Whitney's Birthday!

I can't believe my Whitney turned 7! That is so crazy! She got to have two birthdays - one on her actual day that Grandma and Grandpa Jones got to be here for and one with some friends the weekend after. It was a lot of fun. For the family birthday, I told her we were going to do cupcakes and so she thought it would be fun to do a tic-tac-toe board. (In case you can't tell.) The cake for her friend party - she wanted a butterfly, instead of a character so I decided to try it a "simpler" way. I think I probably spent about as much time on it as I have for their other cakes. (Even though the website said it would only take 20 minutes to put together - HA HA!) Maybe I will do a blog post of some character cakes I have done in the past - just for fun. Anyway - I enjoy doing the cakes and the girls love them and can tell you most of the cakes they have had - so I guess it is ok that it takes so many hours.

Whitney is such a blessing in our family! She is a great helper and is very thoughtful of others. She fills the "big sister" role very well and can't wait for the new baby. We have had a few babies around a lot recently and she is especially good with them. She will be such a good helper. School comes pretty easy for her - she is a really good student and especially likes reading and math.

Tic-Tac-Toe cupcakes

She doesn't like the smoke smell

Friends and Cousins

First Day on the Bus

This was kind of a scary day - sending the girls on the bus - they usually choose to have me take them instead which I am ok with until the baby is born. It actually makes me feel good that they would rather have me take them. So grown up! I forgot to mention that right before school we all cut our hair - Whitney's was the most drastic. Kenna loves her long hair and only wanted a trim, but Whitney had been asking to cut it to her chin since spring. Things just take me awhile (like adding new posts) so it didn't happen until right before school started. They are both beautiful girls!

First Day of School

The girls both started school the last week of August. We got home from Utah on Saturday and then started school on Monday. Both of the girls were up before 7 which hasn't happened for a long time before. (or since for that matter) They usually are big breakfast eaters - typically eating more than I do. I made them french toast - a favorite and neither ate very much. As I walked them up to the school, they were both excited. Each had at least one friend in their class and that was good. I kissed them both and left them lined up with their classes. I didn't have any tears until I watched them both walk into the school and I turned around and bawled. I am excited for them to go and it is fun to watch them learn and grow, but it was hard. We have had a fun summer. I had several friends there dropping off kids who I would have stayed to talk to, but I just wanted to go home. I thought all my tears were out, until I walked into my empty house and they started all over again. It has been an adjustment having Whitney gone all day - for all of us. It is hard for her not to have much play time by the time she gets home and does homework and everything. It is hard for me and Kenna not to get to play with her. I am glad we only have half day kindergarten. I don't think I would have handled that very well.

The girls were very cute picking out their outfits for the first day of school. They chose to be "twinners" without any prompting from me. I would imagine they will stop doing that before too long - but I thought it was sweet.


The big first grader!

Watch out Kindergarten!
Here I come!

Kenna and Bailee P

(There are three in her class - and two Jacksons)

Jones Family Reunion

Lynette told me that I had to stop changing the dates because she only checks the first post to see if it is new or not so I guess I will. That way no one will miss anything. The second weekend in Aug we had a great Jones Reunion at my parent's house. It was a wonderful time. Brittney and her boys rode up with us and we suprised her by flying Kevin in. (He was still in New Jersey for a few more weeks.) It was so good to have everyone there. I will attach pictures and write more when I have all the pictures. Look for a slide show coming.

Boycotting

So, I have been boycotting blogging for two reasons. First being that I have tried to upload pictures for a slide show two different times and both times I have gotten all done and made captions and when I go to save - it freaks out and I lose all my work. So - I decided to teach it a lesson. The other reason is because out of the past 23 days (all of August) I have slept in my own bed for only 11 nights. We have had four separate trips just in August. So I haven't had time, but now I get to have another marathon posting session. We have done some fun things! So enjoy!

Hyrum's Blessing

We were glad to be able to attend Hyrum's blessing. It was a fun Johanson gathering. We were only missing Mom and Stef, and of course, Matthew. We had an afternoon picnic in the park and then all stayed up talking and laughing. Everyone thought it would be a good idea to try to name our baby. They were quite creative trying to come up with seven lettered names. Their were several great ones, but the favorite was LaDarcy. (In case anyone is wondering - although it does meet the seven letter criteria - it isn't in the runnings.)

Jessica's Wedding

We started August on the road - my friend Jessica got married in the Bountiful Temple. She was beautiful - and the cutest bride! Jake seems great - I think she made a good choice. They look so happy together.

Jessica wanted all the girls who came to feel special so after pictures, she had a little play time with them. It was adorable and Whitney and Kenna LOVED it! She had little gift bags for each of them. That is Jessica for you - hers is a wedding those girls won't ever forget!

