggled turkey dinners, holiday shopping, cousin craziness, bunko mania and basketball all in 3 non stop days!  It was the fastest and most fun 72 hours we have had in a long time!

The 2nd best time

Lets face it, you can not beat summer.  Lazy days in the sun, staying up late, bbq's, snow cones.

It's the best time of the year. 

Coming in at a close 2nd though,  is Halloween!  Halloween is the fave holiday around here. Nothing to teach the kids, don't have to make sure they "get it". Just have fun and eat candy! Halloween is not even here yet and we have brought it in with a bang.

Much to my surprise, we didn't freeze at the pumpkin patch this year. Armed with coats, gloves, and hats, we headed out to the Farmstead for some pumpkin finding, corn maze wondering, and cow train riding fun!

The annual Jones kids Halloween party was a total smash this year!  We had 52 kids wrecking havoc in the backyard.  It was complete chaos and a total complete BLAST! My nephew asked if we could do it again tomorrow! 

And just think we still have a week until Halloween.....

Pass it on....

I thought this was very interesting and wanted to share it .

Not asking for your donation or support.

Just thought it was worth a view.

With conference this last weekend, one of the talks that really stood out to me was the talk (can't remember who gave it!!!)  on the usage of the reference "the Mormons".  He explained that it is like a nickname, a nickname only tells you a little about that person. It doesn't convey the whole truth of that person. It may give you a glimpse of what that person is like or what they are, but to truly know,  you would need their whole name.  It is kind of like the church. "Mormon"  doesn't tell our whole story, it doesn't tell who we are.

There is a huge misconception in this world that we are not a Christian people.  The talk went on to encourage us to use the full name of the Church. The Church of  Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. To let people know that yes our nickname is the Mormons, but we ARE The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.   This video supports that misconception of the world and how it is effecting our leaders and the people who want to be leaders.

Kinda deep, but just a thought!

Just a girl thing!

The St Luke's annual Woman's Celebration was this past Saturday. It has become a tradition with me and my girls for the last couple years. We added a few new girls to  the group, Grandma Jane and Aunt Ashlie.  As the sun rose way too early on Saturday morning, we snuck out of the house not so quietly and headed down to Boise Town Square.  There, we boarded a good ol' school bus shuttle that dropped us right at the steps of the Capitol - the start line!

Race time cheers could be heard for each corner of Capitol and Idaho streets . The red and purple balloons dotted the sky and  seemed to flutter to the music of the Boise State band.  The sun was slowly making its way above the tall buildings in downtown Boise to warm our chilly legs.  Kennedy was ready to rock in the jogger and Kate had her new running Nikes warmed up.  The air was filled with excitement and we were ready to go!  Kennedy was in training for Capitol Classic, just ask her, she will tell you about 6  times. 

3 miles logged with minimal complaint and lots of laughs, the Finish Line party proved to be just that! We couldn't pass up a photo op with the new comers claim to fame of finishing a 5K! 

Making our way through the line to gather up our brown bags, we plopped ourselves on some grass and went to town on our fudge-cicles and chocolate milk!  Perfect weather, fabulous company, the St. Lukes Woman's Celebration was da' bomb!  See ya next year girls! 

He's Back

Cole is officially "out" of his wheelchair!  6 long weeks (for all of us!) has come to an end.  We got the thumbs up for the doc and Cole is able to walk. He has a little swagger in his walk now, but that will subside here in about a month!  He is already riding a big wheel like a banshee and has attempted his 2 wheeler!  Most importantly, he will be able to ride his 4 wheeler with his dad on his trip to Sand Mountain at the end of the month.   Cole has been an amazing trooper through out this whole thing with minimal complaint.  For a child that doesn't stop from sun up until sun down - he did surprisingly  well being confined to a small seat for so long.  I personally think he was relishing in the attention, but what do I know, I'm just the mom.  The human body is an amazing machine!  The x ray showed new bone forming already and you can hardly see the original fracture line.
 Our next hurdle will be taking out the rods in a couple months, but thanks to an amazing doctor and lots of prayers, little man is going to be just fine. 

