Keeping up on the Jones

Alina Maurine

2011-12-20T19:04:00.001-08:00

Sugar and spice would be a great description of Alina. We like to call her Ali, Lena, Ali M., Sunshine, Dr. Jekyle and Mr. Hyde, Rotten Beast, and the neighbor's kid. But like Taryn, we pray that she is just in a phase, and that it pass soon. Most of the time, Alina is a sweet, busy, little girl. Then with in seconds, she can become a whirlwind of terror. I know that all two year olds, have their mood swings. Alina's are just a little louder, rougher, longer and painful then most. I'm hoping she'll be a great singer, because she can make her screams symphonic.

You can tell that Alina just wants to be as big as the other girl with equal treatment in every way. A few weeks ago Keith had been in New York for a few days, so we made a night of it by grabbing dinner and watching him ride in on the train at the Old Town Station in Manassas. Keith decided to take the kids straight to the movies without them knowing where they were going. When we pulled up in front of the ceniama, and the three older kids pilled out with Keith. Alina started to scream, "What about me? What about me?" Sad for you Ali! You're going grocery shopping with Mom.

Alina LOVES, "Baby Wandon" I feared she would be jealous or rough with him being that they are so close in age, but she's the exact opposite. She's often concerned with where he is and if he is okay. She'll go up to his empty car seat and ask, "No baby Wandon, where he go?" When Landon wakes up but is just kicking it in his crib, Alina will go into entertain him. She throws everything and anything into that crib with him, Nerf guns, legos, dollies, brushes, diapers, and any food she can reach from the kitchen.

Like most two years old, she is a pirate of every word she hears.

For some reason our kid don't get hair until they are two. In September Alina started to get her hair, right after we had our family pictures taken in July. Now her hair is the cutest thing about her. It's a strawberrry blonde with crazy curls everywhere. I hope it stays this way, but I'm sure it will darken and staighten out as it gets longer. Cute for now.

Taryn Lilly

2011-12-20T19:01:00.000-08:00

If I had to pick which of my kids changed the most in 2011, it would be Taryn. She has changed in looks, temperament, personality, and abilities. Last year this time, Taryn was still struggling a little with the trouble 2's. She was easy to ignite and not easy to put out. And to compound the problem, she was limited in her skills and abilities to do for herself, which was to be expected from a little girl who had just turned 3. However, being the middle child, with a 14 month old little sibling and Mom pregnant or caring for a newborn all of last year, poor Taryn had to fin for herself often. By summer though, she came our easiest kid and every enjoyable to be around.

The one thing that helps Taryn the most last year was becoming best friends with Kendall. When Kendall's best buddy from church moved, Kendall and Taryn spent a lot of time together. Taryn learned to mimic things that Kendall did or said. Its my greatest joy to see Kendall and Taryn becoming such great friends.

But as great of friends as Kendall and Taryn have become, they are different little girls. As I said earlier Kendall will laugh and go along with anything Garrett does or says. While Taryn will often say, "Garrett, that doesn't make sense" or "That's not really funny" And she know funny.

Taryn is a girly girl. She loves all things pink! She is barely coming out of a dresses only phase in her wardrobe. She loves Barbie, lipstick, fancy shoes, and fur.

Taryn is also fair weathers kinda girl. If it's too hot, Taryn's inside. If it's too cold, Taryn's inside. If there is a chance of rain, Taryn's inside. And when you ask her why she's not outside? She'll respond, "I'm not comfortable outside!" There you have it!

Taryn LOVES books! If you can't find Taryn look in the music room, where she's curled up with a books her father has read her twenty time, looking at the pages. When Taryn was going through her difficult phase. Keith would often say, "She just needs to be reset" Which included Keith patiently taking 10-15 minutes to sit with her and read a book. I don't have time or patients to drop everything to read a book to Taryn. But Keith's efforts have paid off on Taryn. Taryn seems to be a very bright little girl. She's quick to catch on to things and remembers everything you hears. Two weeks ago for FHE, Keith read the Christmas story for Luke. Then we asked a few questions of each child. When we asked her, who visited Mary to tell her she was going to have a baby. Taryn quickly responded, "Gabriel, the boy angel" Taryn remembers details.

One of my favorite things about Tar-tarz is her curves. Her and Kendall could not be any more different in body types. Not to be weird, but Taryn has the cutest bum every. It's a perfect little round soft tush. She's adorable in a swimming suit.

Taryn has a spunky personality, that will be a great blessing to her. She has strong opinions and ideas about how things should happen. I love this about her. She's a curious soul , who loves to learn. I think this trait will bring her joy. Taryn brings me JOY each and every day.

Kendall Macy

2011-12-20T17:45:00.000-08:00

Miss Macy is sunshine in my soul! She is a sweet, and gentle child. Rather quiet and soft spoken, but willing to speak up for herself when she need to. She has postive outlook and a helper attitude. She doesn't require much attention, so I have to be careful not to ignore her in my busy day. She's rather self sufficient in most tasks. In fact, she delights in doing things for herself, then showing me how well she preforms. She coming into the age when she LOVES to help her younger siblings. I love to watch her help Alina with tasks, like putting on her shoes. She talks to her like she's an adult. "Now let's put on the other shoe. I'm going to get those piggies!" Kendall is JOY!

Like most of your kids, Kendall LOVES being in a big family. Her and Garrett have a buddiship that is great! He teases her, usually she doesn't take his teasing serious, so she giggles and teases back with him. Kendall is a skinny little thing but she has no hesitation in wrestling Garrett anytime anywhere! Fortunately for her Garrett just bats her around like a mouse. Garrett can go on and on with a story, or tell a average joke that we have had five times, and Kendall with listen intently and laugh every time. She thinks Garrett rocks!
Kendall's best friend is Taryn. I love it! Those two girls don't need anyone else. They can play for hours. They rarely disagree or fight. I'm so grateful that they have one another. They are 19 months apart, but two years in school, so at times I can see the maturity difference but Kendall is so patience and kind. She loves to teach Taryn everything she knows and Taryn is a willing and able student. They are quite different, so I pray that as they get older they can help each other with their strengths and weaknesses.
Kendall is a very organized, tidy girl. She has always loved to straighten up the shoes, put the silverware away, or sort socks. If you give something little to Kendall, she will put it in her special place and always have it. Where my other kids will lose it before they get upstairs. Kendall can find anything in the house. She's observant. This tendency to love organization and structure has lead to Kendall flourishing in school. Her Kindergarten teacher loves her and she loves going to school. I have be pleasantly surprised how well she has caught onto reading. She just gets how letter and sounds work. She loves to read her books to Taryn every night.
Kendall is an outdoors kinda girl. It's hard to get her to come in, no matter how cold or hot it may be. Because she's outside all the time, she's a fast little runner! She can go and go and her little battery never runs out. Her only problem is she has no bum! So her pant are always falling off. Half the time I see Kendall running with one hand behind her holding up her pants. We've tried belts, skinny jeans, safety pins. I tease her that we need Duck tape. But that long skinny figure is perfect for gymnastics and ballet, her two favorite activities.
I can see that Kendall is going to be a strong force for good in our family. She is the peacemaker in most situations. The creator of fun and adventure. She's thoughtful and loving to those around her. We are blessed the have the precious girl in our family.

Garrett

2011-11-30T10:11:00.000-08:00

Garrett is 8! I can't believe I have a child that is baptized and this tall! Keith has always called Garrett "The Big Guy." This kid is 4'9! He's giant! And for some reason, he is surround by friends who's height is below average, which makes him look like even more of a giant. Even if he is getting bigger, Garrett still loves to snuggle and I love it! He is my "Lover Boy!" He has a tender heart. He cares to help out when someone is in need and be involved in serving others when the opportunity arises. He truly feels bad when he hurts someone else. And is sometimes over sensitive to having his own feelings hurt. We're working on that.

Garrett is ALL about the FUN and adventure! Sometimes with little thought to safety, which makes me crazy! Last Sunday afternoon, I sent all the kids outside to play while I made dinner. I happen to look at the window just as Garrett was stepping into the big lid of the sandbox that he had placed on top of the monkey bars on our play set. He sat down into it, like it was a sled, as began to scoot across the top of the monkey bars, which are a good 6 feet above ground. My heart sank! I went flying outside, preparing myself for a ride to the emergency room. I arrived of the end of the monkey bars, just in time for him to take the ride of his life (and mine) sliding down the back side. I quickly assessed him for injures, then grabbed his ears and gave him the nagging speech about how danger that was. He listened (half smiling the whole time), then asked if he could do it again. NO! Heaven help his scout leaders. Thinking of scouts, Cub Scouts is Garrett's dream activity. Cub Scouts involves hanging out with buddies, goal oriented tasks that are preformed mostly outside, field trips and you earn a reward at the end. I wish I had his enthusiasm about the program.

Garrett preforms best when extrisicly motivated! Yes, this is due to bad parenting. But I can get that kid to do anything by danging a carrot in front of him. Being that Sundays are long days for me. I let the kid earn Sunday points for prizes (JUNK) that we keep for a week then throw away. Garrett out of all the kids, LOVES to see how many points he can get. Hopefully this training leads to a desire for money as the reward, and he gets a good education and a good job.

Speaking of school, this is another outlet for Garrett's desire to have fun, hang with friends, and preform or complete projects. Fortunately, he has had good teachers that make school just fun enough for him to like it, but in a structured environment. I assume he does well in school, because the teacher never complain about his behavior, or performance. And he often tells us, "Me and the other two smart kids finished first so we got to......." Humble!