Forever Friends

Abby, Kenna, Whitney, Rylie


Our friends from Colorado, Rylie and Abby, came to visit their family so the girls got to play together. We've been spoiled getting to see them twice this summer. They had so much fun together - they all get along so well. I think they played for about 7+ hours without any fighting or problems - but lots of giggling! They act like they haven't missed any time together. Whitney gave Rylie a picture frame of the two of them from when they were in gymnastics together that she has in her room. When I was taking them back to their Aunt's house, Rylie told me that she wished she still lived here everytime she sees the picture. My girls really miss them!

Here they are pretending they are on a roller coaster - Weeee!

Silly girls! They had all kinds if ideas for ways I could pictures of them.

After a whole lot of work - and a little frustration - we finally got the trampoline tent set up for them. We tried setting it up last summer, but it had a broken bracket so it didn't work. We got that fixed and tried again. You would think that it should be pretty simple - three poles and two brackets - how hard can it be? The first problem - there were no instructions, the second was that we had one pole that was missing two sections so we couldn't figure out how it was supposed to work. When we decided to think outside the box - and try it the way that didn't make sense - it worked. I just had to hold the pole where it should be when it has all the pieces. The girls loved it. They laughed and laughed. They would open all the windows and then pretend there was a rain storm and have to hurry and get it all closed up. I have to admit - it is a pretty cool tent. So once we get the replacement poles (maybe we'll get around to it next summer) we will be set.

Camping Trip

Camping with Grandma and Grandpa

Last weekend we met Grandma and Grandpa for our "only us" trip. Each year we visit both sets of grandparents when it is only us for the individual time with them. This is something we started when Kenna was a baby and we have come to cherish these visits. (We love the ones with everyone too.) It turns out that I have a lot to learn about going camping. We haven't done a whole lot of official camping (other than in backyards) so I am an amateur. One thing I learned on this trip is not to plan on using a new camping stove to cook your food. (Must be tested first before you rely on it for your meal) I bought an unused stove at a garage sale and we assumed it would work. Mike thinks there was something wrong with the propane tank, but whatever the problem, it wouldn't cook breakfast. Thankfully, Mom and Dad had their trailer and we were able to cook in there. After we were already on the road, I realized that I didn't pack a spatula - a tool that kind of helps when flipping pancakes. Once again, Mom and Dad to the rescue. This time I did remember to bring tin foil for our tin foil dinners - also comes in handy. I guess the hiccups will help us remember the trip. Getting ready for camping is SO MUCH WORK!!!! I don't know how my mom did it with 5 kids! But once we got up there, we had a great time.

It was a camping trip of firsts for the girls. Friday night, we got the fire going and let the girls experience s'mores for their first time. I know it is sad that they are almost 7 and 5 1/2 and hadn't had them. We also roasted laffy taffys and flavored tootsie rolls. We concluded that they aren't quite as good as starbursts, but still pretty tasty. As we waited for the fire to die down, we visited and watched the sky. There must be at least 3 times as many stars visible out there than at our house. It was beautiful! Our next "first" was shooting stars. We watched for about a half an hour and probably saw 8 or so. All of us, except Grandpa saw at least one. He must have been looking in the wrong place everytime - possibly his eyelids. I love the peaceful, simplicity of camping - once you get there, of course.

Before Mom and I were up Saturday morning, Mike and Dad took the girls for a walk. The wild flowers there were gorgeous and Whitney and Kenna picked us each a beautiful bouquet. Because of the technical difficulties with breakfast, we had a true three course meal. None of which were ready at the same time. I think we were cooking for about an hour and a half, but none of us went hungry. Eggs first, then sausage, then pancakes - a true camping breakfast. Yummy! I guess it wouldn't have been very memorable if we hadn't had trouble.

Then on to another first - we rented a flat bottom boat and floated the river. It was a lot of fun. Whitney was pretty brave getting into the cold water. Kenna liked putting her toes in. Mike and I floated the same spot on our honeymoon in a canoe. We had a great time exploring all kinds of channels and things when we were there 8 years ago. It was a little more difficult in a bigger boat with 4 extra passengers. We did have fun trying though. In one of the channels we stopped for another "first" - teaching the girls to skip rocks. Both of them even got a few to skip - they are fast learners. After getting packed up we took a walk and enjoyed the forest. This world Heavenly Father created for us is sure beautiful! Even though it was a one night trip, it was still a great time and we made some great memories.

Clogging Camp

The girls, along with their cousins, just finished a week long clogging camp. They had a lot of fun! We tried this to see if they wanted to do clogging or gymnastics, but the deal was they had to choose the same thing. (At least for now) They said they had fun, but still wanted to do gymnastics instead. So we will see what we can work out for the fall.

The last three days were all theme days - this one being crazy hair day. Neither hairdu withstood the bouncing and we had to take them out, but they were a hit. Kenna was very worried about what everyone else would think. It took a lot of convincing to get her to let me do it and once we got there, she wanted it out. I thought it looked really cute. But at least she let me do it.

