Playing at Jack & Gracie's

All the cousins.  We had a blast!

Happy Anniversary!

For our 6th anniversary, Keir gave me tickets to see the Nutcracker Ballet in San Francisco, and a night in the city away from the kids.  I guess by default, Keir's parents also gave us this gift, since they were keeping our kids for the night.  We ate at one of my favorite restaurants (Aqua) in San Francisco, and then took a cab to the Nutcracker.  We had a fabulous time!  This gift means even more to me since I am pretty sure Keir would not have chosen to go to the Nutcracker, but chose it because he knew I would enjoy it!  I love you Keir!  Thank You!!

Fishing

Dad and Uncle Don teaching Conner and Cayden to fish with the new fishing poles Santa brought.  He even brought one for Conner, so Cayden could have a friend to fish with.  The "water" Santa brought was a trip to Aunt Merrily and Uncle Steve's swimming pool.  Conner and Cayden did not seem to mind that their pool did not have any fish in it.

Christmas Day at Grammie & Grandpa's

After an early morning opening presents from Santa, we drove to Grammie & Grandpa's house to spend Christmas day.  Grammie made a delicious dinner complete with juicy turkey, stuffing, potatoes, salad, bread, pies..... boy were we stuffed!  We exchanged gifts, and just spent time together.  In the evening we lost power, which forced all the boys to actually sit around and talk to us, instead of play their new video games - which was actually great, although I bet they would disagree.  Thanks, Grammie for all your hard work!  Cannot wait to see you again!

Sorry, I do not have the best pictures - I stole them from Katrina's facebook, since we apparently forgot to unpack our camera.

Christmas Morning

Here are a few pictures from Christmas morning.Cayden, after dumping his stocking on the floor, and finding scooby snacks.  Very exciting!!

Everyone opening presents.  Sadly, this is one of the only pictures we have of Conner (see him in the background??) on Christmas morning.  There was a lot going on, and I guess we did not take the best pictures.  Oops!

When Keir asked the boys what they wanted to get me for Christmas, they said rope. I have no idea why, but Keir let them get me some rope.  Keir, of course got some he thought he would be able to use.  You know, for tying stuff to the roof on our drive home.  Sorry for the lame picture of me.

Merry Christmas!

Here is our Christmas card, with the inside printed below.  If you did not receive one, it probably means we do not have a current address.  Leave a comment, and we'll be sure to include you next year.

Our big news this year is the birth of child number three. Allison joined us one month early while we were in Denver to take Conner to Children’s Hospital. Even though her entrance was a bit chaotic, involving the hotel concierge, fire department, and

 an ambulance, she is healthy, happy, and brings great joy to our family. The boys adore her! We were in Denver to receive hearing aids for Conner, which is next on our list of Jones Family news for 2008. For those who did not know, at the age of four, Conner was still not talking very much. His improvement since receiving his “Super Ears” (as he calls them) is amazing. Shortly after Allison’s arrival we took our first trip as a family to Disneyland (aka Mickey’s House) and we had a blast. We were lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents, and some of our aunts, uncles, and cousins to join in the fun. Conner & Cayden are still asking when we will go back to Mickey’s House. Cayden’s big news for the year was having surgery on his thumb. You would never have known, but Cayden’s thumb was stuck and immobile for almost a year. He was such a trooper, and now has an opposable thumb like the rest of us. As for mom and dad, we’re doing great. We’ve been keeping ourselves busy remodeling our ho

use, teaching scrapbooking, and riding a bike 100 miles at a time. 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Love,

Keir, Lindsay, Conner, Cayden, and Allison

Christmas Eve with Omie Grace

Every year Omie Grace hosts Christmas Eve at her house, and it is such a treat.  We told the boys they needed to take a nap before we went - because it usually ends up being a late night.  They both fell asleep in Grandma and Grandpa's bed.  If you are wondering about the MOUNTAIN of presents, Santa came to Omie's house a bit early.

Aspen Branch Christmas Party

Since I am on the Activities Committee, this party was not all that relaxing and enjoyable for me, but it was fun - and I've been told it was the largest party the Aspen Branch has ever had. We almost didn't fit in the room.

The kids getting ready to enter the room for their part.

My kids, were of course, absolutely dying of thirst, and would not stop asking for a drink.  I gave them one purely so they would stop talking and we could hear the Christmas presentation.

Mom, I asked for a skateboard?!?

While driving to school the morning after Cayden's Holiday party, Conner asked me in a VERY concerned voice why Santa did not bring the skateboard he asked for.  I explained that Cayden's school party was a special visit from Santa, and that Santa would bring what he asked for on Christmas morning.  Such a sweet, thoughtful boy!

Cayden's Holiday Party

This year Cayden began attending "school"as he calls it, one day a week.  Ms. Diana runs a fantastic program out of her home, and Cayden loves to go.  We received the invitation to the Holiday Party, and planned to attend, but had no idea what was involved.  It was amazing!  I laughed, cried, had a fabulous dinner, and watched my boys get more excited about Santa than they ever have before.  The night began with Dinner and then the children each gave their parents a gift they had been working on for months.  A gorgeous calendar complete with pictures of our children, and all the family birthdays (including aunts, uncles, grandparents) each month.

Then, we were all asked to have a seat, and the children did the cutest performance ever!  This is when I cried.  The kids memorized songs, had costume changes, choreography, some sang solos, and all of a sudden my little Cayden seemed so grown up!!

Then Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived, and unlike most occasions, where the kids tell him what they want, he had a bag of gifts for the children.  There were elves helping, and each child got to sit on Santa's lap, and open their gift.  Conner was getting a bit sad and jealous.  I had a little talk with him, and explained that this is Cayden's party, and Santa brought gifts for the children at Cayden's school. 

Then Santa called Conner's name, and said he had a gift for him.  I have never seen Conner so excited in my life.  I thought he was going to jump out of his skin.  Santa even brought gifts for ALL the siblings!!

I did not get a picture, but there was even a gift for Allison!  She received a glow seahorse (cousin to the glow worm I grew up with), and sleeps with it every night

Thank you Ms. Diana! You are amazing and we love you!

Letters to Santa

Conner wrote:

Dear Santa,

I would like a skateboard for Christmas.

Love, Conner

ps - We will be in California, so please bring our presents there.

Conner drew a skateboard, and had me label the wheels he drew. (I am really sad I cannot find the letters to take pictures of!?!)

Cayden wrote:

Dear Santa,

Please bring me a fishing pole, and water for Christmas.

Love, Cayden

Cayden drew a picture of a fishing pole, complete with fish on the end of the line.  I asked what kind of water, and he said, "mom, you need water to fish in!"  Duh, mom!  How do you wrap up water?

Decorating our Christmas Tree

I must admit, I was hesitant to put up a tree since we will be in California for Christmas, and our house is already a bit crazy (still unpacking the boxes from our remodel) but Keir called me scrooge, and I easily gave in.  We LOVE Christmas, and so do the boys, and they were so excited to help decorate the tree while eating sweet rolls for FHE last night.

Yes, our star needs some help...Keir said he would work on that tonight.  :)  And, you'll also notice we have yet to hang up our curtains since the floor was done.....ugh.

Busy Weekend

Last weekend we had three birthday parties, and a visit to Santa.  Here are some pictures from our busy weekend.

Cayden warming up to Dizzy Lizzy the clown.

Conner and Cayden doing the limbo.

Frosting cookies, or . . . . eating frosting!?!?

This one is for Grandpa Foulk and his 4-wheeler!