Keeping up with the Jones'

McCall

2012-01-28T20:24:00.000-08:00

winter wonderland here we come. so much excitement and anticipation was put into the 1st winter storm. it actually left enough snow to do something with. the kids were more than happy to sneak away for a quick weekend in snow filled mccall. they played in the snow until their clothes were soaked and than they soaked some more in the hot tub. than they dried off from the hot tub and back into the snow! as always a great time was had by all! especially cole, who caught some major air while sledding down some awesome hills!

From Collages

R E P E A T

2012-01-28T20:14:00.000-08:00

pinewood derby was bitter sweet for mr. kyle this year. he won AGAIN! the 1st pinewood derby was a little intense in that his car didn't make weight, his dad was out of town, and his mother freaked. an easy fix, we got it up to pinewood derby standard and it won every race! not bad for a 1st timer. beginners luck? we thought that was the case when the 2nd year did not bring the same results. with a renewed glimmer of hope this year he was wishing for the "checkered flag". with little prep time, ky entered a simple wedge design. which proved to be just fine when it kept taking 1st place. being his last pinewood derby he was all smiles that night!

Just dance!

2012-01-06T08:15:00.000-08:00

I used to tear it up in the days. If I do say so myself, not braggin, I'm just sayin'. Anyhow, we got Just Dance 3 for the Wii Christmas. I am laughing to myself as I type this!! I love me some good Guitar Hero, but Just Dance takes the cake. We literally played it for 5 or 6 hours, ok Kate and I played, on Christmas Day. We let others have a turn every now and than, but only to wipe the sweat from our brow and grab a drink! I won't incriminate myself , but I will definitely exploit my children for your entertainment! Pls disregard the annoying voice (mine) in the background shouting out commands and comments!

The haps around here!

2012-01-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

Wow is it already January 3rd! A lot of things have been happening around here....Oh where to start!

Most exciting is Cole got his rods out! This little 5 year is one tough dude. When I saw the size of the rods that were pounded into his leg and than pulled out, serious stomach turn. He was amazingly brave, I think I cried more tears than he did. He has a little swagger in his step again, but the doc assured us that it will be gone very quickly and he will be off and running in no time. Good thing - he starts football in February!

From Collages

The holidays were fabulous. Kind of a blur but enjoyable nonetheless. They started with a quick trip to Utah for a family Christmas party. Peeps I only get to see once a year, but so worth the trip. Especially to see my grandparents. We made a special trip to Temple Square to see the beautiful lights with one set of grandparents and partied with the other in a good ol' Mormon family party IN the church!

From Collages

Than the actual day came and went so fast I had to stop and wonder, did that all just happen? WOW! I was a little concerned that Santa was not going to be making it this year, Mr. Peeps did not have all good things to report. BUT the jolly ol' guy pulled through. All were estactic with their loot.

From Collages

Oh no, we aren't done. Kate's birthday was a week after Christmas and it was party time again! We went roller skating, as is the tradition for the last several years, at the Rollerdrome in Nampa. You have to say in Nampa because it takes on a whole new meaning. I think it was built in the 70's and it hasn't changed since, I don't even think they have vacuumed since 1970. However, a good time was had, no broken limbs, just lots of bruised behinds and elbow stingers!

From Collages

And that's the haps around here!!

Takin it all

2011-12-05T15:35:00.000-08:00

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

2011-10-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

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....

2011-10-04T21:55:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-09-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-09-13T20:49:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-17T22:24:00.000-07:00

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....

2011-08-06T08:24:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-02T17:55:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-07-17T22:34:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-07-17T12:27:00.000-07:00

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'

2011-06-15T21:27:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-07T21:47:00.000-07:00

iFrom Collages

Need I say more.....

All in one

2011-06-07T21:36:00.000-07:00

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

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

Longer time

2011-05-29T13:43:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

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....

2011-04-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

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!)

2011-04-12T21:46:00.000-07:00

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

"free"

2011-03-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-20T17:37:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-17T20:50:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-17T09:19:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-09T06:28:00.000-08:00

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.......

2011-01-29T21:17:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-10T15:57:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-01-05T21:37:00.000-08:00

Thats one way to get rid of a tree

2011-01-05T21:15:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-12-26T20:35:00.000-08:00

From Collages

Cole got an iTouch for Christmas (don't ask) and has found the camera feature of this amazing electronic device. I was charging it and found 59 photos in his photo folder!!! I deleted most of them but had to share the self portrait ones! My fav - 2nd row 3rd pix!

2010-12-19T16:09:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted a coupon deal in quite sometime and so I didn't want to disappoint! Here is the latest deal!

8 8 oz bottles gatorades (2 are currently being drank!)
2 single serving strawberry milks
1 single serving chocolate milk
5 boxes of sausage
4 bags of frosted flakes cereal
3 pillsbury cinnamon rolls (i love these big ol' fattening things!)
3 boxes of sweet moments brownies (and oh they are sweet when they are warmed up!)
4 bottles of vegtable oil

TOTAL $21.16 that is $.70 an item!

realization

2010-12-19T16:05:00.000-08:00

i am not a huge fan of birthdays, just another reminder of how fast my kids are growing up, how many wrinkles i have acquired since the last birthday, and how fast my life is passing by. with the passing of my uh.. umm... 29th birthday (for the 9th time), i have come to some rather real but frightening realization. i have become a lot of things i would define as "what i didn't want to be". i don't clean my house every week, i don't read my kids a book everyday, i don't make dinner every night, i don't go to the gym everyday, i don't tell my family i love them enough... i could go on and on. i don't do a lot of things that i used to do and used to tell myself i was never not going to not do them. i find my self slacking more and more on things that used to be routine or habit for me. maybe it's an age thing, the wiser you are the older you are? i am beginning to wonder if all of those things that i rushed to do and stressed over to do were really worth all that effort. my girlfriend said something to me that really struck a chord with me. she said that she used to hate birthdays and that she would get depressed with each passing one and than someone said something to her that changed her outlook on birthdays. they told her that you should be grateful for your birthday, it was one more year that heavenly father allowed you to be here. to be with your family, to be with your friends, to just be. i found this quote by president hinckley that also struck a chord with me:

anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he’s been robbed. the fact is that most putts don’t drop. most beef is tough. most children grow up to be just ordinary people. most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration.most jobs are more often dull than otherwise…life is like an old-time rail journey – delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling burst of speed. the trick is to thank the lord for letting you have the ride… gordon b. hinckley

between these 2 profound statements, the realization that i am getting older, is ok. i need to be ok. i need to just be. i need to be more thankful for the life that heavenly father has let me live and learn to love this life. and i guess bottom line, love me. they always say change is good, but change is hard. with another year coming to an end i often reflect on how that year went. on how i can try and be better and how i can make this coming year better. this year i am going to try to just be. just be thankful for life as it is. because really, life is good.

SNOW MUCH SNOW!

2010-12-04T12:46:00.000-08:00

They say that weather runs its cycle every10 years. Well it has been 10 years since our really big storm! I distinctly remember 10 years ago. Kyle was 5 months old. We had lived in Boise for just over 2 years and I was still mad about being here. And then the snow came. And it just kept coming. We had about a 4 foot pile along our drive way. All I kept saying was, you said it didn't snow here , you said it wouldn't last. I just cried and cried. I did stop crying long enough to get Kyle bundled up and take him outside for a little bit!

10 years later and a much different scene has unfolded. It snowed and it kept snowing. 6 inches in the valley over just a few days. No tears this time from the momma and 4 kids later we are loving all this snow!Tuesday it hit a stand still which meant - SNOW DAY! The kids were ecstatic! Jake played hooky for a bit to play with the kids. They had so much fun! They played and played and played until their toes and fingers were frozen! Jake hooked up the sled to the quad and pulled the neighbor kids around and as I sat there filming my kids have so much fun, a flood of emotions overcame me. Tears welled up in my eyes as I distinctly remembered my dad pulling us around on a "snow day" We had the big black inner tubes (2 of them -HELLO!) hooked to the back of his yellow and black Yamaha motorcycle! We thought we would die from laughing so hard! We used to play in the snow for hours. We had a huge hill by our house that we would walk up about 50 times only for a 10 second ride down. But we didn't care, we just keep doing it! Our family used to be big skiers. My mom and dad would load us up and take us to the ski resort and just let us go all day. We would ski for a bit, go to lodge, and ski some more. Oh to be young again, to have the world in your hand AND have a snow day! The snow is still here almost a week later and although it is quite the job to get 4 kids dressed in snow gear, it has been worth every memory they are making.

'Tis the Season!

2010-12-01T08:58:00.000-08:00

Jake was in charge of the camera, thus the camera got left home. His cell phone doesn't have all that good of a camera (although it should for the price we paid!) I have tried and tried to rotate this file and I can't.

So just tilt your head to the left and watch!

The Christmas season is upon us and to kick start it, we decided to go downtown to the Christmas tree lightening ceremony. 10 years and we have never been. I often wonder what in the world we have been doing because there are numerous things right here in Boise that we haven't done. It was freezing cold and snowing and I really did not want to get everyone bundled up for a 10 second event. I had told my kids that we would go and I was secretly hoping they would forget. Not Kate, that girl doesn't forget much! With much resistance we loaded up with all of our snow gear and headed downtown. There were not many people there so we had a pretty good view. They counted down from 10 and that was it. I looked at Jake and he looked at me and we just busted up laughing. It really was a 10 second event! We let the kids wonder around for a bit, make snow angels in the little piles of snow that was ON THE GROUND! Yes my child was on the ground in filthy dirty snow making snow angels and loving every minute of it. We got a bag of kettle corn and danced around to the holiday music. It was fun and I am glad that we went. Maybe next year we get there a little earlier and maybe make it a 30 - 40 second event!