There is a little boy in his kindergarten class that has taken an extreme interest in Cole. He likes to push him to and from different places and is always asking him how he is.  About once a week he brings him a picture that he has colored or drawn on.  His name is Owen (Owen2).  It brings me to tears each time this little boy brings something to Cole. It is so sweet .

(I hope your leg is better - better is spelled backwards!)

Cole has a best buddy that doesn't go to his school also named Owen(Owen1), who by the way, was an amazing friend to Cole while he was in his wheelchair.  He would come over and just sit with Cole and do whatever Cole wanted to do. Pretty awesome for a 6 year old. 

The journey has been long, but like everything else in life, there is always a lesson.
 Lesson learned - we have amazing family and friends.
Oh yea, and thank goodness for modern medicine!!

Run Coley Run!

another 1st day!

FINALLY!  Kennedy got to go to school to stay!

For 2 weeks my little tag along has been wishin, and pleadin' and beggin' to go to school.  She was helping me one day get Cole into class and get situated, she had picked up a bag from home and when she walked into Cole's classroom she hung up her bag on a hook, turned around, waved and said "Bye Mom" and off she went to sit at one of the tables.  With a reluctant chuckle, I quickly scooped her up and explained that this wasn't her classroom and that she soon would have her own hook and her own classroom.  She wasn't havin' it.  Big crocodile tears and lots of "but mom"s came wailing out as I literally drug her to the car. 

The night before, she asked me 4 times if I was leaving her. " You are leaving me right mom?" , with those huge blue eyes and her perfect little smile!  "Yes, Kennedy, I am leaving you."  The morning of, "O.K. mom, you are leaving me right?"  Cole protests every morning for me to stay at school with him and here is my little Ms. Independent who can wait to be dropped off by herself!

Once in the classroom , she wasted no time ditching the mama.  Hung her backpack up, a quick kiss and she didn't look back!  I was expecting to stay for a few minutes and kind of walk her around the room and check it out. Nope, she had it all under control!  I came to pick her up and she started crying because it wasn't time for her to leave.  So preschool was a hit! For both of us!

1st Day

1st day of school for 3 of the 4!

  And the 4th was not happy that it wasn't her day too! We rolled into Amity Elementary (literally!) backpacks packed with supplies, shiny new kicks and a mom holding back the tears.  Kyle is an upper class man in the 5th grade, Kate is in the middle, as always, in the 3rd grade and Mr. Coley takes the plunge into kindergarten.  I think I was more upset about him being in a wheelchair than I was about him "starting kindergarten".  But the chair proved to be quite a spectacle and a good topic of conversation! A long and emotional week has come to an end and I think everyone weathered the storm pretty well.  Next week , as reality sets in, or as the kids say, homework starts, Cole will venture to class without me by his side.

He will probably be just fine,

 I wonder how I will do.......

New Companion

A week ago today Cole received a new companion:

Compliments of a broken left femur bone that was obtained while having a fun day at the water park!  Last slide of the day, Cole went down with a huge smile and came up screaming like a banshee!  After trips to 2 different hospitals and an ambulance ride, the pediatric orthopedic surgeon at St. Luke's hospital  inserted 2 titanium rods in the poor little boys leg.  The wheel chair will be Cole's new side kick for 4 to 6 weeks. He will get to take it to the 1st day of kindergarten, to the state fair and maybe even camping! It has already been a hit with some of the neighborhood kids and has been clocked at a top speed of 8 miles an hour, assisted by an android speedometer app and a more than willing cousin behind the wheels!

