Merry Christmas 2007

We sure have been enjoying the Christmas Holiday. The boys finished up with school on Tuesday the 18th. On Wednesday, (after sleeping in) we decided to go do a secret Santa good deed. We have a neighbor who had tons of leaves and sticks in their front yard so we thought we would clean them up. The boys worked very hard and after two hours or more the yard looked great. After totally filling the truck with bags of leaves and sticks, the thought came to me of now what were we going to do with this stuff??

Thursday, Dustin played basketball at the ASU Convocation Center in the NEA Tournament. His team didn't win but it was fun seeing him play in the big arena. On Friday, we went to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks". The boys thought it was hilarious - I wouldn't say hilarious but it was cute. I think they liked the "Refillable" popcorn tub and giant soda that we got the best.

After the movie, Dustin met us (he had had basketball practice) at Colton's Steak House for a fun dinner. On Sunday after church, we went and delivered goodies to our neighbors. I told the boys they could sing a Christmas Carol too but they decided to hand out the goodies and run. Monday morning, Christmas Eve, we went out to eat breakfast at Cracker Barrel. This is a new tradition that we started with our friends, the Calvins and Hatfields, two years ago. Last year, Christmas Eve was on Sunday so we didn't get to do it. I think the boys were more excited to play checkers then they were to eat.


The rest of Christmas Eve day we spent getting ready for Nana, Papa and Uncle Bill to arrive. That evening we went to Barry's family's house for dinner and presents. Barry's brother was in charge of the grilling - lots of steaks!




After dinner, before we tore into our presents I helped the little kids put on the Christmas story. Barry read from the Bible while the kids acted out the parts. It was very cute and a good reminder of what Christmas is all about.

Then it was PRESENT time!

A guest appearance by Hannah Montana (aka Shay)


Christmas morning finally arrived. The boys waited patiently on the steps for Dustin to wake up. Sixteen year olds are not quite as excited about Santa coming as the younger ones were.

We had a good breakfast and then finally everyone was awake and we went into the living room to open presents. We were happy to have Nana, Papa and Uncle Bill visiting us for Christmas.

After all of the presents were opened, everyone scattered to different areas of the house to play, play, play.

Tanner got a "Forest Retreat" Set.

Corey got a new PlayStation II basketball game and also Guitar Hero which everyone has been trying out.

Kannon and Papa played several games of Super Hero Yahtzee.

Tanner and Kannon each got Valley View Blazer jerseys so they went outside for a basketball game to try them out.

We had a wonderful Christmas. We loved spending time with many friends and family. We missed those family and friends that live off but we enjoyed presents, cards, and phone cards from them. We are grateful for all of the blessings we have and especially grateful for our knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ. We hope to keep the Spirit of Christmas with us throughout the year.

Christmas Parties

With the holiday season, comes parties! Our Ward Party was last Friday. We had a pot-luck dinner with a visit from Santa. Then the Primary put on the Christmas Story. Corey was a King, Tanner a Shepherd and Kannon an Angel. They all did a nice job.

Tanner had his school party on Friday morning. They made reindeer food,

ate lots of goodies, sang songs and

played musical chairs.(I hate that game - half of the kids cried when they got out)

Tanner is enjoying 1st grade this year. His teacher is very nice and thinks that Tanner is such a sweet boy.

Kannon had his Preschool Party today. We played "Pin the Star on the Tree", Hot-Jingle Bell, made a painted ornament, and of course ate goodies.

Corey got to go to the movie for his party. They also got to get popcorn and soda which is his favorite thing. He said he had a great time. We are definitely enjoying the holiday time!

Buttons

We got to have a visitor in our home over the last week. Some friends from church went to Utah for a visit and needed someone to "kitten-sit" their cat. Tanner was more then happy to volunteer. Tanner was very good about cleaning out the litter box and feeding Buttons each day. I had forgotten how frisky kittens are. The kids had a ball chasing and running around the house with the kitten on their heels. She loved to hide under the couch and jump out onto whoever walked by. We enjoyed our little visitor.

Getting Ready for Christmas

We are excited for the Holiday Season to be here. We have been busy around our house getting things ready for Christmas. Kannon was in charge of helping Barry with the outside lights. He was very proud of how nice it turned out.

