Keeping Up with the Joneses

A glimpse into the busy and very blessed life of the Jones Family!







Thursday, November 17, 2011

Happy 3rd Birthday...


...to my precious Blake. How is it that 3 entire years have passed since that first time I laid eyes on you and got to hold you in my arms? What an incredible little guy you are and far more of a blessing than we could have ever even asked for. You are funny, spunky, sensitive, rambunctious, silly, smart, kind and sweet, playful, cuddly, learning new things everyday... you are anything and everything that is good. We are so thankful for our 2nd little boy that makes life so interesting- right when we thought we had things figured out, you came along to humble us right back into our rightful places.

Your little heart is starting to really embrace all that God has to offer at your tender little age- you ask each night for "Mommy bless me." It's something I do to speak words of truth and blessing over you- things that God promises and that I hope you hold close to your heart for always. Knowing that you love that time each night makes my heart so happy.

You still LOVE your "pop pop" (pacifier) and "nigh night." They don't stray too far from you and while it's a little unbelievable to be at age 3 and so highly attached, I know you won't be walking down the aisle with them. A little perspective goes a long way.

You are the kid that everyone meets and wants to take home with them right away. I think I've mentioned it before, but I need to have a shirt made for you that says, "Everyone wants to take me home." You are just a joyful, full of life little boy! I hope you always are!

You are loving to your baby sister and you look up to your big brother so very much. You often ask where he is during the day and are so ready for him to come home and play. I have seen more independence in you as Hunter has been in school more and it's all a good thing. You play and imagine and really get into what you are playing. I think it's precious.

You are loving cars right now, especially the movie Cars 2. You have gotten just about everything Cars 2 for your birthday and are thrilled to play with any and all of it. Of course, you are also thrilled to tote around an empty bag, so you aren't too concerned with the bells and whistles of too much yet.

Daddy and I are so proud of the little person you are growing up to be. You have a heart of gold and a personality of spunk and fun. When you are in high school, you could very well win several superlatives, but I can forsee..."Most Humorous" as your title.

As of 2 1/2 to now, you are talking up a STORM!! I love to hear you tell me, "Be cuz" for an answer to my questions or respond with "Relwee" (Really). When I tried desperately to talk you out of using the pop pop anymore with the tactic of naming everyone you know and saying, "So-and-so says no to the pop pop and so does so-and-so...." You quickly quipped back, "Well Blake says yes!"

Oh boy, my heart just overflows knowing you and loving you. You bring such additional happiness and humor to our family. You can make anything fun and silly. I need to take life lessons from you about living in the moment.

I call you "Messy Marvin" because 9 times out of 10, you are a MESS. You constantly have hair out of place, food on your face or clothes, a runny nose... Who knows, but you manage to collect dirt as you go. Wouldn't take you any other way!

Blaker Boo, Blakey, Bubba, Bubba Roo, Blakester, Blakey Blakey Bo Blakey.... Doesn't matter what we call you, we think you are the greatest 3 year old in the whole world and are so incredibly grateful to be your mom and dad!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Our very own Champ





Last year, an exciting thing happened in our family... Chris one the Club Championship. We had a great time watching him play and win last year and were so thrilled that he made it to the Championship round again this year.

So, there was no time to waste in getting our ensembles ready to show our support for our guy! The kids came up to the club for a couple of minutes to see Daddy and take some pictures in their shirts. Hunter's shirt said, "You're my champ" and Blake's said, "Go for 2 Dad" and Emily's said, "Jonesey." Chris played a great round and was ahead for much of it. At the end though, he lost on hole 17. We are so proud of him and he is a champ to all of us! Way to go!!

First Day of School



Blake had his first day of school on Monday. We LOVE his teachers and are thrilled to give Blake the opportunity like Hunter had to be a part of this school-family. It's really a sweet place to be.

He's already learned letter "A" and is very proud to tell me about his masterpiece of that letter that be brought home. He's on week 3 of potty training and doing great! I'm so proud of him. He just decided one day to wear underwear and hasn't turned back since. He's done great and while we've had a couple of accidents along the way that are frustrating, he has overall been a breeze to potty train. The accidents usually stem from Mommy forgetting to remind him.

Today, I made him a wrap for his lunch. He apparently pulled it out and told his teachers, "I don't love this." Ha! I want to remember these days so badly and know that when I blink and they are over, it will be impossible to remember what these days were like. So, this blog is a small attempt at jotting down the moments of life that are special.