Tilt your head again!

Fort Jones

2010-11-08T19:55:00.000-08:00

My kids have always liked to set up "forts". Kyle and Kate used to take all the chairs out from under the kitchen table, take their blankets and pillows and make a fort under the table! Kennedy and Cole invented this fort (with a little help from mom!) They were so proud of it, but moms not allowed so I needed to get out! I love when my kids use their imaginations in their play! Their play, much to my dismay, often includes TV, computer and video games. As much as I try to limit these things, they seem to creep in slowly more and more. For now I am just happy they are getting along!

Party, Party, Party

2010-11-04T20:03:00.000-07:00

As the Beastie Boys sang "You gotta fight.........for your right..............to paaaaaaaaaarty!" And oh party we did ! Phew! What a week! 2 soccer parties, 3 school parties, 3 halloween parties and how could we forget the pumpkin patch! I love love love October. The weather cools down and although I despise wearing a coat over Halloween costumes, it is my favorite time of year. Halloween is my favorite holiday! We celebrated it to the hilt this year! Cole's preschool went to the pumpkin patch and Kennedy and I got to tag along. We had a lot of fun on the hay ride out to the pumpkin fields and finding our way through the hay maze. And how we could we pass up the corn box

From Collages

The fam took to the pumpkin patch on a chilly October night as well! We had a lot of fun finding our pumpkins - even in the dark, riding on the train - 3 or 4 times, the pig races - Kate's pig won!, playing hide and go seek in the "hay palace" and once again, the corn box!!

From Collages

Ky and Kate had their school parties on Friday. It was fun to see all the creative costume the kids had and see what the teachers came up with! That night was our ward trunk or treat - which I was in charge of! A little stressful, but it turned out great! I had a ton of help and it all went off without a hitch!

From Collages

Saturday a chilly 42 degrees, we headed to Boo at the Zoo! It was pretty cold but the kids had fun seeing all the animals and trick or treating them. That afternoon we had our "Kids Halloween Party" . We transformed the garage into party central. We had lots of treats, a few games, and off to the backyard for some more fun. It was a good time with lots of good friends.

From Collages

Sunday our cousins came over for pumpkin waffles-so yummy! We finished the night off with carmel apples!

From Collages

A few pounds heavier and less of few hours of sleep, we all survived this party filled week!

This week - grandpa and grandma are coming - wwwwaaaahhhoooooooooooooooooooo!

bye bye birdie

2010-10-27T06:09:00.000-07:00

My sweet little Kennedy is a girly girl through and through. Exactly like her sister, she loves to play dress up, wear high heels, put lipstick on, you get the point. For the last 2 agonizing weeks, every morning she has had a complete melt down, crocodile tears and all. Ask Cole about this, he'll tell ya! She wants to pick out her outfit, which usually is a dress. Okay before you jump to conclusions and think that I should just let her, let me eliaberate. She wants either a sundress (that she will not wear a shirt under or a jacket over or tights/leggings) or shorts and a t-shirt. The child has never worn a pair of socks with a pair of any kind of shoes since she was about 1. She wants "flips" or her "heels". I do not know what I am going to do when the snow comes. It is getting cold here. I am not going to have my child walking around in a sundress when it is 50 degrees outside. I am not ready for the looks or the judgement calls people throw my way. I have even let her pick a shirt and I pick the pants, or she picks the pants and I pick the shirt. It doesn't matter, sheer hysterics. That is just the morning. Throughout the day she will go into her room and take 2 or 3 shirts out, maybe put one on. Change her pants and leave a couple on the floor. Pull the bins our her closet and they dump out as she is pulling them out. Than there is the dress-up bin in the playroom. Dresses, leotards, tutus, high heels, etc. Again she can change her own clothes. I can't take it anymore. Some days fine, but everyday , no.

My solution - bye bye clothes. I took all of her clothes out of her drawers and out of the bins in her closet. I even took all the dresses out of her closet. I know I am mean, like I haven't heard that before. Oh boy, was she mad. "No my clothes bye bye", delivered in the highest shrek imaginalbe. I just did this today so I am not sure how this will go!

On a lighter and exciting note.Something else of Kennedy's went bye bye- her diapers! Yeah baby! My baby is P-O-T-T-Y-T-R-A-I-N-E-D. That's right, uh-huh, for real! She is doing so good. She will go to the bathroom and when she is done she will say "I candy" and I say "o.k." and than she says " I rock"!! It is so funny! It is so nice not to have to change a diaper anymore, but with all things there comes a reality. This one is that my BABY is not a baby anymore, a sad reality for me. Although, there is the possibility of a new purse, being that I no longer need a "diaper bag" and have freed up that diaper fund!

We have long had problems with our pantry. The day she learned to open a door she was in the pantry climbing the shelves and pulling down whatever she could get her little paws on. It got really bad, she would empty boxes of ceral and step all over them or pour sugar all over the floor, etc. I finally got smart and put a lock on the door. That helped A LOT, but everyday the door gets left unlocked at sometime or the other. It's like radar - she knows. She goes into the pantry takes all the snacks out of the snack bin and puts them into the Spider Man lunch box. There are 3 other lunch boxes in there, but she always takes the Spider Man one. And always someone goes in there and comes out hollering "mom, wheres all the snacks?" . I go in there and sure enough, the snack bin is empty. Sometimes she has just set the lunch box on the shelf and other times she has taken it somewhere.

Oh the days of a 2 year old! All of the other ones have been much worse at the 3. I am thinking that I may need some serious therapy after she gets done with me!

One Liners

2010-10-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

Maybe he could be a comedian when he grows up.......

He comes out of the laundry room naked, headed up the stairs for a bath. We usually keep our underwear on until we get to the bath. We are trying to teach privacy in our house!
Me: Cole, good thing you have such a cute butt
Cole: I know, you wanna touch it.

He is crying because I won't let him wear his Halloween costume (which is brand new and I am a mean mom). Walks up to me and says:

Cole: Fine, you won't let me wear it. You just ruined my whole day.
And storms out of the room

2010-10-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

I always try to write down the funny things my kids say. Sometimes I am really good about it and sometimes I'd rather forget the comments. Cole is famous for his comebacks, one liners and over all commentary on situations. Here are a few of his latest

Me: Cole put your buckles on.
Waiting..............
Me: Cole, put your buckles on.
Waiting.........
Me: Cole, are your buckles on yet?
Cole: Mom, your yelling burned my skin off and now I am bleeding and it is getting in my eyeballs.

Granted, yes I did raise my voice, but you have to know that the "buckles" in the car have become a major problem with him. I am ready to start carrying zip ties and just zip tie him each time he gets in, because he will not keep them on. I have tried everything - beatings, threats, treats, deals, everything.

Me: Cole, come on, it is time to go.
Cole: Where are we going?
Me: We are going visiting teaching.
Falls to the ground and in his signature whining voice tells me:
Visiting teaching is so hard. I can't take it anymore, it is so boring. Why do you always visiting teach. Can't you just give them something and leave.

Me: Cole come on it is time to get ready for preschool.
Cole: No, I am not going today.
Me: Come on Cole, we need to hurry.
Cole: NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I am not going.
Me: Why do you not want to go to school?
Cole: If you make me go I am going to tell on you.
Me: Who are you going to tell?
He is yelling by now, Cole: I don't know but you are going to get in trouble.

I love this little boy, but he is way to clever and quick with his words!

Big Man

2010-09-27T15:21:00.000-07:00

I fight it daily with all of my children and I don't know when I will ever come to grips with it, but I am in a constant battle of them growing too fast. I look at them often and wonder how we got to where we are so quickly. I was just holding each of them in my arms and now most of them are too big to fit in my arms or don't want my arms around them!

Kyle mowed our whole lawn by himself, with a push mower. We have a lot of grass, almost 1/2 acre. Which doesn't sound like a lot but for a 9 year old! I was so impressed and he was pretty proud of himself. Although I am sad to see him big enough to do this, there is a little part of me that is happy to pass this chore on to someone else!!! Good job, my big man!

"The Wedding"

2010-09-23T21:44:00.000-07:00

OK people, get ready to fall off your rocker, chair, stool, whatever it is that you are sitting on. This is the wedding of the century, maybe the wedding of all weddings. Well, it took the cake for me! By far the biggest and best I have ever seen or been to! The movie does it little justice but will give you a small glimpse into the fabulous weekend that Jake and I got to take part in. We had a great time and felt lucky to be able to take part in such a wonderful moment for Melissa and Matt!

Jake has 8 siblings, 2 sisters and 6 brothers. It is his 1st sister Rebecca whose daughter, Melissa, that got married. She married a pro golfer who is on the PGA tour right now and his name is Matt Jones! Yeah all the boys think their cool now because they have some relation to a pro golfer! How funny that her married name is now Jones! Just a little note on my dress and to give my friend props...my dress was sleeveless. You would have thought I could find something with sleeves, but trust me there isn't a lot to choose from. Anyhow my amazing and talented friend put sleeves on it for me and it is perfect. Thank you Heather - you rock!

The Invite:

The wedding was just one of the 3 fabulous days. I do a short recap! We arrived in Yountsville, California which is just a little north of Napa Valley, California. Napa is know for its wineries, but it some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole state. Rebecca arranged for us to stay at the Bardessono Resort! Wow! This place was off the hook! We arrived in our room to a TV and phone that said "Welcome Jacob and Tessa Jones", fresh water (that I was later informed was triple filtered and came from their property!), and full tour and a tutorial of the room! Friday night was a cocktail party at the hotel, Saturday was the wedding and Sunday was a brunch. I could keep going forever, but I'll spare you!

Long story short- AMAZING!

Thank you Rebecca, Ron, Melissa and Matt for making an amazing memory for us as well!

The Colester!

