Jones family pictures

We traveled to Gilbert recently for Derek's younger brother's wedding. Because the whole family was going to be together (the first time in about 2 1/2 years) his parents wanted an updated family picture. The last family picture was taken fall of 2006. The pictures were taken just a few hours after arriving.

Maeley- 5 1/2 years old

Parker- 5 years old

Chase- almost 4

Braden- 3 years old

Zoe- 2 1/2 years old 

Kari and Marc

Stephanie, Phil, Braden and Parker

us (as if you didn't already know)

Kim with Chase, Parker, Zoe, Braden and Maeley

Marc and Eunmi

Cute Zoe

Before I start blogging about our trip I wanted to post this picture. Its just so cute of little Miss Zoe. I just love this little girl. She is generally a very happy kid and very loving.

I have over 400+ pictures to sort through from our recent trip to Gilbert. I'm so mad though. I didn't get a single picture of my side of the family. It frustrates me because I remember saying a couple different times to Derek we need to bring the camera. Unforunately we both forgot.

By the way I'm ready for a trip somewhere other than Arizona.

Strange

Somethings not right when in the afternoon all my kids are doing this.

Maeley had woken us up at 3:30 in the morning Monday to say she had thrown up. Why must she throw up partly on her bed and over the top bunk rail landing on Zoe's bed? Its gross and I have twice as much laundry to do not to mention I have to wake Zoe up to take the bedding apart. Anyways, so Maeley laid on the couch sleeping or not all day long. Chase then complained his tummy hurt so I put him in his bed and he fell asleep. I think Zoe was bored and after watching a movie crashed herself. Hopefully this has passed through their system before we leave on vacation.

Hummingbird

When we moved into our house a wind chime was left on the back patio because a hummingbird had built a nest on top. We never really saw much of the hummingbird until recently when she came back.

 It really is quite amazing how sturdy that hummingbird nest sits on top of that tiny birdhouse wind chime. It gets windy here and that wind chime gets blown around but never has the nest fallen off.

This picture was taken from our upstairs loft window.

Its hard to tell from this shot but there are 2 eggs in the nest. This momma bird is very protective. When we go outside she flys away. But she doesn't go far. She sits on top of our next door neighbors tree and watches us. Unfortunately we may not get to see the birds hatch. We are going on vacation and I'm afraid they will be born after we leave. There is a very small chance that they can hatch before me leave...I'm hopeful. Either way when we get back we can see these tiny baby hummingbirds. The kids are excited.

Girls night

Last weekend was the father and son campout. Its fun to see Chase and Derek excited about going but its also fun to see Maeley excited about a girls night. Instead of going out to dinner I decided it would be more fun to go to breakfast in the morning. That night we stayed in. We put a frozen pizza in the oven and put on Tangled (the girls choice).

 While I ran upstairs to get the camera this is what the girls were having fun doing. Making "snow angels".

For breakfast I took them to Dunkin Donuts. They were beyond excited. That was such a special treat for them and me too. It was a bit of a drive to the nearest Dunkin Donuts but I loved the drive back. It was a street I'd never been on before and it was gorgeous and green. I should definitely go back with my camera.

Coughs

Maeley and Zoe had a horrible cough which then got passed onto Chase. Zoe's was so bad it made Derek and I a bit uneasy. Ever since her hospital stay almost 2 years ago we tend to be a bit paranoid with Zoe and her breathing. So I took her to the doctor. He gave me a prescription for albuterol. It meant back to breathing treatments.

She was good about it the first day and wanted nothing to do with it after that. Luckily it didn't lead to something more and now every one's coughs are gone.

Fun company

Last week my friend Shannon came to visit. It's always fun to see her and spend some time together. I still think its crazy we've been best friends almost half our lives now. When she first got here I had to remind the kids, especially Maeley that she's my friend. They all just love and adore her. Shannon and I got to have a girls night, the next night Derek and I had a date night, we did some shopping, started a project together and we had time to just chill and hangout together.

