Happy New Year

2009 is over. WOW did that go fast or what. Let me see if I can recap some highlights:

*Clinton graduated from high school.
*Harold, LaRee and Clinton flew to Nashville for a visit to the Long's home!!!
*Melissa married Nathan Blackburn.
*Aubrie and Brian gave us number 9 Austin Ray making Eli big brother.
*Curtis and Jack moved home, now we don't have to be empty nesters!
*Clinton went off to Utah State University.
*Our four 2008 babies turned one!!!!

*Harold went back full time at Smiths as Meat Dept. Manager again.
*LaRee took and passed the Life and Health Exam and became Farmers Agent taking over office.

*Harold was called as second councelor in the Ririe Singles Branch.

*Clinton graduated from Seminary

*Curtis and Harold take a road trip to Colorado,,,,,,,,95 mph, they got home in 9 hours!!!!!
*LaRee was released as Shelton YW President.
*Curtis bought a beautiful motorcycle.
*Jes bought a beautiful PIANO! KayLyn taking lessons.
*Harold, LaRee, Clinton, Curtis and Jack flew to Colorado after Christmas to visit the Jones'.
*And last but not least, the whole world celebrated Aubries birthday! We had crab and shrimp, another Jones tradition!

I know thats just a small amount of stuff that has happened in our life in 09! Heavenly Father has blessed us tremendously! Family is everything!

Night Visitors

We had some late night visitors the other night:


















Jes Kyle and the girls. Aren't they cute?

Christmas 2009

Christmas 09~

What a wonderful time of year to be able to CELEBRATE the birth of our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!

love this season for than any other time of year. Its amazing how much love and joy is brought to our lives as we remember HIS birth.

Its fun too!

It has been wonderful to have Clinton home for a month. He started his mission application before he headed back to school. Sad and happy event all in one!

We woke up about 7 and no one was awake yet and I was really excited to have Christmas as usual so I woke the kids up starting with Jack. Then Clinton and Curtis last, I sent Harold down to Jes' to get his dog. (We got him the CUTEST little hunting dog. She is so adorable) So we put her on his bed to wake him up. Then we all went out and started the festivities.

After gifts we had our traditional strawberry crepes! Always a hit.

Dinner was Prime Rib!!!! Melissa and Nate came and had dinner with us, they had no kids for the afternoon, so they came out and spent the rest of the day with us! We had a great time.

Christmas is always over too fast for me!

Annual Live Nativity

At the Jones' barn each year (we started this about 6 years ago when we moved to the farm and now have a barn) we have an annual Live Nativity and have been very blessed to be able to use our own children and their babies to be Mary, Joseph and Jesus. All the credit goes to Harold who desired to start this wonderful tradition. The first year we invited his home teaching families and our neighbors, then it migrated to the Young Men and Women. Our kids have been such wonderful supporters of this great event each year!!!!! Thanks girls and your husbands for playing the parts beginning with Jes, Kyle and Haylee, then it was Melissa's turn and the past couple of years Aub and her family have played the parts. This year was really special because normally we use the bishopric for the wisemen, but this year, Jes organized it and she had Kyle and his 2 brothers and Curtis be the wisemen and the shephard and his one sister-in-law Miriah ( sorry if I spelled that wrong) was the angel. Aub, Brian played Mary and Joseph, (Austin was sick so he stayed in the house and we used a baby doll) It was very special as usual and has become a precious tradition for our family!!!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

I am so excited for Christmas. Even though it is going to be one of our slimmest Christmas' ever. Sunday we will be hosting our annual Nativity. Aubrie, Brian and baby Austin will be again playing Mary and Joseph. We have invited the YM and YW again. (It will be our last year, we have been released from the YW Presidency, me and jes) New stuff awaits!

It will be fun to see Jack open his gifts. It has been so fun and a pleasure to have Clinton home again. He is missed so bad when he is off at college. He starts his shots for his mission on the 23rd of this month. He will start his papers in January if not sooner and then we will just be wainting for a CALL!!!!!!

