11

Today Kate turns 11. She looked so cute as she went off to school this morning.

We celebrated her birthday with her best friend, Adria this past weekend. We took a little road trip to Houston to see One Direction in concert.

This was taken in the hotel just before leaving for the concert. I think Kate was just a tad bit excited.

Arriving to the stadium

No surprise it was a sold out show

The opening act: 5 Seconds to Summer

Anticipating One Direction's arrival

Just as the boys came out....she is so happy!

The reason we drove all way to Houston

Kate's favorite

Loving every minute

The End

After the concert we hung out a while to let the crowds thin out. The stadium was so loud that we sounded like we had been sucking on helium afterwards. It was so funny!

The next day we went to Galveston to hang out at the beach. 

That evening we went to Kemah boardwalk.

We had such a fabulous time together. The concert was fantastic and I think Kate fell more in-love with One Direction than she was before...if that is possible. I loved being with her and watching her watch the concert. That was my favorite part. She was so happy and having so much fun. I don't know how we are going to top this birthday....it was the best birthday ever!

Sammy is 2

Happy Birthday to our pup, Sam. I don't particularly like dogs but I love this one for some reason. He truly has become a part of our family and it doesn't hurt that he is so darn cute!

16

Braeden turned 16 last week. Man, does time fly. I have been reflecting this week about the last 16 years and I have found myself tearing up on more than one occasion. It doesn't seem like that long ago that I was carrying him around on my back with his little arms wrapped around my neck. Now he can carry me on his back. He has grown up way to quickly and before I know it he will be off on his own. But until then, we will continue to create memories and I will hold on to him for as long as I can.

Birthday celebrations started on his actual birthday with dinner out and birthday presents from the family.

To continue the celebrations I took him and some of his friends to an FC Dallas soccer game.

The birthday celebration ended with friends coming over. Braeden's request for his party: nachos, mozzarella cheese sticks, soda, and candy. That was easy. :)

thanksgiving, a birthday, ice-mageddon, and some other stuff

Today is the perfect day to get caught up on my blogging. We are on day 4 of ice-mageddon and are loving it. It has been a nice early Christmas gift to be at home with the family.  This is what has gone on in the Jones household the last couple of weeks:

We went to Missouri for Thanksgiving. We all ran a turkey trot Thanksgiving morning. It was soooo cold. We still had fun. I finished in 30:55. I think that is my best time yet.

Braeden was so sweet. After he finished his race he came back for me and pushed me to run harder and faster. After I finished we both went back for my sister, Tara and finished with her.

                                                       

Because I am lame or lazy or maybe both I didn't take many more pictures from our time in MO.  We did put together several puzzles, the kids played on the trampoline a lot, and we ate a fried turkey....it was so delicious!

This kid had a birthday on the 2nd. He is officially a teenager. 13....I can't believe it.  He has shot up this last year and is almost as tall as me. I give him few more months and I am sure I will be looking up at him. So handsome!

I love this picture. Two reasons: 1 becasue Joshua is always making some kind of funny face and 2 because of the One Direction gift bag in the background. Braeden thought he would be funny and wrap his gift in one of Kate's old gift bags.  Makes me smile. :)

No cake for this kids. He wanted a Sundae with every topping imaginable. Vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate, caramel, M&M's, crushed Oreo's, toffee bits, chocolate chips, gummy bears and worms, and whipped cream. YUM!

Sammy is just too cute. We love him!

The Young Women in my ward put together a food drive for one of their Wednesday night activities. Our ward was so generous. We collected so much food and other items. It was a huge success and the girls had so much fun while serving those in our community that are in need.

The ice started Thursday afternoon at about 2 pm and did not stop until Friday some time.  Everything is covered in 3 to 4 inches of ice. It has been so cold!  It is starting to thaw today so I am thinking the kids will be back in school tomorrow. Although I wouldn't mind one more day. :)

One more random....I don't usually like to share these kind of things. I like to keep them to myself but this morning as I got in the shower and it began to steam up this is what I saw. Best husband ever...its the little things like this that I love!