Randomness......

Since it has been a bit since I posted, I decided to just put some random pics on that were already on the computer but haven't posted them yet. They don't really go together but blogworthy anyway!

Helping dad in the yard......

New battle scar......Zach got this lovely shiner while throwing a fit the other day. He threw himself forward and headbutted the bench when his dad told him no! It's all healed up now and I'm pretty sure he's going to have a scar for quite some time. You would think he would have learned his lesson and wouldn't throw fits anymore, but I guess he is going to learn the slow/hard way!

A couple of weeks ago we went to my nephew Bradley's baseball games. He's VERY talented and has learned the catchers position. Doesn't he look absolutely adorable! He squats down there and doesn't move! I for one would tip over I'm sure. He called me before the game to tell me to look for the player with 24 on the back of their jersey and that would be him....good thing cuz I may not have been able to find him otherwise! :)


We've been sick around our house.....the dog (Harley), Zach and now me! YUCK! Hope it's short lived as I hate to be sick! Dannon

Texas Trip

We went to Texas last weekend Thursday to Saturday in order to take Treyton on a college visit and to visit Donnie's brother and his family. Many of you who know us, know that something interesting tends to happen to us when we travel. Well this trip was no different!

On our way there, we were about 30-45 minutes from Oklahoma City we ran into the Oklahoma fires that apparently were rappant all over the state! We literally sat for an hour an a half without moving from our spot! The smoke at times was so thick it was hard to breathe and our eyes burnt to the point we were crying. The fire at one point went through the ditch beside our car. That was very scary! There was nowhere we could go as we were trapped along with hundreds of other people. It was a bit entertaining at first, but when the fire got that close and we couldn't breath I looked at the back of the car at my sleeping toddler son and my 2 teenage boys and felt just helpless at being able to protect them. God has a way of sending gentle reminders that we are not in control of this life doesn't he! Thankfully, we made it out safely. It took us 8 1/2 hours to drive what usually takes us 5 hours due to the stops and detours we had to take. Other than a smell/ashy van, burnt eyes and getting all stopped up breathing-wise we came out just fine! I know many lost they're homes in the fires so we are thankful for only experiencing a delay in our trip!

As any good blogger would do.....I photographed our experience as we didn't have anything else to do! So here's a few pics of our time stuck on the interstate.....

The cars beside us and in front of us. At times the smoke would clear out and you could see a good 20 cars up. But other times it was difficult to see 2 cars ahead....




There was a guy who walked across to the other side of the interstate and just stood on the side of the road to take a pee break! Couldn't believe he didn't go down a little further so he wouldn't have such an audience! Sadly, I thought it was ok cuz it made for a blogworthy photo! :) Give me a break we were getting bored just sitting there! :) I had been doing fine up to this point, but seeing him go to the brathroom reminded my bladder that I hadn't been in a while and all of a sudden I had to go! Donnie and the boys refused to let me walk across the road to do the same. I can see why as I'm not sure my audience would've appreciated the view! We came up with several options for in the car....QT cup, putting on one of Zach's diapers, etc. I ended up holding it for those of you who are dying to know! :)


This was the view behind us......there were cars for MILES!


This was all happening to our right.......





Trying to keep Zach entertained while we sat on the highway......in the last 2 pics, he got ahold of my chapstick! Needless to say I don't use that chapstick anymore! Someone should've told him chapstick is NOT for eating! :)




On Friday evening, we went to eat here......which is now one of my favorite places to eat! It was scrumptous!

The view from our table.....YIKES! Anyone that knows me is aware I have an extreme shark phobia thanks to my 2 older brothers and a little mishap with the JAWS movie when it came out when I was like 6! Good thing I love crab as I overcame my fear and fought through long enough to make it through the whole meal!


My sister-in-law Tracey and I both ordered crablegs and both decided to be brave and wear the fashionable bibs they provide. Here's Tracey putting hers on.....somehow my pic doing the same didn't make it on here as it wasn't all that flattering! hehe. Guess this is why I have a blog Tracey. I can put pics on here of whatever I want and you can't do anything about it! You look GREAT! :) hehe

Let the feast begin.....

Sadly...I'm totally excited here! I just LOVE crablegs! Yes that would be butter splatters on my bib! Figured I would point it out cuz I know you noticed it too! :)

Treyton SWEARS this is how he found his crab when he picked it up.....yeah right!

Zach LOVED him some corn on the cob! He's never had it before...love his technique, such lovely table manners! :)

What's left of the meal.....or not left I guess I should say! I loved this trash bucket thingy in the middle of the table. Although had to stretch to get my trash in it. Apparently I dropped crabflakes into Donnie's drink going over it. hehe! :)


Had to throw in a funny pic of Zach with Aunt Tracey.......not sure where they got this hat, but doesn't he look adorable! You should've seen Justin in it! He looked great! Not sure how I didn't get a pic of that!


I actually unpacked most of our suitcase when we got home. Donnie went into the bedroom and this is what he found......guess Zach wanted to get in there and make sure I had gotten everything out.....


Nice crack buddy....hasn't your mom bought you a belt?


