STAR BRIGHT

Ok so this is not a star but the moon looked amazing last night about 9:30 P.M. and I just could not believe how blue the sky was, how pink the clouds were and the moon was hanging out nice and early with them all! It was an amazing contrast of colors and all natural! Sometimes we tend to over look the amazing beauty all around us in our very busy lives but if we take a few minutes to slow down and take it in it can be very rewarding. I hope you all enjoy the simply beauty before the dark hits us. Later, Amy

A healthier way

Ok so I am trying to be a littler healthier and get Eric and I up and moving a bit more this summer; so we got our bikes out of the shed, bought new tires and dug out Trevor's bike trailer. It has definitely been an experience and a wake up call for me. The first time a pull Trevor behind me he yelled the whole time" faster, faster!" I wanted to have him pull me around for a bit! LOL! The trailer is very light weight and I don't really notice it behind me but Trevor is 45 pounds of extra weight and I am not in the best of shape. We rode our bikes down to Smith's food store to pick up a few (very few, lol) groceries; not as few as I had hoped since there is a space behind Trevor (a trunk you might say) that will hold at least 10 pounds of pork chops and 4 boxes of pudding.......well you get the idea. I thought I was going to die! I get half way down our street and half to stop and rest (this was on the way back home, you have to go both ways on the bike, sometimes it would not be so bad if it was only one direction! LOL) and I look back there is little Trevor asleep! Can you imagine!? He was working so hard he was actually napping; I guess there is a bonus because he didn't yell at me to "go faster, go faster!". I don't know that I love bicycling but it is great exercise and Eric loves it; he would live on that bike! Later, Amy

The ring bearer!

Ok so I in no way have all the photos done I want done for my sister's wedding on June 25th but I thought I would post this since my baby did soooo good as the ring bearer for her and looked so handsome it made me want to cry! My neice Samantha was the flower girl and they both looked wonderful. I loved Sandi's second dress and she looked beautiful for the big day. I will post more pics of the wedding as I have time to do them. Later, Amy

Happy 4th of July!

I can't believe it is already the 4th! Travis drove in the parade again this year and I had to work during that time so my Mom went with him to help out with the kiddos. They had a ton of fun and the church that he drives for is so good to him and always has a goodie basket for him. They meet at the park after the parade and have free hot dogs and lots of fun activities. After we were both done working we headed to Lava Hot Springs to hang out with the kids, including Hailey and Lacey and all their kids. It was so great to be able to spend time with them and all the little ones. We had dinner with Shirley and tons of family and watched fireworks and then we spent the night in the tent in Lava. Thank goodness I had the next day off! LOL! I had a great time and am looking forward to next year! Later, Amy

Summer time!

So a whole lot of us went to Jenson's Grove in Blackfoot on June 26! The kids had been asking for about three weeks when we could call Jenni and go to the beach with her and her kids so I finally just called her and we went. Travis had to work but since I have odd days of the week off we packed up the car and Grandma Margaret, called Aunt Sandi who was on vacation after her wedding and hauled down to the beach. We love spending time with lots of other kids and we don't get to do it very often. We took plenty of snacks and hung out in the water for a few hours. Thanks for a great time everyone! Later, Amy

circus time!

Ok so Juanita gave us free tickets to the circus yesterday and we all went even took my niece Paige with us. It was very cold here yesterday so I am glad I made sure everyone was in pants and took jackets because they didnt have a big top (the tent) I was so sad! It is not truly a circus without the big top! We had fun though even in the cold and the rain; it was at the Idaho Falls fair grounds and they did have sheltered seats but Trevor was too cold to watch the circus. He would pop his head out of the blanket every few minutes to see what was going on but he did not want to stay there too long. He is sooooo much my child that it makes me laugh to think what a brat I must have been for my parents. The circus shut down at intermission but we then headed over to the Army Surplus store; I know right! lol! Travis had never been in there and wanted to wander around there a bit. It is a great place to get everything from clothes to emergency candles to rainsuits and boots and socks and well you get the idea! We got to eat at Frontier Pies and the kids loved it; they have a "covered wagon top" over the table so it feels like you are eating in an old wagon, well minus the dirt, insects and bumps (ok too much today but still funny). We bought a strawberry bannana pie and took it home with us (T.J. was happy when we shared with him today). We also went back up today to get Travis a father's day gift from there. I always get lots of interesting ideas from that store. Thanks for the adventure! Later, Amy

Family ties

Travis' mom was born in Albion, Idaho.
This is the theater Grandpa Jones ran.