I love my family more than I can express! Each on of my children are so special to me! I have the absolute best grandkiddies in the WORLD!!!!!!!!

THE BEST HUSBAND!!!!!!!!

THE BEST PARENTS!!!!!!

THE BEST BROTHERS!!!!!!

THE BEST SONS IN LAW!!!!! I love my life.

Change is in the Air

Yesterday was a bittersweet day for the Ririe Stake. Our Stake Presidency was released and we are now blessed with a new one. Its funny how you grow to love these men! Our new stake presidency consists of three wonderful men we have known for a long time. Boyd Foster ( we rented a home from them when we first moved to Ririe. FUNNY STORY ABOUT HIM: you may remember this, one day I got home to the old rock house at the end of Birch Creek and there was one of the Fosters mexicans out in my yard telling me something so I went into the back yard to find that there was a weasel chewing on a rat on my pump house roof. So I ran into the house and got the shot gun and proceeded to chase the weasel around the house and shot at it but missed. I get around the front of the house to find Boyd running toward me, so I tell him what I did and he says, " Oh my gosh, I thought you shot my Mexican." Ha Ha, I bet he doesn't remember that story!!!! ) Then the 1st councelor is Larry Stucki, who was our last Bishop and his precious daughter was one of my Laurels!!!! Love that man!!!! And then the 2nd councelor is non other that our old neighbor, Mark Lovell. I have a tremendous amount of love and respect for each of these wonderful men.
Then last night I was made aware that our Young Womens presidency is being released. Very sad, but a relief at the same time. The last 6 months have been very stressful and my calling was suffering. Now I will just wait to see what is in store for me now.

December

December is here and Clinton is coming home today. He had his last final this morning. SO excited to have him home for a whole month. January will will bring Missionary Papers. Hopefully we can start them before he heads back to school.
Looking forward for Christmas as usual.
Harold is busy at the store, I at the office and with our callings.
Life is good. Our family is GREAT!!!!

Global Warming Protest

Isn't this funny~!

December 1st

Wow has the time Flown BY!!!!!! Thanksgiving was terrific. My brother Mike came for a week to hunt with Harold and Curtis. They didn't get anything but had lots of fun. All the kids were there for Thanksgiving except Jes and Kyle. They went to Swan Valley. We had lots to eat and lots to laugh about. After dinner we played "signs" for a while.

Then on Sunday, Aubrie and Brian blessed their little Austin Ray. We stayed for all 3 hours of church with them, it was GREAT. Then had another family dinner after at our house. Nothing better than good food and better family!

November

Since its the Thanksgiving month here are a few things that I am thankful for:

First and foremost, my family, kids and grandkids, mom and dad and brothers!
Being a Mom
My husband
My Savior
My home
Food
The seasons
My Pillow!
Not having headaches.
My calling
Having family for Thanksgiving Dinner
Josh staying in our home with us
Our jobs
Running water
Scrapbooking
Christine
My health
My driveway
Clothing
My car
The Christmas Season
Being warm
Being able to go visit my parents
Being able to go visit Christine
Hair color
Our farm

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

So I learned NOT to tell the girls stories of my past childhood. This is in reference to one I told yesterday>
So Robin and Darla Lou go to the store and come back with these!

Never a dull moment at our office!



Crazy Darla and Robin

FUN WITH CLINTON AT LOGAN

Logan was terrific. We had so much fun and it went by too darn fast. We checked into our hotel room and got ready for the pool while Harold went to pick up Clinton. We sat in the pool for a while and then got in the hot tub (oh so nice) then we got out and got ready for dinner and went to Iggy's and then off to the gathering at the Library for donuts and cider. We had a great tour, that is an AWESOME Library. Then dropped Clinton off and went to bed.