Garrett loves to be involved. Right now he is taking basketball, soccer, and piano.

Garrett is a GREAT big brother. He caring, helpful, and aware that others are watching him. Yesterday, I was busy with laundry and cleaning so I had payed little attention to the three youngest. Garrett came home from school and sat down on the sofa next to Taryn, who had fallen asleep there. Garrett said, "Mom, Taryn's hot!" Yes, I a bad mom and didn't even know she was asleep there. Garrett ran upstairs, got the thermometer, to check her temperature. Next Garrett yells, "It's a 102.6!" My response, "No it's not. Give me that." Sure enough, it's 102.6! Garrett proceeded to get her a blank, his pillow pet, water and turn a movie on for her. Garrett is going to be a well trained husband by his three little sisters. He loves to wrestle around the Kendall. They are buddies. She laughs at everything he says, and he has learned that she will do anything he says, so watch what you ask her to do.

Next to being baptized, having a little brother has been the best thing to ever happen for Garrett. The first thing he does everyday is check in with Landon for a high five or fist bump. He often holds Landon while he plays Wii or takes Landon in his room at night while he reads so that I can get the girls to bed. There is 7 1/2 years between them, but I'm certain they will be best friends.

Our hero, Jamison

2011-11-13T19:28:00.000-08:00

My greatest desire is for my Garrett and then Landon to turn out as awesome as my nephew, Jamison. Not that all my nieces and nephews aren't great, but Jamison has every thing in order.
The day after we arrived in Arizona Jamison received his mission call to California. He was to report in less than three weeks, eight week before he turned 19. I guess you can do that if your Stk Pres. sees that you are ready and they need you. However, this caused a great panic for my sister who was stuck at a fabulous family reunion in Colorado for one of those week. Let me tell you why Jamison is so great..... He loves his Mom! LOVES her. They are best buddies and always have been. He respects and loves his Dad for they amazing person he has become. I remember Jamison as a little boy out working with is Dad. He developed skills and learn to follow through due to a father to that took the time to teach and encourage. He's a great brother. He's set an example and values to two siblings that are his first friends. He's smart, a hard worker, funny, VERY spiritual, goal oriented, level heads but, adventurous, and best of all his now a missionary for the Lord. We LOVE Elder Garner!

Keith's 41st Birthday Celebration with the Jones Family

2011-11-13T11:45:00.000-08:00

For the past few years, Keith has been able to celebrate his b-day in Arizona with family and friends. It's always a good time to get together with all the Jones' for Sunday family dinner. Grandma Maurine love to make a cake and put coins in it. (Canadian tradition?) This Sunday dinner was at Brian and Lanae's. The pictures are all so yellowish orange from the dust storm that was about to come in. However there are a lot of red head kids in these pictures too, that is not a trick of the light.
As you can tell from Garrett's face, it's always a good time when cousin's get together.

Silly faces on lazy bag-o bones

2011-10-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

My poor kids spent much of their summer in Virginia, "sitting on the sofa, not making messes" Probably because that it what they were told to do every day! I love these sweet little faces and will probably miss them a little when almost 1/2 of they head off to school. Maybe then I'll have a fighting chance at keeping the house clean.

Taryn make great faces! LOVE her!

More big events for Landon

2011-10-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

Grandma Jones gave Landon a taste for the fun that can be had while sitting, and now he can't get enough of it.

The classic picture of Grandpa Jones holding the baby's in his chair and singing, "All Around the Mulberry Bush" Every baby loves "rocky-by" in Grandpa's big chair, with his big squishy hands.

Big events for Landon

2011-10-20T11:38:00.000-07:00

While we were in Taylor, Landon learned to roll over, scoot backwards, and he got his 1st tooth. Yippy for Landon!

He also received the attention he has so desperately needed from Grandma and Grandpa.

"Navigation"

2011-10-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

One of the highlights of our stay in Taylor with Grandma and Grandpa Hatch was the weekly "navigation turn". For some reason, my kids could not say or remember irrigation. Having sent their childhood in rainy Virginia where there is little need for irrigation or even sprinklers for that matter, muddy water shooting out of the ground, then flooding over a grassy field was a dream. The fun was increased by having cousin Jaden to visit.

The water makes a lazy river, perfect for floating down the dirty, germ infested, probably snake full canals. Good times at Grandpa's!

Happiest Man EVER

2011-06-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

For the most part we have pretty happy easy going babies. Landon has got to be our best baby yet. There are only a few things that make him cry. Hunger, Alina sitting on him, and extremely loud scary screams by his siblings. Most of the time, even the extremely loud scary screams by his siblings just make his giggle until he cries. Mean, right! Anyways, he's perfect in every way.

Preschool Graduation

2011-06-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

I never think these preschool graduation are much but then, when I'm there thinking about my little person going to a big public school, where I don't see them ALL day. It freaks me out! I worried about Kendall at the beginning of preschool because she's a little shy, and relies on Garrett and her buddy Maggie to speak up for her. But this year was perfect for her. She really blossomed! She more secure with herself and outgoing with those new situations. She's starting to read and has acquired great school skills. I owe all of this to her FANTASTIC teachers, Ms. MarieAnne and Ms Caire. They are angels. I was so hoping Taryn could have them but they are leave Grace Learning Center for new adventures themselves. They were an answer to my prayers this year. With as crazy as this year has been, they keep thing grounded and fun for Kendall. They nurtured her when she need love and challenged her when she needed to rise. Thank you!
Kendall was so excited to graduate. We are so proud of her.

Note that Kendall and Maggie are the only two with their eyes closed and head bowed. Habit! They clasped hand at school.

We love Naomi!

2011-06-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

We had a special treat last weekend, our old baby sitter, Naomi came to visit. Their family moved to Costa Rica a few years ago, and have missed them greatly. Naomi hadn't even seen our youngest two babies, but Alina and Landon quickly bonded with her. The kids had a great time playing outside with Naomi, and I enjoyed catching up on the Dorsey's, my friends.

All on a summers evening

2011-06-20T11:07:00.000-07:00

The girls finally performance of dance was delightful. They held it in front of the Merchants home under the shade of a oak tree. Emily Merchant, a dear friend, has been teaching the girls dance this year. She not only teaches they dance but she also teaches them about art, music and even reading this year. This year Taryn was so excited to be a flower, Kendall was excited about acting out the Very Hungry Caterpillar because she was going to be Salomi. We are going to miss the Merchants.

Where did the past 4 months go?

2011-06-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

And how did this kid get so big? We just took him in for his four month well check, he weighs 17 pounds and 11 ounce. He's only 3 pound less them Alina. We get asked all the time if they are twins. He's huge and she's bald, so side by side they look the same age. Until she start loving/pounding on him, and you notice that he has to sit there defenseless, without control of his body. That heavens he loves her. He loves all the kids. He's big eyes just follow this kids around all day. He is a perfect little angel.

Landons 2 months

2011-05-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

We thought Garrett was a huge baby, but I think Landon may be bigger. This little man is off the growth charts for height and weight. He's a 15 pounder! He's already in 9 months clothes. At this rate, he'll weight more than Alina by the time he is 1.
He's a smiler too. Any little bit of attention that he gets makes him smile. And I think he maybe a redish blonde like his Dad. Oh, how we love Landon.

The ZOO

2011-05-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

(If you look behind the girls there is a panda)
Our one fun outing over spring break was to the National Zoo with the Merchants. Unfortunately it was the busiest day ever at the Zoo, so it was hard to get around and poor Keith spent the day running back and forth moving the car to different parking spaces. Ah, city living! But the kids had a blast running around the zoo and playing with their Merchant buddies, that we will sorely miss when they move to Idaho.

Alina took a picture of her self. Then Garret too a picture of Kendall, with me in the background wrestling Alina during a diaper change. True pictures of our life.

Love this picture! When Mia and Garrett are 16, I'm getting them together, recreate these pictures. Mia loves to drag him around and Garrett loves to be dragged.

Easter hightlights

2011-05-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

Easter seemed to have come and went in a hurry. It was the kids spring break the week before Easter, and that was a small taste of the crazy summer that lies ahead of me. Wish me luck!
Anyways back to Easter, the Olsens gave us an Easter Lily, which made our whole house smell yummy! Taryn loved it so much, she kept putting her nose in the lily. When asked if she had been smelling the lily, she would always reply, NO! However, the evidence was on her nose and face.
We dyed the eggs, and had about 10 egg hunts everyday for the week leading up to Easter. Garrett has become the master clue writer for our scavenger hunts. Good times were had by all.

Spring surprises!

2011-05-12T12:10:00.000-07:00

Every year the blue birds make a nest in our mailbox. It's so much fun to watch them go in and out building a nest and protecting the egg. It's a BATTLE to keep all the little hands away from the nest so that the poor mama bird doesn't go completely crazy.
This year Kendall and Taryn found an egg on the ground by a tree so they decide to make a nest for it in our little bird house.

Work that hat, girl!

2011-05-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

Alina LOVES her new hat, and it's a good thing since she has NO hair to protect that fragile white skin. She also like to use it as a shelled to allude the camera.

Sad attempt at Easter pictures

2011-05-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

I really want a picture of all my kids together but I just don't know if I have the skill and they have a ability to all look and smile at one time. Maybe next time.

