McCall

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

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!

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!

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

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

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

The 2nd best time

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

It's the best time of the year. 

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

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

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

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

Pass it on....

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

Not asking for your donation or support.

Just thought it was worth a view.

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

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

Kinda deep, but just a thought!