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! ;)

December Update #1 - GRADUATION!

WoooHooo! December 13, 2008 turned out to be a fine day indeed! The morning was crisp and cool. As I drove to FIT I was so excited that this day had finally come. After working for 3 long, hard years (while also working full-time) the time had finally come to walk across the stage and be recognized for every agonizing second of study groups, term papers, LATE nights, team projects, individual projects, research papers, midterms, finals, homework, paper after paper, study after study, and the absolute WORST and BANE of my graduate program.... ECONOMICS!!!!! Ahhhhh..... I did it!

The graduating class met in the Assembly Hall where we were properly hooded and given our seat assignments. As time drew near, I chatted excitedly with my fellow graduates (the Northgrop Grumman cohort). We had been through these 3 years together and it was great to celebrate our accomplishment together.

As we headed out to the auditorium, all of the professors were lined up on either side of the walkway, applauding as we passed by. It was so exciting to see some of my professors there, cheering us on. What a wonderful feeling. As we marched inside the auditorium, I was able to see my family! There they were, cheering and smiling - 13 in all! I was so happy I could hardly contain myself. My family had suffered right along with me I think - listening to all my whining and complaining! How exciting for them just the same, I'm sure!

Before they called the Graduate degrees, they started with those receiving their Doctorate. That was cool to see. Those receiving their Doctorates were "hooded" on stage and it was so cool that I ALMOST started thinking, "hmmmmmmm...." but NO! rest assured my friends and family.... no desires to continue on...at this point in time! tee-hee

My group (Business) was the first group of "Master's" to be called. It was so exciting to walk the stage and hear my name called!

My dad, step-mother Carole, and step-sister Kelly came from NC for the special occasion. I was so happy to have so much family to celebrate with me. The day before graduation I had a nice linch at Red Lobster with my dad, Carole, Kelly and sisters. My dad and Carole suprised me with a beautiful graduation gift. A ring with my birthstone(yellow topaz) and diamonds on the sides. I really love the ring and appreciate the love.

After graduation ceremony, there was so much running around to find family and friends for pictures! Here are just a few...

Mom and Step-dad showing some love!

Dad, Carole & Kelly



My sisters!!!

Sweet niece Maddy - she loved my cap!

Me and the NG Peeps! (almost all of us)

We had a party at my house after graduation. My mom really went all out - she is AWESOME! Not everyone who RSVP'd showed up so I felt bad for all the effort my family put into making the party special for me when not everyone showed up! I guess December is a bad time... But I had fun anyway with all of those who did show up - thank you for making my day super special for me! Love to you all who helped support me through the rough and tough times of my graduate degree program!

Christmas Tag

Betony started and Jessica followed...so here goes mine!

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your family and friends.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper stretches the surprise a little longer!
2. Artificial or real tree? I prefer Real - they smell so yummy
3. When do you put up a tree? I try for after Thansgiving - haven't done it yet though
4. When do you take it down? Whenever I want
5. Do you like eggnog? SUPER YUMMY!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? 10-speed bike & leg warmers (that went to my thighs!)
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Husband... hahahahahahahahaha If only I knew who he was it would make things SO much easier! ;D
8. Easiest person to buy for? Maddy
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Just a tiny one from the dollar store that I bought when I came home from my mission - I love it!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I like to mail cards but dunno what will happen this year
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hasn't happened...
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34th Street, Frosty the Snowman
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? October-December
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can think of
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas time? Grams' tradition: Fish & Perogies (you can either boil or saute them) on Christmas Eve. I also love Honey Baked Ham and Pecan Pie
16. Lights on the tree? White lights only
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night & It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Both can be wonderful
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I have a Star
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Presents? Are there presents for me?
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The commercialization and shopping frenzy
23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? I love and collect Snowmen
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? A MAN

I Tag: Everyone!

Thansgiving

Whew, what an event! Thanksgiving this year was supposed to be a small (only me, Janet, Jessica and family) affair. It turned out anything BUT...of course it was wonderful. Mom and Papa were on a short cruise that docked in the morning so they were both able to join us later for dinner.

Kris and Christina decided to join us as well. Aaron was going to be in town after all, and Janet had an out-of-town friend visiting. We had dinner this year at Jessica's and she is so talented that she turned "not enough room at the table" into just enough! Aren't her decorations pretty?! Look for the pretty leaves on the tables.

Janet, Jessica, and I prepared the Thanksgiving meal this year (Christina made a yummy green bean casserole too!). Janet took care of the turkey and stuffing, Jessica got the cranberry sauce, made the rolls, a pumpkin pie and a chocolate-raspberry angel cake that really was super scrumpdiliumptious! I made the sweet potato casserole with yummy sticky-gooey marshmallows on top - they were almost completely gone by the time they made it down to my end of the table! I also made a new recipe this year - stuffed zucchini - aka zucchini boats. They were a big hit and super yummy if I do say so myself. I beleive this recipe will be a keeper.

I spent the day at Jessica's cooking and spending time with the kids. I got some really cute pictures of Maddy and Ruthie. Maddy was excited to be holding Ruthie...for about 3 minutes and then she was done! "Can you take Ruthie please? I'm done now" LOL She is a rip!

Big sister loves baby sister!

Baby Ruthie is such a doll baby...perhaps not at 3 AM when she's screaming to be held or fed or changed... but nonetheless...!

So after scrumptious food and dessert, we had some good times just hanging out together and enjoying the family time. I'm really thankful for the amazing family I have. I wish my whole family could live here so that we could have all us siblings and the kids together.

Later we had a Parcheesi battle - Janet came after me so out went Ms Nice and in came Ms I Shall Crush You. I won of course! taa-haa :-D

I really enjoyed having Joel and his family here for Kris & Christina's wedding. I'm thankful that they stayed at my house and for the chance I had to spend time with my nephews Josh & Blake and sweet baby girl niece Juliana. I cherish the smiles and cuddling seesions I had with Jules and the hugs I got from Blakers. I'm thankful for the conversations I had with Josh - he loves sharks! Who knew? I do now! I also really enjoyed the time spent with Joel and Andrea, especially the girls night out for Twilight!

I'm so thankful that I can realize and appreciate the great blessings in my life.