Walking down to the bus...

This morning as Hallie and I started down the driveway to catch her school bus we had a little conversation and I thought I would share it with you... Before I tell you about our conversation I should tell you I helped out in her class on Monday.. Hallie: Mom, my friends at school like you. Me: That's nice, why do they like me? Hallie: Well they think you are nice and funny. Me: Do you think I am nice and funny? Hallie: Well yes actually I do mom and I have been wanting to tell you that I really appreciated you coming to my school. My teacher really enjoyed having you help out because its crazy in there with all twenty six of us ya know. Me: Well I was glad to come help out. Hallie: Can you come every week? Me: Well no I cant. I have Addison at home so it is not that easy to just come in for the whole day. Hallie: Maybe we could send Addison to Grandma's or Nana's house for the MONTHS (she said months) that I am in school then you will be available to help. Me: Hallie that wouldn't be nice. Would you want to be away from your sister for that long? Hallie: Probably not mom...I think Addi would miss me way too much. Me: I agree. Hallie: But mom one more thing before I get on the bus today...I love you so much and you are the best mom. I always want you as my mom. I am going to do some kind things for you today so I can write them down and share with my class. (they are learning about kindness this week). Me: I love you too Hallie you are a very special little girl and I thank God for you every day. And with a kiss goodbye she hopped on the bus and waved to me out the window. It made my day! Children are such a blessing from God. I will NEVER take for granted the two girls God gave to me..as I know children are little miracles from Heaven and being Hallie and Addison's mom is a GIFT that I am so thankful for!

Happy Birthday Mike/Grandpa

Happy Birthday !!! Have a Great day! We Love you! You are such a special part of our lives. Thank you for all that you do. You deserve a Wonderful birthday.....( take a vacation or something )...ha ha ;)

I do not have any good pictures of you Mike..so watch out for my camera at the next gathering :)!!

LIGHTS OUT!!! It truly amazes me that no matter how much commotion is going on around you, you can still manage to get some ZZZZ's.......

The UP Jones Family comes down to visit...

Mark's brother Brad, his wife Lisa and their daughter Emma came down to visit. They moved to the UP about a year and a half ago. Since there are so many of us to visit we all got together at Grandpa and Grandma's house for burgers and to hang out together.

In this picture Grandma is driving her grand kids around...the only one missing is her newest grand daughter Alivia. On the back is Alyssa and Zack. On the front seat from left to right is Hallie holding Emma, Makalynn, Cole and Addison. Notice my Addi is crying....this is because I ran to grab the camera and she thought I was NEVER returning :) !!

Aunt Melissa was recruited for driving the kiddos around.

A wagon ride with Emma, Alyssa, Addison and Cole!

And the MEN are sitting around the fire on the patio...Typical men!!

First Bike Ride...

We went on our first bike ride a week ago...it was a little chilly but it was very fun.

Addison thought this was the best thing ever!

Fun times with Cole and Makalynn

I watched these two cuties last week and we had a ton of fun outside.

Cole was a little sleepy at this point :)

Hallie's questions lately...

The other night Hallie says to me (at the dinner table)..Mom you said Addison and me were cut out of your tummy..right? ME: Yes Hallie you were both cut out of my tummy. Hallie: You also said that baby Alivia was not cut out of Aunt Michelle's tummy..right? ME: That right... (I at this point am getting nervous for what is next) Hallie: Well then how did they get her out of Aunt Michelle's tummy? ME: UMMMMM....Welllll Hallie: Mom how? ME: I will explain it to you when you are a little older. Hallie: I will be six in like a few months.. Mark: realizing I need help he says: Hallie babies come from tummies. Some get cut out some don't. Hallie: OK Dad!! Now Seriously what kind of answer was that? One that worked. She dropped it (for now)..Hallie has A LOT of questions............this is just one of the recent ones that I was not ready to answer. :)

NEW Haircut for HALLIE

A few people have asked me to post some pictures of Hallie's new Haircut..So here they are....

MOM "We want to wear Flip-Flops"....

Hallie was wearing her Flip-Flops in the house this morning. Addison thought that they were pretty cool so she went in the closet and brought Hallie hers to put on. I thought it was cute so I snapped a picture. It was hard because Addi did not want to stay still..she was dancing too much!

Sisters and Friends...

We went to the basement to clean and organize...it has been awhile since we have been down there since it is very chilly :)!! The girls had lots of fun. They had snack together at the table after Hallie made the snack in her kitchen. They are buds..despite the age difference they play pretty well together. Hallie basically just mothers her and Addi thinks its GREAT!! I got all my cleaning done and they played the whole time! It was a fun afternoon at the Jones house!!

Baby "Bling"

Look at all of those "pretties"....Addison loves putting beads or pretties around her neck! She thinks they are the best! Usually she just has one but she found the bag full of them in the basement that Daddy brought home from New Orleans (he was there during Mardi Gras)!!

"Look at all of these guys"...

Sunny Sunday Afternoon.......

Addison is off to play....

Hallie pushes Addi on the mini swing set!!

Water, Water, I love the water!!! Addison got this water table for her Birthday...we filled it up and she had a blast!!

If you look closely... Addi is SOAKED!!

Thumbs UP to Nana...Thanks for the new patio set!! We love the swivel rocking chairs!! Dad put all of it together on Sunday afternoon!!

Soccer Players

Hallie starts soccer practice soon along with her first game...so we decided to get out side this afternoon and kick around the soccer ball. Addison wanted to do it too (of course) anything that Hallie does Addi wants to do too! :)

Finally we can play outside....

Addison's favorite thing to do outside is go down the slide on Hallie's lap. I think Hallie kind of likes it too!!

I can just about know what Addi is thinking...mom get out of the way with that camera so we can go down :) !

It is so much brighter outside than inside mom!!