November Happenings

Basketball season has started for Dustin. His team should be pretty good. We sure enjoy watching Dustin play.

Dustin in action


At the Elementary school, the students earn "Blazer Bucks" for following directions and doing kind things. At the end of each month, if they have ten "blazer bucks" they get to go to a special activity. November's activity was called "Blazer Blast" and the high school basketball players, cheerleaders, dance team and band all came over and hung out with the students. Kannon thought that was so cool that his big brother got to come over and shake hands with all of the kids. The cheerleaders performed and the band played. It was a fun activity. I think the ball players felt pretty special with all these kids screaming and waving at them and asking for autographs.



Kannon had a cute Thanksgiving program at school. They all dressed like Indians and sang several Thanksgiving songs.

Making his Indian shirt

Ready for the Program

Grandmama was able to come and see both Kannon and Shay perform.

For Thanksgiving, Dustin and I went to Mountain Home to spend a few days with Nana and Papa. Barry took the other boys to Big Island with all of the other guys in the Jones family. This was Kannon's first time going and he had a fun time. Barry's dad loves having all of his sons and grandsons there with him.

Ready for the big Hunt :)

I love Thanksgiving time. Good food and family. We all enjoyed having a few days off and spending time with family. I feel very grateful for all of the blessings that I have - family and friends are definitely at the top of my list. I hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Future Red Wolf

Dustin has decided to go to Arkansas State University next year. He signed to play baseball for them on a full scholarship. We are very proud of him and are excited that we will be able to see him play college ball.

There was a "signing" reception for Dustin at his High School. The newspaper and local t.v were there to cover the event. The little brothers were very excited.

It's official! Go ASU Red Wolves

October Wrap Up

October was a busy month with school and other activities. The weather was nice Fall weather which allowed for a trip to the Zoo and a hike or two. We have been anxiously awaiting the opening of the Teton Trek at the Memphis Zoo. It opened the beginning of October. It is the new home for grizzly bears, wolves, trumpeter swans and elk. It is a wonderful exhibit.


This is the lodge at the entrance to the exhibit that is patterned after the "Big Lodge" in Yellowstone. It even has an "Old Faithful" geyser out front.

All of the animal statues were dressed in costumes for Halloween.

One Saturday, we decided to go to Crowley"s Ridge State Park for an afternoon hike and picnic. We had a fun day exploring the new hiking trails.

Homecoming Week at school was a fun week for everyone. Corey entered the Air-Guitar contest they had during a pep rally and he got 2nd place. He thought that was great.

At half time of the football game, the baseball team received their State Championship rings for baseball. Then Dustin and Amy went to the dance after the game.

Kannon was so excited to be the "Star Student" during October. He made a poster all about him to share with his class. He got to be the "Teacher's Helper" and also each of the students filled out a page about him to put into a book. All of the kids mentioned they liked how Kannon smiled and how they were so happy when he played with them. He is a pretty smiley, happy boy. We are proud of you Kannon!

Trick or Treat

We had a fun Halloween! Free candy - what is not fun about that! We had soup and goodies at Barry's mom's house around 4:00. Then Barry and I went to the State Volleyball Finals at ASU. Valley View and Westside were playing. Big Rivals! Westside won this year unfortunately. We then went back and got the boys and went Trick or Treating. They got gobs of candy. Tanner said, "I think this will last me all week". More like all year :)

Happy Halloween!

50's Day

Kannon had his 50's day dress up last week. Actually the whole school dressed up as a part of our Red Ribbon week. The kindergarten got to do fun activities all morning. They hula hooped in the gym, did the limbo and had root beer floats in the cafeteria and had a bubble gum blowing contest and a sock hop in their classroom. Each class picked a best dressed from their classroom and Kannon was picked from his room.

Kannon trying to hula hoop

Doing the limbo

Kannon and his teacher, Mrs. Schulte.

What a fun day!

