keeping up with the joneses

BePops and Meems Visit

2012-02-01T22:22:00.002-05:00

Buddy and Maurine came to stay with us at the end of December. We loved having them (as always!). When they arrived we headed outside to enjoy some lovely Florida December weather. We picked some oranges from our trees and had a little snack. :)

A little corn hole never hurt anybody. :) While we were playing...I sunk THREE IN A ROW...and missed the 4th! AHHHH! Almost...

Meems and BePops plotting when and how to give the kids their gifts. :)

The next day we went to play a little disc golf. We only played 3 holes before it was nap time.

Funny action shot of Dan the robot player...ha!

The rest of the visit I had a TERRIBLE stomach virus (that I think was passed around at Christmas in Nashville). Thankfully they were in town to help Daniel with the kids. But I hated to miss out on the social time time them. :( We love having them!!

Better group pic of ICE

2012-01-31T12:28:00.002-05:00

Nashville Christmas - 4

2012-01-28T13:46:00.000-05:00

So this was a really fun part of our trip: ICE! @ Gaylord Opryland Hotel. It was Madagascar Themed (which my kids love).

In the parka area

How cute is this parka baby??

They had warned us it would be 9 degrees in there. Literally...nine. degrees. They weren't kidding. They didn't factor in the "wind chill factor" in there which made it feel like 30 below. No joke. They had fans blowing in there making it MUCH colder. They did warn us. And if they are handing out parkas free for use...you gotta take these people seriously.

my snow bunny sister and mama...nice ear muffs. ;)

Santa made completely of ice! It was really amazing y'all.

Scottie and Kristy (Dad and EC busted in)

"why'd you do that papa?"

Ok, here Colbie is going down. It's only a matter of time before this FL baby (who was already over tired) lost her ever loving mind and WOULD not be consoled. In her little defense...it was ridiculously cold.

Group shot!

Dan sliding

Daisy!

Uncle Blake!

Y'all I am not kidding that it was a serious sacrifice to take pics in there!! My hand was stiff from coldness and turning red. :) AND my camera was functioning slow! As you can see, I took one for Team Blog on this one. :) Actually JeJe took one too with all the slide pics. Way to go Jeeg!

At this point, Daisy and Coco were on their way down too. We thought (incorrectly!) that the slides were at the end. OH no...much more to see after. But we had waited there for them to slide til their little hearts were content. So they were DONE (meaning FROZEN) and we still had several rooms of ice left to view. I hated to run thru them all. But we were at risk for frost bite of the face and toes (it had already attacked our attitudes)!! We had to move fast. :)

Isn't it amazing that all of this was ice??

Isaac was trying to be sweet...never has had a great poker face. :)

Yes, in our hurried state I did make them take a few pics. Mean ol' mama. But the ice was so neat I didn't wanna miss the opportunity. But these faces are hilarious...I'm surprised they were not a blur since they hardly stopped for this pic! HA. Isaac used to tell me all the time that he wanted to live where it snowed (before he had ever seen it or played in it). I think he's changed his mind now. :)

The nativity...very cool. Literally. heh heh heh.

She likes to Move it Move it. :)

This, my friends and family, is a miracle. Colbie Jean sleeps for NO ONE outside of a crib/pack n play in a dark room. No carseat, no shoulder, no choke hold has ever mastered what you are witnessing above. Poor baby girl...she was TIRED.

Coco couldn't get warm, so we wrapped him up. He looked like a little Tootsie Roll walking around. :)

Papa was making Emery laugh...she was so cute. :)

Poor E. Claire. When you are a little thang...this (above) happens to you a lot. :)

She doesn't seem to mind it too much.

Nashville Christmas - 3

2012-01-27T14:54:00.000-05:00

The Cagles have a great tradition of pooling money we would have used for gifts for each other and give it to a ministry that we decide on together. I LOVE that we do this. Taking the importance off of what we get and putting it on others in need. That's what Jesus would want for his birthday. :)

Gettin' ready for supper.

Gifts for the kids

Can never lose with another McQueen for the Co.

The beloved Rapunzel doll she decided she had to have for Christmas about 30 mins before the day. Sigh. Jeeg and Aunt Julie rock. :)

This was before church on Christmas day. The jury is still out on

if Emery Claire is a morning person or not. ;)

Church at Otter Creek.

We've come a long way folks. When I was this age and there was no nursery available I was made to sit perfectly still, no babbling, pretending to understand the sermon. True story. Now a days, it's iPad all the way. Dang. But you know, I feel my hardships have shaped me in to the mean mama I am today. :) JK.

The Newlyweds. :)

Christmas Lunch

Playing outside

Dan would be running pretty fast behind this toy...and Colbie's

face and low monotoned screaming was hilarious.

Nashville Christmas 2

2012-01-26T14:36:00.003-05:00

Burger Up BABY! VERY good.

We always seem to need a token dancing stuffed something...this year it was a tree. :)

The girls dancing to Papa's iPhone music

Family pic

The guys and kids headed to the park on morning.

Girl cousins. :) Emery and Colbie are 5 months apart and

are essentially David and Goliath in size. :)

Isaac was loving him some Uncle Scott this trip. :) I liked that. :)

Colbie's hair is finally long enough for some cute pig tails! ;)

Blake smoked us some yummy meat for dinner one night.