2010-09-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

Cole is a different child than the rest of the clan. He came from a totally different mold. Which is odd in the Jones family because it is a very strong gene pool and most of the cousins look like they all could belong to one set of parents. I could take 3 of my nieces and nephews all from different parents and no one would know that they aren't mine. And the weird thing, it doesn't really matter what the "non Jones" spouse looks like, that Jones gene is dominant. But than there is Cole. He is the only one that looks like he is actually my kid! He is his own little self and while all of my kids are different, Cole stands out the most in this crowd. He has so many little quirks that are both maddening, funny, and sweet all at the same time. He is the one child (although Kennedy might surpass him pretty soon) that constantly keeps me on my toes, constantly tries my nerves, constantly wants to be with me, and constantly challenges my every word. The last couple days he has been especially trying for me and so I decided to try and funnel his energy into something that is an obsession in our family. Music is played in our house a lot. In the car, while we are doing chores, while we play in the backyard. Cole has taken to a few songs that get played over and over and over. One is "Rock You Like a Hurricane" by the Scorpions (which is usually in the car)and the other is "Beat It" by Michael Jackson.When not blared from the radio, it is from the iPod. Here is a video of him getting his grove on!

I am not sure who is funnier, Cole or Kennedy just standing next to him. It is in black and white because Kate was playing with Jake's phone and did something weird to the settings! He will listen to my iPod for hours and just walk around the house and sing! It has become one of my "decompressors" for both of us!

After a full session of dancing, Cole is worn out and decided to take a nap, behind the couch! This one of kind kid is seriously one the most hilarious kids I know. Thanks for keeping life interesting and me on my toes! Love ya Coley Boley Guacamoley!

Peaches, Preschool and a Party in the Park!

2010-09-11T15:10:00.000-07:00

Peaches !Oh look at these babies! Those are some nice peaches, I like those peaches! And how yummy there were! We weighed in at 98 pounds of peaches! Sounds like a lot, but not when 2-3 peaches are a pound and when I want them to last during the winter! They were so good we went and got some more! We will be eating peaches until next year- I hope! We made some kick butt apple sauce with all of our free apples too! I know, Crocker is my middle name!!

Preschool! Cole was so very happy to be starting school with his best bud Owen! And I am equally as happy that he is starting school with Teacher Summers. Ginger Summers has been a fabulous influence on our family. She is so loving and so kind and really wants to be a preschool teacher! Kate did amazing in her class and I am hoping that she can work her magic on Cole!

Party in the Park! Oh yeah! The Spirit of Boise is back and we are very excited about it! It is a huge hot air balloon festival at one of Boise's beautiful downtown parks. You wake up super early (for us!) and head down to the park and watch the balloons inflate and take off in the morning sky! You can get really close and even get in a basket of one of the balloons if you want! We have been going since we moved to Boise - except for the few years it was gone! This year we drug my sister and her family to the morning and to the night glow! The night glow is super cool! The balloons are already inflated and they burn their flame to make them "glow". We brought popcorn and soda, chilled on a blanket and watched all the people!

Farmer for a day

2010-09-02T18:55:00.000-07:00

Okay maybe for an hour. Okay maybe not a farmer, just a picker!! Last year I ventured into freezing fruit and juicing and all sorts of food storage stuff. It was a pretty big step for me and in turned out fabulous! So this year we are going bigger and better. I only got one box of peaches last year - about 10 pounds. I was hoping they would last me all winter, you know have a little fresh fruit over the winter. No way, 3 weeks - gone. So we are doing 10 times that this year, well okay maybe not 10 times but at least 5 times. Today my friend took my sister Ashlie and I out to the church orchards.

We took our kids with us and had a good ol' time pickin peaches! It was so fun and there were a lot of peaches! We went to pay for them and saw this lady with some apples and we asked where those were. She said they were down the hill and that they were FREE! Oh yeah my price point for apples. So we went and picked some apples. I am so excited I can't wait for some peach pie and applesauce, not together though!

The end...........

2010-08-31T19:27:00.000-07:00

Roaring Springs - for 3 lovely months every (almost) Wednesday was water Wednesday for us at Roaring Springs water park. Grandma provided season passes for us for Christmas and those were the most used present of the year. We have so much fun at the water park. With or without friends we would go, go, go! Cole's favorite is the wave pool, Kennedy's fav is the dolphin slide in the kid area,

Kate's fav is the family ride, Kyle's fav is the wave pool and my fav is in a chair watching my kids! This picture was our last day at the water park. Along with school starting, the water park closing and summer coming to end, is the sad realization that another season has past and my kids are that much older.

We had a fabulous summer and did so many things and I really got to enjoy being with my kiddos! I am not a mom who likes back to school and the routine and all the busyness it brings. But this picture along with all the other ones will keep me warm in the winter with lots of memories and the anticipation of next summer!

While you were out...........

2010-08-30T21:57:00.001-07:00

I am catching up on my blogging and not necessarily in order! While we were enjoying our "successful" camping trip. A really bad wind storm came up! It usually always blows hard at the sand dunes so I didn't think anything of it. Until I got home and found my shed literally in pieces. Boise experienced 60 - 70 mph winds that night. Keep in mind 74 mph is hurricane force winds! Well I guess I know what we will be doing next weekend!

Last weekend of freedom

2010-08-30T21:57:00.000-07:00

WEISER SAND DUNES

In our last ditch effort to stretch out the last few days of summer before school started, we planned just a "few" activities. Friday we finished up our school shopping and than loaded up the trailer and 4 wheelers for our camping trip. Saturday we headed out to Weiser sand dunes. We set up camp and the minute the 4 wheelers were unloaded, the kids were off and running. My sister and her family joined us and it was so much fun. Coley came walking over the sand dune, helmet drooped, shoulders hunched over and wailing that his quad was stuck. Really it just ran out of gas!

We did a little fishing and swimming in the lake.

We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire. Endured a wind storm that blew our chairs into the fire and lit them on fire! - that was exciting! It was a very successful camping trip - is that even possible?

Fair Time

2010-08-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

The Western Idaho Fair

came to town and true to tradition I made Jake go on Family Night. He hates the fair, I love the fair. Well I love the fair food - as if there is any other reason to go to the fair- duh? My sisters family came with us. My kids were in heaven, their cousins AND the fair. WOW! We made our stops at all the FFA animals, the petting zoo and the fabulous dinosaur exhibit. Than off to the kids' favorite part - the rides! They rode so many rides, they forgot how many they had gone on at the end of the night. We had so much fun and got to see some of Idaho's finest residence! Gotta love those carnies!

11 years and counting

2010-08-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

I have said before that my husband is not big on "dates". Just because Valentines Day falls on a Wednesday doesn't mean you have to actually celebrate it on that day. And I have said before how I am the opposite. If Valentines Day is on Wednesday than yes you have to celebrate it on that day. Well he won this battle, I gave up about a year ago, maybe longer I can't remember. Trying to block it out. Saturday was our 11 year anniversary and we spent it with our kids camping. Partly circumstantial - it was the last weekend before school starts and partly accidental, we had gone to California the week before and spent a few days alone.
So it was not that big of deal that "Saturday" was the actual "date" of our anniversary. See I am learning to let go of the little things (Ashlie). Anyhow I got to thinking that it is kinda a big deal! 11 years is a long time to be married to someone and not kill them. Believe me it goes both ways, shocking I know, right?! So in honor our 11 years (and 3 day) anniversary I have 11 things I remember about our wedding day.

1. The whole week prior had been record lows in Sacramento, perfect!

Wrong! 103 degrees the day of wedding

2. Jake and his brother were in 3 piece tuxedos - sweating there guts out!

3. We have no pictures without sweat pouring down both of our faces

4. I was hungry - hadn't eaten all day. On the way to the wedding,

went through Taco Bell drive through - Bean Burrito - what was I thinking!

5. While going through the drive through, I was so hot I was in the back seat, dress pulled up

and had the air vent blowing cold air!

6. Jake kept our wedding night a secret - we stayed in a B&B in downtown Sac

7. I can't remember what we had to eat!

8. I said "I do" before it was time to say it - pretty anxious I guess!

9. Jake couldn't get my ring on because it was so hot and my fingers were swollen

10. All my friends and family were there to support us

11. Thinking over and over "Oh my gosh, I am marrying Jake Jones"

(we have known each other since 6th grade)

Good thing I married Jake Jones! Things haven't always been easy and we have had our share of trials but we have a great life and are happy to have each other! Love ya Jakey!

2010-08-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

Powder Sugar

Urine

Lunch Meat

Dannon Drinkable Yougurt

Mayo

What do all these things have in common?

THEY HAVE ALL BEEN ON MY FLOOR TODAY! And they all have happened in less than 2 hours. So why am I blogging it? Partly to get myself away from the CHILD that spilled them and partly to try and find some humor in it. I clean and clean and clean and than clean some more and there is always something more to clean. There ought to be a rule that after so many spills a magic fairy comes and cleans up the mess for you. I need to be thankful that I have children to clean up after but today I am not feeling it!

The grass is always greener

2010-08-06T22:12:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have known me for a long time, know how much I hate my hair, I have struggled and fought and fought and struggled with it pretty much since I can remember. I have tried every hair product, every technique, every chemical, every concoction known to any hairdresser, friend, relative or mankind for that matter. Most people tell me I am so lucky and they would kill for my hair. When was the last time you saw any model ( besides the late 80's early 90's -the one and only time my hair will ever be in style), one TV host, one movie star, that has natural curly hair like mine. Here let me answer that for you, Z E R O! The frizz, the body, the frizz, the curl, the frizz, the frizz, the frizz, it's the death of me. About 5 yrs ago, I was able to find, through a friend, a hair dresser that had natural curly hair. She has helped me find some product and a cut and how to deal with this mess of hair. She has been a god send and for once in my life I actually started liking my hair. Until now!

