Our little girl is growing up.

Riley at three months old. She's so alert and aware of what is going on around her. We love her.

Taking on the TX COLD!?!

I know we have nothing to Washington, DC right now, or the entire northeast, or WY, or MI, or..., but hey, we're TX and used to living through 100+ degree summers and 50 degree winters. With that said, I braved the snow--yes, a snowy sleet was actually falling from the sky in Austin, TX--to go to playgroup at the Austin Arboreteum today, just next to Barnes & Nobles--they have a great cow statue garden. Daniel had a great time playing with Tori and Lizzy Cluff and Riley, although the youngest (but not by much thanks to Ishaan Agarwaal :) stayed bundled up in her stroller (Thanks Danielle for the warm suit--just in time!). She peeked out whenever she could.
Just thought I'd share the experience with you so you knew I was raising my kiddos right--able to enjoy colder weather. Here's to growing up/living in Missouri, Michigan, South Dakota, Indiana, Utah, Romania/Moldova and New York. Just look at Daniel's smile--we had a great time.



After nap time, I think we'll enjoy some hot chocolate.

Who do I look like now???

I can't remember if I posted these before or not, so I'll post it again. Who does Daniel look more like, Mommy or Daddy?

Happy Valentines Day, 2010

For Valentine's Day, we made you cookies!

Daniel decorated them and gets all of the credit for creative liberty and Riley oversaw the entire process--nice feet, eh?!? :)

We wish you were here to enjoy them, but know we are thinking about you and sending loves and kisses, and silly faces.

Clinton turned 31 on Friday, February 5

Clinton is now 31 years old! Here is a picture at his last 15 minutes of being 30.

After a family dinner of lemon clam pasta and tomato salad, we had a celebration with food, folks and fun on Friday night--see chocolate cakes. Games lasted until 12:30 after which Clinton stayed up to enjoy his new video games. The man's still got game as he lasted until 4:00 am.


What I love about Clinton...(this is by no means a comprehensive list)
Clinton lives his life with exactness to his beliefs and does not apologize for them. He is a man with integrity that I never have to question. He makes family a priority while fulfilling commitments to others (church, school, work). He works hard to provide for the family and succeeds.
He loves his kids and spends time with them as needed. He wakes up in the middle of the night to help with the kiddos, changes poopy diapers and gives the kids baths! Wow!
Clinton has a strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
He knows how to have fun and when we say we're going to do something, we follow through. He will put something on the schedule to make sure it happens, and follows up immediately.
He is concientious to communicate with me and make sure I am involved in family decisions and discussions.
He is a good friend and enjoys helping others.
He enjoys good food and traveling to unique and remote places.
Clinton accepts me for who I am and does a great job at calming me down when I am angry.
He tells me often that he loves me. I am lucky to be married to such a great guy!

Outside fun on the TIRE SWING

We love the tire swing (thank you Grandma and Grandpa Wouden); Daniel will just giggle and "wheeee" when he is on it, especially with his friends. Here's Daniel and Jakson enjoying the mugginess outside today--oh, winter in TX! We are thrilled that he actually keeps a hat on his head (thank you Grandma and Grandpa Jones)!

SuperMom

Sometimes I feel like a SUPERMOM because I get so much done.
Sometimes I feel like a SUPERMOM because I get nothing done.

...I think the important thing is to feel like a SUPERMOM.

Noses

While lying on the bed with Riley and Daniel, I wiped Riley's nose. Daniel then looked at her nose, pointed so his finger was picking Riley's nose and said "Boogers" with a surprised expression. He then started picking her nose trying to get out the boogers.
When ever I told him not to do that and pushed his hand away from her nose, he started laughing--oh, another made up game.
Then, he starts pointing to all the places he can think of that he's not supposed to touch. Sitting on Riley's stomach means he pointed to her stomach. I tapped his hand away and he laughed harder. Touching the keys, phone, breast pump, computer mouse, etc. His laugh was so full and loud, I thought he would burst; or Riley did from her expression. It was a fun game for a rainy afternoon. And all because he tried to pick his sister's nose. What a thoughtful brother.

When that ended, he knelt over Riley and shook her hand, saying "hi Riley."
I wonder what that will turn into!?!

One of these things is just like the other

I

Playing at great grandpa Simmon's house, Daniel and cousin Cate both discovered the stairs and had fun going up and down. Coincidentally, they were both dressed in their brown hoodie suits. What fun it is to have cousins close in age.


On a side note, Daniel is figuring out the world, and it is fun to watch him discover and put things together. We were playing outside yesterday and I positioned myself so a tree was between us and I couldn't see him in my line of sight. Wanting to copy Mommy, he ran behind the closest tree and poked his head out of one side with the biggest grin and an enthusiastic "Boo!"
Of course, we played that game for the next hour.

This morning, while I was typing, he was drinking his apple juice while playing on the floor with some toys. He had found his fishing net and put his cup inside the net. Then, he discovered that the net was mesh and water came through it, so he was drinking his cup through the mesh! What a smartie!

He's helped me cook lately and loves to stir. He'll get my kitchen stirring spoons and stir whatever--toys, beads, puzzle pieces. What a wonderful world to figure out!

Great Grandparents

We were thrilled to have so much family here for Riley's baby blessing in December, including, but not limited to Great Grandpa Kern and Grandma Great Afton who came down from Napa, CA. It was so much fun to see them hold and smile at little Riley. My camera was being frustrating (meaning, I couldn't figure out how to make it focus better while taking manual picutres--any tips???), but I did manage to get these two pictures of the three.



And at Christmas time, we got to visit Great Grandpa Simmons in San Antonio. He is so gentle and loving with our kids. It's great to see them together and we enjoy visiting him when we get the chance.


Now, we just need to get up to Moses Lake so the extended Jones family can meet the kiddos! We're hoping to go up there to celebrate Great Grandparents Jones' 50th wedding anniversary.

We are grateful for extended family and their influence in our lives.

Thanks Tiana and Jason

Isn't this a darling outfit? I just imagine Riley is so comfortable when she wears it! Plus, she is so cute in it.
It makes me want to wear leggings, but then I remember how I look in them and stick to other, more flattering clothes. Here's to being a baby and looking cute in so many styles.