Papa made a rope swing for the kids to play on...they loved it.

the Bean

I took this pic of this statue. His name is St Francis of Asisi (I think). Anyway, he is SUPER heavy. But somehow he made his way around the yard while we were there. So Mom said he was our "Saint of the Shelf" for the holidays....now THAT's funny stuff. :) (I am still chuckling writing this a month later!)

It ain't a Cagle gathering with out a little corn hole action. :)

Mama and Kristy...our first Christmas with her being "officially"in the fam. :)

Blake boxing Jules with his ski gloves. :) She is not too amused.

Dan and Jean Bean

The Gingerbread Man and his adoring wife. :)

Nashville Christmas Sunset

YUM! Way to go Blake on this great meal!

Nashville Christmas-1

2012-01-20T17:27:00.000-05:00

It was Cagle Christmas! So we packed up and headed north.

Fun on the plane! They actually did really well. Colbie was a little restless...as all 22 month olds are. It was fairly uneventful. Just like we like it. :)

I have to tell on Colbie here: she was watching a DVD on the plane. It was turned toward her so that the DVD player sat at an angle, leaving a little space on the tray in front of the DVD player. I have her a sippie cup for a drink, she took a swig and planted it right in front of the DVD player where she clearly could not see. I just took it and placed it to the side in an attempt to help out. She glares at me for 3 whole seconds, leaned up, grabbed the cup, slammed it down where she had it RIGHT in front of the screen and then punched her thumb in her mouth and LEANED TO THE SIDE to watch her movie. WOOOOOO...she can be a stinker!!

We had a birthday dinner for Daniel! Happy Birthday Beh-beh! :) We had gotten him some gifts at home (corn hole, oh-OH!). But in Nashville, Mama fixed several of his favorite things for dinner. Daisy decorated. :) (This is also when Julie started to be symptomatic of the stomach bug...that we all passed around...good times! Sick Christmas part 2!)

Jeje reading bedtime stories.

It was COLD-IE. We got to use all our winter gear that we bought for last year. :) We did shove Colbie into a 12-18 mo jacket. I am not ashamed...

I love this pic of Dad in action with the camera. The top is fuzzy cause I took this pic out of the window.

Dan braved the coldness and played outside with the kids.

He's a handsome man, that Daniel Jones. And I am not biased at all. ;)

One day we went to Monkey's Treehouse. It was so cute and fun. There was even a fun petting zoo show going on.

Notice Isaac's head has grown since last year...he looks like a burglar in that hat. :)

Waiting for the animals.

Brave Coco (with burglar hat head) and Daisy. :)

I believe Colbie decided the petting zoo was not for her at that time. :) (Thanks a heap, Eve.)

Colbie on the sitting push toy...hence why I thought she'd love the scooter we got her. Not so much.

E. Claire working her way outta the little ones ball pit.

HC Christmas Party

2012-01-19T14:43:00.000-05:00

We had a little Christmas celebration at our house for HC. It was great! We love our HC.

KC and Amanda Lorick with their little "Angel Baby" Maggie. :)

We did a gift swap of something from our house that we don't use or need. :) You couldn't buy anything. it was interesting! (Above: Meghan, Erin, Andrea...nice hair bow Andrea!)

Mike, Jared, Russ

Score! Angel figurines!! :)

maggie and sawyer

Meghan with her bug zapper!

Sweet poker faced Sawyer. :)

KC with his new flip out hair comb. :)

Here's the whole group: Owens, Joneses, Lindsays, Highs, and Loricks. :)

Don't you love our Christmas party attire? Shorts, flip flops, tanks and such? HA!

a little everyday for ya...

2012-01-18T22:55:00.000-05:00

So one thing I have noticed about living with my little ones is that they like to be around me. Sometimes I wanna shake the little leaches off and just get one deep breath (and potty break) alone. :) Sometimes it makes me nervous that my EVERY move is being watched and repeated. YIKES. But sometimes, I love it. I know it may not be this way forever as they grow up. Although I do remember doing this to my mama. (And still do when I go home. :))

When I am folding laundry, it's not long before all 4 of us (when Daisy's home) are all in the laundry room. When I change location it takes about 2 mins before the meandering finishes and there we all are again. :) No one makes eye contact, Isaac usually still has a car. Colbie wanders in and find a new small space to hide in. I keep doing the dishes, loving that they follow me like ducklings with a Mama duck. ;)

I noticed it when we moved to this house. We put most of their toys in a back bedroom. They will not go back there to play. I thought this was interesting and then started noticing where they DO play, and the pattern of closeness. And while sometimes this drives me NUTS (when they are whining in the Witching Hours), most of the time it warms my heart. :)

