January activities 2016

We have had quite a bit of snow this year, especially compared to the last couple of years.  And even though our kids have still built snow caves in years past, this year was a must because of all of the snow.  So Todd took Dallin, Kyle, and Jacob to the church parking lot to build a huge snow cave.

The snow was quite heavy at the time, and as they were digging a hole and trying to build the top part of the cave, the top came crashing down.  Unfortunately, Jacob was inside at the time.  It scared Todd and the other boys for a minute because he got buried in all the snow.  Jacob was pretty freaked out too.  Luckily they were able to dig him out quickly.  It's so scary to think about being buried in the snow.  Jacob didn't really have any room to move and we're not sure if he would have been able to get himself out if he had been alone.  So scary!  I'm so grateful that he was okay.

These few pictures were taken after the snow cave collapsed.  There was still a little cave there, but most of it was gone.

They eventually just decided to build more of a fort instead....(This picture was taken on the other side.)  I think they still had a good time, but it was a little unsettling after the collapse happened.  

These next two pictures were taken of Jacob at Arcadia at the Honor Roll Assembly.  I'm so proud of him for working hard and doing his best!  

Way to go Jacob!  

The end of January was stake conference and during that week, we all went to the temple together.  The sun was in our eyes, so we're all a little "squinty,"  but I still love the fact that we are all standing in front of the temple together.  We had a great time.  (This summer when Jacob turns 12, we'll be able to take him too!)

Todd and I were invited to a seminar for Stake Presidents and their wives at Roots Tech.  We took this picture before we went into the conference in front of the Salt Lake Temple.  (It was actually in front of the "replica" of the temple because the lighting was better, but if you look carefully, you can see the real temple in the reflection.)  

A close up...

2016 has officially begun! :)

Happy New Year! 2016

We went to Spaghetti Factory for our annual "Christmas break" tradition.  It was fun.  I think the kids were tired of "posing" for pictures by this time though, so I didn't get too many "happy" pictures.  But this is still the Jones family. :)

I love the look on Dallin's face..."huh?"

And Grandma and Grandpa Johnson came too

I love this picture of Kyle...and he's even looking at the camera! (success!)

I can always count on Jacob to take a picture with me (usually)... :)

And Todd doesn't have a choice...he HAS to take a picture with me if I say! HA! :)

More of Grandma and Grandpa

Dallin and Eric...and FOOD! Yum!

Jacob and Dallin

Happy New Year everyone!  

New Years Eve 2015

We had a fun New Years Eve! (mostly!) HA!

 But first, here's a picture of Ziggy in his "grinch" shirt.  He doesn't really like wearing it, but he's a lot calmer with it on.  Too bad for Ziggy.  :)

Oh, and remember the plants that we cut back a year or so ago because they were growing wildly and taking over our living room?  Well...they died.  :(  They were actually really pretty once we cut them back...a lot more "controlled."  But they never actually grew taller.  The stems only grew thicker, which was mostly fine, but when we put them in Jacob's room over Christmas, I guess they didn't get enough light, so they "checked out."  Sad, huh?  We definitely enjoyed these plants though for more than 4 years.  Awesome!  And now we're saying goodbye. :)

And now on to New's Years Eve.  We spent the evening with our family.  We started out the evening by watching a movie together.  Of course I wanted to get some pictures of the kids, but KYLE wasn't very cooperative!  :)

That's Kyle...under the blanket.

And now he's standing...

Even Dallin tried to help me get Kyle's picture.

Thanks anyway, Dallin.  :)  Here's Kyle (sort-of).

And here's Jacob on the floor.  (not a very good picture though...sorry).

And here's Todd and Eric.  Eric wasn't feeling too great on New Years Eve, so he wasn't too happy, but he was a good sport and hung out with us anyway.

And Dallin already looks half asleep, but it was only about 9 o'clock by this time.  We are real party animals!

After our movie, we went upstairs and got out the chocolate fountain and "dipped" fruit and candy until our little hearts were content. (and our stomachs were sick!)  :)  The chocolate fountain is awesome!  (And for some reason, in all of the next few pictures, Dallin is constantly on his phone.)  He is a teenager after all, right? 

Hey, there's Kyle.  I had to snap it when he wasn't looking.  :) (And there's Dallin, on his phone.)

And here's Jacob...(And Dallin...still on his phone!)

And Kyle (and Dallin...with his phone.)  HA!

Even I had a few "dips" of the chocolate.  YUM! :)  (Hey, where's Dallin and his phone?)