One week ago today I too received a new companion:

A constant companion that was already pretty constant to begin with, this just intensifies our relationship a bit.  Cole has always been "mom partial".  Mom partial has become mom constant! Life has come to a screeching halt and the skid marks are a mile long.  Canceling and rearranging appointments, handing off responsibilities and commitments, letting normal life go by the way side. Its been a wake up call for this whole family. It seemed pretty devastating the 1st couple days, but after 2 nights stay in the pediatric ward at the hospital, a broken leg is not the end of the world. We were surrounded by kids that were terminally sick or that had limbs missing or that were mentally disabled.  My small little boy lying in that huge hospital bed didn't seem so catastrophic as I had thought and had made it out to be.  The doctor was confident that the  bone would heal and in 1 year, you won't even be able to tell it was broken. Time has slowed down here and I have had a lot of forced moments of reflection and thought.  It is funny how Heavenly Father presents us with situations that seem to be horrible and unbearable.  Than only to find out that really it isn't as bad as we make it out to be. I have a lot of time to just sit with Cole.
 He doesn't talk much being that he is in a constant state of "gaming".  I think he has had enough video game time to last him the rest of his life.  Cole is the kid that gets under my skin the most, the kid that wants all the attention good or bad, the kid that gets in the most trouble or causes the most trouble. So for this to happen to "this kid"  is both ironic and predictable. Of any of my kids I would expect Cole to have broken something a long time ago. He has had numerous accidents that have put us in the doctors office. And of any of my kids, he is probably the one that I need to spend more quality time with. 

Thus, the current situation unfolds.....

So while we are lazily wasting away our last few days of summer vaca, we are so grateful for the blessings we have had over the last  week. Meals, play dates, phone calls, pep talks, vistors, it has all been  so overwhelmingly amazing to know that we are surrounded with so many wonderful family and friends. Thank you to everyone for your thoughtfulness and generosity, we couldn't have made it this far without ya!  One week down!.......

When cousins come to stay....

As you can see we had a whole lot of fun days that were jammed packed with none stop crafts, activities, water, 2 birthday parties and COUSINS!  See ya next year Gums chickadees!

A hundred bucks - literally

Well she did it.  NO candy, NO soda for ONE YEAR!  Kate officially ended her sabbatical from soda and candy on August 1st and received a 100 dollar bills.  Much to my surprise she was strong as nails when it came to this challenge she inflicted upon herself. I agreed to the deal but I would never had thought to ask any of my children to do this. Candy and soda are a healthy staple in my daily diet!  100 dollars wouldn't even get me to quit for a week little alone a year. This little girl has got determination.  I, along with everyone else, offered her numerous times a week if she wanted a treat or a soda and every time, she would politely decline.  Never threw a fit, never gave me grief, and spent her free day wisely!  Wait to go Kate!!!

Number 10

The number 10 is a significant number in a lot of things.  A perfect 10 from a judge sends the crowd into hysterics and the athlete to a joyous celebration.
The number 10 is a milestone for a child that is learning to count.
The number 10 is the first double digit number is the numerical pattern.
The number 10, they say, is the easiest pattern for kids to remember when they are learning to "count by".
The number 10 is the number of fingers and toes Heavenly Father gave us.
The number 10 represents a DECADE!

10 years ago, June 28th, Heavenly Father gave me 10 perfect little fingers and toes attached to a sweet little boy.  He was 3 weeks early weighing in at 6lbs. 14 oz.  He was a little peanut that fit into his dads baseball cap.  Now that little peanut is as tall as me, tips the scales at 140 and is wearing a men's medium size shirt!

Kyle wanted his birthday to be celebrated with his family.  He just wanted his cousins and grandparents there.  One of the many proud moments of being Ky's mom, when all the family talks and emphasis on being together manifested itself in his simple request.  I couldn't ask for a better kid.  Ky makes me want to be a better person.  He has blessed this family with his patient and kind ways and our family would not be complete without him.  Thanks Kyle for being you!  I love ya! Oh and Happy Birthday, even though that makes me a decade older!

From Collages

Mary Mary quite contray, how does your garden grow!

Very well, thank you very much! I may not have silver bells or cockle shells or pretty maids all in a row, but I got zucchini the size of a mans size 11 shoe (yes I measured!). Not to mention the tomatoes and pumpkins!

Summa, Summa, Summa Time!

