When life throws you lemons....

....make Thanksgiving dinner!

Early Wednesday morning, it became apparent that our plans for Thanksgiving were going to change- no travel for us. Hunter woke up in the middle of the night sick to his stomach and we knew we couldn't risk passing it on. So, on Wednesday morning, I decided to make the best of our situation. Even with my family in town and an invitation to join them for lunch, I knew we needed to stay home just in case. So I set out for HEB after lunch on Wednesday and shopped for a full Thanksgiving meal- my first to ever make!

That afternoon, I busied myself in the kitchen and had so much fun preparing a special meal for my family. Today was wonderful in it's own special way. It's always so fun to be with extended family, but the sweetness of today was being with my own little crew. We sat at the table after a morning of preparation, play and just being together and said what we were thankful for. Chris said a precious and heartfelt blessing that summed up my feelings exactly and we enjoyed full plates and full tummies. This year has been like so many- full of tremendous blessings and I do not want to ever take them for granted. Today was another lesson of plans changed- sometimes our best laid plans are not to be. Thankfully, we are one step ahead in decorating for Christmas, we have delicious leftovers in the fridge and a memory that will not fade of one of my most special Thanksgivings.

Our family of 5 (pardon Chris' stache- he is still growing it for charity this month)

My first turkey

My nearly 5 month old turkey (she weighed as much as the turkey I bought- 13 lbs!)

Waiting for the big meal

All dressed up with nowhere to go (literally)

Had to add this... yesterday, Emily had her first taste of rice cereal and loved it!


Speaking for our family I can say that we are so thankful for all of the people who make our lives so incredibly special and wonderful. Today was a special and precious day for our family and we loved being together just the five of us. I can't think of anything I would have loved more.

2nd Annual Jones Family Beach Va-cay!

We are back from our 2nd Annual trip to Port A. We had a great time! The boys both love the water and the sand and basically everything that goes into a beach trip. My dream is to one day have a place at the coast. Someday!

I really didn't take too many pictures like I usually do. It's hard to get your camera out with all of the water and sand, but here's what I did get...

Here's my 10 month old baby boy and I the first day out at the beach. He's not really looking at the camera, but seriously, it's so rare for me to be in a picture, I had to include it.

This is me taking our picture. Not the best angle to get Blake's face!

Chris and Hunter- isn't it a neat picture with the sunlight?

Baby boy needs a bath!

Bubba roo loves himself some bathtime when Big Brother isn't hogging the front. I feel I need to tell Kristin sorry for all the baths that I hogged the front. Those poor 2nd children.

Hunter having a "ball" in the pool at Port Royal. He loved that he could stand and was like a little fish. Thank you swimming lessons!

Blake in the boat- truly this was a lifesaver. It kept him out of the sand, saved me from having to hold him the whole time and he loved pulling up on the sides.

The boys in the boat- as you can see, they loved every minute of it.

Hunter getting his feet buried. See, I really did not get great pictures of him. He does not like the camera much these days.

This is a beach tradition. I took a picture with Blake this trip...

...to do like I did here with Hunter back in 2006.

THE COAST TRIP

A last minute adventure is always fun! Sarah and I loaded up the kids while the boys were in their annual Beeville golf tournament and roadtripped it down to Port A.

48 hours worth of gear successfully loaded...

3 children ready to go....

1 baby boy thrilled to be at the beach...

2 boys having fun in the sun....

2 Anderson girls loving every minute....

3 Beach Bums....

1 Lone Star State boy enjoying snack time...

And finally, my ONE little guy that let me take his picture all the time...

Just can't resist...

...comparing pictures of the boys at the same age doing the same thing. It's just too fun.
No guessing needed on this since Hunter's initial is loud and clear on his little outfit. That outfit of his was probably the outfit that I truly got my money's worth. He wore the heck out of it and I'm glad he did since it's a little limiting with a big blue "H" on it. I honestly spent time thinking up "H" names this time around for the sole purpose of another baby being able to wear that. Isn't that ridiculous? Anyway, here is Hunter jumping in May 2006 at 5 months old.

Here is little bro doing the same thing at the same age. In all honesty, they look nothing alike to me in these two pictures. (It's probably the lighting differences in the pictures, but I truly did not think it was possible to have a more fair child than Hunter and in this picture, Blake takes the cake. I'm already stocking up on the sunscreen.)