2011-05-09T15:09:00.000-07:00

Let's see who changes the most

2011-03-21T07:45:00.000-07:00

Alina refused to hold still for a picture of all five of them. Poor Garrett had to hold her down. Maybe next week!

Yesterday I was looking at a friend's blog, and she took a picture like this of her kids every year to see who they change. (Thanks for the idea, Andrea!) Right know there is a huge difference but my guess is that Taryn and Kendall will soon be the same size and Landon and Alina in the next 2 years will be close to the same size. Garrett will be off the rug!
We also measured the kids on the wall chart yesterday, Garrett and Taryn have grown 2 inches since last July. Kendall only 1 inch! I started Alina so we'll see next time.

Garrett LOVE a big family!

Looking Good!

2011-03-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

March madness is upon us, and we at the Jones' household are keeping track. It seems like this year, everyone is keeping track with Jimmer on the floor.
Keith and Garrett made their bracket last week, and Garrett's bracket is looking good, so far. This coming weekend might blow it, since he has U of A and BYU going to the finals.
Good luck, son!

Landon is a smiler

2011-03-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

Today Aline climbed up to her normal spot right next to Landon to help me make him smile for the camera. Sure enough, he smiled! They are going to be best buddies!

The funny things that Taryn says

2011-03-16T10:14:00.000-07:00

I love the funny faces of Taryn, but most of all I love the funny things she says. Today while we were taking a nice quiet walk down our rode, neither one of us saying a word, just enjoying the beautiful day. Taryn busted out with, "Birdies, be quiet! We're trying to walk!" I guess nature is not Taryn's friend.

Today while we were out gardening, Taryn found a worm, which she picked up and put on the sidewalk. The poor worm made a beeline back to the grass. Taryn got down really close to the worm as he was struggling to return to the dirt, and said, "I'll race you, worm." I sure hope she wins.
Taryn is a funny soul. Right now she LOVES Bubble Guppies, a sippy, a furry blanket, and her place on the sofa. She is a true couch potato! She'd eat Mac and Cheese everyday, if I made it for her. She only wears pink and still LOVEs to play with hair. I hope that passes

Toothless

2011-03-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I love this boy! It seems like everyday he is getting older on me. Too old! He's changing, and I'm not ready for all the changes. Not only is his personality, abilities, testimony, and shoe size changing, but now his smile. He's loosing all his teeth, and getting the awkward elementary smile. You know the one. The one that will soon need braces.

Semifinalist

2011-03-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

And the runners-up are......

I've been trying to get a good picture of Landon so that I can make birth announcements for our family that live away, but lack of talent, time and a cooperative baby have come in the way. But I finally picked a picture and ordered them, so here are the pictures that didn't make the cut.

Thanks to the amazing skills of my sister Kristal and the magic of photo shop, they look half way decent. Kristal, you rock!

My next project is to try and get a picture with all five kids. Wish me luck!

At first I was afraid, I was petrified

2011-03-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

Kept thinkin' I could never live without you by my side,
(Come on, sing along)
But then I spent a few night alone (with 5 small children)
And I grew strong
And I learned how to get along

Go on now go, walk out the door
and enjoy your weekend away,
'Coz, you're coming back for more.
Weren't you the one, who wanted all these little kids,
We thought I'd crumble?
We thought I'd lay down and die?
Oh, no not I! I will survive
For as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
And I've got all my love to give
I'll survive!
I will survive!
Hey hey!

Sorry Diana Ross for massacring your famous song, but this is the tune that has been running through my head for the past four days with Keith gone to Salt Lake. I've been dreading this weekend for over 6 weeks now, with visions of me not sleeping, crying and screaming. Fortunately for all who dwell here in the Jones home, it hasn't been that bad.
Less sleep then I'd like, but I will survive.
Crying, not by me, but I'm sure they will survive.
And okay a little screaming by me, but once again, I'm sure we will all SURVIVE.
(But only for four day. Any longer then that, and I may come unraveled.)

Thanks Heaven for Dad!
My new song will be, "I'm so glad when Dad comes home"

Landon is 1 month

2011-03-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

(This following post is a picture overload,
so if you are not a Grandma or relative you may want to skip this post.)

I can't speak for Landon but this has honestly been the fastest month of my life. I feel like I am constantly in motion or thinking about the five things I need to be doing. It's busy, but I'm happy. The kids all love Landon and are so happy to have another person in our family. Taryn often comes to me in the morning when the older two are at school and the younger two are asleep and says, "I miss our big family!"
I'm not going to lie to a that 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm is CRAZY around here. I can't wait till 7:00 when Keith gets home to help me sweep them all off to bed.
Landon is a good baby. He's not the best sleeper like the rest of your kids were by now, but he makes up for it by not requiring a lot of attention the rest of the time.
Grandma Maurine hand quilts all of her grandkids a quilt. So I thought I should take some pictures of Landon with his quilt for her.

"Hi Bubbba"

2011-03-09T11:50:00.000-08:00

Alina is obsessed with Landon. She loves him. She loves to get right in his face and say, "Hi Bubba, Hi Bubba, Hi Bubba." Poor Landon I don't know if he is just enduring the madness or likes it. I hope she can continues to like him with being jealous.

Getting bigger!

2011-03-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

This little man is getting so big. I feel bad that my family isn't here to see how sweet and cute he is, so I've decided to try and blog more. Here is where poor Landon spends most of his day, sleeping in the bouncy, high up on my table so that Alina can not harass him. Note the long forehead and HUGE hands like his brother, Garrett.

Best Buddies

2011-03-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

These two girls are the best of friends! They can play for hours together without me having to hear a peep out of them. They both have wild imaginations that play out into great adventures. Most of them including one or both of them turning into animals or magical creatures. The only time we have disagreements is when they can't decide who is going to be the owner or trainer of the animals.
Everyday my sofas get rearranged into a fort, trampoline, ocean or a hundred other uses for their play. This does bug me a little, but I figure if this is the least of their messes I best not complain. I'm just happy they get along so well, and require little attention from me.

We miss Grandma

2011-03-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

My Mom comes as stays 2 weeks with each of her daughters when they have a baby. She has 24 Grandchildren, so she's spent a good amount of time in each of our homes. My kids LOVE it when Grandma comes to stay with us for the new baby. We have all been so sad to have Grandma leave, especially the girls who were home with Grandma all day. I don't know what we would have done without her.

My Mom is great about help out with all the little things like giving the baby a bath, changing diapers, fix meals, clean up meals, entertain the older kids, and remind me to take care of myself. Whenever she leaves, I always wonder how will survive.

Grandma and Kendall were watching TV, when Grandma realize she had lost Kendall. Kendall somehow fell asleep in this weird position.

Growing like weeds

2011-02-16T12:38:00.000-08:00

Landon is our first spitter-upper. As fast as he eats, he also puts it right back out. Therefore, he never has clean clothes on. I can't keep up!
I think these boys are going to look a lot alike. Garrett could not LOVE a person more than Landon. Everyday when he comes home from school, he wants to hold Landon and watch TUFF puppies. It's their male bonding time.

I have literally been to our Pediatrician 5 times in one week. Kendall had her 5 year old check-up, Alina had her 15 month, and Landon had his 2 week check-up today. They are all growing up too fast.

Landon is now up to 9 lbs, 4 oz and 22 1/4 inches. I knew he was getting bigger because the newborns are too tight. Alina is still 21 lbs, and still in the 98th percentile for height. I believe that her and Taryn are going to be tall girls. Poor Kendall on the other hand is average. That sounded bad, but I really enjoyed being tall, so I had hoped that all my girls would be tall. O-well! Kendall is perfect just the way she is.

Week 1

2011-02-07T15:29:00.000-08:00

The first week I bring home a new baby is always eventful. Someone always gets sick, or hurt. One or two the kids completely regress, causing everyone frustration. And there always seems to be events at school, church or with our family that require attention.
Baby Landon's homecoming was no different. On the night we brought him home, Garrett came home with a high fever, cough, and aches. Great! He was sick through the weekend, and gave it to Kendall, who came home sick from school on Monday. Kendall gave it to Alina, who woke up sick on Wednesday. Alina gave it to Taryn, who woke up in the middle of the night of Friday with a fever. Then all my kids gave it to Grandma, who endured it well but was sick when she boarded the plane to go home on Sunday. Nice! Luckily, Landon and I haven't gotten it. And poor Keith has a touch of the cold but is a trooper.
Then to add to the fun of sick kids. Kendall spilled boiling hot water in her chest. I was right there to run her to the kitchen sink and shower her with water. Thank heavens it was only 1st and 2nd degree burns and they seem to be healing well.
Alina was added to with fun by getting a ear infections, but the antibiotics seem to be easing her pain.
Needless to say the first week home with baby Landon was busy, but I think we've settled in and can get back to some routine and healthy living. We desperately miss Grandma Hatch. Taryn wants to know when we can go back to the Airport to pick up Grandma.

The kids decorated the house to welcome Landon home.

Alina has really warmed up to Landon. She loves to look at him. So far, she's not that rough with him either.

Happy Day for Kendall

2011-02-05T16:05:00.000-08:00

This year Kendall gets to have a very special Birthday. First her Grandma Hatch came to stay with us the day before her birthday and her new baby brother was born two days after her birthday. Because of all the excitement we decided to have a big family celebration.
She started the day off by opening two big presents. First Grandma Hatch gave her a beauty chair for her Ruthie, her American Doll. As you can see from the picture above, she was more than a little excited about the chair. Then Dad and I gave her a bed for her doll.