Our Early Christmas Morning

2012-01-17T22:28:00.000-05:00

So we do this every year...early Santa. We are always on the move for Christmas. And I love Christmas and it's traditions, but not enough to haul it all to where ever we happen to be that year. The kids think it's whatever day we tell them it is, "Hey, y'all we go to church today...get on your church clothes." They'd be off to don clothes that have no holes in them. :) So we tweaked that little phrase to Christmas Eve (to do all those festivities) and we were set. "Hey y'all, guess what? It's Christmas Eve!...go put on your pi's!" Well, with the exception of Daisy. She knows the advent calendars have not hit 25 yet. But she is in favor of early presents so she goes with it. Plus, she "knows" so she doesn't care or ask. Isaac doesn't know. But he doesn't even ask really. Maybe a few very basic ones...but as long as he gets cars...he don't care! :) He did ask why Santa would come when we had not finished eating the chocolate or decorating the advent tree. But we told him he had to come early since we'd be outta town. :)

And btw...thanks Santa, I mean Jeje and Papa! :)

The whole Santa issue, EOTS (Elf on the Shelf), and gifts and such is a whole 'nother blog post that I probably will never get around to writing but wish I would. *Sigh*

The stockings were hung...finally with names!! 4 years later ain't bad! :)

Isaac's reaction to his favorite gift! The Mater Tall Tales Monster Trucks.

Daisy with a new scrapbook.

Colbie with the ball machine.

CoCo for sure gets the prize for best reactions of the morning!

Colbie got this little scooter. It can be up like this or supposedly she can sit and push around on it (if you raise the seat and lower the handles). Well, her legs are too long for the other setting (the one which I thought she would use the most). So I post this pic because I want proof she played with it at least once. :) You win some, you lose some. Bummer.

Hay-yo? Min-mou? (Hello? minnie mouse?)

Looks like Minnie is delivering terrible news.

Bean got Llama, Llama, Home with Mama

This is her thing now...sucking the thumb and picking her nose...

Daisy got a little sewing kit...she did so well on her first sewing project!!

Doxa Kids Christmas Program

2012-01-16T21:46:00.000-05:00

They had fun doing this. Even the 4 yr olds were invited. :) (Note the not-even-2-year-old in the far left corner who busted in the practice. She was singing and doing the motions!)

They sand Silent Night and Celebrate.

How cute is Kaylie's outfit?!

Isaac did so well!!

Gingerbread, Super Man, Date night, when Daddy leaves, Isaac's class party and Christmas Eve

2012-01-15T21:36:00.004-05:00

Daisy made this in art class...she loved it and ate it. :)

Isaac seems to have lost his upper lip in this pic...not sure what happened there...

When Daniel gets home all three kids run to him..."DADDDDDDYYYYY!" and then get to take turns doing "Super Man." He throws them over a shoulder and they put their little fists out in front of them and he sings the Super Man song. He runs all thru the house with them dodging walls and such. THEY. LOVE. IT. He tried to make me do it once. No thank you.

So we had a date night to eat at Fiore's and see the Nutcracker. We got all dressed up (I know, I look like I am about to go on an interview...but it was $23 at the Loft. Bag it. Not even an option to leave it in the store.). And as we stood for our pic...the kids flocked to us. I mean, as if we had a kid magnet...it was hilarious! Any other time they RUN. What in tha??? HA. Coulda used this for our holiday card!! Esp since Colbie is pants-less. :)

Daisy had Polar Express Day at school. ;)

Everyday that Daniel leaves, they like to watch thru the mail slot. Cracks me up. Sometimes they use it when someone knocks. Once Isaac screams, "MAMA! THERE IS SOME MAN WITH PANTS ON AT THE DOOR." Well, thank goodness for that.

We love Loving Care. :) This is his class Christmas party. YES. CHRISTMAS PARTY. :)

This pic above looks like one we will come across in a few years and laugh at what these boys are up to.

They passed out little gifts to each other. Isaac made out with some serious LOOT.

So, I was the helper. And while the class was gone, I went behind these two games. They would feed that reindeer head a carrot and I would pass them back a prize. They loved it. There was only 6 carrots and 18 kids so we have to keep passing carrots back out. At the end, I shoved all 6 back out the Reindeers mouth to the floor in front and the ENTIRE CLASS ERUPTED IN HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER at the "Reindeer threw up on the floor!!" I couldn't stop laughing at all their giggling! Then they got to fish over the ginger bread house. They all got the same thing...but still didn't mind taking turns, knowing what they'd get. After a while they started getting curious about who was back there since both teachers were in the class. One boy kept trying to peek. And then screams out, "HEY! IT'S ISAAC'S SISTER!!" Ooohhh, small child. What was your name? You are my new favorite. :) (Besides Isaac, of course.)

Isaac and JJ

Daisy's Christmas projects at school

Reading the night before Christmas...

Dan telling the story of Jesus' birth with the Little People nativity. :)

Daisy's Art Class, Mr Richard and Christmas

2012-01-11T14:07:00.000-05:00

Christmas time!

We headed downtown to a store called Olivia and Co that was hosting a small concert for preschoolers. Mr Richard is pictured above. He was great. And HAS to be the most secure and confident man to perform before this age children. At any given time there were maybe 2 listening and 10 doing whatever they wanted to! It seemed chaotic and like no one was listening. All the moms, I could tell, were trying to make Mr Richard feel ok with smiles and nods and clapping along or after songs. HA. He was actually very good. We got one of his 4 CD's and they LOVE IT.

When we arrived, Colbie Jean was just not sure of what all was going on. Isaac was in a funk.

