Saturday, January 30, 2010

A New Year!

We've enjoyed the first month of this new year. Here's what's been going on in the Jones' house this month.
We've been working on getting Jacob to eat baby foods. He was getting really sick from the rice cereal, so we've skipped that for now and have been trying to get him to eat veggies and fruits. This picture shows the face he makes after every bite. We still can't get him to leave any of the vegetables in his mouth, but he now will at least eat apple sauce and peaches. This has been much trickier than getting the first two kids to start eating foods.
Jared spent a week in Las Vegas for the International Builders Show. He knew I was dreading him being gone, so he arranged a while ago to fly his mom up to help me out and keep me company while he was gone. It was very nice of him and so nice of her to come! Instead of going crazy and being so lonely for the whole time, we had a great time! The kids were in heaven playing hide and seek, coloring, and reading books with Nini.

Jared's parents gave us a wheat grinder for Christmas. His grandma gave us some wheat and other bread making items so, while Mom Jones was here, I had her teach me the "ways of the wheat." She showed me how to use my wheat grinder and how to make some delicious bread.
Here are the kids making rolls with Nini.
Mackayla loving the home made bread


Our tub is starting to get really full as Jacob occasionally joins them in the bath now.

Our cute little duck


While I shower I usually put Jacob in a bassinet right by the shower where I can make sure he's ok and protected from his brother. Mackayla is so good about playing with him and keeping him happy while I'm in the shower, but when I got out the other day, Mackayla was no where around but I found this little bunny. She loves to dress him up!

Jacob enjoys his computer time
Jared is particularly excited for Jacob to get big enough to play with Bradley since Bradley's best friend is Mackayla; thus he plays with many "girlie" toys. I had to call Jared the other week with some good news for him. Bradley was playing dolls with Mackayla but he then asked me to bring him his tool box because he needed his drill to fix her dress. The boy in him does still shine through!
Mackayla loves to play dress up, and Bradley, being only two, doesn't see the harm in joining in.
Mackayla got a new dress the other day and was having a wonderful time trying it on. Bradley, of course, wanted a turn too. He looked very pretty! :)
When Bradley has one of his two year old melt-downs, he usually runs and throws himself down on the floor outside our pantry. He has titled this area "my crying room." He has fallen asleep here a couple of times.

Some other big news for Bradley is that he is in the process of POTTY TRAINING! He has been without a diaper for two fulls days and has done great! We're crossing our fingers, praying, and doing whatever else we can, in the hopes that it continues to go this smoothly!!

Mackayla has been such a good helper and even takes Bradley potty by herself sometimes. She helps him get his underwear off, praises him when he does his business, and is so sweet about it the whole time. When Mackayla was born, many people told me it was going to be so wonderful to have a girl first beacuse she would be such a good helper with the other children. This is SO true now! She's the best big sister and the most wonderful helper for her mom!!
That's our summary of January! Hurry up spring!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Mackayla turns 4!

Mackayla had her 4th birthday at the beginning of the month. She's proud to be a four year old and becoming so much more independent!
We got back into town from Yakima, the evening before her birthday. So, after we got unpacked and settled a bit I quickly made her a castle cake, as requested. By morning, one tower had already fallen over and the cake was starting to lean but she didn't care at all. She thought it was wonderful so I considered the cake a success anyway.


Mackayla was delighted to have her cousin, Sophie, at the party. The Nelson's were in town so it made it an extra special day that we got to have them over also.



Jacob and his newest cousin Lexy just hanging out together.

Mackayla didn't want to have two birthday parties but we finally talked her into having a "practice party" in Yakima before we left. She wanted pink cupcakes for that party. She also thought we should have green cupcakes in case some of the boys didn't want to eat a pink one.



She sure LOVES her baby brother and is always taking good care of him.

We had a little post-christmas party with Papa and Nini via web-cam.
We opened the gifts from them and wanted to share the occassion with them so we brought the laptop in and did a video call.


Thursday, January 7, 2010

Christmas 2009 photo albumn

We spent Christmas in Yakima with my family this year and had a wonderful time.

This is the family (plus Jaden) on Christmas Eve

Having treats with cousins at our Christmas Eve party

Following tradition, we had some musical performances that night also. Mackayla was so excited to perform "Santa Clause Is Coming To Town" with our family.
I tried to capture the dance Dad and Mom did but it was a short dance and I was only able to snap a quick picture at the end, after the kicks were over.

Our Christmas Pajamas! We were dressed with a reindeer theme this year. Someone had to take the picture, so Dad is not in this one but the whole group sure was looking good. I keep thinking all of us adults may be getting too old to dress in matching pajamas and maybe just the kids should do it but even Grandma Davenport changed into her pajamas. I guess there is no age limit on this tradition.


Our Family

Bradley the red-nosed reindeer


Christmas morning: ready to go see what Santa brought
Jacob looking at his gifts from Santa

Santa brought Bradley a little dog. I was relieved that it wasn't a real puppy.

Mackayla got a new doll from Santa


Mackayla gave me this beautiful pink ball for Christmas. She picked it out all by herself and was so excited to give it to me. I LOVE IT!!

Having fun opening presents


Jacob and Grandma on Christmas morning


Jacob spent a long time playing with the baby that was in the mirror. It was very cute and a picture had to be taken.

Daddy and Bradley playing with the new race track

A little nap with Grandpa after church


Wearing some matching clothes we recieved for Christmas.

Grandma gave Jacob a little taste of licorice.

Asleep with Daddy.