And now Eric is taking a turn on his phone....teenagers! :)

We did get one smile out of Eric....but only one, since he wasn't feeling great.  But I'll take it. :)

This is when the partying really got started...a little after 11, as you can see...(Poor Todd...he never makes it to midnight!  But we still love him!) 

And honestly, Todd's not the only one who falls asleep before midnight...Jacob just made his own little bed right there in the living room.

And Dallin was just about "out" as well.  Remember how I said the Jones family party's hard?  Here's proof! :)

Kyle's too tired to put the blanket over his head now.  HA! :)

And that concludes our New Years Eve party.  We lasted until about 11:45 in the living room, and then we all dispersed to our own rooms.  We were all still awake at midnight (except Todd, and Eric who had gone to bed earlier), so we still wished each other a Happy New Year!  It was just pretty low key at that point. :)  Party on Jones Family!

And now it's a new year!  2016 here we come!  :)

Merry Christmas 2015

  We had a great Christmas this year.  We started the holiday just like every other year by letting the kids open one present from me and Todd on Christmas Eve.

Even though our kids are getting older, they still look forward to this one event every year.  Through the years, we have given pajamas (the younger years), then slippers.  And now we've settled on calendars the past few years.  Here are the kids opening their present on Christmas Eve.

Jacob and Kyle

"Is it my turn yet?"  See?  Even Eric can hardly wait for this yearly ritual.  :)

And Dallin...

These next few pictures were taken after the kids went to bed.  The stockings were full...(and just in case you're wondering why we have a sheet hanging from our fireplace....it's because we set up the projector for Brandon's call the next day and we wanted to project his face onto the sheet, so we could all see him at the same time).  Clever, eh?  :)  Remember when we projected Eric onto the wall when he was on his mission?

The tree on Christmas Eve.

Even Ziggy got a present! :)

And now it's Christmas morning!  We always gather together at around 7 am.

Wake up Dallin!

Ziggy found his present too!

Kyle got a Red Ryder BB gun.  I hope he doesn't shoot his eye out!

I don't know why I took a picture of Dallin holding a box, and not what was inside, but just so you know, this was a ukulele.

Eric got an art mannequin.  It allows the artist to position the body in various poses, and use it as a model to draw what the body looks like in those different positions.  It's pretty cool!

Kyle got Chewbacca slippers! :)  May the "force" be with him...or at least warm feet!  HA!  Jacob got slippers too, but I didn't get his in the picture.  Oops!

Eric got a Zelda jacket.  He was real excited about that, which made me pretty happy too.  :)

Jacob got a Ukulele too (and a book on how to play).

Jacob got a Terreria shirt...

And Kyle got a Minecraft wallet...

Eric got a few Zelda things this year...Zelda Monopoly was among them!  (Dallin is holding up a piano book in the background.)

Oh, here's a closeup!  :)

Dallin wanted some "crazy socks."  (Eric got some too.) 

Dallin loves putting 3D puzzles together.  He has a lot of different ones in his room.  This year he got the Empire State Building.

Jacob loves the books, "Diary of a Wimpy kid," and I saw these books, "Diary of a Minecraft Zombie," and I knew he would love them.  How can you go wrong with Minecraft and Zombies? :)

Here is me and Todd showing off our gifts from Jacob.  They have a "Santa Shop" for the kids at school, so he was able to pick out some gifts for us.

I got a red heart ring and Todd got a little trophy that says, "All Star Dad."  Jacob did good! :)  (Thanks honey!)

And here's just a bunch of pictures of everyone showing their gifts.  We really are so blessed! 

Todd loves this picture, so I decided to get it for him and frame it.  He was excited.  (And now it's one of my favorite pictures too!) 

The kids each got a couple of Lego superheros in their stocking that they got to put together.  They were so cute! :)

Eric got Iron Man and Thor

Here's Kyle putting his together.  I think he got the Joker and Batman.

AND HERE WAS ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF THE DAY...TALKING TO ELDER BRANDON JONES!

Merry Christmas son!  We miss you so much.

And here he is projected onto the sheet!  I guess we should have ironed it! :)  Oh well, he still looks awesome to me!

We talked to Brandon for about 45 minutes and it was great!  It was so nice to hear his voice and see his face!  He is doing well and we are so proud of him for all his hard work.  We seriously had a wonderful Christmas!  I am so thankful for everything that we have.  We have been so blessed in our lives.

Merry Christmas from the Jones family! :)