Next on the agenda for the day was a birthday cake. Grandma brought some of her old cake pans, so Kendall picked the Strawberry Shortcake cake. Grandma, Kendall, and Taryn decorated all day. Oh, what a fun mess! The end result was GREAT!
When Garrett got out of school, we all went for Chucky Cheese for some game fun, picked up pizza at Papa Johns and came home for cake and to open the rest of the presents. Good times all day!

We LOVE you Kendall Macy Jones!
Happy 5th Birthday!
Note the little finger prints where Baby Alina found a stool just high enough to get a taste.

Just how big can a pregnant women get?

2011-02-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

Once again, here's a few pictures of just how HUGE I am pregnant, lest I forget and ever get pregnant again. Hopefully these will encourage my girls not to gain as much weight as I did.

Here's a few pictures of me and kids on the two days before I had Landon. I decided this will probably be my last time to look like this. The kids have really enjoyed the big belly. In fact, I don't think they know me any other way. They think of it as their own personal pillow.

Landon Sterling Jones

2011-02-04T08:19:00.000-08:00

Landon Sterling Jones

born Wednesday, Febuary 2nd, 2011 at 8:48 p.m.

Landon came into this world at Prince William Hospital weighting 8 lbs 10 oz, which surprised us all because of his ultrasound measurements,and my belly measurement being so big, and the fact that his two older sisters weighted 9,14 and 9,8.

Here's the details for journal purposes.

Our day began by coming in at 8:00 to be induced. Dr. Stacy Dehal, our neighbor, has been my doctor and really supportive to me through this pregnancy. This time we did it a little different then our other three inductions. This time I was already more than 50% effaced when we came in, so they said I didn't need the gel. I have to admit, I was happy about that because that stuff makes me cramp so bad, but I was worried about changing from what we already know works for me. They game me a IV and started the low levels of Pit. I started having mild but constant contractions about 4-5 minutes apart. After about 2 hours I had only dilated to a 3-4. Around 11:00 they gave me the epidural. I HATE that part because the needle and the weird pains scares me. But I LOVE the no pain that the epidural provides. I always have one place on me right side where the epidural doesn't take, but I'll take what I can get.

In the afternoon, they broke my water and upped the PIT. Off to sleep I went. I always feel a little guilty sleeping while in labor when I think about my Mom and Mother-in-law who labored with no relief. At 3:00 Stacy Dehal, my Dr., came in to check me. I'm not going to lie to you, I was bummed when I was only a 5 and the baby still hadn't "dropped" down. The nurses had me sit up a little and turn from side to side to move the baby down. Like all women, I was constantly watching the baby's heart beat and the strength of the contractions. At 6:00 p.m., Stacy came in to check and I was finally a 7 but the baby still hadn't dropped all the way down. Argh! Seriously, I thought I would go faster with this being my 5th child and having only had Alina 15 month ago. The next bummer was that Dr. Dehal was going off at 7:00 and the really nice nurse Casie who had been helping all day. They were great and stayed close and checked on me quite a bit. I could tell that Stacy was hoping to deliver, but I just didn't change. So at 7:00, my Epidural bag ran out at the same time as the nurse change, and my epidural was never the same after that. Dr. Wall came in to take over for Stacy. He upped the PIT to strengthen my contraction. And WOW did that work! I started having strong PAINful contractions every 1-2 minutes. No one was in the room, but Keith who had to hear me complain. After about 30 minutes of this and really feeling the pressure down below, I asked the nurse to check me. Yippy! I was a 10 with just a little cervix on the right. She asked Dr. Wall if I could start to push. I REALLY want to push because I hurt so bad. Because he was still so far up I don't think Dr. Wall thought I was going to get him out any time soon, because he left the room. I pushed for about 15 minutes and I could feel the burn of his head coming through. The Nurse rang for help and Dr. Wall to come, but it was too late, his head popped out. BLUE! Every thing got rather busy, painful and okay crazy for the next 4 minutes. Dr. Wall was helping another patient and couldn't rush right in. The nurses asked me to stop pushing, which I couldn't do. After a few minutes, Dr. Wall came in and had to assess what was a difficult situation. After a second of frustration, he jumped into the fray, cut the cord which was double-wrapped around Landon's head, and pulled the baby out. The nurses quickly rushed Landon over to get him oxygen and cleaned up. After another couple of minutes, Landon was turning a good color and breathing well. Keith was looking rather concerned when Dr. Wall turned to him and said, "The baby is fine."
He's first apgare was a 5 but then get got a 9. They let us hold him for a minute but then they wanted to check him out in the nursery.

Things didn't go as smooth as Alina or Kendall's delivery but I can't complain. I have a perfect, healthy, happy baby boy. I feel great even after having Landon's head sitting out of me for 3 minutes during delivery, I have no rips, no tears, no stitches, and no hemorrhoids

And then there was 5!

2011-02-03T19:29:00.000-08:00

This sweet little man arrived on Wednesday at 8:48pm. I'll write about the details of his coming into this world tomorrow. But for now here are a few pictures him with his excited family.

Baby boy Jones born on 2-2-11, Groundhog Day weighted 8,10 and was 20 3/4 inches long.

No one more excited about his arrival than Garrett. "I like him Mom, but now I wish he was one."

Garrett snowboarding

2010-12-26T14:28:00.000-08:00

Christmas Checklist

2010-12-14T11:53:00.000-08:00

Kids have started the 24 Day countdown..............................Check
Christmas tree up and trimmed..............................................Check
Stocking hung with care............................................................Check
Halls....Decked............................................................................Check
Christmas specials on TV taped..............................................Check
Gifts purchased, wrapped or stashed.....................................Check
Christmas Cards, addressed, stamped & out the door.........Check
Gingerbread house decorated & half eaten............................Check
Bedtime Christmas stories have begun..................................Check
Kid's parties, programs and recitals scheduled......................Check
Trip to the temple lights....scheduled......................................Check
Long list of things for the kids to do for 2 weeks at home...Ekks

What's around the next bend?

2010-11-28T11:09:00.006-08:00

I often wonder it that is the question running through Keith's head.

Don't take me wrong. Keith's HAPPY!

But as I think about the man I married 8 years ago, a very level-headed, calm, thoughtful, spiritual man, who planned out every event in his life with care and wisdom. I wonder....if now days he is asking himself, what's around the next bend?

I didn't realize when I married him how useful all those traits that Keith posses would be for me and our family in the coming years. But as I reflect on the past five or six years in particular, I'm so grateful that he is the man sitting next to me on this wild journey of building a family life.

Our life together as a couple and a developing family has been like a fast moving train winding up a mountain side. Like the one on the Polar Express. I guess that makes me one of the crazy engineers up front and Keith the calm, fun, wise conductor. Anyways, there have been times to relax, take in the view, sip hot cocoa, and sing songs. But just as we get settled in, the crazy fun begins, the train starts to wind and move faster, not knowing what's around the next bend. Fortunately for us, all good things have been waiting for us with each turn and the kids seem to be enjoying the ride.

How grateful I am to have Keith sitting beside me on this journey of life. He's calm, reassuring ways, keeps me going when things get busy around here. I know that I can trust his advice in every situation, and his support in never-ending. He takes everything in stride and can see the good in it, when I can't. I am so grateful that I can have someone good and worthy to trust and follow through life. He is the leader in our home that I can BELIEVE in.

Happy Anniversary, Keith!

Happy Day for Taryn

2010-11-27T14:36:00.003-08:00

Taryn has been so excited to turn 3. Probable because we have all convinced her that when you turn 3 your a "Big Girl" All of a sudden, she wants to be a big girl. I can't complain with a new baby coming.
Taryn is our prissy girl. She loves dress up, and pretty dresses. In fact, it's hard to get her to wear pants unless they are pink, purple or girly fashionable to her liking. She was so excited to get a new pink dress. It has now become known at the "Birthday Dress"

Because I had just had a baby, Taryn didn't get a birthday party last year, so we decided to join her 3rd Birthday with a BYU football party and kill two birds with one stone. (Pardon the expression.) Taryn was so excited to have friends come over a play, especially her best buddy Dalin Walker. She'd like to name our new baby boy after Dalin. She was really excited about the castle cake with candles. We made it EXTRA pink for Taryn this time. I also lost feeling in my three finger for a few days, from decorating the monstrosity. I have no circulation due to the pregnancy.
I believe Taryn had a happy day. We love our Tary-taryz! She is a happy, outgoing, clever little girl. I can't believe she's been with us for three years. I can't wait to see this one at a 10 year old. She's spicy and full of fun!
Happy day Taryn! We love you!

Skittles

2010-11-10T15:26:00.000-08:00

Skittles the class pet came to our house for the week.
We took Skittles to dance class, then came home to teach him a few moves.

We decided to make Halloween cookies with Skittles. Kendall offered to eat Skittle cookie for him. Taryn just likes the sprinkles.

We also put together puzzles with Skittles.
Taryn noted out, "Skittles isn't helping!"
Skittles the Slacker isn't carrying his weight with the puzzles.

Everyone is going their separate ways.

2010-11-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

Kendall's first back to preschool at Grace Methodist Children's Learning Center. This year Kendall has Ms. Marie Anne and Ms. Carie. Two great teachers. I am really going to miss Kendall every morning, but I'm sure I'll need the break when the new baby comes.

