Elder Joneses first area: Weaverville, CA

I finally got some more pictures from Eric, so the next few posts will be about him.  These pictures were taken between October 2013 and February 2014.  As you know, Weaverville, California was Elder Jones' first area on his mission.  He stayed there for about 7 months.  He loved it.  Here are some pictures of his area.

These next few pictures are of a lake in a place called Trinity Center.  Trinity Center is about 1/2 hour from Weaverville and Eric says it is the most beautiful spot in his area!

This is a picture of the whole valley of Trinity Center.

Eric and his famous "thumbs up" pose...

Eric says this is the most popular intersection in all of Weaverville.  The intersection where Mormon Lane and Odd Fellows Avenue meet.  :)  That's funny!

 

These next few pictures are taken in an area called Hayfork.

Eric says it is beautiful there as well.  These were taken in the Fall, as you can tell.

Another popular street in Weaverville called Mistletoe!  Fun!

And here are some pictures of Weaverville in the winter.  Yes, they really do get snow in California!  :)

And fog...

And zero degree temperatures.  Here's proof...

It looks like an amazing place to serve a mission, doesn't it?  :)  

Dallin's Jazz Band Concert

Dallin had a jazz band concert last night (April 23).  It was a lot of fun.  Dallin plays the piano for the jazz band and he is totally awesome!!!   This is a picture of him before the concert started...

There was another group there called "The Phoenix Band."  They were a group of senior citizens who had been playing together for almost 20 years.  They performed songs from the Big Band Era.  The junior high jazz band was supposed to open the concert with a few numbers and then the Phoenix Band was going to play some stuff also.  Before the concert, a few of the men from the other band were gathered around the piano looking through their music.  Poor Dallin couldn't get to his seat...he was patient and waited a long time.

One of the guys left, but 2 others still remained.  Dallin finally got to sit down, but he had no place to put his music.

The men finally moved their music so Dallin could begin.

But one of the men didn't leave...even after the concert began.  He just sat right next to Dallin.  I felt bad for Dallin.  I could tell he was a little uncomfortable and didn't know what to do.  At one point, before the concert started, I went to the man and asked him if I could take a picture of Dallin sitting at the piano.  He didn't hear what I said, and asked me, "Are you going to play the piano?"  I replied, "No, he is," pointing to Dallin.  But the man just looked at Dallin and kept right on looking through his music.  Poor kid.  BUT the show must go on, right?  So he dug in and began to play...

And then, finally..half way through the first song, the man got up and walked off the stage.  It was kind-of funny (and a little annoying too).  :)

But Dallin got through it...and of course he rocked the stage!!  Here's a picture of the whole jazz band.

And then the Phoenix Band played for about an hour.  They were actually really good.  You could tell they had been playing for a long time.  Most of them were retired, and a few of them needed a cane to walk.  It was fun to watch them and to wonder what they had been through in their lives.    

Music just doesn't get old, no matter how old the performers are...this is the Phoenix Band. 

It was a fun evening.  Way to go Dallin!  You are quite the musician!  We love you!  And good job Phoenix Band.

Easter 2014

Well, Easter has come and gone...again!  Didn't we just have Christmas?  Yes, we did.  We had a great Easter.  The Easter bunny came to us Saturday morning.  When we woke up, we found our four baskets in our living room filled with a few trinkets and treats.

Brandon's basket...

Dallin's basket...

Kyle's basket...

Jacob's basket...

Here is Dallin checking out his new puzzle.  It's a 3D puzzle, by the way, and has 890 pieces.  He told me the instructions were lousy, so he's got quite a task in front of him.  But he's excited for it.  I'll post a picture when it's done.

Kyle got a pick ax from Minecraft (whatever that is).  And a book, and some socks, and of course, some candy.

Jacob got a pick ax also.  And along with everyone else, he also got a book, socks, and some yummy candy.

This is Brandon.  He had just barely awakened before this picture was taken.  He was in his boxer shorts.  No shirt.  No shoes.  So...no picture.  (ha ha).  I was only allowed to get his face.  Good morning, Brandon!

We had a wonderful day on Easter Sunday.  Our church meetings were awesome!  It was a great day to be reminded of the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  There's a new video out called, "Because of Him."  It's so good.  I wish I knew how to post it on here, but I don't.  So if you haven't seen it, google it, and watch it.  You won't be disappointed.  Hope everyone had a super Easter!

Sunday evening activities

This is what Todd and Jacob did for 2 hours on Sunday evening last week. 

 

They each built a Lego army...

 

Jacob's army is on the left....Todd's is on the right.

 

 

Jacob's army--a close up.

 

Todd's army--a close up.

 



There's never a dull moment around here.  Pretty cool entertainment!  :)

A Ramdom Post

 

Gosh, it's been a while since I've posted anything.  How does the time go so fast?  Here are a few pics of some of our most recent happenings...

 

Brandon had another recital...

 

These are all the kids who take flute lessons from Tia Jaynes.  (She is the one on the right in the brown dress--and consequently the only girl in the picture--HA!)

 



 

Brandon always does a great job!  You rock son!

 



I got another new toy (actually a couple of new toys) recently.  One of them is a tool that allows me to make different sizes of little gift bags.  They are little, but so cute!!

 



And here are a few more cards I've made...and given away.  :)

 



 

Well, that's all I've got for now.  We start soccer this week for Kyle and Jacob.  Let the fun (and craziness) begin! 

 

Have a great day!