The old saying of the grass is always greener on the other side has often been explored in my life and most of the time I come back to the conclusion of actually no, the grass ISN'T always greener on the other side. Oh wait....shut the front door! On this hill, the grass IS greener on the other side. So green it has been a life changing experience. So much I am blogging about it. Enter Brazilian Blowout! No this has nothing to do with my bikini line. It is a super charge condition treatment that works almost like a straightner, but with NO chemicals. This is a picture of my hair, when it was wet so really all you see is the curl, which I have come to be okay with.

OK so now, are you ready........ the second picture is my hair (not a mannequin as Kate asked) after the "Brazilian Blowout". This is JUST blown dry with fingers. No pulling it start with a paddle brush and blow drying the heck out of it, no flat iron, no smoothing cream - noda!

Can you believe it? 30 years and I finally have flat straight hair! I know most of you are rolling your eyes but seriously, this hill is greener on the other side for this chick! THE CHICK WITH STRAIGHT HAIR! I'm just saying............

a little late

2010-08-05T22:09:00.000-07:00

Oh Kyle! Why will you never smile for me! I always get the refusal smile or some sort of funny face! Oh well, I still think he is cute! I am happy to report the mohawk is gone and yes it was gone Sunday morning BEFORE church! I love him with this short hair. It makes him look younger and with his NINTH birthday that just past, I am wishin' all those years back. Nine years ago, dang! This giant boy was making his entrance 4 weeks early and could fit in his dads baseball hat when he was born! Boy how things have changed! He has been has tall as me for some time and wearing a bigger size shoe than me and just growing up all too fast. As with all my childrens' birthdays, I always like to reflect back on all the cute things they use to do and say. Some are clearer than others, but I hope between the scrapbook and the blog I am able to capture most of them!

In honor of his 9th birthday, here are 9 things that I absolutely love about Kyle!

1. He is a mamas boy!

2. He loves to read

3. He has a very sweet and caring heart

4. He will try lots of different food and likes most of it

5. He loves playing with his brother and littlest sister

6. He has a great smile - on the rare occasion I get to see it

7. He doesn't judge people

8. He very forgiving

9. He is very laid back and easy going

Kyle is a great kid and I am so very blessed to have him in my life. I love ya Ky Ky!

You did what?

2010-07-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I let him do it. I have fought this fight for a long time. He either caught me at a weak moment or I am just getting too old to fight anymore..... HOWEVER, this will be short lived! My child will not go to church with a mohawk! So enjoy the 6 days, Kyle Jones!

2010-07-14T21:53:00.000-07:00

I could really use a wish right now, a wish right now, a wish right now.........

I do not want to leave

I wish I could stay for 2 more weeks

Cousins,grandma and grandpa, friends

The beach, swimming, playing and playing and playing

I could really use a wish right now.

Are we having fun yet.......

2010-07-09T16:26:00.000-07:00

in the words of Alvin the Chipmunk (Kennedy does a mean impression of this) "oooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yeah!"

We are having a blast to say the least - makes up for the horrible trip getting here. We have not stopped since we pulled into town. I don't think my kids have sleep this good since we did this last summer! They are so worn out, they are asleep before their heads hit the pillow! California has treated us well thus far.
Sunny days,cool nights and lots and lots of cousin fun!

Friday - Swimming - Adult GOURMET dinner

Saturday - More swimming - Slammin Sushi Party - Fireworks

Sunday - FIREWORKS

Monday - Swimming - again

Tuesday - Party with all the Pollmann (side) cousins

Wednesday - did I mention we went swimming

Thursday - Cruzin in the golf cart and skipping rocks in the river - LEATHERBY's (ginormous ice cream)

Friday - super cool splash park - drive in movies

Oh and the fun doesn't stop there! We still have another week!

2010-07-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

road trip

2 pm was our target time

2 pm came and went
I was still running errands

last store - hurry get in car and get home

turn on car- no air conditioner

3 pm Jake takes car to dealer

4 pm Jake still not home

not a problem because I'm still packing

4 30 pm Jake is home

pack the car as fast as I can

5 pm locked and loaded

515 pm turning around Jake forgot his golf shoes

530 pm hit the freeway

or should i say the wall of cars on the freeway

545 pm everyone is hungry

we still haven 't moved

6:15 pm get of the Nampa exit

7.5 miles from our house

grab dinner from Sonic

6:45 hit HWY 55

our curvy companion for the next 3.5 hours

Cole spills his soda - I have no napkins

a pillow case will soak up a small soda from Sonic

7:45 pm 1 hour down and yep we are stopping

in Mc Dermit to see why our tires are shaking our guts out

literally the kids are in the back asking why the road is so bumpy

only its not the road - it is my BRAND NEW TIRES

surprise the town of 500 doesn't have the tool we need to fix our tire

on the road again

Kennedy spills her soda

good thing we brought 4 pillows

8:50 pm stop on the side of the road to pee
because one of my children wouldn't pee at the last stop - guess who

Kennedy pees her pants

9:54 pm pull into Winnemuca

gas up and go pee

get a bottle for kens - microwave doesn't work - she won't drink cold milk

10:20 pm trip to Wal Mart - no blankets for kids to sleep with

we were suppose to leave at 2 - no one needed a blanket

10:40 pm leave Winnamuca

hit hwy 80

our straight companion for the next 4 hours.

11:17 pm kids still not asleep "too shaky"

11:21 pm heaven help me.........

2010-06-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

I love my girls! Even though there is 5 years between these two little princesses, they adore each other. Kate is constantly dressing Kennedy up and helping her put on shoes or lipstick or fingernail polish. Helping her wrap up her baby and stroller and we can't forget about the purse . Kennedy follows Kate around and wants to do and have everything that Kate has and does! I am so happy that they have each other. I am hoping that as they get bigger that their relationship will continue and that the age difference will not separate their love and fondness for each other. I have two sisters that I didn't like following me around or doing what I was doing. I was very good at bossing them around and making sure they knew who was in charge (what's changed, uh?) I don't think that they have very fond memories of me when they were young . We seem to do better as adults, when they listen to me that is! I just hope for my girls it doesn't take them until adult hood to figure out how sweet a sister relationship is. I can hope right!! My sisters do not live her and our visit are far and few between , in that absence I have had the awesome experience of having girlfriends that I consider to be just as close as sisters! They have helped me, listened to me, supported me, tolerated me! I also think that not having my sisters her has taught to value that relationship that much more and that I really do need them and want them around! The older I get (and they will remind me that I am older), I have learned that family really does matter and those precious relationship are so valuable. So here's to all my sista's! I love ya, blood or not!

FATHERS DAY

2010-06-21T07:36:00.000-07:00

It was more like a Father's Day weekend! Jake flew in at 8:30 on Friday night and we flew off (well drove) at 9:30 - who leaves town at 9:30 at night - uh.... yeah we did! Loaded with 5, yes count them 1 - 2 - 3 - 4- 5 four wheelers, enough food for 3 days and lots of bug spray, we were headed to the Weiser Sand dunes. On Jake's many trips to and from Washington/Oregon, he sees these dunes from the freeway and salivates. We have a new craze in our family and it involves SAND and QUADS. Jake came home with a mini quad last camping trip and than two more little ones 2 weeks later. We went with 2 other families in our ward and had so much fun. Yes you read it right, I actually had fun camping. I only sweep 16 times, I showed some restraint. Of course I did not bring my camera (or a pair of shoes for Kennedy) so I don't actually have proof of the above, but my friend Pam did so I will have to get the pictures from her and post them.

Sunday was spent lazily on the couch - uh well Jake's Sunday was! The kids got him a rip stick and we had to try it out first thing. Jake picked it up pretty well, Ky tried a few times and the rest of just sat and laughed, too chicken to try!

After a gourmet breakfast, Jake got his nap and the kids and I headed to Grandma and Grandpas for a bit. Jake loves to take naps and hardly ever gets to take them, so one day a year, I guess I can let it slide! We came home to fix another meal - Rib eyes in the back yard! Until it started raining! Than the rib eyes got moved in doors, but they were still de- lish!

We love our dad and are so happy he is ours (not many others could stand him! he he just kidding) Thanks for being such a great dad and husband! We love you Jakey!

2010-06-11T21:39:00.000-07:00

The equation:

water guns, water balloons, and water hose

pizza, lots of candy, popcorn, and soda

wII, play station, DS's and game boys

water paint and acyrillic paint

headbands, baretts, and necklaces

make overs, make-up, and make-n-takes

THIRTEEN CHILDREN

+________________________________________________

The answer

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

2010-06-07T11:25:00.001-07:00

OKAY - I am peeing my pants! This is one of the funniest things I have ever seen!
I could never see myself driving a minivan,(way to low to the ground!!!) but I think this could very well persuade someone too!

2010-06-02T18:17:00.000-07:00

Cole loves his bike. We have been talking about taking off the training wheels of Cole's bike for awhile but never did it. It has been VERY rainy here, instead of the beginning of June, it feels like the beginning of October. Rain, rain and more rain. Monday was Memorial Day and we didn't have a lot planned because of the rain. The kids were all out front playing and riding bikes. Jake took off Cole's training wheels and 3 tries later...

HE IS RIDING HIS BIKE!