Saturday Morning we got up and went for a little breakfast and then off to the pool again. Then got ready for the Brunch at the school and the BIG GAME. Clinton woke up sick so we ran to Walmart for cold medicine and LOTS of hand sanitizer. Got him and had a great brunch and gathering. We then got USU sweatshirts for all of us and went for some AGGIE Ice Cream and Off to the GAME!!!!!!!!!!!! Wahoo.

USU won!!!!!!! They played Louisannia Tech University but only won by 2 cuz they got a little cocky in the first half. Then we took Clinton for dinner at Chili's, took my baby back to his dorm and went home. It went by so dang fast.. I wasn't ready to come home!

THANKS CLINTON FOR THE GREAT, WONDERFUL, FANTASTIC , FUN WEEKEND.

Life at the Jones

Wow. Life has sure been busy lately. Having Jack and Curtis home has been a challenge but full of joy. Jack is a GRANDPA'S BOY!!!!! Grandma is good for the pinch hit, but if Pa Pa is around,,,,,,,,look out. Its a straight shot to him! everybody just get the heck out of the way!
Business has been good. We have slow days and busy days. Seems they come like that too. One day will be so slow and the next will be HOPPING with barely enough time to finish the tasks before the big hand reaches the 5! Working has had its own set of challenges but it has been a rewarding experience for me, a "get married right out of high school, start raising a family for the next 27 years girl " and all of a sudden finding myself studying for the State Insurance Exam. I have to admit, I was scared! I didn't think I could do it, but (pat my back) I did and the first time too. It takes most people 2 or 3 attempts at it. If I can do it, anyone could go back for more education! Besides, I get to play dress up everyday! That has been fun. OH and the other day I went shopping for some Office Clothes, and when I told Harold he said , "Good, that's like a carpenter buying tools for his job." Guess where I am going after work????? Just kidding.
We had a wonderful weekend with Clinton and Curtis over Confrence Weekend. And then Clinton had his Fall Break so he got to come home last Thursday thru Saturday. The girls were so happy to see him. He is a great young man, but he has changed so much in just the 3 months he has been at college. He isn't my little Clinty anymore. He is turning into an independent man. (Boo Hoo. good thing you can't see the tears spilling over!) Its very hard to watch my baby grow up and become his own man.

Really enjoying the grandkiddies!!!! All 13 of them. Aubries newest (Austin) is such a pretty little boy. Its so fun to watch the first welcome the 2nd child into the family. Eli just loves that baby. We love all of them and cherish each one.

Waiting for a little bit of extra time to put my Christmas Tree upstairs. Got the basement one up but with Jack I don't find a lot of extra time on my hands anymore. Plus, Jack, Eli and Lexie pretty much tore the decorations off the one in the basement so I am a little concerned when they see the Big Pretty one upstairs. And YES I feel for Jes for having two rugrats all day long. A Big THANK you for taking on an extra! I know its been hard!

Well, looking forward to Parents Weekend and the big U vs Louisanna Tech game on Saturday!!!! Logan: here we come.

Next Big THing

Family weekend at Utah State University!!!!! THe end of the month we are heading to Logan. Now we will get to see a Utah State Game against Louisianna Tech University!!!!!!!! And just spend some time with our Clinty~~~ I am so excited.

BYU Game

SO...................................it took 6 and 1/2 hours to get to Provo, CRAZY huh? Aubrie was having contractions the day before we left. She stopped on Friday and so we thought we were safe. NOT SO MUCH................................ We got into the game toward the end of the 1st quarter. She called in the second quarter, we left the beginning of the 4th quarter and to to Rexburg at 2:30, her labor had pretty much stopped. But...... the Dr. came in at 4:30 and broke her water and voila............baby boy at 11:00 am. Austin Ray Green weighing in at 6' 4". BEAUTIFUL baby.

And BYU won.

Upcoming events!!!!

