Our first family photo shoot

All of us together. Not too bad!!!

Take a look at those personalities!

Easter...a few days late

Coloring their one egg.......over and over and over and over.

Grandma and Grandpa's Easter Egg Hunt - lots and lots of toys and fun! This is the first picture with the cousins. (Alex, Shea, Zach, Cody, Will & Tayson)

Okay, so I am a little behind. I am finding it harder and harder to find the time to blog. So, once again, I am setting a new goal to keep up with my life.

Easter this year was a little anti-climatic. It felt like Easter went on for two weeks. Cody's Easter parties were two weeks before Easter. Shea and Alex's Spring parties (they are not called Easter parties) were the week before Easter. We had an Easter Egg hunt with Grandma and Grandpa the Wednesday before Easter. So, when the actual day came along, we were all about done. I even forgot to buy eggs to dye. I had three in the fridge so they each got one egg to dye. To their credit, not one of the three complained.

We have a tradition that the Easter bunny hides the baskets and the kids have to find them. Shea had found them all before the boys made it down the stairs. The Easter bunny will have to think of better hiding places next year. Alex said that the Easter bunny brought boring stuff this year...I guess the Easter bunny was just having an off year. Next year will be better.

It's Rodeo Time!!

The boys are convinced that real cowboys tuck their pants into their boots.

I love Texas. I love being a Texan. I love that my kids are being taught to say "Yes, mam" and "Yes, sir." I love that it never snows. BUT, my very favorite thing about Texas is the Rodeo. It is one of the biggest in the nation and it is a constant party for two weeks. I have not missed the Rodeo since I moved here 11 years ago. Even this year we took Zachary at 15 days old. We wear our boots and walk through cow poop and watch chickens hatch and look at baby pigs.

The weather was beautiful and the kids were great, considering we walked for five hours straight - there is alot to see at the Rodeo!

Sleeping Babies

Is there anything better than a sleeping baby?

Zachary has become the best baby ever!! I personally think that he knows he doesn't have a choice because there will be times when he will just have to cry so he really just doesn't cry much. He loves to be held by Shea, Alex and Cody is usually content to just sit in their arms and hang out like one of the big kids. We love him and we are so glad he is here!

Welcome Baby Zach!

Zachary Taylor Jones

6 lbs. 0.9 oz.

19 1/4 inches long



Emily and Zach are doing great and will be coming home on Sunday!

Recent Snapshots

Did I mention there were popsicles?

Yes, it is March 1 and my children are in bathing suits, playing in the sprinkler, and eating popsicles. Isn't it still winter? It is hard to believe that summer is still months away when it is warm enough to do summer things. Shea keeps telling me what a perfect day it was. I guess it is the simple pleasures in life that keep us smiling.

The socks were Cody's attempt at maintaining winter attire. He definitely jumps to his own beat.

A Grandfather's Love

A few weeks ago Shea did Jump Rope for Heart. She practiced and practiced and practiced (for weeks we had to walk around in fear of being hit by a jump rope). The big day came and it just wasn't what she thought it would be. Shea was crushed. Her Grandpa Jones sent her this oh so cute necklace to cheer her up - it was just what she needed. Sometimes Grandpa's really do know best.

Thanks Paca for making Shea smile!!

We love you!!!!