Family Photo Shoot

My cousin Heather took a bunch of photos of us while we were visiting for Thanksgiving. I've put too many on here already--I just keep finding more that I like. Thanks Hefe!

Random Birthday/Christmas Fun

We had an early birthday party for Gabe during preschool last week. Here are the NINE three year-olds celebrating with Gabe! Rock stars--Janessa, Gwyn, Talon, Gabe

That night was Asher's Christmas concert. I'm including a shot of him playing the drums.

And we have to have a picture of Bridget's coat. She LOVES this coat. If we want her to be happy when she's not we can do one of two things: put her in the bath, or let her wear the "fat" coat!

G-ma and G-pa Jones

We're giving Grandma and Grandpa Jones a digital photo frame for Christmas, so we decided to take a few pictures of them with the great-grandkids to go on it. The kids love having them nearby, and it's great that they are so close to their great-grandparents--not many kids have that opportunity. Grandpa was just diagnosed with Alzheimers and is having a hard time, but he (almost!) always loves to see the kids, especially Gabe and Jonah:0). Gabe wouldn't smile so they both are doing mad faces. Grandpa's helping Gabe replace batteries in his camera.

Grandma loves to read to the kids...and make them food!

More madness....

The Piano

Sydney and Asher have been taking piano lessons since the beginning of the school year, and their teacher kindly convinced me that they really needed a decent piano (especially Syd--the one we have is fine for learning on). I didn't plan to buy one that was this decent. I checked craigslist.com everyday for used pianos, and this one seemed too good to be true. Patrice, our piano teacher, came with me to check it out and she said it was well worth the money the lady was asking--she had gotten divorced and this was sitting at her ex-husband's home and she needed some quick cash. I felt so sorry for her--she cried and cried as the movers took it away, but she said she felt better knowing it was going to a family with children who love music. Now it takes up my whole front room, but I love it. As long as my kids actually play it, it will be well worth it. Merry Christmas to us! And here we are that night making our traditional Christmas tree ice cream cones for the elves.

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving dinner was held at the Jones' home this year. We started the day with flag football--Steve took Sydney, Asher, and Jonah to my friend Robyn's family's house for football with the "pros." Then we went to the park by my parents' house and played our own family version of football--not so "pro"! Here's a picture of the kids' table Bridge and Jenevieve

Bridge and Jen eating off of Jay's high chair.

And that's it for pictures. We also went to Grandma and Grandpa Layton's, hung out at the Walker's house, did a little shopping... Fun times, short trip!

Disneyland!

We keep reminding our kids of what a fun year we've had this year--Disneyland twice! Wow, we're really living it up! I have a feeling 2009 might not be quite so extravagent! Our November Disneyland trip was so nice--beautiful weather, short lines, family togetherness...We went with my parents, the Swoggers, and the Dave and Myndie Tullis family (altogether we had 10 redheads, and yes, I did count myself!). I must say the kids were surprisingly good--even Bridget who knows how to walk this time wasn't too difficult. And Gabe was actually more manageable--he didn't run away or get lost at all. Of course we had a few meltdowns and injuries, but all in all it was very pleasant--even Steve would have to admit that:0). We saw Minnie first thing on the first day--so exciting!
It was my birthday so Steve kept taking pictures of me--lucky for you all...

Bridgie didn't like the princess Minnie hat

Bridgie's first Dumbo ride--she kept tying to jump out!

Teacups--an odd but fun combination riding together:0)

Awwww, love. Not one of our kids got chosen for the Jedi training:(

Always have to get a few pictures by the big ball.

The snow-covered castle at night. It was decorated for Christmas, but it felt like Spring!

This is the rope Jonah clotheslined himself on. He tried to run after Bridget and didn't see the rope--it got him right in the neck and he fell on the cement, poor guy. It did leave an impressive rope burn.

Here's the scariest ride ever--the caterpillar in "Bug's Life"

More Bug's Life fun with cousins. It was so fun to have Dave and Myndie along--Sydney and Asher don't have any first cousins on the Jones side their ages, but the Tullis kids are genetic step half cousins, right? Good enough!

Not sure why we didn't take more pictures of the Tullis/Layton cousins, but here's a shot of the back-ends...

Ruby and Ash finding shade by the Christmas tree

Horsy ride

We loved Sleeping Beauty. She told Bridget she had the same color hair as her best friend Ariel.

A picture of the picture they took on Splash Mountain. We went over and over again without even getting off--there were no lines!

Baby Jay was a good little sport too, with his wide eyes all day!

Sleepy girl

classic Gabe face

I love that Ash isn't too cool yet for Winnie the Pooh!:0)

Steve's self portrait on Thunder Mountain.

Good times!