But after a while, Jeaner warmed right up and started cutting a rug. But then she'd run back to me and plop in my lap as if someone was about to snag her. HA. As my friend Rachel says, "They don't won't (want) you!"

Daisy takes art once a week at a studio in downtown Ocala.

She loves it! Here is the gingerbread house she made for Christmas.

Daisy and Ms. Liz (her teacher)

Ocala Christmas Parade

2011-12-22T12:00:00.000-05:00

We hung out with some Doxa people at the Tolers and then went to the Christmas parade. It was a little chillier than usual (60's? 50's at night). So we all loaded up and walked down to the Lankers company property. They are always so kind to let us go down there to sit and watch. It's perfect! No crowds in our area and the kids have a place to run around. So much fun!!

Heading down...

Emma Dean and Isaac (she'll be 5 this month! And he is 4!)

Debbie with Whitney :)

Daniel, Isaac, Kaylie, Colbie, Olivia, and Daisy waving at the floats.

Levi, ED, and Grant

me, C and Amanda

the float above had cloggers!

There was one moment of drama when a power line fell on a truck pulling a float. And this random lady emerged from the crowd yelling, "GET BACK!! GET BACK!!!" She looked to have no authority of any kind besides being able to yell the loudest. :) She screamed for someone to call 911. So Daniel does....and comments to the 911 operator "I guess you are getting lots of calls about this..." She says, "No, sir you are the only one." Hilarious! The whole crowd could have watched someone get fried before our very eyes...and they didn't wanna be on the phone with 911 when it happened! They may have missed something! It was so crazy.

Alli (levi and grant) and Me (co and Colbs) and Jen

Jen and Kaylie

Emma Dean

Boys wrestling like puppies...

Daisy and Olivia were dancing to the music

Alli, Amanda, Me and Jen

This pose of Colbie cracked me up...

Isaac the Photographer and such

2011-12-21T12:00:00.000-05:00

Isaac was taking pics with my camera the other day. This pic above (once again) describes Colbie. She can't just stand there and "pay" (play), she has to be planking between the table and couch. :)

This pic above is Colbie cupping my no make up face. :)

CHEESE!

Stocking are hung...

Good Job Co!

Another set of funny things I don't wanna forget about Colbie:

If we tell her no she now immediately follows with "WHYYYYYYYY!?" while walking off...mainly cause she doesn't even know what that word means. :) Her speaking is really taking off. She has this little cheer that she loves to say. It goes, "Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah, yeah!" It's pretty stinkin' cute. :) She loves to point out "foobah" (football) and then say, "RO TIIIIH" (ROLL.TIDE.). She loves to sing "Wheels on the bus" to this little CD in the car. She does all the motions to wipers, driver, people...etc. She also raises her little praise hands we when all sing Travis Cotrell "To The King" at the top of our lungs. We hear "OOK" all the time (look). And when Dan and I tell her no...she goes to Daisy to be consoled...it's hilarious. And honestly, it usually works...sweet Daisy. She loves to "pay" at the Y. She walks right in and holds her little hand up to get her bracelet to check in. And when we are out running errands if we start to head home (like are on the streets near our house or turn to go home on one of our "well beaten paths") she starts crying and screaming, "NOOOOO!" (which now as I type I realize makes me sounds like a terrible mother at home) cause she doesn't wanna go home. I choose to interpret this behavior as she is my clone and we like to be on the go and PACKED (that was for you Joneses!:)). And all day long she asks me about whatever family member is not with us. "Where Dada? I-yak? De-see?" I say, "Where is Daddy?" She says, "Ah wurk."

Any guesses on what this little boy is doing while his mama checks out at Publix?

Care to venture a guess?

He is straight up SNIFFING the candy. Yup, since his mama is too cheap (and trying to teach a you-can't-always-get-what-you-want lesson) to get him candy, he is content to sniff it all in while he has the chance. I noticed him lingering there a couple times while I checked out. Finally the third time I asked him and he said, "I just wanna at least smell it if I can't have it." HAHAHA. The staff at Publix found it equally as funny. Especially when he would bend his knees, choose a row and sniff across the whole thing. HI-larious. :)

Doxa Christmas Bonfire

2011-12-20T12:00:00.000-05:00

Doxa had a Christmas Bonfire out at the McGraws house one Sunday night. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! The McGraws did an amazing job. They went all out with lights, bonfire, bounce house, hayride...ect. SO FUN. Not to mention the horse! He's quite handsome. :) We had chili for dinner with toppings and then all made s'mores at the (maybe illegally large) bonfire in their pasture. Each house church brought enough for their group...providing enough for all that came. (Great call Alli!) We had a big crowd...people guessed maybe 80 to 100 people. We hope this can be an annual event!

Debbie, Lisa, Emma and Jen (Hostess)

Bean

Emma Dean, Isaac, Daisy, Josh, Kaylie, Grant

Colbs and Dan

Matt, Daniel, and Jon (Host)

Emma Dean and Kaylie

Amanda, Brady and Chris Pell

Staci and Ingrid

Cowboy the horse and girls petting him (Jen did his hair for the party)

We had a couple of "incidences" with the bounce house deflating...

great time to take a pic instead of pitching in to help, right? :)

Da BOMBfire. :)

Sweet little Nat Nat roasting her marshmallow

Kaylie ~~fishing~~ roasting her marshmallow

Karen was the s'more maker. She manned the table and

helped people travel on the road to deliciousness. :)

Josh and Jenne. Btw...someone brought a bag of ENORMOUS

marshmallows...have you seen these? Insane and just as yummy.

