Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

The presents are all wrapped, the neighbors, friends, & relatives gifts have been delivered. Visiting teaching platters, Home teaching platters delivered. The Christmas Cards have been mailed. The house has been cleaned from top to bottom. The groceries have been purchased.

WE ARE READY!!

Time to relax & enjoy each special moment with family & friends.

And - feel the spirit and love of Christmas.

We hope all of your Christmas wishes come true & 2011 is full of prosperity and love!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Looks like last time I posted on here it was Halloween! WOW, this month has flown right by. We are as busy as ever! Both boys are in their basketball seasons, Jacy is knee deep in her AP classes & final soccer parties & banquets. The weather turned nasty last week with a snow day for the kids and then the next day it was -18 degrees with a wind chill of

-31 degrees. So thankful that there is NOT any humidity here. Also, so thankful my husband doesn't travel with his job. I am so grateful for all of his help during the crazy times in our lives. My brother, an engineer at ATK got laid off his job a couple of months ago (he was very high in the company). He called us the other day and said that he was offered a job (out of 1000 people) but he turned it down because he didn't want to travel (he has gone through a horrible divorce and gets the kids 50% of the time). His decision really made me think about the trials that my brother has gone through and continues to go through. I don't know if he will lose his house or what his future holds, but it reminded me again of all of the blessings in my life, work, kids and family! I am so blessed to have a husband that is such an intricate part of our lives! Love you naven r!

Steve is always helping with the laundry, dishes, cleaning, season decorations, running kids everywhere and also watching all of the games that the kids participate in. I LOVE that he is here and has such a bond with the kids and is so involved in their lives! I have been subbing for the school district for a couple of months now and i LOVE it! It has been hard to get back into the swing of working, but just figuring things out. Trevor will be in Junior High next year and we won't have any children in elementary school! So weird. We will also have only two kids in our home next Fall, so weird. But, exciting! I have been subbing at the high school in an English 180 class & i am so thankful my kids love to read! I also love being home before the kids even get home from school. Just perfect! Keeping me busy!

We have had a wonderful, wonderful Thanksgiving. It is sometimes hard living so far from family, but with Steve's job we sacrifice spending time with extended family during Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I wouldn't change it for anything. We have learned over the years to celebrate the holidays in our own special way. We have drawn closer as a unit and have our own very unique, fun, wonderful traditions! I am sure the kids will never forget our Thanksgiving dinners with just the six of us, the nerf fights, the board games (the funnest game - Ticket to Ride!), the laughter, working together to make yummy desserts and main dishes, sledding, orange Julius nights, movie nights, and on and on and on! Even though we don't spend the holidays with extended family, we are so grateful for the technology that allows us to see, talk and text with our families. We spent around 4 hours last night on oovoo video conferencing with my sister in Maui and family in Utah. It was a blast. (except for when they took their laptop outside and showed us the ocean! - very jealous!!!)

Kelcey leaves tomorrow to go back to college. We have had a so much fun with her this week. She has reconnected with her friends, had an amazing time with her siblings and just relaxed. Just what she needed. We hope everyone has had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! Now, we are off again - rested from Black Friday early morning sales and we are heading to the mall! Also, car shopping with Kelcey. Christmas decorations go up tomorrow, thank heavens for all of the wonderful help with the holidays. Couldn't do it without our family! Love the Jones family.

Kelcey, Rhoan, Ryan, and Taylor wii just dancing II!

I go take a long bath while the kids (and steve) DESTROY the house (the house that I have usually just cleaned!) with their nerf gun fights!

Wonderful Memories!

Of course, I am behind on our pictures again. Need to update our nearly perfect trip to Hawaii, basketball games, final soccer games and banquet, and the list goes on. and if i don't get caught up - MERRY CHRISTMAS!! And a Happy NEW YEAR!

oh my

Completely swamped! Jacy's High school Soccer, soccer playoffs, soccer senior night, Trevor's basketball has started, Trent's junior high basketball has started. Purse parties, Young Women in Excellence, pumpkin carving, substitution jobs, volunteer work, cub scouts, Young Men campouts, more scouts, - ahhhhhhh. I am exhausted! We have several Halloween parties to attend, trick or treating & the list goes on and on and on. And, there are only two more months till Christmas!!!!! Feeling a little overwhelmed when every single night of the week has one or two activities in it. But, all is well!

No, pictures! :(

but, I will get caught up ONE OF THESE DAYS! In the meantime -

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aloha!

Aloha! And we are off! Time to take about 5 swimsuits, snorkel gear, and a towel to beautiful Maui! Just massive cleaning of the house, dusting, mopping, bills, packing, and making sure everything runs smooth here at the house while we are GONE! LOVE it!

Aloha!

KELCEY!

Cannot explain how cute my Kelcey is. She was able to attend three of the four sessions at general conference. Made it home safely and had a blast with her roommates extended family! She called yesterday to inform me that she got completely separated from her group in the afternoon session on Sunday & did not have a penny on her, had left her cell phone (which was dead and didn't have any minutes on it!) in her purse in the car & her friend Ali had to turn around and put her big backpack in another room because she couldn't bring it into the session - so Kelcey misplaced her friend. She said she was getting so nervous and was completely alone. But, bless her luck - a boy sat right in front of her in the session from Rexburg & had a cell phone with the boys numbers on his cell who she rode down to SLC with! WHEW! SHe was able to get ahold of her group and meet them after the session. I proceeded to be her mom & inform her that she needs to THINK about things, PLAN ahead & make sure her phone is CHARGED and has MINUTES on it if she takes a road trip! I am so grateful for someone up above watching over her - she is a little space cadet sometimes! Frustrates me & I am sure it frustrated her friends! But, we all ADORE & LOVE kelcey belchy! She is having such a wonderful time at college! She got another job - hired over the phone, in Logan, Ut and will be living in Smithfield with my parents to try to establish residency in Utah! I'm excited for her! We sure miss our kelcey & her beautiful smile & spirit! We LOVE you Kelcey!

