Tiffany's Turn

In 6 months, Tiffany is the third person in our house to have their wisdom teeth removed. Knowing what a treat Dason and Rick were afterwards, I couldn't resist documenting her post-op loopiness.



Trying to tell us she can't feel her tongue.


Rick had to redirect her to the car quite a bit.





He said on the way home Tiffany said her lips were really dry. He gave her some chapstick and he watched her put it on all over her lips. Before long, she realized the cap was on and then couldn't stop giggling.

Getting Hugs


The kids and I postponed leaving for our drive to TX, so we could make sure she was okay and say our goodbyes (not to mention get some pics).
Look how sloppy her arms are. :)




Seriously, I am so grateful the surgery went well and hope she fully recovers expeditiously. We love you Tiff!

Dason's 17th - Another AWESOME cake

Dason requested an ice cream cake for his birthday. We had to improvise to get to 17. We used ten single candles plus a '9' and subtracted the '2'. I just realized I could've used the '9' and eight singles. Oh well. What it would be without some sort of cake mishap.


Spencer is now obsessed with Dason's way of putting the candles out. Thanks Dason. :)

Singing Happy Birthday to Dason

Thanks for ending the song perfectly Dason. Hope you had a great birthday!

Dason's 17th - Opening Presents

When we got home from dinner, Dason was chomping at the bit to open presents.


Sydney gave him computer magazines and new headphones for his ipod.


We got him much needed clothing.



It wouldn't be a birthday in our family if something wasn't wrapped in a food container.


He was excited to get the PSP since we are driving him out to Utah for EFY in a few days. It will help make those 36 hours in the car a bit more bearable. Spencer got him a game to go with it.

Happy 17th Birthday Dason!

I can't believe my baby boy is 17, and is going to be a senior in high school next year! I remember the day he came into this world like it was yesterday.

Dason has been such a blessing to our family. If anyone is in need, he is the first one there to help. The stake president took me aside last Sunday. He commented that when Rick and Dason worked at a mission in downtown Tampa with the youth of our stake a few weeks ago, that Dason was the only teenager who didn't complain or roll his eyes when assigned to work in certain areas. He went on to say that Dason was cheerful and jumped right in without goofing around. Even at home when asked to do chores he usually replies with "sure." We are so lucky to have such a sweet, valiant spirit in our home! We couldn't be more grateful for him or love him any more than we do!


Dason chose to celebrate at:



Sydney took this picture of Dason and me waiting for our table.


My sweet Dason and me. He is wearing a puppy sticker Sydney gave him for his birthday.


Rick & Sydney

What Spencer does when you're not looking.

I turned to my right just in time to see this. At first I thought it was an allergic reaction and then I realized he brought a stamp I didn't know about.


Rick & Sydney

Time for Dason to be embarrassed/sung to. :)


Dason asked that we film this daring stunt.

I must admit I've never done that for fear of getting burned. I'm glad he's not a 'fraidy cat like me.


Dason had just blown out his candle after being sung to by the staff.


Spencer's self portrait


Dason enjoying his free birthday dessert.


Dason's not a big fan of whipcream and shared it with Spencer...


and Sydney.



I couldn't decide which picture I liked more.


Dason and his two monkeys.. I mean, siblings.


Dason had a good time, good food, and a full tummy at end of our visit to the Cheesecake Factory. Happy Birthday! We love you Dason!

"Look Mom, I'm Steve Urkel!"

(She's wearing black for her Harmony and Rhythm performance).

Sydney.. need I say more? :)

When I woke up and went in the kitchen today I saw this.
I asked her what was up with her hair.
She replied matter of factly, "I'm a lunch lady today."

Spencer.. need I say more?

Rick and I pulled up just in time to see this. 

Is there a damsel tied up on the train tracks somewhere?

Sydney's Big Day

Last week Sydney wrote and presented a speech for a Tropicana sponsored speech competition. She placed first in her class and later that day placed first in her pod. About 1100 students participated.

Today was the school competition to see who will compete at the district level.
It was standing room only.

They drew the order yesterday and she ended up going last. The first speech was amazing, and the next one, and the next one. One was about why kids should exercise, another was about passion, one was on civil rights, etc... With how serious the other topics were I didn't know how well received Sydney's topic of why she needs a cell phone would be.

It is FINALLY her turn!