The other day, we went with some friends to the Quadrangle at Fort Sam Houston and fed the animals. Unfortunately, not one single one of us moms noticed a sign that said "Do NOT feed the animals bread." Those precious little things probably downed at least a loaf or two from our crowd. Oops. I sure hope they are all still alive and kicking!
Here is Hunter feeding a deer. He thought it was awesome that they would come so close to you.

Notice his individual style... shorts and cowboy boots. It's a very common theme around here and we get lots of smiles from strangers. They either think it's cute or sad that his mama doesn't seem to have much control. Just to set the record straight, I don't think it's hurting anyone and he is pretty darn cute!

Hunter looks like he's shaking his tail feathers for the peacock!


Two updates in one day! Wow! Don't miss the one about Blake being 5 months old!

Where does the time go???

(Updated with more pictures)



Blake is 5 months old tomorrow! It is so hard to believe that it was almost
5 months ago that he made his grand entrance into the world. In some ways, it seems like yesterday and in other ways, it seems like a long time ago. I was looking at a picture of him the other day and was thinking what I had imagined that he would look like. I realized that he looks exactly how I would have pictured him to- either that or he is so perfectly "Blake" to me that I cannot even imagine him being any other way. I love having him as a part of our family.

I have always been a journal person. It's almost excruciating to go back and read things I wrote about in high school or college, but it's a treasure to have the journals I have kept for my kids. I didn't really journal once I got married for one reason or another, but picked it up immediately when I found out I was expecting Hunter. So, the spring of 2005 at the age of 25, there I was journaling 2-3 times a week about everything that was going on. I LOVE to look back and read about my pregnancy, the things I was thinking about, how we prepared, etc. Then, once Hunter arrived, I was even more diligent about writing down things he did, what his schedule was at certain times, fun things we were doing, his milestones, etc. Of course, with Blake I continued and bought a new journal to write down my experience of being pregnant with him. I don't have the best memory, so I enjoyed looking back at Hunter's and comparing. The real irony of this is that my boys probably will not care less about all the time I expended making sure all of their memories were written down. Oh well! I laugh and tell Chris that he can read my journals to me when we are old and gray and I will certainly love it. I already do enjoy looking back and saying, "Back in April of 2006, when Hunter was 4 months, he was doing this and that, and then in April 2007, he was doing this...."

Anyway, the 2 journal thing is really tough. I can't seem to keep up with it as I would like to. Therefore, the blog takes on a whole new meaning to me in preserving our memories. I love that I can post stories and pictures so easily and look back whenever I want to.

So, on that note...

Blake, you are so precious at 5 months. You get more and more fun by the day. Here are some of the things you are up to...

* You grin at just about anyone and anything. I've never met a baby that just flashes those gummy grins so much. It melts my heart.

* When you do cry, you sound like a baby lion. You kind of roar with your cry. It's very manly! Sometimes when I hear you get going on the baby monitor, I kind of laugh because it's very entertaining.

* You also will "roar" at me when I play, "I'm gonna get you." It's fun to really interact with you.

* You love your pacifier and it often soothes you. However, if you are hungry, you see it as the biggest insult for me to put that thing in your mouth and will spit it about 2 feet. Again, too funny to watch you have a little tantrum.

* You LOVE to watch Hunter do just about anything. He is your ultimate entertainment and I bet will continue to be for a long time. You just focus on him and watch with great concentration.

* Hunter LOVES you more than I could have ever imagined. He loves to talk to you and soothe you. He tells me that he will "Take care of Baby Bwake" when we are in the car and you get upset. It's precious and you usually calm down when Big Brother is in charge.

* You are down by 8:00 each night, up around 1 or 2 to eat and then up between 6 and 7. It's not too bad, but we are working on stretching that out again. I do only feed you for 5 minutes, so we are getting there.

* You've been doing rice cereal for about 2 weeks now and you are doing great. You are starting to open your mouth in anticipation for the spoon and remind me of a little baby bird. You do manage to get some down it seems like to me. For some reason, this time around, your daddy and I are itching to give you real food. I keep reminding myself that there is plently of time to let you taste the good stuff!

* You reach for toys and bring EVERYTHING to your mouth. Anything within your reach is yours these days.

* You have this silly game you play where you pull your pacifier out of your mouth and then stare at it in your hand. Then you try and try to get it back into your mouth- sometimes you are successful and sometimes not. As soon as it gets back in your mouth you do it all over again.