Oh we are lovin' and liven' the Summa time!  Staying up late, sleeping in and soaking up lots of sun.  This trip was no different.  10 fun filled days in Utah, was our latest adventure. We did so much stuff I had to write it down to keep the pictures in order!  I took over 400 pictures so to narrow it down to just the video clip was a small feat to say the least!  We are happy to be home but will definelty mark this one down as a memory long rememered!

Free Fishin'

From Collages

Saturday was free fishing day! We loaded up our night crawlers, Dori the Explorer fishing pool and off to the ponds in Eagle. The kids had so much fun catching the little fishies! Kyle was sure to tell us each time one was caught what kind it was and how big it could get. The Fish and Game stock the ponds around Boise with little fish, so most of the time it is just catch and release. But they didn't care, they were just happy to be fishin'! It was a successful fishing trip to say the least! Final count: Kyle 7, Kate 4, Cole 3 and Kennedy 5!

Princess

iFrom Collages

Need I say more.....

All in one

I thought I would give you the scoop all in one post!  So here it is....

The kids got out of school on Friday and we continued our last day of school tradition with a "Schools Out Party"  A water balloon fight that went from mild to crazy once the hose got involved!

From Collages

Minute to Win it was next!  We had Junk in the Trunk, Pong Tac Toe, On the Nose, and Pull it!  The kids really got into it and the girls came out on top! Pay - you were rockin the cotton ball!

From Collages

It was off to the races on Saturday morning. Capitol Classic fun run for the kids was a total blast. Cole huffed and puffed to the finish line and once through the gates, poured his complimentary water bottle over his head in shear exhaustion!  A mile is a long ways for those little legs to go!  He was overjoyed with his medal and wore it all day!

From Collages

FINALLY we got our garden in!  A little lesson on planting and we were on our way!  Squash, zucchini, watermelon, pumpkins, peas, tomatoes, onions, carrots, cilantro, and peppers!  We hoping that at least 3 out of the 10 make it!  We will keep you posted!

From Collages

From Collages

Not bad for a few days work uh!?!?

Longer time

As much as I long for the long, lazy, and warm days of summer, the fast approach of those days brings the annual frightening realization that yet another school year is coming to end. Another year of my childrens' innocent childhood is slipping away before my eyes.

As much as I enjoyed the 2 hours that Cole was gone at preschool, the conclusion of it is bitter sweet.  Tears of joy that he made it through without getting kicked out and tears of sadness that he is old enough to be through preschool and movin' on up to the big sky of Kindergarten.  We were fortunate enough to have one of the most wonderful preschool teachers ever, Teacher Summers.  She is a wonderful, kind and loving person that had such a positive influence on my little Cole and the rest of her 30+ kids she taught. 

She holds a graduation ceremony each year for her graduating preschoolers.  The ceremony includes a well rehearsed program, a graduation diploma and video of the year that brings me to tears each time I see it.



Summer will be here and gone before I can get a grip on it and we will be in school mood once again.  I am excited for Cole to move on and experience the joys of Kindergarten. He is so excited to go to school with his brother and sister.  I am just wondering why time seems to speed up with each year.  I am wondering why these times can't be longer in duration.  Maybe I could talk to Father Time and ask for a slower clock in my life.  I am always in desperate need of 3 to 4 more hours in my day. Wishful thinking I know......

Campout

FIRST CAMPOUT OF THE SEASON!

lots of 4 wheel riding

REALLY big marshmellows

warm fire

lots of mud

4 wheel riding

horseshoes

target practice

turkey hunting

 4 wheel riding

smores

roasting hot dogs

good friends

 and did I mention 4 wheel riding!

From Collages

5 years ago....

5 years ago I took a fabulous trip to Germany with my husband. It was amazingly beautiful and truly fascinating.

5 years ago we were putting in our back yard with the help of a few overworked underpaid friends and family.

5 years ago life was simple with my two kids that I could throw in a car and head to California for a few days on a whim.

5 years ago I went from an even playing field of parenthood to an outnumbered defense.

5 years ago my life changed forever when the Jones' mold was broken and my cute little Cole Jones was born on April 19th. The only baby that actually looks like he could be MY baby!

