Gorgeous little girls...

e


Wow-this is the first day on my own. Mom just left this morning to head back to Wyoming-and surprisingly enough, I've survived the day (and it's only 2:00). The house is still messy, there are still dishes in the sink, the pillows are off of the couches, but hey, all of us girls (including me) got a shower or bath today. Hurray for us! And now that I have a spare moment-while three out of the four are asleep, I'm sending you all some beautiful photos that my friend Bridgette took of the girls. Enjoy-I certainly am (even though I want my MOM to come back).

More pictures of Natalee...

Natalee loves being home-she doesn"t seem to mind the chaos that is always present due to older siblings...guess she's used to it. Look at how relaxed she is-




















Natalee is a cuddle bug for sure. She loves to make little grunting noises while she's sleeping-perhaps this is her way of getting a word in...

Natalee is a pretty easy going baby (for now at least). She doesn't seem to be bothered by anything...unless she wants food, then she'll let you know it!

Natalee Hazel Jones

Our precious little Jones girl arrived on Tuesday, July 14th at 12:57PM as planned. We named her NATALEE HAZEL JONES. She weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces, and was 18 1/2 inches long (our shortest). She looks just like the others, but if I had to pick one that she most resembles, it would be Ashlynn. Natalee has a lot of hair (which like the others, she'll probably lose). And finally after three girls, we got one that has dimples just like her Grandpa Wayne. FINALLY! We don't have a whole lot of photos yet-but here is one of her after her first bath at home today. She loved it-and she smells so good now too (if only mommy smelt that good).

Almost to the End...

I now have 6 more days until I am scheduled for the C-Section...I just had to show everyone this crazy picture...tell me this doesn't look real! I'm a beast!

Fourth of July FUN

Jilly-Ashlynn-Charlie-Ellyce
Miles-Ashlynn-Ellyce
Miss American Pie-Ellyce
The Little Mermaid-Ashlynn
Charlie and Jillian---4th of July skirts

Happy 4th of July!

Even though it's the 3rd of July, the girls are already wearing some red-white-and-blue attire to help with the spirit of the season. I JUST love the 4th of July. I have to say that it is my most favorite holiday-and the only reason why that I can think of is just wonderful childhood memories. The 4th of July was a family time at our house-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces, and close friends (and sometimes just random people) would show up at our house to enjoy the holiday with us. We always had good food and even better company. To top it all off, we had the best seats in the house to watch the firework show put on by our local fire department. We'd sit out on the front porch/lawn and watch the older boys try to light each other on fire during bottle rocket wars, or let the little kids run around waving sparklers through the grass. Those are some of my best memories. I couldn't tell you all the glorious, and elaborate gifts I'd get for Christmas, but I CAN remember all the special and more gratifying memories during the 4th of July holidays growing up. So here's wishing you all a very Happy (and safe) 4th of July!

Nesting-Part 2

Before-YUCKY
After-AHHHHHH!


I got the notion to scrub my floors yesterday...yes, I know. I've got to quit this crazy cleaning/organizing/labeling stuff. I guess that's why I'm doing all this-I'm just trying to get this baby out so then I can "relax". So I took some before and after shots-and although there are still spots where the tile glue shows through, it's about a million times better than it used to be. I have the blisters and bruised knees to prove it!

The End is Near...

For all of my wonderful family who isn't here to witness this giant bowling ball I have attached to the front of my body-I just wanted to share the "End Result" with you. Yes, this is me, 9-months pregnant with Baby Jones #4. Our scheduled C-Section is for July 14th at 12:30PM (which I am guessing won't happen-probably like next week at the latest). We couldn't be more excited-and if any of you tell me I look like I'm glowing, that's not pregnancy glow--that's my "nesting", "9-months-pregnant-and-can't-wait-for-this-baby-to-come-out", "I've been sweating since 9:00 last night" type of GLOW! Love you all and miss you!

Nesting-Part 1

Okay~ I know that nesting is the time during your pregnancy that you are getting ready for baby and blah blah blah, but I think that this is going too far. I got the notion today to go through the girls' old (and current) clothes/toys and put them all in bins with labels-YES, LABELS! This is so not like me-I mean I try really hard to be super organized like my sister, Stephanie, but I am nowhere near her organizational awesomeness...until now! I think "TYPE A personality" would about say it right-in regards to my current nesting state. Seriously, when will this organizing stop?

New Car Seat Cover and Diaper Carrier

If I didn't have creative friends (or family members for that matter), I probably would not have been able to make all the fun things I've made-Take this car seat cover and diaper carrier I just made like yesterday. I had a doctor's appointment Monday, so while we were in town, we ran over to my friend, Chantae's house. She is a pretty crafty girl-she helped me draw out the car seat and make a pattern so that the fabric would fit over the existing cover...and holy cow-it's so adorable. The girls played and had fun (for most of the day-they were getting pretty tired, but still had fun playing with Chantae's daughter, Charlie). I now have a pattern for a car seat cover-so if anyone's interested, let me know. And of course, a special thanks to Chantae for her creativity and patience with me (the not-so-creative-but-wants-to-be friend).