Patrice and me

Isaac and Kaylie

Brandon Phillips and Emma Dean

Jen, Amanda, Brady, Jared, Sawyer and Meghan

Mark, Grace, Colbie and Ashton

The Pools

HAYRIDE!

Emma Toler

Dan roasting up some yum. :) Seriously, with a fire this size it was hard to get this close to it. It was HOT. But it helped solve the danger of kids-running-around-the-fire-and-maybe-tripping-into-it issue. They all kept a very nice, sizable distance from the flames.

Elders (Tom and Ray) and Leo

Tessa, Daisy, Kaylie and Miranda

Lisa and me

I was in charge of this event happening...but I cannot take credit for how great the McGraws made it! It was such a fun event.

That night my shoulder REALLY started hurting (it was hurting ON my shoulder bone for about a week or two sort of annoyingly...and mildly a few weeks before that.). Chris adjusted me at the bonfire...ha! That Wednesday I went to an Orthopaedic dr who diagnosed me with capsulitis of my AC join. Since taking anti-inflammatories regularly and taking it easy...it's MUCH, MUCH better. I am at about 90%. Bothers me most now when I sleep on that side and when I reach up all the way. So thankful it's getting better! Just wanted that documented. :)

Lights Downtown

2011-12-19T12:00:00.000-05:00

We headed back downtown one night to ride the Ferris Wheel and see the tree lit up. We met the Highs down there for some fun. We also ran into the Skadhauges there.

Colbie was not tall enough to ride. The other 2 were but were a little nervous at first.

They warmed up to it.

View of the square from the top!

Thomas, Isaac, Daisy & Natalie

The High Family: Jared, Sawyer, Meghan, and Nat Nat :)

We did a little carriage ride. Good times.

(Regretting the onion head hairstyle for the evening but over all a great time. :)

Daisy get's Art Smart points for bringing in a pic of her by one of the Ocala pics.

Decorating for Christmas

2011-12-18T12:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas decorating is getting more and more fun...cause my kids are actually enjoying it! :) This year we were accompanied by the Phillips girls. Even more fun! We had on Christmas music, baked cookies, placed various Christmas items around the house and hung the ornaments. Good times!

Oh Christmas bush. You were such a disappointment until Alli told me about the Target Candle (Nature's Wick) Holiday Wreath...that is SO yummy and Christmas-y that it makes up for your lack of smell. :) We did have a little issue with this tree...it does not require the same light application that the other kind does. Here is the deal (in case you don't know): Frasier's require a sort of in-and-out of the lights as you go around to avoid a Charlie Brown Christmas tree look. Douglas does not...you just run around it and lay them on. This is the ONE bonus of the Douglas (and it's cheaper...but we know why!). However...I was unaware of said instructions and it took THREE times of getting lights on and off the tree. I thought I was running out of lights! Nope. And the in-and-out plan was only buying the lights in the tree making them harder to see. Phew! And that was after we had tried to use last years lights and NONE were working...bums-to-my-lou (another way to say "bummer" at our house). Anywho...after all that was sorted...this fun afternoon took place. It was so much fun!!

The kids took turns taking pics...

I think Emma may have taken this pic. Look at our Santa's hat ornament perfectly positioned over Daisy's head. :)

Fresh bakes Christmas cookies (only the best...break and bake, baby!)

I got this little count down calendar last year after Christmas on sale. So cute! Eric Carle pop up scene. Each day they open a little paper ornament (for the tree) or gift (for the boxes). Cute!

Then they all sat and watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer...the old school one.

Merry Christmas!!

Daisy's Timeline Project

2011-12-17T12:00:00.000-05:00

This was another project that she did all by herself. :) Again, so proud of her!!

Getting the Tree

2011-12-16T12:00:00.000-05:00

Here we go with all the Christmas fun at the Jones home. :) Isaac built this tower and included the LED Santa that Nanny and Granddaddy got for them. THEY LOVE THAT THING. :) Notice he is on...may not turn off til the day after Christmas!

So as usual, we hit up Lowe's for our tree. Only this time we made a critical error...we went the Monday after Thanksgiving. Know what that means? They have been picked over and won't get a new shipment for a week. More importantly: no more Frasier Fir trees. To be more clear...no more of my FAVORITE tree that smells really great and holds ornaments like a champ. No, no instead we had to get a Douglas Fir...basically a Christmas BUSH that is willy-nilly when it comes to ornament holding. Maybe it will, maybe it won't hold my favorite Waterford ornaments from my sweet Nanny (so I didn't even chance those!). But it most CERTAINLY will drop billions of needles on your floor per second. Ugh. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. (Which, ironically, was also the theme of the pic for our holiday card. *sigh*)

eh, hemmm. Where was I? Oh yes, the Christmas Bush.

So here it is in all it's splendor.

Cute pic of the Co....til I JUST now saw his finger gesture. Nice buddy.

This is true Christmas Joy!