A lot has happened in 5 years, but mostly just a lot of time has flown by way too fast.  Cole continues to change our life with his persistent, over active, widely imaginative, seemingly harmless personality.  He is a 3rd child to the " T" and marches to his own beat.  Usually a beat I would rather change.  But Cole brings a lot of laughter, happiness, excitement, and love to our family.  I say I would like to change his beat, but that's just because its not my beat. Cole is brave, fearless, daring and so many things I am not.  He is a huge bundle of hope in a little body.  There is a light in his eyes, a wild one be it, but a light that I hope will never go out and that will help him continue on his path in life.   I have to admit the boy drives me crazy seven ways to Sunday, but I do love the munchkin.  Happy Birthday, Coley Boley Guacamoley.

"Spring Break" (no spring, just a break!)

Seems like eons ago that Spring Break was upon us. Oh wait, maybe because SPRING ISN'T HERE! 

It was definitely nice to have a week off school and we definitely took advantage of every day of it!

We ventured up to McCall for 5, fun, snow filled days and felt like we were transformed back into winter. The transformation wasn't all that hard being that SPRING ISN'T HERE!
 (Little tired of the weather in case you haven't noticed.)

We sledded, sat in the hot tub, sledded some more, sat in the hot tub again, went ice skating, watched movies and sat in the hot tub again! It was heaven!

From Collages

From Collages

"free"

In Kennedy language that would be THREE. Yes my baby is 3, although she often questions me how old she is, she can't quite let go of 2. I too would like to hold onto 2. Two still seems little, still my baby, still able to get in places free!!! As is the case with all my children, 3 has been much worse than 2. Frankly, I am frightened what 3 will bring for Miss Kennedy. She is so determined, so strong headed and very vocal. I am not sure any of us will know how to handle this little firecracker. She does have a sweet side that only a few privileged members of the family get to experience! 

I am among that list, thankfully!

Her birthday proved to be a weekend of fun for her. She got to spend the day with a little friend, go to dinner with family and than off to the bounce house! She is an animal at that place! Sunday was a family party with cupcakes and ice cream. We made cupcakes again today and she asked if they were for her party again! She would be content with her birthday being everyday!!!

From Collages

Paradise FOUND

New Port Beach + my family = PARADISE!!

Here are just a few highlights from our fabulous week in paradise

BEACHES - new record for Kyle - 8 sea creatures captured (and released)

DISNEYLAND AND CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE - sun up til sun down!

3 POOLS and 2 HOT TUBS in one area - yes they tested all of them

LA CLIPPERS VS. ROCKETS - they are really tall up close
LONG BEACH AQUARIUM - lots of touch pools!

BALBOA ISLAND - have you ever had your car on a ferry?

Is it 2011 yet - I wanna go back - SOON!

compromise

What is up with weather?

Seriously.... we started off at 45, than 53, 65, 65 again, its was going up, up and up.  We ventured out on one of those 65 degree days for riding bikes, playing ball with neighborhood kids and just being outside with no hat, gloves or scarves - just a jacket. YES! Finally. It was even warm enough to eat outside. 

The kids were begging for a picnic. 

Oh wait - Mother Nature was just kidding. More like a cruel trick. Snow on the ground in February-Huh?  I thought we were on for an early spring, isn't that what the ground hog told us 2 weeks ago?

Ok so our planned picnic didn't go as planned (thanks mother nature), so we had the next best thing- well kinda! Kyle cooked us some dogs, Kate hooked us up with place settings, and Cole and Kennedy wrecked havoc as usual! The hard wood floor  was a little harder than the grass or the padded patio chair,

but we still had our "picnic"!

