December Update #4 Two B-Day Parties

Mr Thatcher Chance Jones turned 2 years old on December 26 and Mr Alexander Angelo Conte turned 5 years old on December 31! Since Alex was still in town, we decided to have a combined b-day party for the boys at a local park.

What a great day to run around and chase the kids, thus reverting to children ourselves! Too much sand though! That stuff was everywhere! All kids needed to go straight to the tub that evening but they sure had fun!

Alex pushing Thatcher in the swings! Too cute!

Ryan wondering, "hey why isn't anyone pushing me?"

On to the slides! Here we come (Alex and Thatcher).

Playground Tubes!

Ruh Roh... the climbing wall!

Um, children???????

Monkey Bar fun... Madeline was scared out of her mind when she couldn't swing back to the starting point... even when mommy had her, she would NOT let go!!! Thatcher, such a boy this one - he couldn't get enough! Just launches himself everywhere whenever he pleases and somebody better be there!



Don't forget Baby Roo - ok maybe she's just a mite too small yet!


Catch me Auntie Jill!

Time for cake!

Are there any presents??!!

Happy Birthday to us - we had a great day! Thanks to our family for making our birthday a special day!

December Update #3 Jones' Moving Weekend

Well Jessica and Rocky bought a house and decided that the weekend after Christmas would be the best time to move...! Whew!

Friday night Madeline spent the night at my house and then the next morning I dropped her off at Grandma's house so I could help with the move. I watched all Jess' kids during the day (that's 3, including new baby)... got some cute shots of the kids.

Thatcher playing under my kitchen table



Ruthie in her new outfit Auntie Jill gave her for Chrsitmas




Sweet Siblings - Madeline, Thatcher, Ruthie





Maddy's sleep-over with Auntie Jill (sleeping in her special Princess sleeping bag that Auntie Jill keeps for special Maddy-Auntie Jill time). There is a pillow and lamp that she insists must stay on all night so that the "monsters" don't get her!



The next morning she was sooo excited to snuggle up in auntie Jill's bed! When it was time to get dressed to go to Grandma's house she pleaded with me to stay at my house. I had to explain that I had to help her mommy and daddy move into the new house. Then she insisted that she be allowed to keep her pajama top (with santa claus) on for the day. I insisted that she change and then she says, "but auntie Jill, this is MY body and I should be allowed to wear what I want on MY body..." Oh really?! Excuse me little I'm too big for my britches sassy girl... what do you think happened? Yeah she changed into a regular shirt! It was so cute though, I had to hide my smile!




Saturday was moving day and luckily there were lots of people who showed up. The move went pretty quickly. They discovered some termite damage but you can read Jess' blog for that update!


Saturday night I got to take baby Ruthie home for a sleep-over! She's just 2 months old and I loved every minute of it! We had a wonderful evening and then woke up for church! Look how pretty she is!




Thanks Jess for trusting me with your kids!

December Update #2 CHRISTMAS!

What a wonderful Christmas Season. As many of you know, I have 2 brothers serving in Iraq (Justin and John). We were blessed to have Justin's wife Betony and the 3 boys here for Christmas. I was excited to spend some time with my nephews since I don't get to see them often, especially the new addition, William who was born just 4 days after Ruthie. It was so cute to see the 2 of them next to each other. Even though William is younger, he is bigger!

I was so excited to put up a Christmas tree for the first Christmas in my new house! I had fun decorating too! Check out my poor little nativity set! I bought this set the year I cam home from my mission at the Dollar General! I love it! One day I will be able to afford a nice big nativity set!

On the 23rd of December we usually have our family program. We read the story of Christ's birth from the scriptures along with singing songs that accompany the story. I always love this tradition our family has. The spirit is strong and we share one with another. I think the most special moment for all of us that evening was being able to see and talk (via Skype) with Justin on the computer! He looked so good! We all sang "Hark the Herald Angels" to him and it got quite emotional. Justin started tearing up and then I just couldn't hold on. I know he wanted so much to be here with his family. I pray his time over there goes quickly.

On Christmas Eve Madeline and Alex gifted us with a wonderful rendition of Christ's birth. They are wonderful little actors and sang a beautiful song as they set up the nativity. Our sweet little Joseph and Mary.

Oh goodness... how cute are they?! Another family tradition, which we resumed this year, is to do the 12 days of Christmas. My Grandmother and her sister used to crack us up every year with their lovely renditions of whichever day they were tagged with. We always had props and thanks to Jessica and Mom, we had some props this year as well. It was soooo much fun and soooo hysterical that I think I peed my pants, just a little...!!! Here are a few pics from some of the days and their lovely portrayers... don't be surprised if you pee your pants!

The handsome(pretty?) Rocky as the 12 Drummers Drumming AND the lovely 9 Ladies Dancing(don't you just love the tutu?!)! And then Baby Ruthie Christmas day as the "what is going on?" 9 Ladies... ( I guess she takes after her daddy!)


The (obviously) Happy Betony as 10 Lords-a-Leaping and 8 Maids-a-Milking!

Alex with the 5 Gold Rings!

Jessica as the quite hysterical 4 Calling Birds.... (really... you just had to be there!)


Papa as 3 French Hens and 2 Turtle Doves!


And Delirious Mom as the Partridge in a Pear Tree!

Oh it was so much fun! Chrsitmas Day brought lots of happy little nieces and nephews and their joy in ripping the wrapping paper off the gifts and just being absolutely adorable!

Alex is off playing with Optimus Prime and the babies are sleeping soundly!!!!

John called Christmas Day and we all got to talk to him. He should be coming home sometime in January. I think he's headed back to Colorado. I wish he would stop by florida first! It was good to talk to him. I wish all of my siblings and their familes could have been with us - maybe one day we will ALL be able to get together for the Holidays - that would be awesome!

One last plug... The food this year was exceptional! ;)