Jones Family Reunion

This past weekend we had the Jones Family Reunion. This year our theme was Pirates. We started doing themes a few years ago and it just keeps getting more out of control every year. The party planners (Marlene & Lisa) made everything so amazing. It's truly incredible how much time and money they put into the invitations, activities, food, treasure hunt, race and decorations. I'd love to have them plan a party for me! We were so busy all weekend with the many activities that were planned, but it was so much fun. Payton loved running around with all the boys. Parker was mostly terrified of all the commotion. It really was so much fun!!

Here are the incredible invitations...You know you're in for a treat when you get this kind of invitation in the mail!

This is our family receiving our pirate instructions and getting our room assignment. We got to stay on the "Flying Dutchmen" (the basement).

This is the back patio where we congregated for meals & activities. They had red lights strung up all around the back patio & pirate flags. The tables were decorated with each teams colors & lots of cute pirate paraphernalia.

This is my team showing off our boat. I was the captain of the white team. One of our challenges was to build this boat. We didn't do it the fastest, but ours was the most anatomically correct.

This is the cute treasure chest they made that held all the gold coins. You earned gold coins by doing dishes, taking out the garbage, taking a nap, riding the jet skis, riding the 4-wheelers, and lots of other things. The team with the most gold coins at the end wins. Of course, my team was the most honorable so we did not win...we took 4th (out of 5). There were other dirty Pirates that placed ahead of us because they cheated...filthy rotten Pirates!!

This is where we met for "Brethren's Court" and made our guesses on the "Anything Jars." Payton & Parker (aka Brittany) won a few anything jars...toys, paperclips, candy.

More Cute Decorations



"Anything Jars"

These are the tokens of the Pirate Lords. Each Pirate Lord (married couple) brought a token that represented a challenge they were going to do. We did lots of fun challenges; Cannon Launch, Building a Pirate Ship, Skittle Sucking, Capture the Flags, X-Marks the Spot and frozen t-shirt contest. We are a very competitive family so these activities are always a lot of fun!

This was the Cannon Launch Activity. These guys are waiting to be hit by water balloons!!

They were able to catch a few "cannons." By the end of the game everyone was soaking wet!!

This is the Frozen T-shirt Activity. Marlene & Kent are trying to thaw out the shirt so that we could put it on!!

Here is Parker doing the Kid's Corner Activities.

Here is my cute Make-n-Take that we made. Aren't these darling?!?

Payton & Parker with their Jones Pirate T-shirts on. This is a Jones tradition to have a t-shirt every year. Eric designed the t-shirt this year and they turned out really cute!

Payton fell on the gravel the first night we were here and got a little road rash on his face. He had a few rocks stuck on his face and up his nose, but now he just has some cool scabs!

Tim & Parker with their awesome bed head!!

Eric & Jenny warming up for the race, which they took 3rd & 4th place in. (Did I mention, I took 2nd.)

The annual Jones Family Picture

I'm Sorry....

I just need to apologize to all of my faithful fans (mom, sister and a couple friends) who check my blog daily. I have been such a slacker lately. I know that your expectations are very high that I will post daily or at least a few times a week, but I have really let you down and I am sorry. It's summertime and we are just having too much fun. I guess I'm just not as bored as I was when I started this blog. Once school starts next week I will have much more time on my hands and I promise to be more diligent about updating the blog. Thanks for your continued support!!

Pioneer Day

We celebrated Pioneer Day by trekking around the state of Utah in our cars. Tim left the house at 5:00 am to golf at Wasatch in Heber. After golf, We met Tim in Park City at the outlets. We did some shopping. Tim went to work (since his company is national and does not observe Pioneer Day) and the boys & I went swimming at the Marriott with the Fawson's. We swam for quite awhile then headed back down to the great Salt Lake Valley. We got cleaned up and went to Kneader's for dinner (our new favorite place in Herriman). Then we went downtown to the Real Salt Lake Game. It really was an entertaining game. Too many funny stories to tell. We had a great time even though they cancelled the fireworks show. Then we headed all the way back to our home. Aren't we lucky that we can drive our cars all over the valley?! We really are grateful for the pioneers and appreciate all that they did for us. (These are the only pictures I have of our eventful day...sorry they are so lame!!)