I was so excited she didn't mess up. After an excruciating wait, they were finally ready to announce the winner. After announcing third and second place there was a long pause. Knowing it was probably not going to be Sydney, my stomach was in a knot wondering how she would take it. The emcee said, and first place goes to.... "SYDNEY JONES!" My jaw hit the floor. The roof came off the place with Sydney's class and pod and Spencer's class going crazy screaming for her! Dason and I fought tears of excitement. (It was so cute because he was as excited as I was).

She spots Dason and me for the first time.

Think she's a tad excited? :)

The pod finalists.

They all did a fantastic job!

Sydney was giddy after school. Everyone was telling her (and Spencer) what a great job she did and how she really should get a cell phone now. After school she climbs in the car and says, "I could get used to this!" Spencer answers her with, "I'm a celebrity now!" (She mentions him in her speech). Sydney had a great time, and I am truly just grateful she did her best.

Ever since the Tropicana...

Here in Florida, Tropicana sponsors a speech contest that most schools participate in. Sydney wrote a cute one about why she should have a cell phone. She won first place in her class competition and later that day competed against the pod and won that too. Tomorrow she goes against the whole school.

Sydney's been rehearsing her speech with us a lot (to say the least). Tonight when I tucked Spencer in bed he asked me if I know what's changed in the last few days. I said no. He went on to say, "It's that ever since this Tropicana Speech happened Sydney's getting all the attention around here, and I'm getting none." I got the giggles. Thinking I was laughing because I didn't believe him, he proceeded to repeat how he was getting the shaft in the center of attention department.

If you know our attention-monger Spencer, you'll understand how funny him saying this really is.

Live from Spencer's 9th Birthday

Frosting the Cake

Adding Sprinkles


Singing Happy Birthday

Spencer's Birthday

My sweetie Spencer turned 9 today. For the past few days he has been sick with a fever. As I tucked him in last night he pitifully asked if I knew what the worst thing about his life was. I said, "no." He then said, "It's that I'm sick."

In the morning Spencer's fever broke and he was back to his energetic self for his birthday. Since he'd been well for only a few hours, I kept him home from church. He helped bake and decorate his cake. When that was finished he helped me have dinner ready for the churchgoers.

Frosting Time


Sprinkle Time


More Sprinkle Time


Finishing Touches

His Monster Jam Masterpiece

After an early dinner it was time to sing Happy Birthday.


Rick is lighting the candles. The others don't know Spencer picked out "magic" ones.


Everyone just realized the candles won't stay out.


Spencer is relighting one. (What is it with boys and fire)?


Sydney trying to blow them out.


After having cake and ice cream it was time to open presents.

(Thank goodness for Target clearance toys).

Sydney got him a Tech Deck set.

Grandma and Grandpa Jones sent him an outfit and a motorcycle toy that he loved. Uncle Gary and Aunt Jen sent him Star Wars action figures and stickers.  Also, he was excited that Tiffany called and talked with him on his birthday.

This year instead of a "friend" party he was allowed to choose one friend and do an activity. So the next day, he took his friend Connor who lives a few houses down for dinner and games at -yes you guessed it - Chuck E. Cheese. Since it was a Monday night at 5pm hardly anyone was there. Woo hoo!

Spencer & Connor feeding their tickets.

We are so grateful Spencer got better just in time to have a fun birthday celebration.

Gettin' in the Cake Decorating Spirit Too

Rick's wedding cake


Carrie's Mermaid Cake

Debbi's baby shower cake

Debbi's Hannah Montana Cake

After seeing the amazing cakes that Debbi, Carrie, Samantha, and now Rick have made, I decided it was time to get in the game for Spencer's birthday. Rick took him to the Monster Truck Jam last weekend. Spencer loved it and I knew that was going to be our theme for his cake. It turned out amazing and I must say I think it could be in the cake catalog at the Target bakery. Here is our masterpiece:

Okay Last Christmas Song..

Again double click to select "watch in HD" in bottom right corner. For some reason blogger is cutting off the edge of the video or you could click it from there. Lucky for you my camera locked up and when I got it going again they had just begun the countdown from 12. I love the choreography.

Sing We Now of Christmas

I had to post Sydney's favorite song.  To see how much she loves it double click and select HD/HQ and watch her expressions.  

Christmas Concert - Happy Hannukah

So that the kids can sing Christmas songs at Christmas time they have to sing a myriad of "holiday" songs.   I must admit it is a catchy tune.

Last year her class sang Happy Kwanzaa.