Grandpa and Grandma Jones

Grandpa and Grandma Brownlee

We all went to the cemetery in Wendell, Idaho

It was so great to go to Wendell for Kristie's wedding because it gave us all an excuse to get together again. Travis spent many of his summer's here with his Grandpa Jones and tells great stories about milking cows and watching movies and well I can't decribe it all. Lol! Travis is very proud of his Grandpa and it was nice to see a part of all of these wonderful people's past. Also on the way home we went to Albion, Idaho and seen his Grandma's old house and ate lunch there. Thank you for the memories and sharing with us! Later, Amy

Kristie's wedding

Gail walking her down the aisle
Mr. and Mrs.

Travis and cousin Laurie

Mary pinning flower on Gail

Ok so none of these have been edited but I thought I should post them here since she was married on May 22nd, sorry it has taken me so long but here are some of the pics I took while there. It was so wonderful to see family and be able to visit we had a lot of fun and are glad we were able to attend. We were so happy Laurie was able to make it down as well as Aunt Barbara and everyone else we seen while there. Later, Amy

Bridal Shower!

Ok so I really late posting these but I had my sister's bridal shower for her on May 30, 2010 to celebrate her upcoming marriage on June 25, 2010. We had so much fun and it was even better because I got to go wild! I did a pink and zebra print (or black and white) theme which made shopping for decorations lots of fun for me. She went to the hot pools in Lava Hot Springs and then we had soup and and really great fruit tray for dinner then lots of games, including pin the dress on the bride and "know" your bride. Thanks for a fun party gals! Later, Amy

behind again

Ok I am really behind again with the trip to New Mexico and three straight days in the car have wiped me out. I had a nice visit with family and wished I could have stayed longer. Mom and I threw Sandi's bridal shower yesterday also which was a lot of fun. Travis' step-mom Shirley and her daugher Deanne were both there and helped us tremendously with dinner and a big beautiful fruit tray. I made a "tres leches" cake for the first time and it was really good; it is a 3 milk cake traditional for a mexican style cake. We are also still anxiously awaiting the arrival of Hailey's new little girl but she has still not delivered. Later, Amy

Reception fun!

We went to a wedding reception in Blackfoot for Travis' step brother (Larry's son and daughter in law) and had a lot of fun! They had a whole roasted pig, lots of dutch oven potatoes and cobblers and a water slide for the kids to enjoy. Thanks Eldon we loved it! Sorry I didnt get very many pictures I have been sick all weekend. Later, Amy

The animals are back!

Ok so there is a story to this; Travis took Trevor with him last Friday to the cattle sale, we wanted 2 new beef cows to carry throught the summer into fall like we did last year. Travis did not find the cows at auction after over 4 hours of sitting there so he went to a private seller to get our cows at a good rate per pound now here is where the story gets interesting. Trevor wandered all over the farm while Travis and his dad Denny delt with the cows. Trevor climbed hay stacks and discovered baby kittens and chicken eggs and had a lot of fun. He was not leaving that farm without a chicken! LOL! Now here is the story, I wanted chickens last year and my loving husband said no chickens they are dirty and gross! Our dear son got his dad to let him bring home a baby chicken; of course chickens are not solitary animals so we had to buy 4 more chicks from McKee's. He is up early every morning and asks Travis to walk out with him and let him feed his chick so even though we dont love chickens (because they are dirty) we now have chickens. Travis, my dear husband, you are a pushover! LOL! Trevor named our cows, the black one is Licorice and the black and white one is Polka Dot; the littlest white chick is his and name Chickie. Thanks little man for gettting Daddy to let you bring a chicken home! Later, Amy

p.s.

