Christmas at the Jones'

Christmas this year was at my mom and dad's up in Kaysville. I love being able to get together with all of my family at this special time of year. This year we did one of Justin's family traditions with my family...the trap! When Jut was growing up he and his brothers would have to get through a trap on christmas morning with out setting it off in order to open presents right away. If they set off the trap, which they did most years, then they would have to wait until after breakfast, and pictures and other things to open presents. Since most of my family lives in Kaysville, it was only my brother's kids who where in from Tuscan who got to experience the trap this year. I'm not sure if you can tell, but there is fishing line strung back and forth up the stairs that was attached at the bottom to a bucket full of dominoes, so if you bumped the string too much the dominoes would all come tumbling down - making a loud noise indicating that they had set off the trap. Dylan made it through too fast that we didin't even get a picture.

then Gracie made it through

and so did Sage...he was so nervous that he was going to be the one to set it off that he almost didn't even try

presents here we come!!

Av got a new bike and an elmo doll, she just loves elmo right now

books and movies!

and of course all the fun little stocking stuffers

It was such a fun year and I'm so excited for the new year to come!

HaLloWeEn 2010

This year for Halloween Av was a rainbow trout...She still doesn't quite have a grasp on Halloween but she sure caught on quick to candy! and boy was she on a sugar high that night!! she couldn't get enough. We just did a real quick walk around the ward Trunk or Treat and then hung out at Grandma and Grandpa Packers to help hand out candy, but I think Av ate more candy then she handed out. I had a fun time making her costume and I think it turned out pretty cute

Grand Canyon-Toroweap Overlook

We took a 3 hour drive on back roads (Arizona Strip) all the way to the Grand Canyon. We thought it was only going to take about 2 hours, so about an hour and a half into the drive I'm trying to keep Av awake so she doesn't fall asleep right before we get there and then have to wake her up...turns out I had to keep her awake for a whole lot longer than I planned. Then once we finally got there, it started to get really windy then came the thunder and lightening. Needless to say (if you can't tell by the look on her face in the picture above) Avenly didn't like it much! I'm sure it didn't help that she was completely exhausted. It was an adventure anyway, and it was nice just to get out and do something different as a family :)

freezer jam and stroller rides

Justin and I bought a bunch of fresh peaches, most of which we've eaten, some I've frozen for smoothies, and the rest I decided to make freezer jam with. So while I'm busy in the kitchen Av decides she really wants to go for a walk, I mean really wants to go. She's crying hysterically pointing at the closet that we keep the stroller in, "walk, walk" she says over and over. So finally I told her she could take her baby for a walk around the house. We strap her baby in and I go back to making jam. Next thing I know she's back in the kitchen getting into cupboards and drawers, which she does all the time so I don't pay much attention to it. Once I'm finished and I can finally give Av my full attention I find her taking much more than just her baby for a walk :) silly girl...at least she kept herself entertained!

{recent pictures}

one of these days i will sit down and catch up on all things Avenly...but until then here are some recent pictures from the last few months

all grown up

I took this pic of Av about a month ago and i just can't get over how grown up she looks in it...so i just had to share!