Trip to Utah

Barry and Dustin took a trip out to Utah to visit BYU and to talk with the baseball coach. Dustin is trying to decide where he would like to go to school next year. He really wants to go somewhere to play baseball. They had a great trip and enjoyed visiting with family and friends. On Friday, they visited with the coach and toured all the facilities. They also took an academic tour of the school. That night they got to visit with the Calvin Family who used to live here in Jonesboro. Saturday they went to the BYU Football Homecoming game. It happened to be the location of ESPN Game Day so it was really a big deal. On Sunday, Jamie took them around Park City and Salt Lake City and showed them all of the sites. They enjoyed staying with Tracey and her family and getting to catch up with them.

The "Y"


The baseball stadium

Hannah and Spencer Calvin

Kannon was very jealous that he didn't get to go visit with the Calvins - he misses his friend Emma

ESPN Set-up



BYU lost the football game but Barry and Dustin still had a fun day at the game.

Jamie spent Sunday with Barry and Dustin doing a little sight seeing.

BYU is a beautiful campus and I think that Dustin was pretty impressed. That would be fun to have him be a BYU Cougar!

Halloween Family Home Evening

We all look forward to October so we can have our annual "Halloween FHE". This year each of the boys painted pumpkins along with the big carved one. Corey could get extra points in math if he brought in a painted pumpkin so we jumped on that chance. We also make "Ghost" cookies and dipped pretzels.

We are now officially ready for Halloween.

Primary Program

Kannon and Tanner had their Primary Program last month. This was the first year that Corey was not a part of it. Like always, the program was wonderful. Definitely my favorite meeting of the year. Kannon was given the assignment to share his testimony on families. We wrote up what he wanted to say and then he learned it. He and Tanner both did a great job!

State Tennis

Dustin and his doubles partner got 2nd in the conference tournament which qualified them to go to the State Tennis Tournament last month. Two other players also qualified from Valley View. Dustin and Aaron lost their first match but I think they had fun missing two days of school and staying in a hotel. One Valley View guy did make it to the finals in singles. Dustin has enjoyed playing tennis these last few years. For the amount of practice he puts in - he does pretty well.

Happpy Birthday Kannon

Kannon turned 6 on Saturday, September 5th!! We had cake and presents at Nana and Papa's house that night. He got a new DS game that all the boys enjoyed.

We then had another party with more cake and more presents at our house with Barry's family this past weekend.

Kannon had a fun week of celebrating. What a sweet fun boy he is! He makes all of us smile and he is always smiling. Now that he is in kindergarten he seems so grown up. My baby is growing up :( Happy Birthday Kannon!! We love you!

Labor Day Weekend

We had a fun Labor Day weekend at the Lake with Nana and Papa. This was the first time all summer that we had all been at the Lake. Dustin and Amy met up with some friends on Saturday with a ski boat and had fun wake boarding all day. The rest of us went out on the pontoon for a swim. The boys had fun jumping off the boat.

Sunday was a relaxing day with church, naps, football and then a bon-fire that night. Nana loves those bon-fires. I love those s'mores!

Monday we all went out on the boat in the morning. The boys tried out the tube and loved it. Kannon was the first one to try it. He wasn't a bit scared. Beautiful day on the lake!

We packed up that afternoon and headed home. We sure enjoyed our weekend with Nana and Papa.

1st Day of School

Wednesday the 19th was the first day of school. Everyone had on new clothes, shoes, backpacks, socks - the whole works. We were all excited to start a new year.


Kannon ready for Kindergarten


Tanner ready for 3rd grade

Corey ready for 7th grade

Dustin is ready for 12th grade but was not ready for a picture.

The first day was very busy. I had to be on duty at 7:15 a.m. I think it was after 5:00 when we all got home. A long day but a good one for everyone.

Kannon and a new friend, Rubin, at a school assembly on Friday. It is going to be nice to be at school with Kannon so that I can see him throughout the day. He loved the assembly. The cheerleaders were there and everyone was dancing and cheering. You know Kannon with dancing - he was having a fun day.