This is my favorite pictures.
Sister gotta hug!
I'm going to miss Kendall, but Taryn is going to REALLY miss Taryn. They have turned into such great friends and playmates. Hopefully Alina and Taryn can start to play together.

My sweet Taryn is so excited to started dance class. The part that she is most excited about is the tutu's and slippers. She been trying they on for a week to prepare for dance class.

Eat her up!

1st Grade

2010-11-10T12:42:00.000-08:00

The Bus Stop Gang!
So three of these kids are 3rd graders, one of these kids are 1st graders, and two of these kids are Kindergartners. Which one towers over the rest? Garrett!
I hate the first day when they hop on the bus. I worry, yet look how happy he looks.

Pretty soon Garrett is going to have to take a knew for pictures with the sisters.

My handsome Big Guy!

What do you get when you mix....

2010-11-10T12:06:00.000-08:00

Finger painting with getting snacks? A MESS!

Finger painting with cleaning the garage? Mess monsters!

And what do you get when you mix finger painting with potty training? Cuteness!

First attempts

2010-11-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

I forget to post this picture. The first day Alina started to push off the ground and stand I took this picture of her. She was so pleased with herself, she giggled until she fell over. It all happens so fast.

Ali the busy girl!

2010-11-10T11:25:00.004-08:00

What makes you think that even if you are this cute you can trash my pantry?
Stop getting into the beans and rice! Rotten baby!

Oh, the baby Alina! I don't know where the first year of your life went. You are the sweetest, easiest baby I've had, which will probable make you sibling mad when they are older and reading this. You're very content to sit and watch, or be in the mix of things. Curious about whatever your siblings are up too. Somehow you figure out how to open everything from the dishwasher, to a little jar full of money. We have started to call you "Spoon Thief" because one of you favorite pass times is pulling spoon off the table, then running ways giggling until someone chases you. You're quick to surrender your treasures with a smile!

Garrett's 7th Birthday!

2010-11-10T10:14:00.000-08:00

We decided to keep things simple for Garrett's Birthday this year since we just got back from 6 weeks in Az., and next year will be a big party year. Garrett decided that he wanted to shoot off his rocket with Dad. I don't know what's more fun watching the rocket go off, or chasing three across the yard into the neighbors yard to try and catch it before it lands.

This year Garrett wanted a strawberry pie for his Birthday. He's a boy after his Uncle Randall's heart. He also wanted to pick his own present at Toys R Us. Of course, he picked the biggest Nerf gun or missile launcher available. This summer at the Bollwinkle's he played Nerf guns with the cousins and fell in love. Nothing too exciting but he had a great day. He's already talking about next year when he gets baptized and gets a dog. We love you, Big Guy!

Cousin Elizabeth

2010-11-09T16:26:00.000-08:00

We love Elizabeth! These two cousins are two peas in a pod! They were born one week apart, but seems and look like twins. They have the same happy easy going personality. They love to play together.

I try to take pictures of them every year. This time I could really see how much they've grown up. I hope they are always buddies.

Garrett Birthday

2010-11-09T16:17:00.001-08:00

Give it 6 months

2010-11-07T13:23:00.000-08:00

Right after I had Taryn, a good friend of mine and wiser mother of 6, told me, "Give it 6 months." The whole dynamic of a family and each person's ability and life experience changes every 6 months. How TRUE!
Six months ago, when I found out or admitted that I was pregnant with number 5, Alina was seven months old, barely crawling and sitting up, being spoon feed, and crying was her only means of communication. Taryn, was 2 1/2, and not potty trained. Kendall just turned 4, and spent the whole year not really enjoying preschool or any other activity that took her away from me. Garrett was 6, independent and self sufficient for himself, but not really capable of constructively assisting the girls. We were doing okay, but I wondered how I'd have the capability to care for one more.
Now six months later, Alina is walking-running all around this house. She feeds herself, and is starting to communication and have opinions about what she likes and does not like.
Taryn is potty trained! Yippy! Her and Kendall are great friends which really helps to entertain them. Taryn has even started to play with Alina and likes to help out. The cutest thing about, Taryn that she is SO excited about the "baby monkey boy" in my belly.
Kendall LOVES preschool, and she loves to go to friends houses.
Garrett has turned into my life saver! Just this morning, I thought, I don't know what I'd do without him. Keith is out of town, and I was up with sick baby Alina all night. I finally got her to sleep about 5:30, so I was crashed this morning. Garrett brought the other two girls downstairs, made toast, and cereal for them, turned on Taryn's Max and Ruby, pulled out a blanket for everyone because it's FREEZING already, got himself ready for school and sat down to play Wii until I woke up. I LOVE that boy! I wouldn't have woke up if, sweet Taryn's movie hadn't ended so she snuck up stairs to snuggle in bed with me. Not two minutes after Taryn crawled in bed with me, I could hear Garrett outside, "Taryn come out here, I told you not to bother Mom, so she could get her rest!" He sound just like his father. Keith is training him well.
I'm not saying we run smoothly but I do think we'll survive. Who knows what the next 6 months will bring?

It's a BOY!

2010-09-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

Keith and I were convinced that it was a girl. Taryn on the other hand, was always sure that "the baby in your belly is a boy baby for Garrett!"

So you can understand why I was so caught off guard when less than two minutes into our ultrasound today the tech. casually says, "What a cute little boy!"
It took me a minute to process then I exclaimed, "Excuse me?"
"It's a little baby boy."
"Are you sure?"
"Been doing this for over 30 years, and that's a boy part."

I still asked her like two more times if she was sure it was a boy, and then I asked the Dr. that came into looks at the ultrasound if he was sure. He laughed at me, and said he was sure it was a boy.

I'm SO excited to Garrett to have brother. He says he doesn't mind having all sister and he likes being special because he's the only boy how gets to go do boy things with Dad. But a few days ago we were snuggling on the sofa talking about the baby when Garrett said, "I'd like to have a little brother."

Now the battle over picking a name begins!

What makes it feel like Fall?

2010-08-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

When you have pumpkins growing in our backyard! Ya, big fat pumpkins!

Some of the vines are struggling due to being moved because they had started to grow down into the walkout and clog the drain.

As of last count we have 13 pumpkins growing.

If the pumpkins aren't cool enough, we have tomatoes out our ears. Which is really amazing if you realize that we planted our garden, never watered or fenced it in, and left the state for 6 weeks in the dead of summer. We came back to an over grown jungle out back!

Note-I think our garden didn't get eaten up by bugs and squirrels because we have resident black snake that has made a home in the pumpkin vines.

My favorite part about the garden is the fresh, cheap salsa!

The kids LOVE to pick the carrots.

They're small but really sweet and taste, when they remember to wash them off first!

Every other day the kids go out with Kendall's pink wheel barrel to pick.

Garrett's favorite has been the snap peas!

They remind me of going to Grandpa Adams garden.

For those of you who haven't noticed.....

2010-08-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

Or haven't seen me in a few months.....YES, we are pregnant with number 5!

I'm not just still fat from the other four prenancy!

Go Diamondback!

2010-06-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

This year Keith and our good friend, Jeff Merchant coached Garrett's T-ball team at Manassas Baptist league. It was a great little team of mostly Mormon kids, so it was always fun to go to the practices and games to talk to my friends.

Garrett really improved and learned a lot. I learned that white pant on a 6 year old, plus Virginia clay equals a half a day of scrubbing in the sink.

Handsome boy!

I love these pictures of Keith coaching. Look at the focus on the pitchers face while throwing that ball with precision to first.

Super happy baby

2010-05-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

Alina is the most easy going baby we have. She's content to just sit around and watch the kids run wild. Lately I take her outside on a blank in the shade while I work in the yard. She'll roll around and play with her toys for an hour. We like this one!

Disco girl

2010-05-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

Aunt Kristal gave Ali these awesome flower power leg warmers that she wore through the winter. I just found this picture and it made me laugh. Go Disco Girl!

My favorite picture of the week

2010-04-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

So I'm finally going through all the pictures from our trip home at Christmas. I found this picture of Alina having a conversation with Grandpa Jones. Any one from the Jones family can appreciate this picture. Grandpa Jones loves to sit the kids on his lap, and sing songs and rock. My favorite songs he likes to sing is "Rocky-by, Rocky-by, Rocky-by...etc.... My kids favorite song that Grandpa sings is "All around the mulberry bush, the monkey chased the weasel.

Alina was soooo tiny and now she's a chub.

The Zoo

2010-04-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

Over Spring Break, yes back in March, we decided to take the kids to the National Zoo for a day fun. It's a great zoo. But were a little disappointed that the Hippos weren't there. The are redoing their habitat so they were away visiting another zoo. Taryn Loves hippos, and I love to hear her say hippos.

Friday Family Fun Night.

2010-04-29T08:05:00.001-07:00

About a month ago, we had tickets to go to the Jazz vs Wizards game with a few couple, but due to babysitting restraints the wives were not able to go so it turned into a father - son outing. Feeling a little left out, I decided to make our own fun at home with the girls. We rented a chick flick, and bought some bright colored nail polish, new fancy bubble bath, and pizza. Put it all together to make a great girls night in. Good times were had by all.

However, Kendall did feel a little sad that she didn't get to go out with Dad. So the next week, I took Garrett to get new summer clothes while Keith took Kendall and Taryn to the pet store to see animals and dinner at Chick-fila.