Way to go Coley! I have never seen his little legs go so fast! He is extremely proud of himself and will tell anyone who is within earshot! As I was watching my little man ride his bike, I started to tear up a bit. Surprise, I know! But since Cole has turned 4 in April (a month and half ago) he has had quite the milestones. All things that we had been prepping him for for sometime and were hoping, pleading, bribing him to do. He now dresses himself including socks and sometimes shoes, makes his bed, does his hair, wipes his cute little butt and now rides a two wheeler. While all these things have significantly eased my life, it has made me realize how quickly my little man is growing up. Which is two fold for me. I love having little kids - although exhausting at times, they still need you. They are dependant on you and you have control over their environment and influences. My older kids (and they aren't that old) are becoming less and less dependant on me. Some of you are rolling your eyes and thinking I have lost my mind. Well that is a given, however..... my influence on their environment is becoming less and less too and that scares me. The school now has more of their time than I do, someone else gets to be with them more than I do and is putting a lot of information into their heads. This all sounds silly and crazy but I am a worry wart and really good at making a mountain out of a mole hill. So while the milestones are fabulous, exciting and sometimes liberating, they always make me realize how fast my monkeys grow.
And you thought this was going to be about Cole riding a bike...........

3645

2010-05-17T18:40:00.000-07:00

From Drop Box

I was able to go to California for Mother's Day this year and spend some time with my sisters and mom. We got pedicures, went shopping, ate and ate and ate. It was so fun to spend some time with them. We are really good about getting our families together to let the kids see each other and usually try to spend the holidays together. But very rarely is it just us. It has been a long time since we have done that and all weekend I keep thinking, why do we not do this more often??? Hopefully this can become a tradition( hint hint)! I am so thankful for my family and any chance I get to hang out with them!

A family
is made of love and tears,
laughter and years.
It grows stronger
with the passing of time.
More precious
with the making of memories.

sometimes a family is made of ones
you don't like for a while.....
But you love for a life time.
It's a gift whose value is found
Not in numbers but in its capacity
to love.

It's the place you find
someone to encourage you.
believe in you.
Celebrate with you and comfort you.
A family is where your heart
feels most at home because you're
Always wanted, always welcomed,
Always needed,
Always Loved.

2010-05-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

From 2010-05-16-2121-08

By John Doe-Associated Press- 54 mins ago
BOISE-Kennedy G Jones,2, has fallen into the hands of destruction once again. Jones has had many stints of destruction in her short years and is known for her reckless and destructive behavior. This incident marks 2 major hits in one week. Wednesday, Jones was found with A&D ointment and Vick's vapor rub covering the majority of her body, including her hair. Yesterday's incident consisted of nail polish and the cutting of high value coupons. Jones was found by a babysitter (name being withheld) with nail polish covering her left leg and on the comforter her mother had recently purchased at a well known home decor chain. Earlier that day, 20 coupons were found cut in half. There were no witnesses, but evidence has lead authorities to Jones. Coupons were purchased on eBay and were consider high value. Attempts to reach the babysitter were unanswered. Jones' mother, Tessa Jones, is currently being held at an undisclosed location for further evaluation. Friends of the family say Jones is a sweet child that is usually pleasant and happy. There has been talk of possibly incarceration for Jones for small amounts of time, but that decision will have to be made once the mother is able to return to the home.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

My 2 year old can beat your 2 year old

2010-05-12T13:10:00.001-07:00

I've been up since 6

Ran 3 miles

Got 4 children dressed, feed and out the door

Worked 4 hours

Cole has a friend over to play with

Kennedy is in bed

It's a beautiful day outside

I think I will sit in a lawn chair and just rest..........

I hear the garage door slam? Weird, I just talked to my husband who is on Chiden Blvd, 2 of my 4 children are at school, 1 is playing in front of me, 1 is in bed. Maybe it is a neighbor that I didn't hear knock........

Oh no, it is Miss Kennedy. Who has crawled out of her

C R I B
She is missing a shirt and is looking mighty glossy. You can't tell from the picture. First I ask her what she is doing and she just looks at me. Like I am going to get a straight answer out of her, she can't even talk so an answer at all won't be happening. Yet, I ask again. I approach her and the scent of A&D ointment and Baby Vicks vapor rub is filling the air. She has rubbed it all over her tummy, arms, face, hands, pants and hair. So I am thinking to myself, how did she get this, I moved that stuff on the opposite side of the dresser so she couldn't get it.

We go upstairs in her room and I find this.

There is A&D ointment and Vicks vapor rub all over the sheets, the pillow, her blanket and crib. She has crawled out of her bed and crawled on top of the dresser and took the bin of stuff emptied it into her crib and through the bin out. So from start 1:49 p.m. to finish 2:08 pm, my sweet little 2 year has created a mess that requires a bath, a load of laundry, furniture washing and NO NAP. So to that all I can say besides crying is

MY 2 YEAR OLD CAN BEAT YOUR 2 OLD

Mothers' Day

2010-05-05T19:37:00.001-07:00

Before I was a Mom -I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom -I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -I had never been puked on - Pooped on - Spit on - Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom -I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom -I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom -I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known The warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Mother's Day has taken on a new meaning for me the last couple years. I started celebrating Mother's Day on the Saturday before Mother's Day Sunday. WOW!! What a difference that has made. I take the whole day to myself and do whatever and go wherever I want. My wonderful husband and children are much obliged and I truly appreciate it. This year I got to have 3 days! I went to California to be with my mom and my sisters. No children - it was blissful. I got to spend some good quality time with my mom and sisters. The drive their was great, my music, my food, my schedule. However, the drive home was quite different. I found myself being very anxious to get home to my family. I found myself thinking about all those road trips with children and how at times they were down right miserable, but I got the kids to myself for 8 - 9 hours. We have the opportunity to talk and play games and pass the time together. My thoughts were filled with my kids the entire trip home and how I am so lucky to be a mom and have this incredible life to experience and how really my life would not have a whole lot of meaning without them. I often wonder what I would do if I didn't have kids. Yes, I could sit and list all the things I could do for myself- but I assume that would get pretty boring after awhile. I feel so blessed to be able to have these children, although some of my posts say otherwise, and so very thankful that I am a mom.

I drove home a little faster than I drove away. When I did arrive home, I was greeted with loud shouts of Happy Mother's day, hand made gifts and cards and lots of decorations.

Jake,Kyle, Kate, Cole and Kennedy thanks for another FAB Mother's Day.

I love you more than you know!

PHEW - we made it.

2010-04-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

It has been quite a week at the Jones'. Sometimes I like to look at my week and see what we have done. Although there are busier households than ours, I often wonder how I am going to keep up!I'll spare you all the details, like all the stores I drug 2 kids to to get those coupons deals, but here are the highlights.

Monday- Coley turned 4! We had some friends over for cake and ice cream and lots of presents! As much as I hate to admit it, I am thankful that Cole, as sweet and cute as he is, is moving on from 3.

Kyle had his first baseball game - no pictures. Besides the holes in the outfield and the goat heads in the infield, the Blue Dragons had their 1st victory.

Tuesday - The funnest day of the week for me - I get to go to Real Deals (home decor store) and play with all the decor. Best part, I get paid to do it! Jake left town - party with me and the kids. Oh heaven help me!

Wednesday- 5:15 call from the coach just making sure Kyle was going to be a the game. GAME, what game, it wasn't until Thursday night. Rain drenched fields, wind blowing, freezing cold temperatures, we played ball. No pictures of course- too dang cold to take your hands out of the blanket. He did play 1st base the whole game and racked up the outs!

Thursday - Left the house at 9 am didn't pull back into the house until 3:30 pm. Is this what a stay at home mom does - NOT stay home!

Friday - Swim lessons gone bad. Kennedy fell back into the pool as we were leaving and hit her chin on the side of the pool and ended up with 3 stitches. She was such a champ - I think I cried more than she did! Just an ironic sidenote - When Kate was 2 she fell into the same pool, with the same instructor, busted her chin open in the same spot!

Saturday - The yard- oh man! How do so many weeds grow so quickly in such cold weather? I don't know a plant that can grow or survive the way a weed does, why is that? Maybe I should consider putting dandelion's on my menu! We pulled weeds for "hours" it seemed like to the kids. Granted, there were a lot of weeds. But the funnest and most anticipated part of our weekend was definitely planting some of our garden. We only planted pees and radishes right now, few more weeks and we will be able to do the rest. This year we are going to try some watermelons, pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, and cilantro. Along with our usual tomatoes and carrots. We are going to skip corn, cauliflower and broccoli

Sunday - PHEW - we made it.

That I can do!

2010-04-24T19:35:00.000-07:00

I don't consider myself great at anything.

Just good at a lot of things......

EXCEPT

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Definitely a fav at my house

My cookies seem to have drawn quite a following and are preferred by many

except my husband that is. GASP! as if ... I know, right?

There are couple secrets to this

REAL butter - no salt - an extra 1/2 cup flour - pampered chef small scoop

It is the Toll House recipe tweaked just a bit

3/4 cup brown sugar - the darker the better

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1tsp vanilla

1 cup butter -melted

cream together and add

3 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

add chocolate chips

scoop with small scooper and bake at 375

don't ask me how long - until they are golden brown- don't burn them

Mmmmmmmm --perfect
So while I fall short on many things

Chocolate Chip Cookies.......

THAT I CAN DO

So Cal Trip

2010-04-15T13:40:00.001-07:00

Click on the link to see our totally awesome trip to so cal- it just took me awhile to get the pictures posted. :)
http://keepingupwiththejonesid.blogspot.com/2010/03/finally.html

Deal of the Week

2010-04-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

3 packages of shredded cheese

2 boxes of Ritz crackers

4 boxes of mac-n-cheese

2 bags of Cheetos

9 boxes of Hamburger helper

3 packs of Crush cups

2 packs of Danonino yogurts

Jar of parsley flakes

Jar of steak seasoning

2 Juicy Juice packs of juice boxes

2 packages of Ball Park Beef Franks

Retail $91.47

I paid $14.63

I love play group

2010-04-12T14:09:00.000-07:00

Albertson's

Walgreen's

The Children's Place

Macy's

Post office

Fred Meyer's

Verizon Store

3 hours

No kids

I LOVE PLAY GROUP

2010-03-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

2 bottles of chilli powder
2 food coloring packs
2 bags of chips
6 boxes of Fruit Loops
2 gallons of milk
6 - 4 packs of Danimals Crush cups
3 bags of shredded cheese
Retail $92.81

I paid $16.85

I do not have the ability to laugh.....

