random stuff

Zoe didn't want to eat her chili so we left her there to finish while everyone else was done. I came back minutes later to check on her and she had fallen asleep.

This is the last picture I have of the two hummingbirds. While the kids were running in the sprinklers I thought I'd get a close up of them. I frightened one away. He flew to one of our trees and never came back. 

The next day this guy left the nest. I miss them. It was fun watching them grow and be fed by their mom. We still see them on occasion flying around sometimes they fly by the nest.

Chase holding up a dead bug he found in the grass.

summer fun

A couple weeks ago the kids were pretty bored and driving me crazy. Luckily the sprinklers were about to turn on in the backyard and gave them something fun to do.

It has been nearly impossible lately to take a decent picture of the three of them.

Our grass is looking so pretty. I love our backyard now.

The past few weeks have been difficult. The kids I think are getting bored with our regular routine. Although today and several days last week they have been playing very well together. I love listening to them play it always makes me laugh. Lately they love playing with the Lego's together. Zoe is the best at entertaining herself. Chase actually is pretty good too except he has Maeley that is always dragging him to play with her. I think Chase and Zoe will enjoy their break from their big sister when she starts school in about 5 weeks.

Babysitting swap

Our neighbors, the Reeves and us have decided to start watching eachothers kids so we can have date nights more often. We have done this now twice so each couple has had a date night. Its awesome. They also have 3 kids, ages 5, 3 and 10 months. I'm not lying the kids play so well togther. I don't think any of them have fought yet and they play together at least a couple times a week usually. 

Father's Day

I know I've been a slacker lately at updating our blog. I'm going to try and get caught up this week.

Maeley was so happy to have given Daddy her present to him.

Yummy cookies.

The kiddos picked out a couple new t-shirts for him. Can't go wrong when you shop at his favorite clothing store Eddie Bauer.

The day was pretty relaxed and we ate plenty of delicious food. 

Hummingbird update

Just as expected the hummingbirds hatched while we were on vacation. Darn it I wish I knew the day they were born.

This picture was taken June 5th the day we got back. They were so tiny just looking into the nest it was hard to tell if there was anything in there. 

This is today June 17th. They sure have grown so much. I'm sure they will be learning to fly very soon as they are pretty crowded in the nest now. I will miss checking on them daily when they leave. Its exciting to watch the mom feed her babies. We've tried getting a picture of it but the momma bird sees us and flies away, even if we are just taking a picture through the window.

  

Bounce U and splash pad

The kids had a wonderful time at Bounce U. They loved the huge slide.

Later in the day we went to a candy store and off to a park in Chandler with a splash pad.

At first Zoe did not like it but eventually she warmed up to it.

Parker and Braden

Chase totally looks like he's is his own little world.

We had so much fun doing all these activites together. The kids loved spending time with their cousins, grandparents and aunts and uncles.

Bowling and swimming

While the Jones family was all together for the first time in 2 1/2 years we did several fun activities after the wedding was over. First up was bowling.

Showing off their bowling shoes.

Chase asked me if he could keep the bowling shoes. Haha I thought it was funny.

I was amazed at how much Zoe got into bowling. She really loved it.

 Then there was swimming at the neighbors house.

Marc and Eunmi's wedding

The whole reason for making a trip to Gilbert was for the wedding of Derek's younger brother Marc.

They make a cute couple and are perfect for eachother.

7 lucky years

Today Derek and I are celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary. I truly feel so lucky and blessed to be married to my best friend. It doesn't matter where we live or what we might be doing, as long as we're doing it together its enjoyable. I thought I was happy and in love on our wedding day, but it amazes me how much love grows. I'll save you from the mushy gushy stuff and post pictures. Isn't that all people care about anyways?

I recently scanned all of our weddings pictures onto our computer. I love looking back on that special day.

on a side note: Maeley asks often for me to get my wedding dress out for her to look at. She loves it and wants to wear it on her wedding day. We shall see if that's the case when that time comes.

Smoke

We may live hundreds of miles from the Wallow fire in Arizona but we are certainly getting the smoke from it.  Its pretty bad. It seems to be okay during the day but in the evenings its awful.

On a normal day this is the view from our balcony of the Sandia Mountains.

This is what its like in the evenings with the smoke. It smells like you are sitting by a campfire. When its really bad it hurts your eyes as if you are sitting by the campfire and the wind is bringing the smoke to you.

Its quite creepy to see the sun red. This picture was taken about 7:15 last night, normally it would still be bright and sunny at this time.

Needless to say we've stayed indoors mostly. If the smoke is this bad here I can't imagine what its like near the fire.

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.