I am so excited!!!! We are going to the Utah State / BYU football game on the 2nd of October. I have always wanted to go to a BYU game, thought it would be cool. But now my son is an Aggie and on of my favorite people Kari Ferguson (on of my Laurels) is now going to BYU. Her parents and us decided to head down and watch the game together! It will be so fun. Mindi and her family are going to be there too. THEN

we are heading down to Parents Weekend with Clinton and we will get to see another Aggie game with Louisianna State. WOW October is and exciting month. AND between all this Aub will be delivering a baby boy. ( Just don't have him on one of my weekends AUB!!!!!!)

WAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jack Jack ATTACK In The TUB!!!!

This is what happens when Aunt Jes turnes her back!!

9 12 Project

Jes, Aubrie ( 8 months pregnant and 3 babies and I went to march in the 9 12 March in Rexburg last Saturday. It made me so proud to see so many people standing up for our rights here locally. It was an emotional experience and we are so happy we did it. EVEN with 3 babies.

It was wonderful. Jes had shin splints and I am surprised that Aub didn't go into labor. She is a trooper though! She did fine.

Good Night,,not so much

So you go to bed at night and expect a good night rest. As I expected this last night...... our dog Shiloh starts going balistic around 11:30. So we get up to see whats putting a knot in her tail and there are dogs running around my house. At first we think they are just some neighbor's dogs. Well, come to find out THEY ARE SOME NEIGHBORS DOGS, JESSICA'S DOGS !!!!!!!

So before he realized this Harold goes out and starts throwing rocks and yelling at them then he comes in and says, "Crap they are Jes' dogs" so he throws his clothes on and goes out and starts calling them. " Come on dogs Come on...(whistle whistle) do you think they are going to come after he was throwing rocks at them? I think NOT...........................

So he jumps in the car and heads them down the dirt road to her house. Meanwhile , I am calling her asking her to check and make sure her dogs are out. YES THEY ARE>

Bad Boys anyway.. I got a good nights rest the rest of the night, her.............................not so much!

They got out again!!!!!! Ha Ha

Sorry Jes, its just kinda funny.

Clinty is coming home this weekend

I just thought I would share my excitement. Clinton is coming home this weekend for one of his best friends Farewell. I am just happy.

Labor Day Pictures

OK here is the pictures of the bear in the tree.

Is that awesome or what?

Jes, Mom and Aub

Jack Jack and Grandma taking a little snooze in the tent.

Talk about some DIRTY kids!!!!!! We weren't there an hour and they were filthy!

I love these picture of the 3 babies. And look at that dirty face on Jackers.

Jack trying out his HOBO costume for Halloween.

Labor Day 2009

We had a great time over Labor Day. Jes and the girls took thier camper and Brian and Aub and Eli brought a tent and so did Harold and I. We went up Sheep Creek and camped over night and got 3 loads of wood. There was a guy ( Mike Ericson from IF) that was running his dogs on bear so Saturday morning he went throught out camp with 6 of his dogs and went on up the trail to where he was baiting. Off they went and we heard them for about the next hour and a half. Then we get a call from Mike and he had the bear tree'd about 200 yards down the mountain so we loaded up every one and went to the trailhead and headed almost straight UP with 3 babies Brian carrying Eli, Jes carrying Lexie and I had Jack. Harold and KayLyn were already there. So we hiked up the trail and got up to where we were straight across from it. The dogs had that bear tree'd about 60 feet up and it was pretty cool to see.

Clinton and Mindi

I just wanted to share a little secret...........I love MINDI !!!!!!!!!! She is one of my very most favorite people in the WHole WIde WorlD!!!!!! I want her to be part of the family! ( she kinda already is (hee hee) ) Very Good choice SON!!!!!!!! She is just one of us.. We went to the cabin and took her with us for a week this summer. We had so much fun just hanging out and relaxing and she is SO DANG fun to have around........ Let me just tell you all.. the WHOLE family LOVES her!!!!!!