2010-03-29T16:57:00.001-07:00

Not today. My last post is null and void at this point. I am literally tearing up as I type. I am ready to commit hairy carey on Kennedy. She plays with everything and anything that she is not suppose to. This is my day with JUST her - mind you it is spring break so ALL 4 of the kids are home.

6:00 Wake up - hit snooze

6:15 Leave for grocery store

7:30 Go to gym

8:45 Arrive home to a sleeping house - aaaaahhhhhh!

8:46 Everybody wakes up

9:50 Wake up Kennedy - no time for breakfast

10:00 Have to leave for swimming - racing around like a mad woman

10:08 Leave for swimming - get to swimming and Cole gave her a C U P C A K E for breakfast that she ate in Jake's newly vacuumed BMW

10:20 Swimming lesson for Cole and Kennedy

11:00 Get home

11:45 Come down stairs after a shower and she has my lipstick on her eyes, lips and checks as she sits and applies it on my cloth couch

12:00 Start lunch - go to the bathroom come back and she is on top of the counter and has poured an entire pitcher of Koolaid in the 4 bowls and 4 cups that I have put out, yet not a lot of Koolaid actually made it into the bowls or cups - how does one accomplish that in 1.5 minutes? She had sweats on so I took them off.

12:30 Upstairs in the play room, takes off her diaper and pees on the floor

1:00 Climbs on top of the bathroom counter and proceeds to pump gel and spray aerosol hairspray in her hair and all over the bathroom mirror

1:15 Dad washes her up and leaves her in the bathroom where she than turns on the faucet and plays in the water with most of the water not going in the sink

2:00 Gave her a bath

2:15 Put her in bed for a nap (we moved rooms - she is still in her crib just in another room).

4:00 There is a dresser at the end of her bed. While she napped - SILENTLY- she reached over, pulled all of the clothes out of the top drawer, dumped all the diapers out of the bin that was on top of the dresser and threw out her blanket, pillow, and stuffed animal. When she woke up , I walked in and found her cuddled up with a pair of stretch pants.

5:45 Putting dinner on the table, opens a cabinet that has a lock on it, shimmies out the crayons and coloring book. Sits on the floor opens the crayons, breaks about 10 of them and then dumps them all out.

6:11 -Hear Kate yell "NO Kennedy - you don't write on your clothes"

6:12 - MOM IS DONE

Random

2010-03-22T15:08:00.001-07:00

"Life is tough, and if you have the ability to laugh at it you have the ability to enjoy it." Selma Hayk.

I need to learn how to laugh more.

My husband always tells me I don't have much of a sense of humor, but really I just don't think he is very funny. Although many other people do, so maybe he is right, I do need to find a sense of humor. Does anyone know where I can find one of those?

Maybe I have a coupon for one, because I would never be able to let myself buy something now without a coupon. It is almost impossible for me to do, it's turned into a sickness as well.

Just add it to the list......

I am always telling myself, live in the moment, don't rush things by, enjoy right now. This has become my new goal. Find the ability to laugh when I want to cry and enjoy each moment because I won't get it back. Which leads me to my next quote

"Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth" Julie Andrews

2010-03-17T21:14:00.000-07:00

The leprechaun's got us today! They turned out milk and toilet bowels green, left Lucky Charms and gold coins to eat and put clover confetti kisses all over the beds! The kids went crazy, they thought it was so fun. St. Patrick's day has become quite fun for us around here. Kyle and Kate talked for hours last night wondering how and if they could catch a leprechaun. No such luck! We all sported our green today so no pinches for the Jones clan. Cole got to take treats for his preschool and was quite excited that he "stole" the leprechaun's hats! (those are clovers-not eyes and a nose)! Hope the leprechaun's were good to ya all!

She's Two

2010-03-11T15:43:00.000-08:00

Taking all the toliet paper off the roll - almost daily
She's 2

Dumping out cereal on the ground (and her mom making her clean it up)
She's 2

Never a regular smile, always a cheesy nose wrinkled grin (cute nonetheless)
She's 2

Loves her blanket and her baby doll
She's 2

Still loves her mommy the most and will let her give her kisses

(no pictures, because I'm always the one taking them!)

She's 2

Today she is 2. It is a good and bad thing. My baby is 2 -so she isn't a baby anymore. My baby is 2 - I am almost out of the trenches. My baby is 2 - we are almost out of diapers. My baby is 2 - she is learning to talk better and use utensils (big for her!). My baby is 2 - one of the most fun and most difficult ages. My baby Kennedy is 2. It seems like I just brought her home and now she is tagging along and trying to keep up with all the others.

I love you little miss kenny kenny coco coco puffs!

From Collages

FINALLY

2010-03-10T13:57:00.000-08:00

I finally got our pictures up from our trip! This post was done right when we got back!

What a trip.......

We just got back from a fun filled, many miles mapped, fortyfivehundred footstepped, sunshine 70 degree seven day VACATION! Little Kennedy got left behind to hold down the fort, with supervision of course, the rest of us climbed into our beastly excursion and headed out. We hit Marsing and Cole wanted to know if we were there yet.......oh man was this going to be a long ride.

Sunday - Sacramento

Monday - New Port Beach

Tuesday - Disneyland

Wednesday - Disneyland

Thursday - San Diego

Friday - San Diego

Saturday - Las Vegas

Sunday- HOME!!!

Phew! I get tired all over again just looking at the intinerary! We had so much fun. The drive got a little hairy at times but we managed not to throw anyone out the window or leave them at any gas station. Although it was tempting........

We went with Jake's brother Adam, his wife Candice and their kids, Lexi, Kelly and Heidi. We stayed in the most wonderful villa in New Port Beach. My heart ached for the "So Cal" way of life. The smell of the beach air, the sound of the water, the beautiful scenery; all of it is just so intoxicating. I love it.

Two full days of Disneyland and California Adventure. I am not sure who enjoyed it more - the kids or the adults. It was fabulous! NO LINES. The longest we had to wait was for 35 minutes and that was to see the Princesses! We will never go to Disneyland again at any other time! It was so much more enjoyable without long lines!

Off to San Diego. What a fun City. While Jake worked - we played- what else is new! The San Diego Zoo is simply AMAZING. With escalators taking you up to the elephants and stairs taking you down to the under water pool of the hippos, my little "steve erwins" ate up this adventure.

Las Vegas was quite interesting. My 3 little ones eyes had never been so big and round as they soaked up Sin City. I think it was a little much for them as not much came out of their mouths! Although Cole did get to be a lion and the MGM and Jake hit a few of the slots, we were in and out of there! Kinda had a different feel when you have 3 kids walking with you down streets full of intoxicated people and barely clothed woman on cards.

We had such a good time and although little Kens missed out - this was one for the record! We will definitely be repeating this adventure. Although about 3 hours into the drive from San Diego to Las Vegas - my husband did say and I quote " We are going to fly next time" YES! Sweet!

Valentines Day

2010-02-22T16:12:00.000-08:00

I am big on"Holidays".

Every holiday.

Jake not so much.

Just because it is suppose to be the most romantic day of the year and just because you are suppose to profess your everlasting love for your spouse on February 14th, doesn't really mean a lot to him. Me on the other hand, holidays are held on certain days for a reason and that reason would be to celebrate them. BUT, I knew that when I married him so I have gotten over it over the years. Okay so I am still a little irritated with it! BUT my husband seems to know this and although he will never admit it, likes to play on this slight irriation of mine. He spoils me on days that have no meaning and not so much on the days that are suppose to! I will take those insignificant days! His calendar is a little off, but I love him nonetheless! So the holidays for me have turned into my kids. Valentines day was quite fun this year. We made valentines for each other, we made bags to hold our valentines, we made valentines for all our friends and we had a little valentines party on Sunday. When it came right down to it, the day was filled with love, lots of family love. Which is how it should be and I wouldn't have had any other way!

From Collages

2010-02-13T16:57:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist. I just feel like I have to share my amazing couponing trips with everyone. Not that anyone cares, but it makes me feel better to write it down. Gotta give a shout out to Lenny over at Albertsons on Cole Road! As I was standing there feverishly going through my coupons trying to figure out which ones to double (gives you 2x the face value of the coupon i.e. if coupons says $1 off - doubled would be $2 off) because I only had three of these prized possessions. He came up to me and said "Have enough doubler's?" and I said "Of course not, you can never have enough doubler's". "I'll be right back" he said. Comes back with 4 sets of doubler's (3 in each set), so now I have FIFTEEN DOUBLE COUPONS. In coupon world - you're pretty much on cloud 9! Let me break it down for ya' all!

Danimals Crush Cups 3 at $2.69 ea =$8.07 after coupons-.44 cents for ea 4 pk

Orbit gum (3 pack) 3 at $2.79= $8.37 after coupons - .79 cents for ea 3 pk

Rhodes frozen Rolls (12) 2 at $2.89 =$5.78 after coupons - .89 cents ea dozen

All laundry detergent (100 oz). 2 at $10.99 =$21.98 after coupons-$3.99 ea bottle

Kellogg's Rice Krispies (17 oz.) 2 at $4.69 =$9.38 after coupons - .74 cents each

Kellogg's Frosted Flakes 1 at $5.19 same as above

Kellogg's Fruit Loops 2 at $4.79 same as above

Dreyers Ice Cream (gallon) 2 at $6.49 =$12.98 after coupons - $ 2.24 ea

I bought some other stuff not pictured like meat (which was $19.98 of my total) 2 gallons of Dreyers ice cream, 3 paks of 3 Orbit gum and the licorice that I am eating right now! My total bill was $135.04 and I paid $32.62 for all this stuff!

