Happy Birthday Lizzie!!

Wow! Six years old for this Angel. She literally is my helper, life saver, and one of my best friends. Did I mention she's also the best big sister ever! Seriously, there was a reason she was my first baby and has grown into the wonderful girl that she is. I love Lizzie so much. She is the light and life of the party always and knows how to keep it real. She's smart as a whip and loves to use her imagination, make up her own songs and will talk and sing your ears off- all day long. I wouldn't change a thing. Happy Birthday Elizabeth Rae! Mommy loves you to little, itty bitty pieces!!
Lizzie has been asking me for a Dance theme birthday party for the last six months or more. She had it planned that the family would be dancing to the dance games on the wii and there were other things I may or may not have put together for the party. I was going to have a disco ball pinata because hello, it would've been so easy to make but we had a change of plans and I didn't have time to get it together but that's okay, it was better without it. I had found some disco, light up balloons on clearance at Wal-mart and they just happened to be perfect for her ideas and so I stored em away until now. They were so fun and the kids LOVED them of course. We blacked out the window so that we could see them flash like they were meant to be seen. The kids loved that as well. What kid doesn't like a dark room with flashing balloons- I mean, come on-how cool is that. Anyway, It was my idea to come up with a dance off and have everyone participate in the tournament, which I won, by the way. So totally nerdy that I was into it that much but it made it So Much Fun! We had two separate Wii's set up-one for adults and one for kids.  The kids also had a dance off, but they didn't really follow tournament brackets like us cool adults (totally being sarcastic by the way). They just danced, whoever wanted, and then they played some fun Mario Wii games. Most of the family was around and that made it so much better. Lizzie loves any chance she gets to have her cousins here. It was a blast and a wonderful idea on Lizzie's part.

Happy Birthday Penny!

I can't believe Penny's One! I know I say this ALL THE TIME, but where did the time go?
It is a very bitter-sweet moment for me to see my baby turn one but she has blessed our family so much in this last year and blessed me in the nine months previous, with her sweet spirit and beautiful personality. She  is our sweetest Penny and I love her so much. Happy Birthday baby girl!
Penny is 30 inches tall and is "off the charts" on her weight, according to her last checkup a couple days before her birthday. She weighed 23 lbs I think. Maybe it was closer to 24, either way-she's healthy and happy. Although, she wasn't too happy this last week. She has been working on a couple of teeth on top. She has two on the bottom and when these next two finally decide to pop out it will be four-should be any day now-poor teething baby. Pretty sure she would've enjoyed her cake much better if she had been feeling good. It was a happy birthday nonetheless and a mile marker for our not-so-little, walking, smiling, Penny.

Summer Fun

I'm late posting these, but here are some summer fun things we've been up to in the months of June and July-Bikes, water games, and horses. Sorry for naked baby pictures. I couldn't resist, she's so dang cute! And I couldn't figure out how to photo shop.

Jones Reunion 2014

Panguitch Lake Campgrounds were beautiful, wonderful, and every other nice thing I could say. It was just great to be camping again. I grew up camping. I can sleep on nothing and be perfectly content under the stars and in the outdoors. It takes me back to simpler days and I can't help but appreciate the beauty of God's hands that surround me. It was bliss. Even a little, or a lot of rain in this instance, can make for some pretty spectacular camping fun. I loved it all! And being surrounded by all of my wonderful family was the cherry on top. The only thing missing from this camping trip were my running shoes.
The park/splash pad day was also a load of Fun. Kids are happiest when there's water involved and the "selfies" at night were just for giggles. My aunt Pam did a great job planning this years reunion. We're so grateful for the part she plays in all our lives. Family is the best- Love them all to pieces!!