Doesn't Daisy look 15 in this pic? Sheesh!

More to come this Christmas season...

One of her latest things is saying, "Shhhhh!"...cracks us up!

Jones Family Thanksgiving: Tybee Island

2011-12-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

All the Joneses gathered in Tybee Island, Georgia. We rented a 6 bedroom beach house. Plenty of space for all of us, wonderful weather, good company... it was GREAT. I am so thankful to be a part of the Jones clan. We really enjoyed being with everyone and their kiddos. Especially Dave and Eryn. They brought their three precious children who are currently in the foster care system in GA. While I can't tell you much or show you much (hence no group pics featured) just know they are PRECIOUS and wonderful little ones. It was so fun to watch them be parents (naturals, really) and care for those sweet little ones.

Daisy and Aunt Sarah

Lots of crafting went on...

Chris deep in thought. :)

We had a lemon tree in our yard.

If you think this pic looks nuts...you have no idea. :) Nine kids under the age of 8 in one house was...well, LOUD, and at times down right chaotic. ;)

Isaac with Meems glasses on and Lukie Luke

jon did

dais

Caleb and cars...

Colbie "Everyone is thankful for me" Jones

Anna, Sarah, and Meems

The Jones Fam

YUM YUM.

Sarah and Chris

Anna and Don

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We got to spend lots of time with Sarah and Chris. They are leaving for Kenya for 4 years in Dec. Sarah has a job with the CDC. They both will be doing ministry there serving children in need. :( We will really miss them (can't stress that enough...but REALLY, we will. :(). But we have big plans to go see them there. :)

There was a playground a short walk away from our house. It was fun to let the kids burn some energy! This pic below pretty much sums up life with Colbie. Full force.

Christmas pics

2011-12-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

I thought these pics were cool of our new place. :) I love the old Oak in the yard...most of the time. I don't love that it drops BILLIONS of acorns a day. Then I run them over with my car and makes the driveway messy. I am not 100% sure that there are not little squirrels up there pelting us with them when we are outside. And it hurts! And when they drop on the house we are all like, "Whassat?" We are getting more used to the noise. I also don't love it for dropping a branch on the back of my car and shattering the window during an 8 hour storm. Ugh. Ok so maybe love was a strong word... :)

Debbie asked me to take some pics of her little family at Matt's work. We met them there. She offered to take some pics of our little fam too. Since we had already sent a Thanksgiving card I wasn't stressing about these but thought it'd be fun to have some pics. Debbie had some cute ideas. :) And they turned out super cute...probably BECAUSE I didn't stress.

This one above coulda been a great card pic! Daniel had to run up from behind and stop by me to get Colbie to smile. Impressive with both girls.

JOY TO THE WORLD!

not sure why we did angry face...

Nothin' says Merry Christmas like short sleeves and spanish moss. :) Merry FL Christmas.

This is sweet baby Whitney. :) I don't have her pics...but they were super cute. Debbie has a NICE camera. She gets it set, tells me a few tips and tells me to snap away taking pics of their family.

I love this pic. It's just what happens lot with little babies...so sweet to see their legs/feet/toes hanging out.

Light Up Ocala

2011-12-13T12:50:00.001-05:00

Each year we attend Light Up Ocala. They light up all the Christmas lights around the square and the big tree that night. We have never actually stayed for the "light up" part, ironically. But there is PLENTY to do otherwise. We ate some yummy food (deep friend reeses...YUM.), heard some good music, and watched some fun entertainment.

Is Ocala big time or what? We had one of those real statue things...I mean I had only seen these at Disney. We are moving on up! :) She was really good. As you can see, Colbie wanted NO part of that statue. So she just posed like this to make the screaming stop, I'm sure.

Some kind woman (probably one who is never in her family pics either!) offered to take our pic. Note to self: Mel, we go over this all the time...sit up straight, fix your shirt, and for crying out loud put your feet together...sigh. What am I going to do with me?

Juggler, unicycle rider, etc...now balancing shoes on a podium on his chin.

Here is our little family taking in the show. Look at Daisy...is she the perfect audience member or what? :) He is just shocking and thrilling her little soul with his mad skillz. :) And Isaac, well, he could be watching Curious George at home. This is actually a microcosm of Daniel and I at most things. :)

Isaac loves a Monster Truck.

So this was a great band on the main stage. They asked for a Dad to come on the stage and help them sing a song. Dan volunteered and took Colbie too. :)

The tree...not lit. :(

I guess C thought this was how you were supposed to pose for pics since we told her to do that for the one before. ;) HA.

Sock Hop, Oaks Mall, Whitney, and the Bean

2011-12-12T17:40:00.000-05:00

These are some pics from Daisy's sock hop this fall. It was sports themed. So she sported Isaac's Alabama jersey (Roll Tide.). She loves a sock hop. She gets to dance and eat all the pizza, snow cones and popcorn she wants. Good times.

Alexis, ?, Daisy, Chelsea, ?, Ryan, Ryan E

Daisy loves Chelsea and Alexis but they are in a different class this year. :( But times like this they get to hang out and party! I love the Gator dancing with the Bama Fan... TIL Daisy started doing the chomp with everyone when the music came on....NO MA'AM. :) I had to intervene. I made her sit in time out and sing Rammer Jammer...KIDDING! HA. Daisy, remember...Love God, Love Bama. Just Kidding...sort of....hahaha jk, most of the time...no really...