The kids think it's great to get one on one attention from one parent. Friday Family Fun Night just might stick. Plus then I don't feel so bad leaving all the kids on Saturday night for Date Night!

The Circus is in town

2010-04-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

Every year we go to the Ringling Brothers Circus at the Patriot Center because...

A. Our kids love the circus and we know that the excitement of the circus really is for little kids. Thus we've learn to tolerate the loud noises, creepy clowns, and expensive food.

B. Keith gets the tickets really cheap through George Mason, so it's a win-win for everyone.

This year we went with the Walker family and good times were had by all.

Garrett enjoyed shaking his groove thing with the performers while Taryn was a little taken back by all the excitement.

Happy Valentines Day to me.

2010-04-23T13:58:00.001-07:00

I'm behind and I' just going to start to play catch up.

Kristal took this picture and gave in to me a few years ago, but I never framed it because it was to expensive. So I decided that for Valentine's Day this year I'd have it framed for Keith and I as a reminded to go to the temple more often. I love it!

Ally is 6 months old...

2010-04-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

I can not believe six months have passed since Alina joined our family. She is such a great baby. She's normally a pretty good sleeper, but right now she's struggling because she just got her bottom front two teeth. So cute! I'm trying to get a picture, but she thinks it's a game and wiggle too much. She's has really learned to grab any and everything that is within her arms reach. She's so chubby that it's hard for her to roll over, but we're working on it. No really hair, just peach fuzz, but it looks like it's going to be reddish blondie like Taryn.

Hunkering down

2010-02-06T17:30:00.000-08:00

We missed the "Blizzard to 2009", so we had no idea what this much snow looks like. HOLY COW! It's beautifully amazing (yes, I made that up in my own little mind) to see a blizzard happen. I don't remember ever seeing that much snow. Keith will never forget shoveling 80 yards of 2 1/2 feet of snow. He's been working on it for over 4 hours and he's only about 2/3 the way finished.

Surprisingly the kids aren't driving us crazy yet, but I don't see us leaving our house any time soon. So until then homemade soup, warm cookies, floor puzzles, board games, and movies will be on the agenda.

We seem to be surviving the Blizzard of 2010, aka Snowpacalypse, quite well.

(Knock on wood. I pray we don't lose power.)

Bracing for a storm

2010-02-06T17:11:00.000-08:00

All week they have been talking about a big storm that would be coming in on Friday, but I didn't realize that it was going to cause hysteria at the stores.

Thursday morning I went to Target to pick up diapers and grab a few groceries for the weekend, and I thought, "Wow, this place is crowded for a weekday."

But then when we heard on the news how big the storm was going to be, we decided to go to Costco for pizza and to pick up a few groceries. We couldn't even find a parking place, so I ran in to grab the goods.

CRAZINESS!

There was maybe 20 packages of meat in the entire meat department. In the fruit and veggie section I had to lean down to pick out food. Apparently they were not restocking the shelves, because there were empty crate everywhere. It was like a free-for-all. Then when I realized that the line to checkout was all the way back to the freezer section. A fifteen minute wait just to check out. They had the guys from the tire department helping out at the registers. I decided to bail on waiting in that line and try my luck at Shoppers so that the kids and Keith didn't have to wait in the car.

Shoppers was no better, if fact maybe worse. I thought about what I always tell my kids,

"You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit!"

Christmas Vacation, phase II

2010-01-15T18:38:00.000-08:00

For the week before Christmas, we stayed with my sister Vonda and her family. Garrett thinks that Aunt Vonda's house is the funnest place next to Disneyland. Whether it is summer or winter, Aunt Vonda's backyard is Garrett's favorite backyard. Garrett also loves that Aunt Vonda's house is a perpetual party. There is always kids or teenagers playing in that house, and Garrett is all about the fun. But I think his favorite part about Aunt Vonda's is that everyone always feels at home in their house. It's comfortable and relaxed. I don't know how they do that, but it's great. Also Garrett loves to be roughed up by Uncle Bill.

I felt really bad because while we were staying with Vonda and Bill, we all got the stomach flu, which we gave to poor McKenna. Sorry! As luck would have it, we got the stomach flu on the same day as family pictures with Keith's family. You'll notice that Garrett is not smiling in one. and Taryn is flat out crying in most. Nice!

I love baby Alina's big eyes!

So we couldn't get Taryn to smile until Keith brought out the big doggie, we borrowed from Aunt Vonda to pacify her. I do love the crying picture too.

Kendall the poser, and Garrett the quick smiler.

Sadly these are the best that we could get with the kids sick and so little time because we showed up late. O-well! I hope my kids appreciate that I tried to take family pictures, even when I just had a baby two months ago.

I love these pictures of Gordon and Ruth's family and Collette and Justine's family. It was nice to get to know our new cousins and our cousins that we don't get to see much.

Christmas Vacation, phase I

2010-01-15T09:18:00.000-08:00

We flew into Alb. to stay with my parents and help my little sister Kristal & her family move into their new home on "J Hill" I love that my sister lives on "J Hill" or at least the side of "J Hill". They have a beautiful home and great kids. My kids would have been happy just to stay in Jo City and play with their Jo City cousins the whole vacation. We had a great time going to the park, harassing Grandpa, eating Grandma's food and going to the "Candy Store" It also was one of the only times during the vacation that I slept.

We also attend the Jo City Christmas pageant, were our two cousins were the stars of the show. Due to jet lag, Garrett slept through much of the performance but Kendall found it amazing. Only in Jo City could you reenact the manger scene, complete with all the scripture verse at the public school performance. I love Jo City! Thanks heavens for small town USA

My sweet Kendall

2010-01-12T16:31:00.000-08:00

These pictures of Kendall and I are some of my favorite. She was just the right size the fit under my big old belly.

Once again I LOVE these pictures

2010-01-12T08:46:00.000-08:00

Taryn as usual did not want to have anything to do with smiling for the camera. I love my children but they stink at smiling for a camera or even holding still.

I love these in sepia

2010-01-12T08:22:00.000-08:00

These picture almost make me want to get pregnant again.....almost.

Possibly my favorite family picture ever.

2010-01-11T12:12:00.000-08:00

I love this picture.

Denise had it framed for me as a baby shower present. It hangs above our computer so that I can see it every day. I love how this picture shows the phase of life that we are in right now. It's my favorite pictures.

I never thought I'd want to post pictures of me at my biggest weight EVER, but I LOVE these pictures. Yes, I love every one of these pictures. I hate seeing my huge body but Denise Beatty did a fantastic job making my biggness look beautiful. There I said it Big is Beautiful!

But how is it that it was sooooo beautiful to be big while I was pregnant then how quickly it turned yuck! Now I'm just a fat girl that had a baby a few months ago. Not fair!

Okay be prepared for picture overload. I love them all and I can't decided which ones to post so I posted almost all of them.

Thanks again Denise! You rock!

I'd love to take your maternity pictures for your next pregnancy? Hee-hee!

Holy Big Belly!

Nothing about pregnancy is sexy to me, but Denise made pregnancy look sexy.

Our Chick-fila Santa

2009-12-07T07:44:00.000-08:00

Here's one more reason I love my Chick-fila. Every year we go to their Santa night. We enjoy some great nuggets, a coke, a peppermint shake, and the sweetest Santa. I'm convinced that he really is Santa.

Kendall could not wait to go see Santa. She wanted to make sure he knows that she wants "a dog that swims and walks" aka the Rescue Puppy.

Taryn wanted nothing to do with Santa. They enjoyed a little face off before she ran away in fear.

Instead of asking for his two front teeth, Garrett wants to lose the other front tooth that is loose.

I love these sweet pictures with baby Alina.

Baby Ali

2009-11-27T15:15:00.002-08:00

Here's a few pictures of baby Ali that I took two weeks ago.

She's getting big so fast. The only part of her getting bigger that I like is that she has turned into a great sleeper. For two nights in a row, she has slept from 10:00 pm to 5:30 am. The blessings of a chubby baby.

We LOVE baby Alina!

It's about time....

2009-11-22T11:45:00.000-08:00

All of Garrett friends have been losing teeth, but Garrett seemed to be holding on tight to every single one of his. He was starting to get a little bummed that the Tooth Fairy wasn't paying him a visit. Then last week, he came home from school with a tooth box and complaining that it hurt to eat. Sure enough, his front tooth was loose. But he didn't want Keith or I to touch it. Frankly neither one of us want to pull it out. We're squirmish kind of people. Fortunately Garrett's best buddy's father, our neighbor, is a dentist. Friday, Garrett went over to play and eat dinner with Syler and came home with his tooth in a bag. Broath, Dr. Yen, numbed Garrett up and pulled it over the dinner table. Garrett has friends with sweet hook ups, like tooth pulling.

Garrett looks so sweet missing his front tooth. I'm hoping he looses another before we take Christmas pictures. There are very few times in one's life with missing front teeth is adorable.

Alina's first six weeks.

2009-11-22T11:08:00.000-08:00

I just realized that almost every picture I have a Alina she is either in her bouncy or car seat, so that pretty much says where she spend most of her little life.

She's good baby. Okay sleeper and eater, not my best but I'm not complaining.
I still can't decided who she looks like, Kendall or Taryn . She's a cutie!

I had hoped when she was first born that she'd be a blondie like Keith was when he was little, but I think she's going to be a strawberry blondie like Taryn.

Here's a few picture for the family that are complaining that I don't post enough pictures.

