Thanksgiving: We loaded up the family and drove all the way up to Idaho for Thanksgiving this year. Michael, Nathan's younger brother, had just returned home from his mission to Russia. It was great to see him-still the same Michael, just a bit older. He gave an excellent homecoming talk about the people there in Russia. From what he's told us, it seems that those were the best two years of his life. He loved the people, the country, the culture...everything. It's great to have him home. Well, going on. Thanksgiving was great. Just before we had headed out Nathan and I got some interesting news about a new addition to our family. I am not talking about the dog either. WE'RE PREGNANT again with another Jones something. I won't lie-it's probably a girl (again). We're trying not to get our hopes up, but we'll gladly take whatever comes our way. We already have the three most beautiful girls in the whole world already so what's one more right. As of right now, December 27th, we are 12 weeks along. We'll be able to know for certain in about 6-8 more weeks (which at this point seems like an incredibly long time).
Anyway-Thanksgiving was great. All the 9 Jones kids were together once again. The boys spent most of the time either playing with their wide arrangement of computer/technology gadgets or playing with some other sort of techno device like the Wii or the XBox 360 (video games). The girls tried our best to help out in the kitchen and keep the kids from destroying the house (or going nuts). I was surprised how many people could fit into Lynne's house...very impressive. We took a couple trips to Idaho Falls for some holiday shopping and even made time to enjoy a movie or two. I was certainly colder there than down here in Phoenix. When we left our house, it was like 75 degrees still, so the chill of the Idaho weather was a bit much for this Phoenix girl.
Once we had arrived back in Phoenix, we all had to get back into the swing of things. Like getting Ashlynn back to school, bedtime routines, and house cleaning routines as well. Of course, even that usually takes a week. But no worries, like I said, WE SURVIVED. I turned 27 years old on December 2nd. Nathan, the girls, and I went out to eat at the Olive Garden. It was wonderful. Then after that celebration of me getting another year older, we tried to get ourselves prepared for the Christmas holiday. We put up our tree and even lights on the outside of our house (which was the first time since we've been married). We even were able to give our puppy away as an extra bonus for me (since I apparently am not a DOG person-loved the dog, but knowing I was having another little baby in the house, I didn't want the additional stress that another "child"/pet brings). We gave Ollie to a young family who actually was going to purchase Ollie even before we did, but whatever-they got her in the end. I bet she's loving her new home, even though at night I do sort of miss how she would snuggle with me on the couch after the girls went to bed.
Goodness, I've missed so much. On December 21st, Nathan and I celebrated our 8-year anniversary. Funny enough, it was a Sunday and about mid-afternoon we both realized that it was our anniversary. Ashlynn had asked me what day it was, and it didn't even really click with me (or Nathan) that it was indeed our anniversary. We had celebrated it a week early since it fell on a Sunday this year...we had Richard and Jena come over and they watched the kids while Nathan and I finished our Christmas shoppping. We had a wonderful date night eating at the Cheesecake Factory. It was delicious. We went all out-I got a steak and Nathan got fish...and to top it off, CHEESECAKE for desert. Wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary...babysitter, excellent food, and being with the person you love the most.
Well, for Christmas this year, Lynne and the boys came down from Idaho to celebrate it with us. There was a ton of people in our house like 15 altogether I think. It was crazy, but fun nonetheless. The girls were so excited with what Santa had brought them...scooters. Mom and Dad (Nana and Papa) had spoiled us with a GPS system...it was amazing. I of course am terrible with technology so Nathan has been playing with it since Christmas. We all got spoiled with everything this year...and it's funny. After it's all over, you seems to forget (so easily) the gifts you were given. You just start to enjoy the memories of the season both past and present.
All in all, I am just so surprised how quickly these past two months have gone by. We'll be issuing in the new year come Wednesday evening...Wow, 2009. Where is the time going? Well to all of you who are far away (or even down the street), we want to wish you a Happy Holiday season and may you all keep the spirit of Christmas in your hearts the year round. Love you all and miss you more that I can say. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Anyway-Thanksgiving was great. All the 9 Jones kids were together once again. The boys spent most of the time either playing with their wide arrangement of computer/technology gadgets or playing with some other sort of techno device like the Wii or the XBox 360 (video games). The girls tried our best to help out in the kitchen and keep the kids from destroying the house (or going nuts). I was surprised how many people could fit into Lynne's house...very impressive. We took a couple trips to Idaho Falls for some holiday shopping and even made time to enjoy a movie or two. I was certainly colder there than down here in Phoenix. When we left our house, it was like 75 degrees still, so the chill of the Idaho weather was a bit much for this Phoenix girl.
Once we had arrived back in Phoenix, we all had to get back into the swing of things. Like getting Ashlynn back to school, bedtime routines, and house cleaning routines as well. Of course, even that usually takes a week. But no worries, like I said, WE SURVIVED. I turned 27 years old on December 2nd. Nathan, the girls, and I went out to eat at the Olive Garden. It was wonderful. Then after that celebration of me getting another year older, we tried to get ourselves prepared for the Christmas holiday. We put up our tree and even lights on the outside of our house (which was the first time since we've been married). We even were able to give our puppy away as an extra bonus for me (since I apparently am not a DOG person-loved the dog, but knowing I was having another little baby in the house, I didn't want the additional stress that another "child"/pet brings). We gave Ollie to a young family who actually was going to purchase Ollie even before we did, but whatever-they got her in the end. I bet she's loving her new home, even though at night I do sort of miss how she would snuggle with me on the couch after the girls went to bed.
Goodness, I've missed so much. On December 21st, Nathan and I celebrated our 8-year anniversary. Funny enough, it was a Sunday and about mid-afternoon we both realized that it was our anniversary. Ashlynn had asked me what day it was, and it didn't even really click with me (or Nathan) that it was indeed our anniversary. We had celebrated it a week early since it fell on a Sunday this year...we had Richard and Jena come over and they watched the kids while Nathan and I finished our Christmas shoppping. We had a wonderful date night eating at the Cheesecake Factory. It was delicious. We went all out-I got a steak and Nathan got fish...and to top it off, CHEESECAKE for desert. Wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary...babysitter, excellent food, and being with the person you love the most.
Well, for Christmas this year, Lynne and the boys came down from Idaho to celebrate it with us. There was a ton of people in our house like 15 altogether I think. It was crazy, but fun nonetheless. The girls were so excited with what Santa had brought them...scooters. Mom and Dad (Nana and Papa) had spoiled us with a GPS system...it was amazing. I of course am terrible with technology so Nathan has been playing with it since Christmas. We all got spoiled with everything this year...and it's funny. After it's all over, you seems to forget (so easily) the gifts you were given. You just start to enjoy the memories of the season both past and present.
All in all, I am just so surprised how quickly these past two months have gone by. We'll be issuing in the new year come Wednesday evening...Wow, 2009. Where is the time going? Well to all of you who are far away (or even down the street), we want to wish you a Happy Holiday season and may you all keep the spirit of Christmas in your hearts the year round. Love you all and miss you more that I can say. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
