California Christmas

After our lovely white Christmas morning in Boise, we hopped on a plane and flew to California to be with all the Joneses Christmas night. The children all had so much fun with their cousins, and it was just great to have all the family together again. We went to Santa Monica for a very warm beach day, we took family pictures in frigid SoCal temps (less than 50 degrees), we went to build-a-bear (after bribing the children to smile in the cold for the picture), we kayaked in the Jones pool, we visited a very cool Children's museum in Pasadena, the boys golfed, the girls shopped, and we all just had a great time together. Rich and I even went to a movie for the first time in forever!
We flew home New Year's Day, and almost missed our flight! We were delayed in security, and as we got to out gate, our plane was just pulling up, so the lady at the desk told us we had about 15 minutes for the turn-around. I decided it would be best to feed the family before we started the flight, so we grabbed some CPK and headed back to our gate, only to find it empty and to see the jetway pulled back from the plane! Rich made a mad dash for the jetway, and ran all the way down, only to have a lady sreaming at him that he was "breaching security". He made his way back up to the entrance, all the while, begging this lady to let us on the plane. Livi was in tears, certain this was the end of the world. Luckily, the plane had some trouble starting up the engine, and so they had to sit there anyway, and decided they could let us on, afterall. Whew! Despite the deaprting drama, this visit was such a wonderful way to finish off the holiday season. And, now that we're back to the cold, we can only start planning our next visit to sunny CA!All the Jones grandchildren in birth order: (Kate, Trenton, Ty, Zachary, Mia, Lola and Livi)

Boise Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year! Grandpa and Grandma O came to visit us in Boise a few days before Christmas and stayed through Christmas day. We built snow forts and a backyard tubing hill,

went swimming at the Y, built last-minute christmas gifts,

made gingerbread houses,

played in the snow some more, and read ALOT of stories to Lola!

It was so nice to have them here, especially for Christmas Eve. We went caroling, and then enjoyed our first-ever fondue dinner. It was hit! Of course, the girls liked the fondue dessert the best.
After dinner, we read Luke and 3rd Nephi, Olivia and Grandma played a duet on the piano, and then, for the grand finale, Grandpa read The Happy Prince, just as he's done since Rich was a little boy. It was a perfect evening.



Christmas morning we got up bright and early to see what Santa brought. Olivia was most excited about her coonskin cap and cork gun, Lola loved her dollhouse and princess jewelry, and Trenton really enjoyed the wrapping paper! After presents and Christmas eggs, we all got packed up to take our afternoon flights. Papa and Grandma O flew home to Utah, and we flew to California to join all the Joneses. It was so fun to have Papa and Grandma O all to ourselves, and we all loved every minute of it!

Rudolph

Lola's preschool class had a cute Christmas concert just before the holiday. They each said a part, and sang several songs. Obviously, Lola was Rudolph, and loved every minute of it! She really liked being center stage...no surprise there. She is our Lola, named after two of her most dramatic ancestors, after all.

Just Dance

This Christmas, I thought I might venture out with the girls and take them to see the Nutcracker. Things got busy, and the more I thought about it, I decided I would wait until next year and we'd just get a video of the ballet from the library for the girls to see this year. (Shameful, I know!) Last night we gave the girls their own nutcrackers, and decided to watch some you tube videos of parts of the ballet. Of course, Olivia wanted to see the battle scene. As we were watching, she said in utter disappointment, "Mom, they're just dancing. They're not even fighting at all!" Maybe there won't be a next year...:-)

Family Pictures

Mary graciously accepted our request for family pictures while we were in Utah, and we are sure glad she did! Family pictures have never been the best experience for our family, and so a few years back, Rich vowed to never have professional photos done again! :-) Luckily for me, we happen to have a professional photographer in the family, and Mary has outdone herself with these. Thanks again, Mary, for the beautiful pics. And a big thanks to cousin Wesley too...he's the only reason Trenton is smiling in any of the pictures!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year in Provo. We stayed with Russ and Mary's family in Pleasant Grove, and the girls enjoyed every waking moment with their cousins! Olivia and Emma would only appear for meals and bedtime, otherwise, we didn't see them at all!