Blake is really talking well these days and often checks with you by replying, "Right? Right mom?" It's so cute. When you ask him if he needs to go potty, his favorite reply is "Not yet." Today at school, he told one of the women that works at the church, "Em-lay is pwetty." He was bragging on his sister! I just love that!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Strike a pose!

All 3 had the chance to model some precious clothing for a close family friend who is opening a new children's boutique. It was fun to get to see them dressed up and the final products are so cute! I'll be buying those clothes and the photographs for sure!

Just adorable! Love her little hands in this one.


My little fraternity boys in Vineyard Vines. I must say they look incredibly handsome!


Angel girl in white! Super sweet!


--all photos credited to Robert Shaw Photography-


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R-E-D red

R-E-D red,
R-E-D red,
I can spell red,
I can spell red.
Firetrucks are red,
Stop signs are red too.
R-E-D.
R-E-D!!
(sung to the tune of "Are you sleeping?")

This week was "red" week for all of kindergarten and they topped it off with everyone wearing red on Friday. I had the opportunity to volunteer at lunch on Friday and was in the cafeteria during Hunter's lunch time. He told me to pack "tricky things to open" so that I would get to help him. How sweet is that?? Someday he won't want me with 20 feet of him much less hovering around his table getting the scoop from 4 kindergarten boys. Such sweet days!

Here he is decked in red. This is at the Ford dealership where my car spent a good deal of time this week and yet is still not repaired. Fun times! At least there's a decent playground. :-)




She liked the playground too!



A little wiped out from a busy day.



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Thursday, August 25, 2011

On pins and needles

I think we will be better next week, but as of today, we are all on pins and needles for 2:00 to roll around and have all of our little people under one roof. We haven't ventured too far from home aside from Bible study and an errand or two. My excuse today is that my car is in the shop, so we are definitely homebound. I'm hoping next week we will resume our outings and feel more "at home" with this new normal of not having Hunter with us. Boy did the summer spoil us!
This morning, we took advantage of cloudy skies and played out back. Watch out for this guy when he turns 16! He's awesome at maneuvering this car and hilarious to watch!


And here is the little bitty daredevil! Look mom!! I'm standing!!


Wait! Now I think I'll take a spin in the Escalade! Or maybe just change the radio stations.



While we are switching places, let me have a turn in the baby swing! He was so tickled by how much the branch moved when he was swinging. Sorry oak tree!


Lady E swinging away! Love the simple things.


Now, they are both napping and I am nervously awaiting my pantry raider! Boy does he come home with an appetite!


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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The little lady

This lady plays hard!


She's one crafty girl!


When she's out, she's out!


She can really fancy up!


And take it down a notch too!


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When brother is away...

We are learning how to fill our time when big brother is away at kindergarten.... Today, we played outside, rode scooters, went on a rock hunt and even climbed a tree!


Once inside, this precious middle child had the luxury of story time all on his own- I think he picked 20 books once it was all said and done. It was a sweet time to get to do that with just Blake while Emily napped.


About 10:30, Blake looked at me and asked, "Where is Huntuh? Let's go get 'em."

I know buddy, it's not the same without your sidekick! We all know who's the most excited when 2:00 rolls around!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, August 22, 2011

I got myself a Kindergartener!

Wasn't it just yesterday that we loaded up our car on a blustery December day with the most precious cargo we could ever imagine. I remember despite the gray early evening outside, pulling up to our house and thinking home had never looked so sweet. From swaddling a delicate newborn, to cheering on a crawling baby, to filming spaghetti dinners and first steps, to watching a little personality emerge and loving every single bit of it, to watching him learn to ride his bike without training wheels and learn so stinkin' fast you can't believe it, to laying out clothes for his first day of kindergarten....how could it be so soon? And yet, I feel we must have accomplished something very worthwhile to walk alongside a confident, excited and eager little boy to his new classroom without a single hesitation. His little wings and early roots seem to be working just fine today.




As a matter of fact, when he walked out to my car grinning ear to ear this afternoon and I asked what his favorite part of the day was, he replied, "Everything!"

I sure hope he knows that's the same way I feel about him!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Life according to iPhone pics

Seems more and more I am relying on my phone to
capture the moments of daily life. So here's a glimpse of what has been going on with us.
A day at the lake at LBJ Marina going down the slide.


Eating chocolate chip cookies on the porch during an unexpected and very needed rainstorm.


A cute pic of hunter painted like a pirate in Watercolor.


Blakey and Emmy ready to ride the train.



All 3 sliding at the playground.


5 of the 7 grandkids in Austin.


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