Daisy's teacher is Mrs. Bray. She is doing the chicken dance in the pic above. Daisy ADORES her. She told me, "Mom, I love Mrs Bray. She is beautiful. And sometimes she wears her hair down and a dress...and she is rockin' it. I bet whoever is married to her is like 'man, I am glad I married her!'" HA. Sweet Daisy. Mrs. Bray is very kind and loving. Daisy responds very well to that.

So this pic above just makes me feel old. We have such fond memories of her on this playground (Oaks Mall Playplace) with Langston Key and Reid Wagner...and look at her now! Technically too old/tall to be playing on it. Ah time...where do you go?

SO her little sister steps in to play the role....

And THIS my friends is Whitney Miller...the long awaited and SO precious baby girl of Matt and Debbie Miller. She is edible. :) We went to dinner with the Millers and I got to hold Whitney. She performed for our photo shoot...spit up on Aunt Mel!!

Below is Miss Independent. She wanted to stand on this step stool and as my MIL would say, "...and she didn't mean maybe SO!" So Daisy and I stood near by as spotters. She needed a better view of Isaac and Shelley doing the puzzle. Maybe she thought and arial perspective would be helpful?

Jean is so cute and can be so sweet. But she is VERY independent. She wants NO help getting the large car door open, getting in, crawling into her seat and buckling. No, she can't even buckle herself in! EVERY TIME we get in the car, which is a lot, she fights for her rights. Whew. She has started (the week before Thanksgiving) crawling out of her crib...IN HER SLEEP SACK, PEOPLE! Granted, it is a big sleep sack and there are feet holes...but still it narrows her range. And she still scales out. So we are hoping to make a bed transition for her soon. She is LOUD, bless her little third child heart. :) It's true that the volume works. She loves the Christmas lights. "OOOK! -Ights!!" One of my favorite tricks of her is naming whose all our clothes belong to when I fold the laundry. Honestly, this is amazing, in that, I'm pretty sure Daniel couldn't do this. :) But she'll size the item up with her eyes while saying "uuummm....." then announce the answer, which is amazingly accurate. She loves to read...but will only sit next to me...not on my lap. She loves DVDs where they sing. She eats well and sleeps well. Although she is quite the early riser. When she hears music or a beat of any kind, she is cutting a rug! She's a mess. She's a mama's girl if she's ANY one's girl. :) She really loves showing us her pj's each night after she is dressed for bed...pajama parade. She sings/hums the tune of twinkle, twinkle or ABC's all the time. She loves to hide in the kids room closet and close the door. But that door is funny and has a tiny handle that she can't work to get out...so she yells. I have gotten her out a bazillion times. :) She loves baseball in the yard with Daddy. Her vocab is growing but we still have many moments a day where I am at a complete loss as to what in the WIDE world she wants. Colbie Jean, butter bean, sweetest girl I've ever seen. We love the Jean Bean Seen. She's my clone. And I love her. :)

Facebook Regurg. :) (Posts from the last few months)

2011-12-11T14:24:00.001-05:00

SO Daniel made a great point. He said, "When you post things on FB, it usually means you don't put it on the blog. And all our fun memories are lost in cyber space." He makes a great point. If I do ANYTHING else with pics or writing then the chances of me doing something with them again is low. So, I went on FB and copy/pasted things. There...found our memories. :) Enjoy (if you haven't already!):

--Used to be when I stepped into the bathroom alone away from the little kid madness (on that rare day I went in ALONE) I had my clearest and best ideas/thoughts ...turns out it was just the CFLs slowing coming on. Mama brain wins again...

--My kids must be pining over a broken relationship cause "Every Light in the house is on" by Trace Adkins is their theme song. CAN SOMEONE ELSE BESIDES ME TURN OFF A LIGHT

AROUND HERE?!?!?

--There's a part in the song "White Christmas" (the Bing Crosby version I'm pretty sure) that there is some seriously skilled whistling...every time I hear it, I think of my sweet Granddaddy Cagle. Y'all, he could whistle JUST like that...makes me miss him.

--My mama says that Christmas is a HUGE party put on for the world by women...yes, yes it

is...

--Anyone ever frustrated that one year at Christmas your kid got an opinion and no longer wanted what you wanted them to want? (re-read that...I'll wait.) Ugh.

Oh well...and on that note...have other Floridian online shoppers run into the addition of Federated States of Micronesia as an option in front of FL for your address? I have NO idea where this place is (and you don't have to comment on your Google search findings...) or who

lives there...but surely more orders are coming from FL...come on, put us first. :)

--Here it is! Isaacs second annual MOPS fundraiser photo. I love my little barefooted bike boy. :)

--I have plans of working out really hard M, T, W so that Th, F, Sat, Sun I can do the opposite (sit and eat). :) I don't think it actually cancels out..but in my mind it does. :)

Deep. Fried . Reece's. Thank u light up Ocala.