Countdown to baby...

Well, it's getting to be that time...we're about 37 weeks which means this little Jones girl could come any day (although we're trying to hold out until at least the first week of July). We're so excited-the girls ask me every day when the baby will come out of my belly. I just tell them soon (and to stop asking me). They can't wait either-Ashlynn thinks this baby will look like her; Ellyce thinks this baby will look like her; and Jillian just says "Belly-baby" without really knowing that this little one will soon be the baby and she'll be the big girl.

We will of course be keeping you all posted on the actual date of our C-Section, but like that's been useful in the past (I usually go a bit early with all our girls). Just wanted to give you all a quick heads-up on our latest Jones girl. According to the last ultrasound I had (June 12th), she should be around 5 pounds now (maybe more) and is healthy. Yesterday at my doctor's appointment, Dr. Linnerson said her head is already down which is better than the other way around (not that it matters when I'm having a C-Section anyways). I had been measuring small for this point in my pregnancy (which explains the ultrasound) but after the ultrasound, the tech just said the reason for me measuring smaller was because the baby was sideways with her head on my right side and her little butt on my left. How funny, but now the doctor said her head is down so that's better...means the end is near (hurray).

Ashlynn's Kindergarten Graduation

Ashlynn graduated from kindergarten this evening-she was even asked to speak during the ceremony. She has been practicing her little speech all week-even though it took a little bit of coaxing from her teacher, Mrs. Taylor, she finally delivered her lines amazingly! We are so proud of her. I just wanted to share some pictures of her in her cap and gown, and the other one is of her kindergarten diploma. So cute!

Little Chefs

The girls and I were wanting to do some cooking this afternoon before Ellyce and Jillian's naps. We really wanted cookies-actually Mommy really wanted them. The girls really wanted to help-which they mostly just ate the chocolate chips but overall they did a pretty good job!

Jillian's New Summer Haircut

Jillian's hair was getting a little bit shaggy so I decided to give it a trim this morning. She looks so cute with her "Bob" haircut. Her hair is really blond compared to the other girls' hair-even when they were her age. Jilly's hair seems to be more like Nathan's was when he was a baby...now his hair is almost black-weird how that works. Guess we'll have to wait and see if Jilly's hair changes. Hmmm.

Ellyce-Dance Recital

Ellyce-the dancing bunny

Cheese--isn't she adorable?


On Friday, May 29th, Ellyce had her first dance recital. She has been taking a little dance class for about 10 weeks-every Tuesday at 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM. She loved it so much-she would ask every single day when dance class was. There were only three girls in her class, but she didn't care one bit. Her little friend, Taylor Martin was in her class, so it was good to have a familiar face at class with her. So Friday was the big recital. It was held at the ladies house where she takes the lessons-which is in her gigantic loft equipped with hard wood floors, ballet barres, and full length mirror along one side of the room. She really loved it-she was definitely born to move. The 2nd picture is of Ellyce receiving her certificate of completion and trophy as well as a little bag full of goodies. And the first photo is of Ellyce's costume-Bunny ears (and although you can't see the back end of her) and bunny tail...their song was entitled "Spring has Sprung". She did such a great job! My little dancer!

Jones Girls' Choir

This afternoon, the girls wanted to go outside and swim in the "kiddie" pool...which is our friend Laura's from across the street (we're holding it for her since we have grass in our backyard). Well, girls being girls decided to grace us all with a little song. Hope you enjoy it (just as much as I did). I couldn't stop giggling-they're always making me laugh (I should have six-pack abs by now). This particular singing moment was like recording something from the Sound of Music-hilarious! So without further ado-I give you the Jones Girls' Choir.

Painting project...Round 2

I got the urge to paint again today-but at least I already had the paint on hand. I'd purchased this paint to go with the Red (Raspberry red) in Ashlynn and Ellyce's room. They had told me that they wanted their room to be red and pink, but once I painted that gorgeous Raspberry color on the one wall, it just looked so cute with the yellow (which I had painted for Jillian) that I left it.

So it wasn't until today that I decided to bust out the "Blushing Beauty" pink and get to it! Ashlynn even helped me paint-well at least the trim...so did a pretty good job and amazingly enough only got a little bit of paint on herself (and me once). What a big helper-so enjoy the pictures. I'm crazy about painting...but mostly when I'm pregnant and nesting (only 8 weeks left and no more rooms to paint-what is a girl to do).

Ashlynn-Kiwanis Terrific Kid Club Luncheon

Ellyce and Jillian-1st time drivers
Jillian loved the carosel.
So did Ellyce-look at that smile!
Ashlynn-She's one Terrific Kid, isn't she?