Homecoming & crazy dayS!

Moving along at break neck speed! Jacy got asked to Homecoming Wed. night & we are so excited for her. She was asked to a formal dance last year, but we took her up to the Olympics in Vancouver instead. She was disappointed, but wouldn't have missed Vancouver for anything. So, now we are off on Sat. after the soccer game (vs davis) to do some dress shopping. We cannot do it any other night. We leave out of town & then come back into town & that is the day of the dance. If we cannot find an adorable dress - then back to the stores next WEd. Jacy will be answering Jake today ! She is so exhausted from soccer - trying to drum up some excitement about answering her date is not a pretty picture. So, I baked a cake for her yesterday, decorated it and put yes in the middle of it. BORING! But, after living a MAN for over 21 years - I don't think Jake will care - he will enjoy the cake and the yes!

We also had a wonderful Sat. last week. Arlette was baptized! She has been investigating the church for over three years. We would have discussions with the missionaries at our home with her - such beautiful experiences! Elder Small - yes the tall football player elder! Baptized ARlette.

Welcome to Young Women's Arlette! We LOVE you!

Jacy & Smiley (Jordan) LOVE her toenails! HA!

We fed the cute missionaries the other day (PIZZA!) - Elder Small and Elder Haws, they just seem to glow!! My boys love having the Elders over for dinner!
Arlette and her Aunt, sister and brother. Such a FUN night!

Trent is a NUT!

Jacy DID not want her picture taken after she came home with her invite to Homecoming. But, we snapped pictures ANYway!

Beautiful roses!

So CUTE!

Here is the cake! She will be storing it in the seminary bldg main offices until it can get delivered to Jake- hope it doesn't get inhaled before Jake can get his hands on it!

Well, toodles! This beautiful 80 degree weather is calling my name!

PUMPKINS

We have been so swamped. Life is good and & then sometimes - just ok! So, we just keep moving. We picked these two pumpkins out of our garden. They are HUGE! We have been decorating the house for Fall. I LOVE Fall. The smells, colors, cooler weather - but not too cool yet. Have been eating fresh corn on the cob, new red potatoes, tomatoes & green peppers. Trying to get the porches & garden & yard winterized. Soccer, soccer, soccer. And soon - basketball starts up. The kids are super busy with homework & sports. We wouldn't want it any other way. Have a great weekend!

JacyS senior shoTS - help!

We took the two above shots a couple of weeks ago on a really windy day. Got some more shots done of Jacy - they ALL turned out soooooo cute! We always have such a difficult time figuring out what picture to put in the yearbook & what pictures to print & give to friends. So - we need your help! Which picture do you like the best - for the yearbook? We also get to put a cute baby picture in the yearbook & a cute poem. Of course the poem has to be all about Jacy! My fav. part of the yearbook - baby pictures & cute stories about the student! So, give us your best shot opinion! Thanks! Oh, we'll be getting some more shots done in her varsity soccer uniform at Lion's Field! still more decisions!

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Post Falls & SilverwooD!

SILVERWOOD! The girls had a game Friday at Lions Field. They WON! It was a great game & Jacy did fabulouso! Then on Sat. the boys & I (steve had to work :( ) drove up to Post Falls, ID for a noon start time. The weather was in the mid 70's & beautiFUL! The game ended in a tie & then we made our way to Silverwood. We have never been to Silverwood & because I chaperoned I was able to get in for free & then only pay 18.00 for each boy to get in. Also, got a all-you-care-to-keep-down buffet for free. NIce! Trent was being a chicken & would NOT ride this ride - Aftershock! I was a big chicken too - oh my was it intense! But, little Trevor ever went on Aftershock with Jacy & her group. He LOVED it! It was a really fun day, but oh boy - I AM EXHAUSTED today! Of course we pulled into town at 1 a.m. Sat. evening & had another 7:30 a.m. ward council mtg. Ugh! Trying to get caught up today on laundry, dishes, house cleaning, lawn mowing, etc. The girls have another game tomorrow evening & we are trying to get more senior shots of Jacy done before the weather turns cold.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day!



Corner kick!!

This was the beasty girl! She knocked some of Abby's teeth lose & smashed Jacy's nose. Soccer is a rough game!

jacy lacy

i love taking pictures at this game. Usually we are in a stadium & are far away from the girls. This field, we are right up next to the girls.

talking on the phone trying to locate the girls in Silverwood - trevor doesn't look very happy :( He WANTS to GET ON THE RIDES!

Colby, Kimmie, Becca

amanda

the boys FAV. ride

KRAZY KARS

Colby, Kimmie & Becca

This was in the ice skating show, the girls were pooped!! & still stayed at the park until 10:30 at night! They are all insane! But, they LOVE it!

Amanda, Kelsie, Jacy, Becca, Colby, Kimmie & Erin

WOW - all caught up! Well, of course till this week's soccer games. It has been such an insane, fun summer & I believe the Fall will also be a little Crazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzyyyy! I was rushing to the soccer game on Fri. & missed my turn, sped thru a school zone & GOT PULLED OVER! I was dropping names (coach ric - sheriff's office, swat team - soccer) & I got off Scot FREE!! Unbelievable. I had just put my cell phone down also (illegal to talk on the cell phone in WA while driving)! I was almost crying when he didn't give me a big fat ticket! Thank heaven's for small miracles & nice police officers! What a Week!