Prayer request

If you really need to know if miracles happen take a look at MckMama's blog (mycharmingkids.net).

Her sweet boy MckMuffin (Stellan) is in need of prayers.

Let's see another miracle happen for this tiny boy...

Take a look...

further down. Before the Christmas Elves post...I finally got the post of past Christmas pictures. Check it out! My how they have grown!!

Christmas Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas' Past and Present

What a trip down memory lane this has been! I have been slowly working on getting back up disks loaded to my computer. This is not only to get all of the pictures to one location, but also to weed out the many duplicate files. I have laughed out loud at some, called Steve in so he could see, shared with the kiddos how "tiny" they were. My sweet babies!

2008



2007


2006


2005



2004



2003


2002


2001

Christmas a Little Early...

We had our first Christmas get-together. The Saturday before Christmas is usually a time for the Jones family to come together. And by "Jones family" I mean the whole Jones family. There are about 80. By this stage having someone host is difficult, but the community building at the park works well. Just like Thanksgiving, everyone brings a dish (or two). I think there were 4 eight foot long tables of food!

I am reminded just how much my kiddos have grown when I see them running around like "the big kids." Forever my babies, but not babies anymore! (I think there might have to be another post about this in the works!)

After dinner, the kids are all sat down so that presents can be passed out. They are so cute all wiggly waiting for their gift. I think Jess and Brandon were happy with their gift.
Brandon received a Hot Wheels Dynamite Blaster. It has 6 spots to shoot the cars down the track all at the push of a button.


Jess received Hannan Montana barbie. She sings!


Ray already knows the ropes! Packaging is as much fun as the gift inside.


Jess and Dillon checking out Brandon's gift.


This year's babies. Ray 9mos and Abram 6mos


Skylar sharing her new doll with Ray.


Part of the cleanup crew.


Thank you Grandma for our gifts as well.

And Aunt Rachel, you do so much to pull it together.

Snug In Her Bed

We have made it a long standing habit to look in on the kiddos as we go to bed ourselves. This is what we found Tuesday evening...

How cute is she?

I've Been Tagged...

I've not been tagged on the blog. Thanks to Shannon, here it goes...

8 Favorite TV Shows:

1. CSI (just the original one)
2. Biggest Loser
3. Today Show
4. Mentalist
5. Football
6. Backyardigans
7. Scooby Doo
8. I'm sure you can just insert some other cartoon here.

8 Things To Look Forward To:

1. Another day that Brandon cracks me up
2. Jess to have a good day at school
3. Getting together for Christmas
4. Having all the presents wrapped
5. Not only having the laundry done, but put away too!!
6. Sunny days- even if it's cold, let the sun shine!
7. When Steve gets home
8. Taking the kids to see Santa

8 Things I did yesterday:

1. Got Jess up for school
2. Packed her lunch
3. Took a shower
4. 1 load of laundry
5. Loaded the dishwasher
6. Made iced tea (again)
7. Cooked dinner
8. Visited with Tina

8 Favorite Restaurants:

1. Olive Garden
2. Texas Roadhouse
3. O'Charley's
4. Chick fil-a
5. Subway
6. Smokey Bones
7. Culver's
8. any buffet- the kids love to pick out their own food

Now I am supposed to "tag" others, but I don't know who to chose! Give me a shout if you decide to participate!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Obviously, it has been cold. I just as soon stay inside with a cup of hot chocolate. Brandon on the other hand has been dying to go play in the snow from the very first flake. Even trying to tell him that he would freeze, he countered with "I can put my boots on and those things in the closet that cover me all over to stay warm."

How could I tell him no? He had a valid point. We do have coveralls in the closet for just that reason- keep him warm out in the cold, snowy weather. He had SO much fun! Such free spirit, just running around the yard and laughing. I almost felt bad that we didn't get his warm clothes out any previous day. What a bad mom! Even had a "Charlie Brown" moment when he was running and his foot slipped. He landed flat on his back! This turned into a "snow angel moment."



Jess got in on the fun as well. She was throwing scoops of snow in the air so that it could snow on her. And running with/from Brandon.


Duchess had quite the time trying to get her heap of basketball picked up as it was frozen to the deck. It was rather funny!


A round of hot chocolate was in order to warm up kiddos with pinked cheeks.

Cards and Snowmen

So, I've had this snowman making kit for a while now. It has foam pieces in it to "build" snowmen. Complete with carrot noses and coal eyes. Along with the thought to finally get this out for the kids, came the idea to put them in Christmas cards. I had what I thought was a super great idea... Not just any Christmas card, but to send them to wounded soldiers.

This was a win/win project. Once I explained what we were going to do with their snowmen, they were so excited to send them to the Army guys in the hospital.




So if you have an extra card or two (or even a lot!) why not send it here:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

Here is peek at a few of their snowmen...

Polar Express

Spur of the moment on Friday evening, we decided to go to the movies with the kids. And not just any ol' movie! We grabbed some dinner and were on our way downtown to the IMAX to see Polar Express. Never mind that the kids just watched it a few days before on TV; this was 3D!! They LOVED it! They kept trying to catch the snowflakes and touch everything that popped out. We even thought ahead!- "we will drive around Monument Circle afterwards so the kids can see the monument all lit up!"
We forgot!
But I guess it was ok (that we forgot) because it was late; it was cold; and most importantly, we didn't bring the camera either!

A Few of the Favorites

I gave to Steve our first Christmas together.


Jessica's 1st- 2001


New Parents- 2001


Pregnant with Brandon- 2003, Brandon's 1st (Carousel horse), Santa with Baby from Great Grandma 2004


10th Anniversary- 2008


Handpainted I couldn't pick just one! 1996-2000 Although, if I HAD to pick one, it would probably be the one (for 2000) with the baby on it. I was pregnant with Jess, but had not yet found out that we were having a girl.


It plays music!


A little sample of what we have on our tree. It looks lots different from our first Christmas tree! But lots of memories with each new ornament.

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas

On Saturday we started decorating. Daddy had gotten home too late on Friday and we didn't want him to miss out on any of the fun. We had to stop midway of putting up the big tree downstairs. There were a few lighting issues. This meant a trip to the store for more lights. And then lunch and then a couple more stores just for fun. And more than a few "can we go home now?" Once we finally had the lights on, the kids were excited about putting their ornaments on. Brandon put the angel on this year. We think that Jess did last year, and she was ok with Brandon doing it.

And then we have the little tree downstairs... This is the second year for this little one. (actually last year's picture)


We're just getting started...