Alina is throwing the Texas Longhorn sign in a very cool way.

The other kids are still adjusting to all the attention that Alina requires. The other morning while I was sleeping, Keith woke up to all three of the older kids on the sofa quietly watching TV. Garrett had made everyone a sippy, got them a blanket and turned on the toons. If only every morning were that way.

Taryn has now resorted to pushing the beanbags together, getting her own passy, and putting herself down for a nap.

For 31 years.....

2009-11-19T07:37:00.000-08:00

I could sleep through the night perfectly in a house all by myself.

For the past 7 years, I don't get a good night's sleep unless one particular man is there with me.

For 31 years, I took care of most of my household maintenance needs by myself.

For the past 7 years, I doubt my ability to hang a picture right or maybe it's co-dependence because I just don't want to take care of things by myself.

For 31 years, the man I looked to for advise was by father.

For the past 7 years, I find it hard to make any decisions without running them past one particular man.

For 31 years, I longed to have children that were my own around me.

For the past 7 years, children seem to be multiplying like flies around this house. And love every moment of it.

For 31 years, my weekend nights were either spent on a date with some random guy trying to figure out if he was "the one", or as the third wheel on my sister's and their husband's dates.

For the past 7 years, my weekend nights are either Costco pizza with a cart full of kids, walking around dreaming of thing I want in my house, or on the most romantic nights on the town with one particular man. (It is so nice to not have to make small talk anymore over dinner on a date. It's also nice not to have to eat like a mouse.

For 31 years, I saw many wonderful sights in this beautiful world, but always wished there was some one there with me to remember the experience.

For the past 7 years, one particular man has taken me to so many wonderful and beautiful places and I'll remember every moment.

For 31 years, everything I owned could fit in the back of a truck.

For the past 7 years, I have somehow filled this 3000 square foot home with crap and one particular man endures it with patience.

For 31 years, I wondered what eternal unconditional love felt like?

For the past 7 years, one particular man has made me feel that love with every breath I take.

I love you, Keith! Happy Anniversary!

Our 2 year old Princess Lilly

2009-11-11T11:47:00.000-08:00

Happy 2nd Birthday, Taryn!

It seems like Taryn was just born yesterday, and now she's 2 and a big sister. We love our little strawberry blonde. Recently she is obsessed with wearing dress-up clothes every day. She often falls asleep with a crown on her head, so only appropriate that she wear a crown on her birthday.

We had a little family party for her the night before her birthday because Dad had to go out of town. Grandma Hatch helped up buy her a new princess bike that blows bubbles. She was so excited to ride her bike. Poor Dad had a hurry and put it together.

The sidewalks, or in our house the hardwood floors, are not safe when Taryn's on her princess mobile. You go girl!

Rainy Trick or Treating

2009-11-02T18:07:00.000-08:00

Due to the rainy weather, we let Garrett go over to friends house to party and try to do a little trick or treating.

Keith put the rain coats on the girls and took them to a two or three houses.

Alina and I stayed home for the 17 kids that actually came to our door.

Next year, we're doing Halloween better.

(Not that the kids noticed that we didn't do much this year.)

Halloween Eve

2009-11-02T17:52:00.000-08:00

This year Kendall wanted to wear a blue princess dress from Walmart, however the dress was a little too big. But no fear, Grandma Hatch was here helping with the baby and altered the dress. So I thought we were in good shape, until the night of the church Halloween Carnival and Kendall refused to put on the dress. She found this costume in the dress up box while Garrett was getting his out, and decided Minnie Mouse is what she'd like to be.

She's wearing the blue dress next year. I am not buying a new costume.

Alina made a sweet little bunny.

I bribed Garrett into using the Jedi costume I made him last year by buying him a new light saber.

He makes a great Jedi because, "He knows all the great moves."

When I was two or three my Mom dressed me up as a clown. I was okay with the outfit, but then when my Mom put make-up on my face, I burst into tears. All my Halloween picture that year are of my crying. I always wandered what happened that my Mom couldn't get me to smile for just one picture. This year was that year for Taryn.
I did her hair and told her to go get her pink princess dress. When she came back she had gotten into the dress up box, found a pink shirt, and called it good. When I went to change her into her really costume that Grandma and I had fixed to fit her, she lost it!

Being that we were going to a "church" activity, we didn't fell like it would be appropriate for her to go topless, so Keith battled her to get on the real pink princess costume.

Showering Baby Alina

2009-10-28T17:47:00.003-07:00

My dear friend Linda Warner, through me a baby shower. Even though I hate party's for me, especially when I just had a baby and am huge as a whale, it was nice to get together with good friends. Baby Alina received many adorable outfits, blankets, books, jewelry, and pictures.

Thank you all so much!

Alina's Big Day

2009-10-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

At my appointment the Tuesday before Alina was born, Dr. G. suggested we get this big ole baby out. However, I didn't want to induce until my Mom could help with kids. She flew in on Saturday night, so we went in on Sunday morning for "the gel" The gel that cause intense cramping and pain but has sent me into labor with my past two babies. Sure enough within ten minutes the intense cramping and pain began. We walked around the hallways for tow hours to encourage contractions and dilation but like all the other times, I was a 1. I decided I'd rather be miserable at home or anywhere out of the hospital, so we went for a little drive.

But once we got in the car the pains stepped up a notch. I couldn't decided what to do, so we went to get a milk shake at 31 flavors, which I never crave. While enjoying my shake I couldn't think straight to make a decision. Keith really wanted to just go back to the hospital to wait it out but I couldn't decided. So we called our good friends, who is also a OBGYN. He said you can either go home, be in pain, and have to deal with your kids, OR go back to the hospital, ask for drugs and have no pain?

Hum? I didn't think of it that way. Good call by him!

When we got back to the hospital, they hooked me up to the machines, and found out I was in active labor. I was having contractions every three minutes for forty five minutes. The gave me an epidural, broke my water, and I went to sleep. Around 9:30 pm I started to feel pain and a lot of pressure, so I told the nurse I may need a little more juice in the epidural. So Dr. Gonzalas came into check me, and I was a 10. I pushed for about 10-15 minutes. Thank heavens she was facing down!

Out came baby Alina!

At 10:10p.m. our perfect 9 pounds, 6 ounces, and 21 inches long baby girl came into this world.

The first thing I notice was her long toes, perfectly round noggin and light hair. Those first few minutes with your new child are so precious. Although I feel love for my child before they are born, it doesn't compare to that overwhelming feeling you get the first time you hold them.

We called a let our family know. The kids really wanted to come visit the baby but due to the pig flu they could only check her our through the window, so Grandma helped them make crafts for me and the new baby. I love this paper plate creation that Garrett made of me with baby Alina still in my tummy. Oh, I love that boy!

Garrett's Cow's & Corn field trip

2009-10-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Being that I just had a baby, and I've been to Cows & Corn 6 times, Keith decided he would go with Garrett on his field trip. They had a great time on the hay ride, corn maze, making butter, and learning about cows.

This is Garrett and his buddy Will. They are in the same class at school and in Sunday School. We love Will.

Yummy!l

2009-10-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a little taste of the yummy little roles I get to snuggle with everyday.

We love baby Alina. She fits in perfectly.

I didn't make my white cocoon big enough for my chubby baby with LONG legs and toes.

Kendall's first field trip

2009-10-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

Today was a very special day for Kendall. Not only did she get to go on her first field trip ever, but she also was able to share it with Grandma Hatch. They had a great time at Ticondoga Farms. They enjoyed a hayride out to the pumpkin patch. Kendall picked out the prefect pumpkin for her and her little sister who had to sit in the car with Mommy while she nursed baby Alina.

Kendall was also brave enough to go down the biggest slide all by herself. In fact she enjoyed it so much the first time she did a few more times.

Taryn joined to the class for a picnic lunch and a private tour of the farm by Grandma.

Yes, she was trying to kiss the goat through the fence. Nice!

The girls loved the Tee pee.

Crazy feet!

2009-10-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

How could such a sweet face have such crazy feet! She has finger toes.

First attempt!

2009-10-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

So here's a few pix from our first attempt at pictures of baby Alina. She was a perfect angel through the whole experience. More to come tomorrow.

I love those chubby arms. She's yummy!

So, who do you think she looks like, Kendall or Taryn?

Welcome home Alina Maurine Jones

2009-10-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

After spending the day being harassed by the Social Security lady to give my child a name before we leave the hospital, we finally settled on a name for baby number four. It's always a big stress for me to decided on a name.

I went to the hospital thinking that her name would be "Alina Reece" but Keith wasn't so hip on "Reece", so we looked up common middle names that go with Alina. "Alina Marie", sounded the best but Marie sounds like it should be a family name.

So we tried Alina Maurine Jones!

It works!

"Maurine" is Keith's mother's name.

Note that Keith really wanted to name her "Alina Catherine", so that we could nickname her "Allie Cat"

The siblings were so excited to hold her for the first time.

Kendall loves her sisters. Kendall looks so sweet with her fat lip.

Garrett was the most excited to have his sister come home. He can not keep his hands off her. In fact, I think he's more fond of her then the Wii and new playground set.

Baby number four

2009-10-12T17:36:00.000-07:00

Baby number four arrived on Sunday, October 11th at Prince William Hospital. She arrived at 10:10 pm, weighing in at a perfect 9'6 lbs, and 21 inches long. She seems to be a blonde, with finger like toes, reddish complexion and rolly thighs. Yummy!