These kids didn't let mother nature get them down.  So until our "early spring" comes, we will watch patiently from our warm windows until the 65 degrees graces us again (oh please, oh please come back soon!) and we can give the picnic thing a try again! Outside this time!

when the cat is away the mice will play

From Collages

My sweet , patient, fun loving babysitter let the kids do makeup and nails! Usually it's just the girls who get in on the action but Cole was right in there too. Heaven forbid he gets left out of anything - even getting dolled up!  She didn't tell me she did this with kids, it was to my surprise when I was downloading pictures from my camera that I came across these.  She also took pictures of the bath tub, the towels and the "clean kids". But those weren't nearly as funny as the ones with the make up!  Good thing they have fun babysitters because their mean dull mom would  have never let this happen!!!!

lots of jones love

From Collages

VALENTINES DAY 2011

heart pizza

heart bingo

grandma and grandpa

 home made valentines

 red punch

 valentines bags filled with goodies 

strawberry milk

 heart waffles

 yummy cupcakes 

Our lot in life

Oh the woes of the Jones' and their short legs. It doesn't help that I have them as well.  Jake and I have the same inseam.  He is 6' and I am 5'3.  Go ahead, laugh, but it gets better...or...uh... funnier?  Kyle is 5'3- uh he's 9- and his inseam is even shorter than mine.  Poor kid. Kate has the same problem, long torso and short legs.  Little Kens is following in the same fashion. BUT... than there is Cole. Which we all know he didn't come from the same mold as the others. I can't keep pants up on this kid. He has to have adjustable waist band cinched to the very last button!

So every pair of pants this family purchases (minus Cole's) has to be altered.  I have become quite the jean hemmer!  I almost have enough strips of jeans to make a quilt!!!! Oh wait - I don't quilt......

Update.......

A few months ago I was a mean mom (like that is a new one, -please) and took all of Kennedy's clothes out of her drawers and closet. As you recall she was changing her clothes 4 -5 times a day.  I took all of her dresses that were hanging down low and put them in my closet in the very back so she couldn't even see them. It worked for awhile. And than the 2 year old out smarted the mother.........

These (above) are all the clothes out of the hamper (below) that Kennedy dumped out, climbed on top of and  took one of Kate's dresses of the hanger and put it on.

Ok, how would she even think to do this?  How does that little devious mind come up with these plans?  Although the clothes changing has become less frequent, it is still happening. So now you will find Kennedy 2 ways; 1) with a dress and sandals on when she is at home or  2) with tear stained cheeks when we go somewhere because her mother made her put on tights/leggings and shoes (socks if there is gum involved). 

I can't wait for warm weather, my life will flow so much better.....

Kate is 8

I have very mixed feelings about this whole turning 8 business.  I went through this with Kyle. I didn't really like it than either.  There is something about this particular birthday. I know what it is but I hate to admit it.  They change, they turn into a kid, not a little kid, a big kid.  Their looks change, their mannerism change, their overall being changes.  They are of the world, so to speak. Although this is a very significant and exciting  birthday is so many ways for Kate, it is more of a reality check for me that  my little innocent 2nd child is moving on in life. I am kicking and screaming all the way behind her, but it isn't doing any good.  So I resort to pouting on my blog and trying not to think too much about it, because it is happening whether I like it or not.

Kate had a fabulous birthday with her friends and family. 1st thing the morning of her birthday it was off to Claire's for the much anticipated and long awaited piercing of the ears.  Kate hopped up on that chair and didn't look back!  She now sports some very sparkly diamond studs and asks me about every 3 days if she can change them yet (she got 12 pairs of earrings, she reminds me daily)! We had a little party at the house  and than off to  the Roller Drome in Nampa, as is a tradition now on her birthday.  We sported some 1980's skates and tried to hold on to the side as much as we could!.  Everyone had a blast.

2 weeks later Kate made the awesome choice to be baptised.  Again she was surrounded by loving friends and family.  Between Christmas, her birthday and her baptism, Kate made out like a bandit.  Smiling all the way!

From Collages

Freakin HI-lar-ious!

Thats one way to get rid of a tree

Need to get rid of your tree?  Just bring it over to the Jones/Snelling Pyro court and we would be happy to dispose of it for you.  Stay for the show! It's a chilly 14 degrees here in Boise and this technique of pyromaniacs will provide the heat you are craving!  See ya soon!