While she was here she took a few videos of the kids. This was my favorite.

It really shows the kids personalities well. Maeley is always making up songs and singing. Zoe likes to repeat what others say and she enjoys singing as well. Chase is a crazy boy with so much energy he just bounces around.

The backyard

The main reason for Derek's parents to come a visit a couple weeks back was to help us work on our backyard. Thankfully we got it done. Or at least done for now, we will probably add more plants later.

planting trees

The kids were thrilled that they got their picnic table back. Derek's parents brought it with them. Derek and I got took that out of someone's bulk trash pile about 3 1/2 years ago. It was in great shape and for free we knew the kids would love it. They ask to eat outside more often than not. If its not too windy we have lunch outside now. 

Zoe watering the flowers.

Its hard to tell in this picture but its snowing. The date was May 2.

Why did it have to be so cold and snowing the morning we got the gravel delivered?

It's definitely nothing fancy but that's okay. This is one project we've never tackled before so I think simple was better for us. We love having a backyard thats done and now we can enjoy being outside.

The girls

Everytime I wash the kids clothes I know the very first outfit the girls are going to choose. It's obviously their favorite. After getting their hair done I asked Derek to take some pictures.

My goodness she is growing up too fast.

Something I don't want to forget: When its really windy Zoe will hold onto both her bows in her hair so they won't blow away. Today she was not wearing bows but she still held onto her pig tails because she doesn't want them to fly away. Its funny everytime. 

Mother's Day 2011

I think its safe to say that this year Mother's Day was better than any previous one's. The kids were really into it this year which definitely made it more fun. The week leading up to it Maeley kept calling it Thanksgiving. Derek or I would correct her with "It's Mother's Day" and she'd reply with, "oh yeah, I forgot." It was pretty funny.

Saturday we had some errands to do and one was to get a few things at Target. Once we got those the kids and Derek went off getting me things. That afternoon the kids helped Derek get the presents bagged. I kind of got a hint from Zoe what was in one of the bags...candy. She just kept saying "Mom's candy". It was cute. They let me open one gift that night. It was new pj's. I really like pj's and they picked out a cute striped t-shirt with some shorts.

Sunday morning Derek got the kids up early. He got the cinnamon rolls in the oven and they brought me breakfast in bed and the presents too. Derek said when he went to wake them up they were very tired and wanted to go back to sleep until he asked if they wanted to give me the gifts then they just jumped right out of bed happy.

Maeley, Chase and Zoe are so sweet. I love them to pieces.

Aside from the pj's I also got a necklace (I'm wearing it in the picture below) and some Mounds candy from the kids.

Before church I requested we get a family picture. It sure is hard getting all the kids to smile at the same time. That's okay its still a cute picture. I'm so lucky to be Mom to these three wonderful kids.

Derek made dinner, Manicotti. It was delicious. He really went above and beyond making my Mother's Day special. I love being his wife. I'm a very lucky girl.

Papa and Tama visit

Derek's parents came to visit Friday and left this morning. The kids are already missing them. Good thing we are going to see them in just over 3 weeks.

 This was taken Saturday while watching Secretariat. The balloons came from a very nice old man at Home Depot.

Papa, Chase, Zoe and Maeley ready for church.

Zoe completely exhausted from all the fun fell asleep next to Papa while watching Tinker Bell.

There are more pictures but they involve the backyard so that will be in another post soon.

Ready for summer

 These kiddos sure are ready for warm weather and a dip in a swimming pool.

Dog grooming

One thing about Derek is that he does not like to pay people for things that he is capable of doing himself.  Lola desperately needed a haircut. Derek decided it made more sense to purchase dog clippers than to pay $50 (or more) each time we take her in to be groomed.

 Left: bathing Lola

Right: cutting all the matted hair off before taking the clippers to her

After

It may not be perfect but Derek did a pretty good job for his first time. Derek didn't trim her ears but we'll tackle that next time. From the start to finish was about 3 hours, but her hair before was really long. It shouldn't take so long next time.