Splash Park

We took one of our favorite babysitters (Shayla) to meet her sister Jessica at college and play at the splash park and ride the carosel. I didn't get the camera out before they were too cold and ready to change, but at least I got a picture on the horses. It was a fun day.

Swimming Lessons

The girls recently finished swimming lessons and LOVED them! They both are starting to swim independently and really enjoy that freedom. Whitney has started jumping into the deeper (4'6") end and swims to where she can touch. The first time she did it, it scared me because I was across the pool and didn't know she was going to. But she did great. We made a rule that I have to be watching though - just in case she has trouble. Last year Makenna didn't really like getting her face wet, but it doesn't bother her this year. She's a little fish, I am very impressed by how much they progressed this year. Now we just need to practice, practice, practice. Unfortunately, almost every day is windy here so that makes swimming kind of cold. The girls don't seem to mind too much, but I sure don't like it. I guess I am just a pansy! You'd think being pregnant that I would like to cool off, but I don't like being wet in the wind.

Whitney swimming on her own

Whitney and her teacher, Lindley

Kenna and her teacher, Brier - Kenna got to have her new friend Bailee in her class and they had a lot of fun together.

FHE Attempt

Every year there is a display of 1776 flags in town around the 4th of July. So for FHE, a week after the 4th we thought we would go see the flags. On the way, we had a lesson about our country and the freedoms we enjoy. We are so blessed to live here! We talked about why there were that many flags and the Declaration of Independence and the sacrifices that many people have made. We soon realized that we were a little too late. I guess they took the display down early this year. So there was only the one big flag in the middle. We were all excited to take pictures in their July outfits and everything. Oh well. The good news is that there was an ice cream shop across the street so we still got to have our family night treats.

This is what the display was supposed to look like. (taken 2 yrs ago when we weren't too late) It is a pretty amazing site to see that many American flags. What a great nation we live in!

28 Weeks!

Here is my growing tummy. I am terrible at getting my picture taken - this was about try 15 - in all the others I have red eye. The only ones I didn't have it was the one Mike took of just my belly and the one that I purposely closed my eyes. You can't have red eye if they are closed, right? I know that is a fixable problem, but I don't have time to fuss with it - so this is what you get. I don't know if I just forgot how much babies move inside or if this baby is more active than my girls. She is all over the place - pushing out both sides at the same time. The girls think it is really fun to watch her move and see my tummy go crazy. It is so cute to hear them laugh and guess what she is doing and which body part is poking out. They already love her so much!

A few weeks ago we went to see a fantastic perinatologist, Dr. Belfort. He was very thorough and gave us the good news that this baby's heart looks good. He first had his Echo Tech run the machine while he watched and then he took over to double check. When this picture of her face came up the tech thought we needed it so she printed it for us. Dr. Belfort has diagnosed the heart defect Makenna had (TAPVR) in utero before and was very confident that everything on this baby looked good. We are counting our blessings. I think until I see her and know for sure, I will always have our Kenna memory in the back of my head, but it was a huge relief. Now we just need to find a name. I keep having dreams about not having a name for her. The most recent one was she was all dressed in her blessing outfit ready to be blessed with no name. It is a good thing we still have 12 weeks!

Cheating

Ok - so I have to admit - for anyone who has been checking this for the last month, I cheated. I wanted the dates to be right for when these events happened so I changed the posting dates. Mostly so I can keep track of when things really happened. But really I posted the last several today - sorry. I am going to try to be better about posting regularly instead of a marathon session like this one was.

Cutest Dad

This morning I woke up to this. It was time for Mike to be leaving, but Whitney wanted to read to him so he sat and snuggled her and let her read. I love that he is willing to take time for the girls even when sometimes it's not really convenient. He is a great Daddy! Typically he puts the girls to bed, but a few nights this week he has been gone and so I have instead. They have really missed having him. One night they wanted him to call and do songs over the phone. He is one loved Daddy!

Happy 4th of July

We had our traditional waterfight at the Desmonds. Jason and Katy couldn't make it up this year and we missed them. Maybe someday we will be able to have the WHOLE Jones family here. It was great and as usual, everyone got very soaked. Except the photographer (Grandma). I didn't get to be a part of it for very long, because any amount of running makes me cramp and start contracting and we aren't ready for that. There is something that just isn't fair about having a waterfight where you can't run away when being attacked. I didn't get any pictures of the action - I will have to get some from Grandma. Then it was down to the river for the fireworks. They were spectacular! It is nice to have a great show here in our own community.

We didn't get many pictures of waiting either. I am not doing so hot with the whole taking pictures so I can post them thing. Hopefully this blog will make me take more pictures.

Saturday everyone went out to Dick and Rosalie's helping with digging fence post holes. It is fun to see the guys (Dick, Grandpa, Mike and Dale) all working together. The kids LOVED riding their mules. They are regular cowgirls - my girls HAD to wear their hats.