Ashlynn was invited to attend a luncheon today at Peter Piper Pizza for the Kiwanis Terrific Kid Club. At Legacy School, she was chosen out of all of the kindergarten classes to be a part of this fun thing. One student was chosen from each grade level to be part of this Terrific Kid Club as well. The other schools in Maricopa also had students there to represent their school and class. We are so proud of her for getting this chance to represent the Kindergarten classes at Legacy Traditional School. According to the Kiwanis Club representative, Ashlynn was chosen by her principal for various reasons like her grades, her behavior in class and behavior towards her classmates, and so on. How awesome is that? She certainly had a wonderful time, as did Ellyce and Jillian...but who doesn't love Peter Piper Pizza?

Painting project...

I decided to paint our bedroom/bathroom-which I've been wanting to do for quite a while now, but haven't had the motivation to get going on it. For some reason, when I'm at the end of my pregnancy, I get that motivation and practically paint every room (okay, I'm exaggerating, but still). I found a paint color that is just gorgeous-it's called TEAL DEAL. It's a deep teal blue color-which I know what you are thinking: TEAL, really? It really is a beautiful, fun, fresh color and it looks great. After two coats of paint, a lot of cleaning up, a lot of crazy kids who wanted to help mommy paint, and some seriously sore legs and back, here is the final product. The wall behind our bed is the teal and the rest of the walls are a beautiful pale blue color which brightens up the room-makes it more inviting. Hope you like it-I certainly do!

I am so creative somedays...

Yes, I know. I sound so sure of myself, but I was so excited after I had finished this really cute apron. My friend, Chantae, made an adorable one, so I did my best to copy hers. Hers is much cuter, but hey, I'm trying my best without a pattern. Here is Ashlynn modeling the reversible apron-one side has flowers while the other has polka dots (a "Cindy" favorite)...Hurray for me today! Let's hope tomorrow is as productive (and creative).

Latest kiddo updates...

It is so good to be home. Although the work never seems to get done, that's okay. After being in St. Louis for an entire week without our little girls, it is really nice to get back to their (and my) schedule. The girls had a most wonderful time with Grandma and her boys, but it was nice to see that they were more than thrilled to see us when we got home. Here are some most recent pictures of our little princesses.

Ashlynn's First Piano Lesson

Ashlynn started piano lessons about two weeks ago and is doing an amazing job already. She loves her teacher, which by the way is her music teacher at school, Tavia Sherwood. She is great and is a lot of fun! Ashlynn has been very dedicated to practicing her scales (right hand and left hand) each and every day. She also practices her assigned songs out of her piano book-which incidently was the same book that I used to have as a kid (how funny). We're so proud of her and her hard work-and to think, this is only her second week! Hmmm it must be in her blood!

It's April, you fool...already?

Not a whole lot has happened in the past two weeks other than a cold that lasted WAY TOO LONG! Lynne, Taylor, Hansan, and Dallan came down for their spring break last week. It was fun having them here. Nathan and Taylor played a lot of tennis-or as much as they could. On Friday before Lynne and the boys left we all got together for a BBQ at our place. Luke, Emrie, Miles, Masey, Richard, Jena, Timothy, Lynne, and the boys all came out. It was great. We had fun just being together-Family is so important. Lynne and the twins are actually going to be coming back down on Sunday to stay for another week while Nathan and I go to St. Louis for a much needed vacation. Lynne's going to stay with the girls...how wonderful, huh?

Well, the weather here has been incredible lately. 80 degrees most days and just plain INCREDIBLE! The girls have been running through the sprinklers even...crazy to think they're already doing that considering this is the first day of April. That's Arizona for you-nice and hot! So here are a couple pictures of the girls enjoying the wonderful AZ weather.

Our backyard...

Our little trees-minus one Juniper, which we had to go back into town for...
Doesn't that look great? And it's not even completely finished!
This is the Ruby Red Grapefruit tree: We'll call her Ruby!
This is the Blue Juniper tree, and since there are 4 of them, each of the girls get their own named after them.
This is our Orange tree-and I can't remember what kind of orange tree it is, so she doesn't have a name yet.

-OUR BACKYARD-

We've lived in our house for almost 4 years now. And since about a month or two after we moved in, our backyard has been almost complete minus the far back section which has been just dirt (and weeds mostly). The rest is wall to wall grass-which is perfect for the kids to run on. Next to the house we have a little tool shed that holds the lawn mower and various yard tools. On the other side is a cement patio for the girls to ride their little scooters on. It's been wonderful, but now it's going to be AWESOME!

Well, Nathan decided today that we'd head in to Lowe's and find some trees for the yard. It was so fun looking through the different trees they had in their garden center there. We ended up with 4 Blue Juniper trees and 2 citrus trees: 1 ruby red grapefruit tree and 1 orange tree. We were so excited. Richard and Jena met us at Lowe's with their little truck so they could take the trees out to our house for us. They helped us dig holes, pulls weeds, rake rocks (oh the wonderful memories of raking rocks), leveling the ground for the trees.

The only left to do now is hook up the drip system to the trees, lay down that liner stuff, and put the wood chips on top of that, and VOILA: backyard complete (after almost 4 years). I am so excited! All that digging and raking made me want to grow a little garden (or at least plant some flowers for the girls)...one step at a time, right?