We finally found a day that we could all make the trip to the Christmas Tree Farm in Goobertown to get our tree. This has turned out to be one of our favorite Christmas Traditions. We rushed up on a Wednesday after Dustin finished with ball practice. It was raining and cold but we all just put on our boots and headed off. Kannon found his tree right away. We decided we wanted something a little bigger though.

I think this was the one we chose.

Then it was time for "Hot Cocoa" while we waited for them to get the tree cut down and ready to go.

Once we got the tree home, Barry, Kannon and Tanner put it up and got the lights on while the rest of us were at Young Women and Young Men. Then I was in charge of the decorating. We sure love having a real tree even though it can be a little trouble.

Another tradition we have is watching "Mr. Kruger's Christmas" each year in December for family home evening. We usually then make Christmas cookies but this year we made a Gingerbread House. It was fun but very hard for the boys to not eat all of the candy. I told them on Christmas Day we would eat whatever was still edible. :)



I sure love the Christmas Season because of all of the fun family time that we have.

Cub Scouts

Corey and Tanner have been busy with Cub Scouts this Fall. Tanner is a Tiger Cub and is in a Scout Pack through Valley View. Last night they had a field trip to the Fire Station.

Checking out the inside of the Fire Truck.

Kannon had fun on the Field Trip too!

Tannon has earned his Bobcat and has done over half of his Tiger Cub Requirements. All of the boys in his pack are 1st graders at Valley View which makes it fun. They are walking in the Jonesboro Christmas parade next week and then they have a Christmas Dinner and Party the following week.

Corey received his Bear Badge in October and now is working on his Weeblos Rank. He goes to Cub Scouts three times a month at the church. He enjoys all of the activities that they do each time.

Thanksgiving Activities

Kannon had fun this past week learning about Thanksgiving at Preschool. For "I" day we read stories about Indians and made feather headbands.

For "I" day we also ate ice cream and had an ice cube melting contest.

The kids had to melt an ice cube as quickly as they could without taking it out of the bag. Some sat on it, put it under their arm, rubbed it between their hands, and Kannon tried blowing on his. Everyone had fun!

We also learned about the Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving.

We all had a nice relaxing Thanksgiving. We sure are thankful for all of our family and friends. We are thankful to be healthy and to live in this great country. We hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Basketball Season

Basketball season has started for Corey and Dustin. Corey is playing 5th Grade Intramurals at Valley View. He has really done great this season. His team is 6-0 with just two more games to go this week. He has scored several baskets, blocked a few shots, and got some rebounds. He is getting much more aggressive and even fouled someone the other night. We sure enjoy watching him play and are proud of how much he has improved.

Dustin's team has just played three games so far and they are 2-1. They lost a close game to Westside Tuesday night. It is alittle different to see Dustin in "Blue" but he is doing a great job. He is really a leader out on the court.

Calling out the line-up at the Westside game.

Dustin is number 30 this year.

Tanner starts his season at the YMCA this week. This will be his first time to play basketball so he is really excited. We sure enjoy going to ballgames as a family and watching the boys play ball. Kannon keeps asking, "When is my game, mom?" It won't be long until he is playing too.

The Elf Dance

Check out the Jones' boys getting in the Holiday Spirit!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9576197470

The Zoo

We had a Stake Conference session on Saturday night in Memphis so we decided to go down for the day to the Zoo. The weather was beautiful and the kids are always up for a trip to the zoo. The animals were all so active it was awesome. The big cats were really up and about. The three tigers were running and jumping on each other and just playing. The elephant came right over to the trainer who was standing and talking to us. The polar bear was swimming around in his pool and the giant python snake that Corey loves to see had just been given his lunch for the week or month - a 40 pound pig! Yuck! We didn't stick around to watch him eat it. It was a great day at the zoo!

Barry's favorite animal

My favorite animal

Ready to watch the Panda movie

Sharing a Tropical Snow :)

Kannon was constantly posing and saying "take my picture mom". Here is a cute one of him in the China exhibit.

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

The Arkansas State University Museum (where I work part-time) had a "Day of the Dead" celebration on Friday night. This is a tradition that originated with the Aztec and Maya and is still practiced in many countries today. It is a day to remember those who you love that have died. There was music, food, crafts, and Trick or Treating in the Gallery. The boys had fun making clay skeletons, tissue paper flowers, decorating masks, eating Mexican treats, and of course more Trick or Treating.

The boys also played in the new Earthquake exhibit while we were at the museum.