Hailey is getting ready to have her baby girl; she is saying any day now so hopefull soon so we can visit them when we go to the wedding next week!

school days

our yarn doll

kneading the bread

dipping a candle

a funny play

sharing lunch

playing foot ball

We are winding up this school year all ready and Eric is sooo excited to be out in a few weeks! Trevor and I were lucky enough to get to see a small play from some of the students last Friday and then walk to the park for lunch with Eric. Trevor and Eric played some and we had a great time out. Also today I took off from work for pioneer days at school; Eric's class got to make candles, yarn dolls and bread (yes, from scratch)! It was really fun to be able to go and help him and some of his classmates through these fun activities. Later, Amy

Motorcycles

Travis all ready to ride

This is some sort of car converted to a trike.


A large row of bikes!

Ok so I am a little late posting this one but last Saturday I went out in the freezing cold and rode with my dear hubby, who I must love a lot, to Idaho Falls for an awareness rally. A rally held for over 15 years to make motorists more aware of motorcycles. Again I must point out that I really love that crazy man I am married too! I looked scary probably because I was so bundled up and puffy on the back of that bike but I didn't even care. Once we got there there was no inside building to hang out in and it spit rain and hail on us for a little bit but not the whole time and I was wise enough to wear my new rain coat Travis bought me so it didn't bother me a whole lot. I must say we wimped out and put the motorcycle in the trailer and rode home in the warm truck of a friend from Pocatello who drives behind the motorcycles to help with any technical issues or injuries (thank goodness he was not needed for either one). I must say there were over 300 hundred motorcycles riding through Idaho Falls, Idaho and it was an amazing sight. I wish I would have taken my camera but I didn't want it ruined; I am going to have to buy a little cheap one to take on the bike or when Travis gets his saddle bags put on the bike I will have room to take a little more stuff. LOL! I am sure he is looking forward to my girl things all over his saddle bags, but we all make sacrifices. :) There were some pretty amazing bikes and some very interesting people there; one man had a trailer behind his bike for his dogs to ride in, one man was paralyzed and had a platform to the side of the motorcycle for him to ride in with someone else driving and last but not least a man with some sort of leg injury had a car that looked like a huge Trike (3 wheeled) bike driving down the road. It is never dull in the life of a Mrs. Jones! LOL! Later, Amy

What month is it?

Ok so honestly I thought there was a possibility this morning that they may cancel school; now that is saying something because Eric is in fourth grade and never had a snow day. Yes I said a snow day! It was snowing so bad this morning that you could barely see anything. Alas, poor Eric did not get a snow day today but we have more snow this morning than in all of December I think. LOL! My poor husband had the worst turn out for a car auction at Denny's Wrecker this morning also because of the blizzard going on outside. I can't believe this crazy weather but the snow will all melt off by this afternoon and it will probably be 60 degrees tomorrow;p its amazing we don't all have ammonia. Later, Amy

Environmental Fair

The whole family got to go the environment fair in Pocatello last Saturday, the kids had a blast and Travis and I got some excercise (much needed!) It was a bunch of booths with different information about ground water, polution, recycling and reusing things. The kids got lots of little prizes and played games as they learned. The highlight of the day, meeting Wall-e of course! The kids were so excited and he even talked to them. Then it got windy and we got tired of walking and left but we were there for over 2 hours! Later, Amy

I am behind again!

Ok so I still don't have my Easter pics posted but I have decided I need to keep moving forward with my post so sorry I will still try to post but I dont have them done yet. I have been working on wedding stuff for Adam and Sunni and the bridal shower stuff for Sandi and Sunni. Yesterday we were honored again by the Bigfoot team and were allowed to tow this "monster truck" to the Make A Wish Foundation home for a special kid in the Pocatello area. Every year for three years we have towed this truck through town to a special kid to make their wish come true. It is such a great thing and our kids loved it too! The driver, Larry was kind enough to let us take some pictures with the kids and we have pit passes to go see all the trucks and drivers on Saturday at the Holt Areana; the boys can't wait to go but I could think of funner things to do with my Saturday, LOL! So that is our busy night on Thursday and while the truck was parked out front of the home Grandpa and Grandma Jones took us out to dinner. It was a great time spent with them and we really enjoyed the whole night out. We are planning on taking our "special" pictures with us on Saturday so they can be signed by the driver. Later, Amy