Tim's Birthday

We celebrated Tim's birthday this weekend. Tim & I went and saw Harry Potter on Friday night. On Saturday night, we had my family over for a "Tim" style party. We had Cafe Rio salads & burritos, grape kool-aid, and Joe Morley's mud pie. All of Tim's favorite things! On Sunday, we went to Tim's parents house and celebrated with his family. We had more mexican food and Jenny made a yummy ice cream cake. We also played a crazy game where you cut around a lifesaver on top of a flour tower and if you make the lifesaver fall you have to pick it up with your mouth...weird, I know. But, the kids (and adults) enjoyed it! I think Tim had a great birthday weekend, despite his old age (31-years-old)!

Swimming Lessons

Payton just finished 2 weeks of swimming lessons. It's amazing much he has improved in the past couple weeks. He loves the water and is a little fish now. A couple weeks ago, he was a little bit timid and wouldn't go under the water. My friend Susie and her sister, Bobbi were his teachers. He started out in Bobbi's class, but then was able to move up to Susie's class with the older kids. He was very excited about his progress. He loved swimming lessons!

Murray Pool

We went swimming at our favorite pool today. Payton started wearing his goggles today and it made all the difference. He loves being under water now and is breathing under water. Suddenly, it all just clicked for him. Now he just needs to learn the actual swimming technique. Also, he went down the water slide with Tim at least 20 times. Parker loves to be in the water, but only where he can touch. He doesn't like going in the deep end with us. And, he likes the slide, but warns us not to go "too fast."

Scanner

I've had a scanner for almost a year now and never used it. A friend of mine wanted me to find them an old picture so it prompted me to actually use my scanner. It is so awesome!! I can't believe I haven't used it before. It takes two seconds and the pictures are on my computer. Isn't technology wonderful? Anyway, as I went through my old pictures I found a bunch of fun pictures. I will post of few today and save the rest for future postings if you enjoy them.

Susie & I at a dance competition 15 years ago

My Family 20 years ago...when we were all so sweet!

Me & Eric...10 years ago...we look like we're the same age.

Tim with his old scout uniform on. This was probably 8 years ago, but he looks (and acts) exactly the same.

Special Reunion

My darling friend and former running partner, Becky Garrett, was in town from California and we went to dinner last night. We lived in the same condo complex as the Garrett's for 5 years. I loved being able to spy on her from across the complex and see when her blinds opened or when her lights were on. Becky and I ran together every morning and because of her fearless attitude towards life she thought that we should run a marathon together. I was skeptical, but prepared a color coded 6-month traning schedule and we got busy training. I really didn't think we could do it, but she was determined. We enjoyed many, many, many hours of running together and even some injuries along the way. In April 2004, we ran in the Salt Lake City marathon together. It was the most amazing accomplishment!! It was also so incredible that I could share that accomplishment with an amazing friend. We are bonded for life because of our marathon experience. After the marathon, we both got pregnant and the running went downhill. We moved from the condos into a new home and the Garrett's moved to California shortly thereafter. I haven't seen Becky in probably almost 2 years, but when we got together last night it was like we had never been apart!! I forgot how much I loved chatting with Becky about the serious things in life and the not so serious things. It's amazing how a great friendship can last even when it hasn't been nurtured. I am so grateful for my friendship with Becky and for the imprint that she has left on my life. My life has been changed for the better because of Becky. Thanks for being such a great friend...I love you, Britt!!

Becky & I 2007 (This is a horrible picture of me!!)


Becky & I 2004...We did it!!

Pilates

Parker & Erika doing pilates together. His chubby tummy and legs could use a little toning!!