We headed to Provo on Thanksgiving Day for dinner at Grandpa and Grandma O's. Before dinner, we asked Mary to take a few family pictures in Rock Canyon, just a few steps away from the Osguthorpe's home. Mary took some great photos, and Livi took this great picture to enter in her Reflections contest at school.
Dinner was delicious! Lola could hardly wait for the actual meal to be ready. She commandeered the veggie tray and ate as much as she could! This girl loves her veggies with ranch.

This year also marked the 10th anniversary of our engagement. 10 years ago this year Rich proposed on the BYU soccer field, and then we drove up to his parents' home for dinner. I had to keep my ring hidden until we all sat down to dinner and Rich made the announcement. We took a picture this year to remember the occasion. A few more wrinkles, and a little less hair, but many happy memories in those 10 years!





Of course we did the traditional adult and childrens' tables. The food was delicious, and we enjoyed the company even more.
A few of Lolly's siblings joined us for the meal and did a little program for us after dinner. It was great to see Uncle Steve, Aunt Claudia, and Aunt Karen, as well as Grandma Lolly, singing their family songs and remembering old times.
Of course, Thanksgiving would not be complete without pies...especially for Rich...he LIVES for the pies!The day ended with the girls all snug in their beds..not so much. This is what cousin sleepovers are all about, right?

Super Coach

Olivia's end-of-the-year soccer party was last week. She had so much fun this season...much of that has to do with her great coach! She's been on Dave's team for the last three seasons, and each time gets better. He know how to have fun with the girls and is always making sure they are having a blast learning to play soccer. (It also helps that the team rarely loses!) Olivia has won the MIP (Most Improved Player) award each season...we're proud of her for always trying her hardest, doing her best, and having fun...she also kicked the ball twice in a row this year and scored her first goal! :-) She's looking forward to the spring and another season with Dave!

Cutting Teeth

These three cuties not only have genetics and the love of their parents in common, they are also ALL teething! When Trenton's top front teeth were coming in, so were Olivia's! Last Saturday, Olivia and Lola both lost a tooth..on the very same day! The tooth fairy was busy that night....er, the next morning, when they remembered! :-) This next picture is just because his look is priceless!

A cowgirl, a fairy, and an afterthought

The girls' costumes this year really reflected their personalities. Lola was a fairy with glitter wings, blushed cheeks, and a flower in her hair. Olivia was a cowgirl..but not the kind of cowgirl that wears a skirt! She wanted chaps, a vest, and even a gun holster. Of course, she looked gorgeous!
So while I spent hours sewing the girls' costumes and getting them all ready for the big night, Trenton's costume was a pure afterthought....I found it at a thrift store for a steal. I'm beginning to think that's how it's going to be for the boy...there's just not so much one can sew for a boy! (Or accessorize, for that matter!)

We were in Utah for the holiday, so the girls got to trick-or-treat with some of their Osguthorpe cousins. Their neighborhood has everyone bring their cars to one street, then does a trunk-or-treat along that one street. The kids got a loot in a matter of minutes! Of course, we did the traditional trick-or-treating through the neighborhood after. The girls loved every minute while Trenton couldn't wait to get out of that stroller and into bed...love that guy!

Beijing Normal

Rich was invited to present a paper at a conference at Beijing Normal in October. Rich's parents were also invited to attend and present their latest book, Choose to Learn. They had a great trip, with many unforgettable experiences. If he was the blogger, I'm sure he would share those with you! :-) It's pretty rare that a grown man gets to travel across the world with his parents...it was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Chinaman

Rich got home from China the day before Halloween. We were all so excited to have him back! Trenton loved this little gem Rich picked up on some street in Beijing...the thoughts of where that hat had been allowed us to keep it on his head only long enough to take a picture. I would have had tons of pictures of Rich galavanting through China on this post, but, lucky for you, he lost the camera on his last day, so this is all you get! We're all hoping some taxi driver in China is doing his darndest to find out where Boise, ID is! :-) He had a great trip, and we survived the week in Provo without him. We're all glad to be home and into the swing of things again--especially Trenton. I think one of my favorite things ever is to bring an 8-18 month baby home after a long vacation and see their reaction to returning to familiarity. Trenton had a smile plastered on his face the whole night. It's good to be home!

She's no Mia Hamm

Here's a pic of Livi at her soccer game a few weeks ago. That's right, she's the one in the ponytail, sitting on the sidelines, facing AWAY from her soccer game. Atta girl!!

Fall Harvest