Old Ties

Ok so these two crazy ladies are some old friends from high school, Jenni and Eliza and recently we have decided that we need to do better at keeping in touch since we are all only about 30 minutes away from each other. We try to get together once a month, which seems easy enough but with our busy lives it is very hard to do. It doesnt help that when we get together we sit and talk for hours on end and it is just like we are in high school again! Lol! It has been so great to be able to have one night a month that is just for me and it is really nice to be able to reconnect with these wonderful ladies on a regular basis. I really enjoy their friendship and the joy they bring to my life. Thanks for a wonderful night ladies! Later, Amy

Five Wonderful Years

Travis and I celebrated our fifth year wedding anniversary on April 2nd this year. Lacey was wonderful enough to watch the little ones for us overnight; which is quite a chore. Travis surprised me with an overnight stay at a local hotel and a candle light dinner when we got there. He did a great job keeping it a surprise and it was a wonderful night away from the normal for us. The boys joined us the next morning to "swim" in the hot tub! Lol! I am very grateful for this easy going, easy to get along with man in my life and I would be lost without him. I thank him for putting up with my crazy ways and mood swings, lol! He has done so much for me and our children and is a truly wonderful man to be married to. Later, Amy

guests?

ok so I think these are the funniest animals I have ever seen, we are holding them in our pasture this winter for my cousin and her husband. It is not a lot of work since they are really good about taking care of them but we do get a lot of comments on the appearance of these Highlander cows, I just call them yaks! Lol! Also I am very excited, tomarrow is our wedding anniversary, five whole years together! Lacey is kind of enough to watch the boys overnight and we just get to hang out, the two of us, together. Also is it Easter weekend so the boys are pretty excited as well. Later, Amy

Spring, not yet!

Ok waking up Saturday morning to this was not my idea of starting of the weekend great! Lol! I can't believe it snowed so much overnight, I mean I knew winter was not over (hello we live in Idaho) but I was just hoping it was over! LOL! My dad, Larry, blamed Travis for riding his bike home a couple of weeks ago when the weather was so nice and ever since the weather has been so cold and bleak! We told him to go put the motorcycle back into storage! The snow was very beautiful and it melted away by that afternoon; typical Idaho weather in the spring. Later, Amy

Angel's 6 th birthday!

Our little granddaughter Angel turned six this month and we celibrated with a pool party! Hailey, Travis' step-daughter called and invited the boys and I to swim while Travis was at work and we gladly accepted. Travis was able to join us later for ice cream sandwhiches; I can't believe how big this little girl has gotten! She is a gentle and kind girl (at least while around us! lol). Thanks for letting us celebrate with you! Later, Amy

basement updates!

Yes, we are still working on this poor basment and probably will be for another year, lol! I am very excited to announce that we have a wall and the door framed in for the wash room, we have taken down part of the wall when you walked down the stairs on the right side and had to build about a foot and half out from the old wall coming from Eric's room and have the family room down stairs framed in now. I took these pictures before the electrical boxes and outlets were up but that is half done for the hallway, wash room and family room. Travis' Mom helped us out with the electrical supplies to keep the project up and running, which we greatly appreciate. Now we have to work on getting the insulation up on the outside walls so we can dry wall. I am very excited to be able to use this space soon. Later, Amy

Happy Birthday Trevor

As usual I am late in posting Trevor's birthday pictures, my baby turned 4 on Febuary 26, 2010. He is getting so big! His only request for his birthday, a big green 4 on his cake and 4 candles, so not one candle shaped like a 4! Lol! He certainly knows what he wants and is not afraid to tell you. He had a lot of guests at his party and got some great gifts, including Play Dough which I acutally let him play with now! Lol! I hate the mess of play dough but he is pretty clean with it and so far it has not ended up in my carpet (hoping that continues). Later, Amy

A day out with friends

Travis' friend Shane called up and asked us to meet him in Lava Hot Springs and we do not need much motivation to take the kiddos there so we agreed to meet him. Shane lives on the other side of Lava and it was kind of middle ground for both of us. Shane brought his son and his soon to be step son and with our two boys we had a hand full for sure! Lol! It was a ton of fun and great to see an old friend and just relax for a little bit. Our boys love the really warm water but once little Trevor gets to hot his will only sit on the side of the little pools or on the steps. Eric is a fish and doesnt care if it is to hot he will swim all day and night there. Later, Amy