More details later.
These are the only pictures we have right now. More later.

She looks scared to death in this picture.

Visitors for Alina

2009-10-12T17:19:00.000-07:00

Baby Alina was so excited to met her brother, sisters and Grandma, but she just couldn't stay awake.

First, Dad came by for a morning visit.

But when we asked about Grandma and the kids visiting, we were told that due to H1N1., no one but the parents are allowed in the hospital. So we decided to take advantage for the big window and Garrett's soccer practice at the field next to the hospital. The kids were so excited to she their baby sister. Alina and I felt a little like fish in a fish bowl. Don't tape on the glass.

As you can see, Garrett is in love with his new sister. However, Taryn was much less interested in her little sister sitting in Mom's arms. We'll have to work on that.

On the fifth day before child birth...

2009-10-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

Here is what I was up to.
http://denisebeattyphotography.blogspot.com/2009/10/in-full-bloom.html#comment-form
http://denisebeattyphotography.blogspot.com/ More
Most people are wise enough to do this when they are 30 - 34 weeks along so that they are glowing and not as big as a whale. But not me, I want to remember how huge I really was while bringing these adorable children into this world.
Actually between my photographer being a world traveler, end of the summer vacations and the school year beginning, the few days before I give birth is the only time we could get together.

Thanks Denise! You're a magician behind a camera.

Are we done?

2009-10-07T07:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday as I was getting ready, Garrett came in to talk to me. He was quite concerned because he had heard me on the phone say this was my last baby. (I don't know if this is my last baby, but right now I can't imagine ever being this miserable again.) So with this in his head, here's a little conversation that we had in my bedroom.

"Mom, is this really that last baby that you are going to have come out of your body?"
"I don't' know, Buddy! We'll see."
"If it is, I'm really sad, because I want a baby brother to play with."
Insert my heart breaking for him.
"Oh, buddy, even if I have another baby doesn't mean it will be a boy baby"
A moments pause.....
"Mom, to bad they don't make a machine that can look into our body and pick out the boy babys for next time you get pregnant."
"Yep, to bad it doesn't work that way. We take and love what Heavenly Father sends us."
"I love my sisters, Mom. They just aren't very good at the Wii"

Jackpot!

2009-10-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

Let me first say, that my first Jackpot was marrying Keith!

Now on with the story, back in March for my birthday, all I wanted was a play set to occupy the kids. So the hunt began for Keith. He started watching them on Craigslist, Costco, Sams, and anywhere else they sell play set. He researched how much time and energy it really takes to put one together. And we watched the kids play on set to see what kids really like on a play set.

We both settled on the one at Sams Club, but being the money minded man that Keith is, he realized that come September or October these wholesale places will need to clearance out the sets to make way for the Christmas trees. Wise man! So for the past three weeks, he has been calling, and checking by to see if they were marked down yet.
Wednesday, Keith called to check on them, here's the Jackpot! They clearance them from $1600.00 to $999.00! Raise your hands in the air and yell, "Jackpot!"

So he zoomed over there after work to find them all sold out...... expect the floor model! Here comes the next Jackpot. Keith negotiated down the floor model to $900.00 which was actually what he wanted in the first place, so that he didn't have to put the stinking thing together. Come on, say it louder, "Jackpot!"

Next he called me to see who had a truck we could use to move it in eight or nine sections. The first person I thought of was Dave Dzaran, Mrs. Handyman himself. Do you feel a Jackpot coming on? Yep, Dave owns a big ole flatbed! They moved the whole thing in one trip. Jackpot!

The arrive of this play set, I will never forget.

Let me set the scene for ya....

Early Saturday morning as Garrett and Kendall sat on the sofa playing Wii, Garrett noticed, Santa Claus (Dave Dzaran) and his sleigh pull into our neighborhood. They started to run from window to window to get the best view of the flatbed carrying the best present EVER! They could not control the excitement.

Luckily Santa's elf were big and strong enough to safely unload the precious cargo. Little did they know the day's work that lie ahead.
Kevin, Keith friend staying with us for the weekend, would be the next Jackpot. Kevin, we owe you a day's labor on our house. I'm quite sure you didn't come all the way out to DC to put a playground set together all day. Your hard work has endeared you to my children, as "Dad's best buddy that put together our play set". Thanks!

Ahh! The finished product! The kids love it! I don't know whether to call it a belated birthday present, early Christmas present, or the best pregnancy present ever! We love you Dad! You rock!

Kendall loves the glider. She'll do it for hours. Garrett loves the crow's nest and monkey bars.

Taryn loves the little fort and bench on the bottom.

Lesson on life

2009-09-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

This morning Garrett woke up with a blood nose. He gets them a lot, particular during allergy season. I was worried sending him off to school that it would be a problem, but by lunch when I didn't hear from him, I figured they had gone away. Wrong!

As I was waiting for him to walk off the bus this afternoon, I could see the bus driver waving for me to come to the bus. As Garrett started down the stairs, I saw the big tears in his eyes. He ran to me, and said, "I don't want to ever ride the bus again." Okay slow down, little guy.

Garrett explained that it was hot on the bus, so his nose started to bleed and he couldn't get to his tissues in his backpack or pocket. He's two "friends" that were sitting by him, started to make fun of him, and moved to another seat leaving him alone. They then encouraged others to say things to him like, "You're gross!" "You're sick!" and "Nobody wants to be around a bloody boy!" I know that six and seven year old boys are immature and even silly sometimes, meaning to hurt, but it still hurts when your the same age and on the other end. The two little neighbor boys that did this are never been my favorite. In fact, we don't associate with then other then riding on the bus with them for ten minutes both ways. Fortunately they are in First and Second grade, and make up good excuses for not being able to play with them. Also thank heavens started in October, their mother goes back to work and they'll be staying at the after school program. I know I'm mean but I don't like em and would LOVE to eliminate them from Garrett's life.

After calming him down and myself down. Getting his blood nose to stop. Talking a little about the situation, I decided to distract him until we both could claim down, and have Keith the voice of reason chime in. Garrett wanted to watch Scoobie Doo and I made soup. As I was stewing over Garrett's situation, I realized that he needs to have these experiences so build confidence, self esteem and understanding about how to treat other. Having a blood nose is not a bad thing and you know how to handle them when they happen, even it Mom, Dad, your teacher or any other adult it there to help you. You are a great boy no matter what other say to or about you. You need to stand up for yourself. So tomorrow you need to tell, (your friends) that what they did hurt your feelings and explain why, when and how you handle blood noses when they happen. But most importantly, I want Garrett to learn to have compassion for others with everyone else is laughing at them, whatever the reason.

Things I love right now

2009-09-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

I love that it is finally FALL

I love it when Garrett comes home and eats bananas on the counter like a monkey.

I love it when Kendall play make believe. She's great at pretending to move make believe objects around the house.

I love that Taryn still love to play with my hair, even though it is a little painful.

I love that we have a new baby coming to our house.

36 weeks and 50 lbs

2009-09-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

Decided that I needed to have a memory of how gigantic I am when pregnant, so that when my girls are pregnant, 25 years from now, I'll remember the discomfort of this blessing.

Garrett's first day of school.

2009-09-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

Garrett has been so excited to get back to school.

While I have spent the summer trying to decided what grade to put him. We started Garrett in Kindergarten at our local public school last year but pulled him out because we felt like he was too young to thrive in such a big and crazy classroom. Last year Signal Hill Elementary was taking in extra children from another school in our distract that add a high population of ESL learners, and a large classroom. I know we made the right choice, because Garrett did GREAT at Manassas Christian Academy, and ended the year with Mrs. Fowler recommending him to progress to the First Grade, but I still wasn't convinced.

I realize now that he just needed one more year of preschool or Pre-K to learn how school works. And private Christan school was just what he needed and I needed to not worry about my little guy being prepared to public school. Manassas Christian wasn't really a strong academic school but they were big into manors, rules, structure and independence. All the things that build a confident student. They made Garrett a good student, who feels good about himself.

So with that base, and after talking with multiple educators and parents that we respect, I decided to have Garrett go to Kindergarten this year at Signal Hill Elementary. And after one week at school, he thinks he's superman. Mrs. Surber loves him and lets him help the other kids since he's such a "smart boy"

This a Garrett with his buddies Julia and Anthony at the bus stop. Yes, they are 7 and 8 years old and Garrett just turned 6! Those Jones' genes are amazing!

Note: Garrett is starting the year off in size 2 shoes, 7-8 pants and shirt. Let's all take bets on what he'll be at the end of the year.

Kendall's off to Preschool

2009-09-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

Yippy! We got into Grace Children's Learning Center for preschool. We have been on the waiting list this summer, so I had pretty much given up hope when they called me the Monday before school started to let us know we had were in.

I mix up the parent orientation with the meet the teacher night and took Kendall with me. As you can see from the picture above Kendall was so excited to meet her teacher this week before school started.

(Taryn can't stand not to be in the pictures.)

On the morning of her first day of preschool she was a little shy, which is her true nature. She still did great on her first day of preschool. She loved that they had Play Doe out when she first came in. I'm one of those bad Mom's that only let my kids have Play Doe outside on nice days when I'm in a great mood, which doesn't happen often.

On Wednesday after the first day of school Kendall was a little disappointed that preschool isn't everyday. But Tuesday and Thursday is enough time away for me. She'll grow up soon enough.