We always have such a good time at David and Tracey's! Tracey and I always make a trip to the outlet mall where we visit Osh Kosh and Children's Place. One of my favorite things we do while we are there! Thanks for housing us guys....we had a good time!

Dannon

Happy Easter....on Monday

Happy Easter!!!! We spent most of Easter weekend in Texas visiting Donnie's brother's family. We had a college visit for Treyton near them so spent Thursday to Saturday there. Have pics and an interesting story to share from the trip, but that will have to wait til another day....

Wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter. We went to church, came home for naps and then off to Donnie's aunt/uncles for a family gathering with Donnie's extended family. The rain dampered things a bit, but still had a good time visiting with everyone.

Here's the boys in their Easter digs.....handsome aren't they!


The inspiration for Zach's Easter outfit.......adorable! I bought these on clearance this past weekend when we were in Texas. Tracey and I hit the outlet mall, which is a MUST every time we visit!


Trying to get a pic of him in his outfit by himself was next to impossible....


So had to wait til he was strapped in his carseat......


Sorry for the quick post but Donnie's and the Wii fit are waiting on me!!! There will be NO pics of that action! :)

Final Vacation Post.....I promise!

Warning.....this is a long post..... :)

Well, I thought I would finally show you what Donnie and the big kids did while out in Colorado since you have seen everything Zach and I did. My brother-in-law Paul loves to do photography stuff as a hobby. He took his camera up on the mountain and took some great pics of the scenery as well as the kids and Donnie.

They went to Loveland for 2 of the days we were there. The kids all snowboarded while Donnie and Paul went skiing. Treyton and Autumn had been before about 3-4 years ago when we went. They took 1/2 day lessons to get a refresher. Justin had never been before, so he took the class too. All 3 did great from what I hear. Although Autumn was pretty bruised by the end of the 2nd day and Treyton twisted his knee funny getting off the lift early on the 2nd day so he was hobbling too. Justin hardly fell at all from what I hear.

They had great skiing conditions. Here's what their world looked like for a few days......I think these were all taken at the top of the mountain after they got off the lift, but I could be wrong since I wasn't there and Donnie's gone to bed so can't tell me! :) The second picture you can see 2 other ski resorts in the background. If I got it right, Keyston is on the left and Breckenridge is in the far back right corner (not sure you can see it very well in this small of a pic)......very pretty up there. Zach and I didn't make the trek up the mountain with them....he needs a few more years before he's ready for that kind of playing!





And their day begins.....



Donnie's action photos.....the last pic was apparently at the bottom of the area where Donnie and Paul both had a major wipeout! My brother-in-law rarely wipes out, so I'm guessing it was pretty difficult. I'm sure I would've breezed right threw it! :)





Justin's action photos.....he had never been snowboarding before and did wonderful! He's very into skateboarding so I'm sure that has something to do with it. The second photo looks like he was turning a corner sharply, but really in was mid-crash when Paul snapped his pic. But since you can't really tell, we'll just say he was skilled in his turn.....




Autumn's action photos.....that last one Paul caught as she crashed! That's Justin beside her.....




Here's Treyton's action photos.....




These were taken at the end of the day. Justin and Donnie had already gone down all the stairs to go to the parking lot and Donnie said he wasn't about to climb those stairs again in his skiboots just for a picture....he clearly wasn't thinking about my blog now was he!



On the way down the mountain, they took a little scenic detour and went to Loveland Pass. Justin had never been up in the mountains before and there was a tunnel that went through the mountain Donnie wanted to take Justin through. They got out at Loveland's Pass for some photos......too bad Zach and I weren't there! That last picture would've been a neat photo of the 6 of us. How do you think it would look if we photoshopped us in? :)




Before loading up in the car to go home, I realized I hadn't really gotten a family photo of all us. So we posed on my sister's front porch. This was the best pic of the 6 of us....but my brother-in-law wanted in on the Jones Family Photo action too.


So this was the best one of us, minus Paul!


The car ride home went smoother (is that a word? Barb?) than the ride to Colorado. Could have something to do with the fact that I think I medicated my child with drowsy meds....oops! He came down with a sinus infection while at my sister's...so did Donnie and I. Anyhow, borrowed some over the counter meds to try to help him breathe a bit better and then he slept for the first 4 hours of the trip! I started to get a little worried cuz he NEVER sleeps that long ever....even at night! I told Donnie we were going to pull over if he didn't wake up soon. He did, but didn't want much to do with us. This is the reaction I got from him when I tried to interact with him.......that is his prized "taggie" that apparently also can be used as a shield!


Then when I tried a little harder he hollered at me and then pulled the blanket ALL the way over his head! Guess he was upset with me for the medicatin thing....sorry buddy! He rode like this for a while and eventually forgave me and came out from hiding.....


So that was the Jones Family Vacation......looking forward to another vacation some time over the summer. Hopefully we can find a time that works for all 6 of us to go again! I had a great time and I love spending time away from home with the kids so we get them all to ourselves since they have nowhere else they can go! It was good to reconnect with them as well as spend some time with my sister and her family.

Thanks for housing and entertaining us Michelle and Paul.....