Christmas Stories

I realize that Melissa and I share most of the same friends but for those of you that didn't see this link for personalized Christmas stories on her website, I didn't want you to miss out on it. It is most definitely worth checking out. You can go to the website and personalize stories using your child's name. It is easy to use - pick the story you want, add the names and then print it out.
The kids have loved hearing their names throughout the stories each night.

You aren't going to wear THAT, are you?

The other day, I was getting Delaney ready for school. We were ready to walk out the door and she stopped me and to my total shock and horror said, "Mom, you aren't going to wear THAT, are you? Seriously you are planning on changing into something else?!" I want to reassure everyone, I was not wearing a gold lame jumpsuit. I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt to workout in. Apparently I was not "FANCY" enough for Delaney. I can't believe that she is already concerned about MY appearance. I can't wait for those teenage years!

Halloween 2008

Delaney and Avery on Halloween night.

Delaney and Hannah at the Pumpkin Patch. It was over a 100 degrees the day we went to pick out our pumpkin.

My little ballerina and penguin!

We went to a great Halloween party. The "balloon man" was having a great time making Hudson's SPIDER hat!

Hudson's First Day of Preschool

Hudson's First Day of Preschool
Hudson started preschool this year. I was very apprehensive about him going, more because I wasn't sure what to do without having my BABIES around! He loves school and being a "Big Boy".

Hudson and Hyke playing on the first day of preschool.

Delaney's First Day of School

Delaney's First Day of Kindergarten - Mr. Evan's class - Room 3

I can't believe that my little girl is already in kindergarten. Delaney was more than ready to start but I am not so sure that Matt and I were as ready for her to be such a "big girl".
She is in a K/1 combination class and is already asking if she can just go ahead and do the FIRST grade work.

Delaney looks so little at her desk. She is sitting next to her friend Rachel.

Delaney and Hannah on the first day.
Our last minute decision to switch Delaney to Los Ranchos proved to be a popular choice with Delaney and Hannah. Even though they aren't in the same class, they get to see each other every day.

"I'm READY for MY PICTURE!"

Summer of 2008

Children's Museum with Avery
We spent the day (or at least a few hours) at the Children's Museum with Avery and Finley.
The kids all had a great time playing together.

We start them young in the JONES house!
I have been accused of loving to exercise a little too much. I swear though, we do not force our kids to get on the elliptical and workout.
Hudson said that he was doing it so that he could be healthy and strong.

Grammie and Grandpa's new trampoline.
All of "the cousins" were here this summer visiting.
Most of that time was spent playing and jumping on the trampoline.

Dinner in San Luis with Holly!
We miss our Holly!
We were all excited to go out to dinner with Holly.
We miss having her with us all of the time but are lucky enough
to have her younger sister Heidi helping with the kids now.
(And to my credit, I have only called Heidi "Holly" once.)

Dinner at Roy's in Las Vegas.
We had such a great time on our trip. We played, ate at "fancy" restaurants, went to the pool, shopped (that was mostly all me!) and watched the water show, over and over, at the Bellagio.

Hudson is his element in Las Vegas.

In our hotel room was a huge window that overlooked the main tram station. Hudson, who LOVES his trains, set up his train set on the ledge of the window watching the "trains" for HOURS. We had a hard time getting him to do much of anything else!

Delaney and Hudson get their tonsils taken out

In June, Delaney and Hudson both got their tonsils taken out.
We did them on the same day, back to back surgeries.
I know, you are thinking ON THE SAME DAY?! But honestly it wasn't as bad as we thought it would be. They both did great! Hudson was scared, especially as the anesthesiologist took him into the operating room. (They wouldn't let me go with him.)
Delaney on the other hand, held hands with the anesthesiologist as
she skipped to the operating room with him.
He later told us that she talked and told stories up until the second that she went under.

Delaney the Cowgirl

Let me preface this post by saying that it was a VERY hot day when this picture was taken. I am trying to justify why Delaney only had on her new pink Cowgirl hat. So keeping that in mind, Delaney comes up to me and says,
"Mom, it is my DUTY to keep my BOOTY on the horse."
Where does she come up with this stuff? I can guarantee you that the word "booty" is not regularly used in our house!

Enjoying ice cream - Hudson, Charlie, Delaney,

Harry and Avery
(John and Finley not shown in the picture.)

Hudson, Did you actually get ANY of
that ice cream in your mouth?

Eating ice cream at Avila Valley Barn

We always have so much fun at "The Barn." Delaney, who is already working on her manipulation (I mean persuasion skills) let us all know that it really was way too hot outside so we should all go in to the toy area because it would be MUCH, MUCH cooler there! She is only 4!

Don't you know your DINOSAURS?

I had to take Delaney and Hudson to the doctor. (they both have to get their tonsils out!) So the doctor trying to make the whole experience less scary asks Hudson if he can look in his ears, nose, mouth, etc. to see if he can find a dinosaur. Hudson readily agreed because he knows his dinosaurs. After a few, "Is the dinosaur in there?" Hudson apparently thought it was time to school the doctor in the field of dinosaurs. When the doctor asked (for the last time!) if there was a dinosaur in Hudson's mouth - Hudson responded
"Don't you know, it is not just a dinosaur, it is a TRICERATOPS?