AND I just got my 5 Sunday papers and what ya know, more doubler's- 15 more coupons ! WOOT! WOOT! Go ahead.... say it.... I am a freak. That's ok. I'm a freak who is saving money :)

COUPONS COUPONS COUPONS!

2010-02-03T13:03:00.000-08:00

I have been "couponing" now for about 6 - 7 months. I was a Wal-Mart girl in every way. If it was in our house, it came from Wal-Mart. It is a one stop shop. Underwear, bread, hairspray, milk, diapers, and a cute pair of jeans!! The problem with the one stop shop is I always spent a lot more money on things I didn't need then on the things I really did need. It is kinda like Costco, you always walk out with things you don't need. Don't get me wrong, I love Wal-Mart, but it was not the best thing for my checkbook! I found out about a class that gave you the ins and outs of couponing. I was always one for a bargain, but I had no idea how many "bargains" I was missing out on. Long story short, I have cut my grocery bill by about $250 a month and have increased my food storage in the same token. It has become a challenge to see how much I can save. My one store stop has turned into 3 to 4 stores but it is amazing what you can save if you are willing to go to other places.

I have recently taken my couponing to a new level. Not sure if this is a good level or sheer madness. My husband would agree with the later. I get 5 Sunday papers and it is now a Sunday ritual to "cut" coupons with the kids - hey that is family time right? And yes I bought coupons on eBay. Yes you read it right, eBay. I got 20 $1.00 coupons for $1.79 - including shipping. So before you make any comments, let me give you a few scenarios where I have used coupons.

Albertsons had their annual Quaker sale. Oatmeal, granola bars, syrup, and pancake mix. The oatmeal and granola bars were buy 5 and get them for a $1.00 each, which is a great deal in it self, retail is about $2.79 - $3.49. Shopping Wal-mart I always bought generic brand. Now that I coupon, I get to buy name brands that cost less than generic or store brands. Anyway..... back to the sale.There are 18 boxes of granola bars here. They are $3.49 at Albertsons. With the sale and coupons I paid $2.46. Yes you read it right, that is .14 cents a box! THEN..... I got 10 boxes of instant QUAKER oatmeal for .60 cents. That's .o6 cents a box! I'm not done, I got 10 boxes of Aunt Jamima pancake mix ($3.39), 10 bottles of Aunt Jamima syrups($4.19), 10 boxes of Captain Crunch WITH Crunch Berries($4.49) are you ready.......... Retail would have been $120.70 BUT I paid $38.16! So what am I going to do with 18 boxes of granola bars, 10 boxes of pancake mix and syrup, and 10 boxes of Captain Crunch.

Granola bars: school lunches, after school snack, preschool snack turn, 72 hour kit
Pancake and Syrup: The pancake mix is good for a year and I bet you the syrup will be gone in 2 months! We love breakfast at our house
Captain Crunch - Most cereal is good for 9 - 12 months. It is good for a snack with or without milk! Again we love breakfast at our house.

So there you go! Couponing at its best! It has really been fun seeing how much I can save and it has helped my budget out A LOT! So psychotic or not,I'm saving some money baby!!!!

Pinewood Derby Baby!

2010-01-30T16:21:00.000-08:00

The annual Pinewood Derby for our ward was Thursday night. It was quite the showing by "Kyle Jones". Let me back up a few days. We, well, Jake- because really this is his department- waited until the very last day (uh Tuesday night) to put this car together, regardless of several reminders from his wife. So they preceded to "finish" the car. Kyle was so excited and kept telling me, "Mom I think it's gonna win. Do you think it's gonna win? Maybe 2nd or 3rd, but I think it might be 1st". He was cute and so confident in his "car". Now I am not going to lie, I am going to go ahead and say what I really did say, to myself of course and maybe under my breath to Jake...... "What the heck is that? That is the lamest pinewood derby car I have ever seen."
Jake had YM Wednesday night, which just happen to be weigh in for the cars. So I pile all 4 rug rats in the car, haul 'em to the church. We get to the church and there is about 12 boys there with totally tricked out cars. Carved into aerodynamic shapes with racing stripes, flames, numbers and all this stuff. OK, if you can't see Kyles car, it is the original rectangle block of wood with the nose sloped down, THAT IS IT. I was so ticked. His 1st pinewood derby and my kid, my Kyle, had the lamest car there. He blew off the few negative comments that were said, but I was so mad. I was going to let Jake have it when he got home! We go into weigh his car and it is 2 oz. over the limit. Well you would have thought the Wall of China was coming down. He had sheer panic written on his face and my expression was the about the same. Now what am I suppose to do, all the weights are drilled and glued in there? Jake was not even reachable - he was on the ski slopes. Again, sheer panic. This was his first pinewood derby, his car was over weight, what do I do? What do I do? For those of you who don't know, Kyle being my first, everything is magnified by 10 when it comes to him. Sorry its true, it's psychotic and wrong but that's me. I'm working on it. Okay back to the story. Our dear friend came to the rescue. After a lot of drilling and re-gluing, Ky made weight!

I will spare you the details of the conversation that happened at home, but I am sure you can imagine.

So Thursday night comes, I'm nervous for my boy. It will be fine, he won't win, but that's okay we will take it as a learning opportunity. Kennedy and Cole are at the end of the track, so excited for their brother! They had no clue what was going on, but excited nonetheless! Race starts, race ends................ "Lane 2 - Kyle Jones". Wait......what? It took a couple minutes to register. He won, he won the race. I looked at Jake, Jake looked at me and we just busted up laughing. Kyle was elated, to say the least! I thought to myself it was just a fluke, he would be eliminated soon. HOLD UP! The next race, Lane 1 - Kyle Jones, than Lane 4-Kyle Jones, and Lane 3-Kyle Jones. You get the picture. 8 races and my boy won every single race with his "lame" pinewood derby car!

It was a photo finish!

Ok so now when am I going to eat crow you are asking? Oh I did, believe me. I took back everything I said and apologized immensely. Who would of thought a slanted piece of block wood would win! We headed to Dairy Queen for the after party and had some freezing treats to go with our freezing weather! I am not sure who was more excited that Kyle won, Jake or Kyle, but Jake was a proud papa!

2010-01-23T12:32:00.001-08:00

I have started taking a parenting class again. I took it for about 3 years ago for the 2 previous years and absolutely loved it. It changed my life. The teacher, Sister Tanner is one of the most inspirational people both emotional and spiritually that I have ever met. She has really given me a lot of tools and suggestions to help me in the toughest job of my live - being a mom! I thought that I had heard it enough times that I could implement it and adapt it to my life. Well not so much. After all she did say that it took her 7 years for her techniques to become habit - and here I am thinking I could do it in 2!!! So we are back - yup Jake is going with me! I am so excited to get some more ideas and tools in the never ending quest of "being a good parent". Not that I even know what that means but I sort of have an idea how I would "like" it to be! Anyhow she puts together a syllabus that has the outline of her lesson, quotes from the prophets, scriptures, stories and poems. I came across this poem and it made me think of my last post. Even though I try and most of the time fail, having a clean house is not where my high should come from.

Maybe one day I will get it!

Excuse this House
Some houses try to hide the fact
that children shelter here.
Our boasts of it quite openly
the signs are everywhere.
For smears are on the windows,
little smudges on the door.
I should apologize I guess,
for toys strewn on the floor.
But I sat down with the children
and we laughed & played & read.
And if the doorbell doesn't shine
their eyes will shine instead.
For when at times I am forced to choose
the job or the other.
I want to be a housewife,
but first I'll be a Mother.

2010-01-13T21:16:00.000-08:00

Something about a clean house..........
this is truly my obsessive compulsive disorder manifesting itself in full light! Seriously, a clean house really does it for me. It is exhilarating to me...sick I know. The smell of cleaning supplies, the vacuum marks in the carpet, the dirt you see on the white rag...okay maybe not that, that kinda tells you how dirty your house really is!!! I can't quite figure it out because it is such a brief moment in time in my life right now. It couldn't be that I am a control freak or my organization compulsion, could it?!# I used to be so good at cleaning my house. Every week it got a good cleaning up and down. Well I am not sure if I am slowing down with old age, finding more excuses to put it off, or just getting lazy. The weekly cleans aren't happening that much anymore. But every time I do manage to pull myself together and get it done I wonder each time why I waited so long to do it again. Its like I don't get it, like I can't remember the high it gives me from the last time I did it. Okay wait, this is starting to sound like a drug addict......maybe I should try drugs. Maybe that could help my situation. Anyhow, I usually start downstairs, do the main living area, the areas people see so they can think I am a good house keeper, then upstairs to the real mess- the rooms. I get to all the bathrooms, all the floors, all the dusting, all the vacuuming EXCEPT my room. What is with the master always being the last to get cleaned. Seriously, I have had this conversation with several people and they say the same thing, the master is that last to get cleaned. It makes me so mad. Seriously, why is that? So I started something different. I cleaned my master FIRST! I did eventually get to everything else in the next two days and there was a brief moment in time (10 mins max) that my WHOLE house was clean. It was so nice to walk from a clean house to a clean bedroom. Why didn't I think of this sooner, duh? So why am I blogging about this you ask. Because I just wanted to blog about something nonsense and leave all the heart felt,life changing stuff to my other blogging friends! So there you have it, my silly OCD moment. Happy cleaning.:)
P.S. So wish the picture was the house I had to clean!

IT' S OVER??????

2009-12-29T16:26:00.000-08:00

From Collages

What......it's over? Already? How can that be?

Weeks of preparation, endless shopping trips,

returning, exchanging, buying it again, wrapping.

