YEAR IN REVIEW

Poor Snowman! Donovan's "Indonovania Jones" Birthday Party

They bobbed for skulls n' apples, dug through monkey brains and crawled through the tunnel of terror. Donovan had one thing from every Indie movie--it was really wild!

Cousin Swayde's 9th Birthday Party--Uncle John had us all get something golf oriented and after he opened all the golf stuff--Swayde got golf clubs as a big surprise!!

Donovan earned his Bear and graduated from Mom's Den--sniff, roar!

One of my very favorite pictures of all time!

Gabi got to perform with her dance group at the Rocky Mountain Rehab Center--It was one of those moments of pure joy seeing the looks on the residents faces--awesome!

Gabi's final performance was at the Rec Center's Spooktacular. I rushed to get her there on time and looked back and zzzzzzzz. I love the picture below because it says it all!

Grandpa Don and Grandma Sue came to see her.

Here's how it all looked before the chaos began!

Donovan was so excited to give Evan his gift.

Gabi gave Jayda her gift--a soft doll. Jayda was....tired!

Reilly's favorites? A DSi and a sock monkey from Santa

Any questions about Donovan's favorite gift? "He'll shoot his eye out!"

Christmas Eve the kids exchanged their gifts to each other

Donovan's contribution to Christmas Decor--a lego manger scene.

My dad was in a rehab place for Christmas after knee surgery. He's in the lap of luxury--but let's face it--it can be boring--so we all went down to spice things up!

I told them to look as pathetic as possible--perfect!

The truth

Carter, our three-year old cousin kept showing us his pajama bum and saying "What do you think" so we took this memorial photo

The boys

The whole group of Jones' Grandkids in New PJ's from Grandma

Our three little angels at the Nutcracker Ballet at Weber State. Our friend Emma Kerr was in it and they got us great tickets. At intermission Donovan's eye's lit up and he said "Is it over?" Reilly wanted to be a dancer, but changed his mind when he saw male dancers wearing white tights--yikes. Gabi kept leaning over and saying "Aren't they beautiful." Next year this will probably be a mommy and daughter event!

Giant Bubble Machine

Sue, Misty and Jalyce came to see Gabi perform at the Festival of Trees. The twins and Taylee loved it too. It was my first time there and was so much fun.

Four babes in a row---Bring on the dancers!

The girls jumped up and down to make the bells on their skirts jingle.

Gabi in front of the Fancy Nancy Tree

What a thrill! Donovan and Chris's Junior Jazz Team was picked to play at the U Basketball Team's half-time. We all went decked out to support.

Donovan and Jake sitting on the official U seats!!

Can't Wait! Donovan is wearing his U hat and his Beat BYU shirt underneath!

Gabi's 6th Birthday--Hannah Montana Fabulous!

They made glittery microphones to rock out with.

Finally someone wants to play the Pretty Pretty Princess game!

My favorite birthday gift was performing in the Prelude to Christmas Stake choir. It's the best choir I've sung in--very challenging music--and it's an amazing way to feel the Christmas spirit through song. This year the boys got to sing with me and Dad and Nancy made the snowy trek up to see the show. It was the best year ever!

Thanksgiving '09

2009 YEAR IN REVIEW

What a great year we've had full of family fun together. My favorite way to remember is through pictures--you could probably tell--and as I look through I am amazed at the way our little family is growing up. I love that they are such individuals--they make me laugh every day.

KELLY- Life is still an adventure to navigate with a 10-year old, looking forward to Reilly's baptism, sending my last child to Kindergarten, and helping my mom in her golden years. Life is very full now and as we have struggled and seen others struggle through tough family and economic times this year--we are reminded to treasure the simple, basic things of life. I am grateful for that perspective. I still really enjoy working in each of the kids' classrooms and helping them explore the world through dance, basketball, friends, soccer, piano, homework, and church. I loved the trip we took to Newport with our friends, the Kerrs. We've never gotten to see sea life so up close and personal--it was astonishing. Another trip to Palm Springs with family in October was so relaxing and fun. New developments are that we all have bikes and can ride them independently. We also went on our first long hike where all the kids walked under their own steam! Amazing. I am grateful for Chris and the ways that he supports me and engages with each of our kids. I feel very blessed.

CHRIS has really been working and playing hard this year. He started giving guitar lessons through the Boys and Girls Clubs in Salt Lake and has really enjoyed sharing his talents--and the kids love it too. He has been coaching Donovan's Junior Jazz teams since October. Chris still works in Oil and Gas Law with Holland and Hart Law Offices downtown. They are moving to new building the first of next year. In his spare time he can be found with a guitar or ukelele in his hands and since his birthday--he has been rocking out pretty solid to Beatles Rockband. (Thanks Uncle Mike) He enjoyed our little biking adventure to Steamboat Springs Colorado--especially float tubing down the Yampa River--yeee haaa! (Not) The kids kept us both busy through the Spring with baseball and soccer but Chris loved every minute. He is very devoted and funny and we love him so much. Reilly dedicated many of his school journal entries to "My Dad." So that's saying something.

DONOVAN-is a fairly non-typical 10-year old. He wakes up early to watch the History Channel. He is so into guns--it's chronic. He loves legos and learning and earned a microscope by reading all Summer. Donovan loves baseball and the Utes. He has a great group of friends and is very social. He loves to play video games and listen to Weird Al songs on the Internet. (still!) Donovan is learning the piano and may become the first "one-man-rockband." At the last minute, he got to be in the Geography Bee at school and lobbied hard to Santa for a BB gun. He is a great student and is always surprising us!

REILLY-is still our social bug. He loves school and spends most recesses chasing girls--whew. That's how he stays so skinny! Reilly had his best soccer season ever this year. The only game they lost was the one when he was sick! He plays baseball, piano and will start Junior Jazz soon. He's very excited to be baptized next month. Reilly is very loving and fun. He is a real peacemaker in our family and plays with everybody. Reilly is a great, expressive reader and is doing awesome in school. You should have seen his face when he took his new electric scooter for a ride--pure joy. He is pure joy for us.

GABI-is six and almost as tall as Reilly. She is very into music, Hannah Montana, riding her bike with Dad, and playing with friends. She is excited that her hair is long enough to be in a ponytail, and consequently it usually is! She is very independent and capable. She usually comes down the hall completely ready for school--hair, clothes, backpack,--hours before she has to go. Gabi loves books and doing makeup. She is doing great at school--keepin' those rowdy boys in line! Because she's in afternoon K, she and Mom get to hang out together all the time--we love to shop and split a Costa Vida salad! Gabi gives great hugs, wants to have her arms tickled for hours, and brings a great deal of sass to our family.

We are blessed to have great friends and family. We are thankful for each member of our family and for the love that we share. We are grateful for the gospel--for the light and hope it brings to each day. We hope the New Year will bring peace and happiness for all of us. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Love,

The Jones'

Kelly, Chris, Donovan, Reilly and Gabi