Christmas Morning

Finally, Christmas came. We've waited and waited and waited. I have waited for the Christmas Spirit to hit me. I've waited for the to be excitement in my house. I've waited for yummy food. And it finally came. On Christmas eve, when all of the work was done it all came. We had our traditional Christmas breakfast on Christmas eve. We watched "The King is Born" (I highly recommend this video on the Birth of our Savior.) The boys were content and wrapped up in their new soft PJs and Dean and I could just sit and cuddle and relax. That's when it hit. Not opening presents or having a lot of commotion, but when I just sat still and could just let it creep in. It all came then. The boys got all they dreamed of. Devin got a .22, Dylan got a bow and Dakoda got a .270. Lots of shooting at our house. The family got a Wii and I for one cannot move my right arm due to the tennis match last night. An awesome Christmas I do say. And the mess was kept at a minimum. Thank goodness.

The Day Before Christmas

We always go for a ride on the day before Christmas. The kids thought it would be fun to do a little sleigh riding so off they went. The snow was harder than heck and poor Devin face planted it in the road. It's a good thing he's tougher than nails. Dylan was doing a little snowboarding and finally made it down the hill without falling on that hard snow. They kept wanting me and Dean to come for a ride but they got up rubbing their butts every time so I didn't think it looked too fun for me. They had a good time though.

Regrets - only one

My only regret about this day is having Dean hold my purse, which happened to have a camera in it.

Christmas Dreams

Our little mini family vacation started at Cabelas. Our own personal little fun store. You got to love the moose and mom with a camera.Our next little stop was at the Temple lights. Oh the disappointment I had. They only decorate a few big trees now. There was not the wow factor that I wanted there to be for the boys. Not only that but we drove for one full hour looking for a parking place. There were trillions (yes trillions) of people and you could not stop and enjoy the spirit (if there was one) while the people were pushing you around. My husband and boys are still perfect though. I just wanted to put a little Christ back into our Christmas.

Our room, on the other hand, was to die for. We got a suite at the Holiday Inn and it was wonderful. The pool and hot tub were so much fun. Luckily it was open until 11 so we could play and have fun. Okay, I stayed in the hot tub and soaked it up while the boys (Dean included) took over the pool and had a blast. My boys are hilarious. Dakoda being a dolphin was priceless. If you ever get the chance, have him do it for you. You will laugh for sure.It doesn't take them long to find the TV and to kick up their feet. It is just so nice to relax once in a while.

Jones Christmas Party

The Jones clan has GROWN. This party started out as a small gathering at my dad's home in Tabiona. We filled his home but not uncomfortably. A few years after we started this party we moved to the high school. My good old stompin grounds. There the kids could run and play and the parents were not stressed out too bad. It has been at the high school for years. I can't even remember when this party started but it was before sickness and death came to our family. This year was different. There was no high school, there was no dad. Last year the party was cancelled so that we could spend time with dad in the hospital. It's a good thing the brothers took over this year, or I'm afraid there still wouldn't have been a party. I've planned every year but hated the thoughts this year. Missing this year were Dakoda, Adri, and Tamarat. A day after our party Adri returned to his Heavenly Father and we will miss him dearly. He was a loving, funny and great young man. Love ya Adri.

My family. Ryan, me, Bruce Brent and Kim

and my lovely mom, Carol.

The dreaded white elephant gift. You just never know what you're going to end up with.

The food and company were well worth the trip to Kim's house.

Barbie and Yawna

The Women that Inspire ME

Not me, but the women around me. I just ran onto this picture while I was looking for pictures to put on my Christmas card and it really made me miss Granny. She is out with my aunt in Payson right now and I miss her wisdom. My mom is truly an inspiration. I wish I was more like here. She is so calm and patient - me, not so much. This picture is not the greatest and my hair looks like crap (2 days at the hospital with dad didn't help) but the women around me in this picture are what I want to be like when I grow up - if I ever decide to.