And it is all over with.....

Christmas has come and gone.

Although our kids made out like pirates with their loot

it always seems so sad when it is all over.

All the hype is over in such a short time.

I love putting up my decorations.

It makes it feel so festive and so fun around the house.

For some reason any other season I decorate for

doesn't quite have the same feeling.

I dread taking it down.

It is so much work and it makes my house

feel so empty and so boring.

I wonder if I kept them up all year if that feeling would continue?

Naaaa, probably not!!!

So another year done and gone.

Where did it go?

2009-12-16T21:33:00.001-08:00

Today was not a day I was necessarily looking forward to.

I hate birthdays - well my birthdays.

I do not like the idea of getting old.

Yet it keeps happening, faster and faster.

My husband is out of town

My kids didn't even remember when they woke up

nor did they say Happy Birthday when I did tell them.

I had a full day scheduled, hopefully to keep my mind off "the day".

Volunteering in Kate's class room

Deliver a few treats.

Clean the downstairs so that I can walk without sticking to my floor.

Finish teacher gifts and friend gifts.

THEN..... my phone started going crazy!

Texts, voice mails, emails, phone calls,

all for me! All my dear friends and family were thinking of me.

Not how old I was but just thinking of me on this day.

My dear girlfriends rearranged their schedules to eat lunch with me.

And oh was it good. mmmmmm!

I came home to numerous bags on my porch,

numerous messages on my machine.

Again all for me! More friends and family thinking of me.

My birthday night plans were mocked a bit by many,

but I was trying to make the best of it.

My kids wanted to take me to Carl's Jr. for my birthday.

I had several offers to watch my children so I could go out.

But I thought a lot about this,

who am I am going to go out with?

Who is going to be able to be pulled away from their family?

Of course I want to go to Carl's Jr with my kids.

They were so excited and

I was excited to be with them, ALL of them.

Life is so crazy and so busy,

I don't have them all to myself very often.

This dreaded day made me realize a lot of things.

I have A LOT of people that truly care about me and love me.

I will take Carl's Jr. with my kids on every birthday.

No one really cares how old I am anyway.

They say age is only skin deep and

my girlfriend was telling be about this anti aging product. (he he!)

So bring it.

Bring on the wrinkles,

bring on the grey hair,

bring on the not so toned body.

THANK YOU to everyone who delivered birthday wishes, in all forms.

I felt very loved, very humbled and very blessed today.

2009-12-10T15:31:00.000-08:00

So it has been awhile since I have blogged .....uh ya think? The busy season is upon us and I can feel the anxiety creeping up my chest into my throat trying to choke me with stress. I try every year not to get myself in the same position I find myself in AGAIN this year. Too many cards to make, to many neighbor gifts to put together, the teacher gifts, the kids' friends gifts, gifts for my parents, gifts for Jake's parents.......... it never ends. I really really really was going to try to enjoy this time with my kids and try to have everything done. Yet here I am up until midnight every night making crap that no one really cares about anyway and "creating my own crisis" as my husband tells me. So it is December 10th and I have exactly 8 days to be finished with EVERYTHING because I AM going to enjoy Christmas break. I feel my children's childhood slipping through my hands and I just want to sit down and cry and make it all stop. So I guess I better stop blogging and get going....8 days and counting!

2009-10-30T13:02:00.000-07:00

From Collages

HALLOWEEN! My absolute favorite holiday of the whole year! I love dressing up, yes even I sport a costume, but especially my kids. Kyle informed me that last year was the last time that he was going to do a "group thing". I was so sad,I had great hopes for the Scooby Doo gang this year, but he wasn't having it. So we rumaged through the dress up box and this is what we came up with. Not that anyone will see them...... it is 47 freezing degrees here. Seriously, what's up. Your coat is not suppose to be worn over your Halloween costume. This is also the one time of year that I truly loath Idaho. Never fails, Oct 31st it turns cold as a witches....umm....a witches...how does that saying go? Anyway it's COLD. While my family in California is running around in the 73 degree weather with their kids trick or treating, I will be sulking and freezing with my children trick or treating. Good thing we have a small neighborhood.

When black cats prowl
And Pumpkins gleam
May luck be yours
on HALLOWEEN!

2009-10-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

From Collages

Sundays are rather "boring" around here, so my kids say! Every Sunday we go through the same thing....I'm bored, there's nothing to do, why can't we do this, why can't we do that. So in my effort to make Sunday a different day, I make a list that the kids can choose from of "appropriate" Sunday activities. So this Sunday was Rock Band, minus the Wii! Kennedy even got in on the action! No tour dates yet, but I will let you know!

2009-10-12T13:46:00.000-07:00

I did it! I made grape juice! I am so excited! I have been really trying to domesticate myself and try to get some sort of food storage going. We have a food storage group at church that I try to go to, but I get so overwhelmed between the cost, the rotating, using it, storing it, that I just gave up and did nothing for a long time. My wonderful friend suggested I start with a 2 year supply. Which has helped tremendously. So I have enough beans, wheat, powder milk and cereal to last my family for 2 years!!!!! I have slowly been trying new things with food storage. Grinding my own wheat, freezing peaches, and now grape juice. It may sound silly to some of you but for me this is a huge accomplishment. When I was little I remember drinking grape juice all the time. But for some reason my kids have never had grape juice! We have always just drank apple juice, oh the money I have spent on apple juice. So they are excited as well to drink the grape juice. I am going to try applesauce next, another thing I spend a lot of money on!

2009-10-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

I am totally obsessed with coupons and how much of a deal I can get. I guess you could say that my husband has rubbed off on me. And for those of you who really know Jake, know that that man can drive a bargain. I have become completely enthralled with clipping coupons and scanning the ads every Sunday. It is a ritual that my kids now know not to interfere with. Don't bug mom when she is coupon clipping. Kate is a good coupon cutter, though! I am not as nearly as obsessed as some of my friends, some of them get FIVE papers just to get duplicate coupons. My Wal-Mart days are over. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. Wal Mart is like Costco- you always walk out with 2-3 things you don't need. I have graduated to the finer retailers such as Albertsons, Walgreens and Fred Meyer (like Albertsons and Wal-Mart put together) So every Sunday night I plan out my attack on the stores. Find the ad, clip the coupons, make the list and paperclip them all together. It has become sort of a challenge now. I do have some learning to do because my friend Pam, who's claim to fame is "never pay retail", always seems to beat me on getting "the better deal". She is teaching me and I am learning....slowly. Every week I am going to post my deal of the week, so scroll down and see what I got this week!

2009-10-02T19:46:00.001-07:00

BUSTED

You have to know how much of an "issue" snacks are at our house to truly appreciate this picture. It all started with Cole ( as does all trouble around here), who would go into the pantry and dump cereal boxes on the ground and then proceed to stomp up and down on the cereal that was on the ground. Kennedy started to do the same thing and it didn't take us long to change the door knob to a locking one. It has helped a lot but on the rare occasion that it gets left unlocked...... she helps herself to a snack! There are 11 cookies there, just so you know!

Cole and Kens locked in the pantry! She is eating Ritz Crackers

still in the wrapper!!!!!

2009-09-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

Sand Mountain, for those of you who do not know, is in the middle of Nevada (just outside Fallon) or in the middle of no where. It is the Lake Powell of sand goers! And for those of you who know me, know that I HATE sand, unless it is boardering an ocean. So the boys, Kyle, Cole and Jake loaded up the quads, the dirt bikes and the toy hauler (well I loaded the trailer - who are we kidding) and left for a 3 days all boy adventure. Jake meet two of his brothers and some old friends out there. Cole rode his quad from sun up to sun down and even fell asleep on his quad. Kyle stayed busy looking for kangaroo rats!

Kate woke up Friday morning and said "aaahhh, isn't it nice not to have Cole here" and as much as I hated to admit it, it was! Just the girls.... we were going to have a fun (quiet) weekend! While the boys were off getting dirty, which included sand angels, "swimming" in the sand, and rolling down the mountain, the girls dropped by the Woman Celebration in downtown Boise, went to dinner and a movie. Needless to say, both sides, girls and boys had a great weekend full of lots of fun memories. Cole asked me if I would sand camp with him next time because girls can come and he would not let the kangaroo rats get me. I told him I would have to get back to him on that. Maybe next year!!!

2009-09-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

Okay so I finally gave in and started blogging. It took me a little bit to figure it out, thus the long history below. That was NOT suppose to be a post, it was suppose to be in the "about me" column. Apparently you can not "un"post a post. So there ya go, the love story of Jake and I (cough, gage,cough)! I am hoping that this will help me get through these child rearing years, can't afford therapy, so my sister suggested blogging. Here we go..........

Jake and Tessa

2009-09-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

Jake and I met in 6th grade. My family moved from Utah to Sacramento, California and we were in the same ward, lucky guy, got to see me on Sunday and everyday of the school week! Of course he was smitten at first sight! We dated briefly when we were sophomore's, but I changed High Schools and that was pretty much the end of that. We would see each other on and off at church dances and other activities. After college I moved to the Bay Area for a job and unbeknownst to me, so did he. One weekend while in Sacramento my mom and dad ran into him at a restaurant. So the story goes, my mom and dad all but browbeat him into calling me. Which he tried and tried, and tried again. Finally I agreed to meet up with him in Sacramento on a weekend we were both there. We starting dating (again) in October of 1998 and were married in August of 1999. After a year in the Bay, Jake got a job opportunity in Boise, Idaho. He came home to tell me and my response was, ummmm where is Boise, Idaho. Never heard of it and didn't know where it was! Do they have a Nordstrom there? Needless to say we packed up and moved. 9 years later with 4 wonderful children, a great job, and many, many wonderful friends, we absolutely love Boise (never thought I'd hear myself say that!)