Immunization / Well Baby

Today was the first time in a LONG time I had to take a kid for a well baby check and get immunizations! OH I hate the shots, they make you hold your kid down. But Jes and I made Jack and Lexie's appt. at the same time so we even went into the same room. They are both growning by leaps and bounds, very healthy. Its fun being mommy to a little one again. He keeps us hopping at our house, unless he's asleep! But he sleeps through the night from around 6:30 to around 7:00 the next morning. ( Sorry Jes, (Lexie isn't a good sleeper) some day she will sleep through the night) Jack is ALMOST 20 pounds now. WaHoo. Big boy.

Corn on the Cob

Jack Jack He LOVES his corn on the cob.......this one is raw!

Grandma and Jack.......MMMMMMMMMMM GOOD

How stinking cute is he!!!!! Life has been crazy at our house since Curtis and Jack moved home with us!!! IT was an adjustment at first but what a blessing and how fun it is having them...
Makes it an easier transition with Clinton leaving. WHO by the way is on his way with 4 other friends to SEATTLE. Their roadtrip to a gaming convention before Brian Sperry leaves for his mission. Hope they have a GREAT time

Bike Ride!!!!

Grandpa taking Jack and Lexie on a ride.................WHAT A GOOD PAPA!

Captive Jack Sparrow! Ha Ha I made a funny................................

Blog Master

Jessica is my blog master. I must throw out a GREAT BIG thank you to her for keeping my blog pretty! and adding pictures for me. I told her my life is pretty boring compared to her's, she didn't agree. I said, " what happens in my life?" She said, " Jack, the singles branch, work " .
So I guess I really do have a life.

PaPa

Mom, I am sick of blogging for you. You need to blog more yourself. If you dont blog then your blog is BORING.

OK FINE:

This is a game that Harold and our kids played when he would get home from work. But its so fun to have the grandkids play now!!! It started with KayLyn and Haylee and then Jack ran and jumped on Haylee, then Lexie timidly tried to get on. After some help Lexie figured it out and this is the outcome. They played this for about 45 minutes. Thanks kids for sweeping my floor!

Splash Park

Jack did NOT like the water at first and then he started to inch closer and closer.

Jack Jack Attack

Good News. Jack didn't throw ANY breakfast on the floor this morning!!!!! Usually he makes a monumental mess when he eats. THEN Jes called at noon and said he ate very well and didn't throw anything on the floor again. Maybe we have made some huge progress here. We will see what tomorrow brings.

What Empty Nest?

We just had our 29th Anniversary!!!! Can you believe that man has kept me around that long?
Bless his heart. I was thinking that after Clinton moved away to college that I would actually have an empty nest but guess what??????? we don't. Its a blessing for me that Curtis and Jack live with us! Otherwise I would be camping on Jes' back door until she let me in! At least until Harold got home.

My grandkids are terrific, have I mentioned that lately?
And by the way, we have upped the number by 4 yes 4. Melissa and Nate have 7 together!!!
11 all together and 12 when Aubrie delivers her next one. Anyway, I love it when the kids come home and drag the grandkids in, its the absolute best thing!!!!! And my very favorite thing now is sleepovers!!!! I love when the kids sleepover. It feels so darn good, I can't explain why, but I just LOVE it when they come for sleepovers!
I have the Best family ever.

And It Came Too Soon

It came to darn soon for this mommy. Clinton packed up and left for college yesterday. He was a little sad first thing yesterday morning but by the time he has gone to sacrament meeting and got home and it was time to go pick up Matt ( his friend that was riding with him) he was ready to go. I cried so long that I gave myself a headache like I have not had in a LONG time. I tried to compose myself during my ward but lost it every time I started thinking about him. Jes didn't help, she bawled all day long! And the girls were so sad to see him leave. They LOVE their Uncle Clinty. KayLyn just layed on my lap and shed tears all through sacrament meeting.

Miss Mindi, Jes and Lexie, Haylee, Clinty ,me and KayLyn.

I didn't want to let go of him!

"See ya later mom"

And off he went. Mr Independent!