* You are on the go a lot and do really well. Much like your brother, we keep on going and you just come with us. He was always a great sport and so far, you are too. You will take a formula bottle if we are out and about and really are okay with that. Thank you for that! I owe ya!

* You laugh and chuckle at me and I cannot tell you what a spirit lifter that is. I love to hear you laugh!

* You have the cutest toes and laugh the whole way through "This little Piggy." Everytime!

* You are great on your tummy and push up like a pro. The sitting thing is getting there too. You are stronger and stronger all of the time.

* Something that is totally "Blake" is that you play with your tongue all the time. You cannot smile without sticking out your tongue. A lot of times, we laugh because your mouth is wide open and your tongue is sticking out about as far as it can go. It's the silliest and sweetest little thing that you do.


Daddy is imitating your look.

* Your favorite book right now is "Millie Moo" with all of the bright colors and crazy illustrations. You love it when I read it with exaggerated expression and coo and reach for the pictures.

* The Exersaucer is a fun activity these days too. You are intent on getting every last one of those toys in your mouth.

* The jumper... oh how we love to watch you starting to get your bearing in that. I know before too long you will be going to town jumping.


I love you little one! Thanks for being such a precious and sweet baby.

He is Risen!! Easter 2009!

We started off the Easter weekend at the lake with my family. We enjoyed just being together and it was all in all very relaxing. The weather was a little on the cooler side, so while Chris and Hunter fished outside, Blake and I played inside. A couple of days before the weekend, I posed the boys in the backyard in their matching shirt/outfit and snapped a couple of pictures. Blake loves being outside!!


This picture was made possible by bribing Hunter with a piece of gum waiting for him inside. You should see the other attempts- the faces Hunter is making in them are hilarious.

For those of you who don't know... the Easter bunny comes to the lake the day BEFORE Easter. Since we were leaving on Easter Sunday for Waco, the Easter bunny made a special appearance on Saturday and left behind all sorts of goodies in the front yard. Hunter had fun hunting, but I do have to say that his speed increased greatly when there was competition once he was with the other grandkids in Waco. We can call this picture, "Strolling for Easter eggs."

Still strolling...

And this one is "Oops, I stepped in doggy doo!" Yuck!

Talk about excruciating... The four oldest grandkids were standing at the bottom of the steps ready to take off, but we all insisted on taking their pictures. This reminds me of the days when it was Christmas morning and my mom insisted on rolling our hair before we could go out and see what Santa brought. This picture should be called, "Enough already... We're ready to hunt!!"

He's off and running!

Hunter posing with his cousin, Savanna.

Chris and Blake helped out by spotting eggs for Hunter while I videoed and took pictures.

Blake and the bunny. :)

Julie and Blake having fun!

Aunt Susan, aka the Easter bunny, and Savanna on a gorgeous Easter Sunday.

A lot of fun with cascarones! Combine breaking something, especially on someone's head, lots of mess, and the sheer joy of catching someone off guard and you have a recipe for a great time in Aunt Susan's yard. I think we all trailed around little bits of confetti the rest of the day. I was even changing Blake's clothes this morning and found a stray confetti piece on his tummy. Good times!


Although our weekend was lots of fun with family, we are sad that Dana is back in the hospital. We did get to visit her in the rehab hospital, but within the next hour they had her back to the other hospital to investigate a new infection. We are praying that this is a short-lived set back, as she was doing so great in rehab last week. As we were leaving last night from Waco to travel back to San Antonio, we made a quick stop for dinner. Hunter was asking to be able to go back to the "hostibal" to see Mimi so we let him call her on the phone. He's not the best conversationalist on the phone, but he did get to talk to her and that made him a little happier. He's asked several times today to be able to see her, and when I said she was not feeling so good, he reminded me that "Yesterday, at the monster truck show, I frew-up on my Star Wars shirt." Let's just say that he has a fabulous memory, as that really did happen, but it was back in January I think. Therefore, he uses the term "Yesterday" rather liberally.

Anyway, Mimi, I hope if you are reading this you know how much we love you and are praying for you. You are covered in prayer by SO many people. I know you know that already, but I hope you feel it. We are certain that this will be a small blip in the big scheme of things and you will be back on your feet in no time. We just can't wait until you are feeling like your old self again! We love you!