--If you need me Monday or Tuesday it looks like I'll be busy both days with "car." Thanks Isaac :)

--Bittersweet feelings fill my heart at the news, "Mel, we caught another rat" was just announced....eeeeeuuwwwlleesghgha (shiver)

--My whole life I have hated "fall back" since it got dark so early (especially in Centrail time zone). But now at the ripe old age of thirty-aldkjidj I kinda dig it. Weird huh?

--Just because. What a man, that Daniel Jones. :)

(pic of flowers Daniel sent me...CANT FIND MY PICS!)

--Oh November...you have snuck up on me...

Random pics:

Kids at their MOPS photo shoot...posing before their REAL shoot. :)

Fun times at the park with the Gorman boys!

Colbie LOVES to swing like Super Man! :)

Daisy and Colbie got some hand-me-downs from two different people in different states...and had matching dresses!

I love my Publix Thanksgiving Pilgrims. :)

Now, THAT'S a LOAD of kids. :)

This is how we roll...

(sorry I couldn't resist the cheesy, over done line...)

Halloween Fun

2011-12-10T12:00:00.000-05:00

Meet Rapunzel. :) Don't worry, we tamed this mane...eventually.

And tried to keep the shoulders more covered.

Lightning...as usual. :)

Escaping ladybug. She had this costume and a pumpkin as a hand-me-down.

We had an option for both hot and cold weather. :)

EC was in town so we stuffed them all in their costumes for a cousin pic. :)

The busy bee wanted no part of it.

What a sweet little head, with curls....

Dad at work...

Dan and I took the kids to the Maricamp Rd Fall Festival. It's GREAT! and free!!

Daisy changed to a Geisha for this event.

We got this costume when Daisy was little. I think we paid $3 for it. Daisy, Isaac and Colbie have worn it! And it's in great shape! Talk about getting your money's worth for something! :)

below is fear factor game. :)

Then pick a ducky for a prize.

And bounce houses are still a huge hit for my kids. They never get old for them.

TOUGH.

CUTE.

Trunk or Treat

Smashing Pumpkin.... :)

For some reason this was making me laugh...a swing FULL of pumpkin :)

See? We finally braided the wig and added a headband. :) The hair was ALL OVER the house. But she loved it.

Daisy presented her project in costume on Halloween Day. Then she got to come home early with me. :)

A pic she drew in her science folder.

Daisy with her project.

Kayla, Coralei, Emma, Daisy and Megan

Mrs. Bray's class

Daisy's chia pumpkin she made! Really cute.

oh dais...

2011-12-09T16:15:00.001-05:00

Daisy: MOM! I think I have another loose tooth!

Me: Dais, just leave it alone. You and your Daddy are always yanking your teeth out! Just simmer down and it will get loose when it's ready.

Daisy: Here's the thing Mama...I need some money, you know?

Me: Bahahah

Daisy's 1st Project, Isaac pics and school party

2011-11-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

I have to brag on Daisy Jones. Y'all I came home from Bama and she had almost COMPLETED her own science project! FIRST GRADE PEOPLE! She did the whole box, "arctic hare" from pipe cleaner, blue water with ice chunks floating on it and black paper with glitter to look like snow. I was floored. She had made a harp seal (which this box was it's habitat...that's what we had to make at home) at school from model magic. She and I came up with adding the "under water" paper. But she did all that ON HER OWN. The animals, the paper, the wrap...all of it. I was blown away. Atta girl Daisy Jones. I went and saw her present it to the class. She did such a great job.

So these are Isaac's pics from preschool. No one panic...I have purchased these pics but have not gotten them yet. But here they are...such a "sweet bo Co." :)

What else but holding a giant pencil like a machine gun

screams I HEART PRESCHOOL? :)

Colbie got to tag along too. Ms Pam asked if I could help and

said Colbie could come along. YAY! We had a great time. :)

Here's Ms Pam. We love her. :)

This is what Colbie did most of day...hung off of things...whew!

This was Isaac's first pose for picture time. HA! What a ham!!

Muuuuch better...

One class allowed all the moms who wanted to come to attend that day. So this was the Mama Paparazzi. This crowd followed the three year olds around and I am sure between the 10 of them, they snapped no less than 50,000 pics. Now, you know me...and really, I can't throw the first stone...I woulda been right there in the middle elbowing my way in to get a good shot if Isaac was in that class. :)

Isaac and JJ

Family Fun around Halloween

2011-11-14T17:25:00.001-05:00

Mama, Dad, Julie and Emery came down the weekend just before Halloween. It was wonderful! I had big plans for my sister and mom helping me to make this new place more "homey" for me. And we are on a mission of shopping and hanging and decorating! It was great.

E. Claire...how cute is she???? And check out the boots. We had triple teamed her to put in little pigtails...that lasted about 30 seconds. :)

David and Goliath in their car seats. :)

Jeeg in her position in the back. True love from a Jeeg with carsickness.

Daniel did ping-pong at the mall again. Captain America was lots of fun and had lots of visitors. Great publicity for the practice.

Staff! Jessica, Jenn, Tommie, Laura and Ashley

Colbie was NOT a big fan of the Captain. :( She was fine to stay put in her stroller.

Me and my hunk-of-burnin'-love. :) LOVED the little wing/ears. :) And the frisbee sized shield.

Then we went to Coon Hollo. I LOVE THIS PLACE. And we get a great MOPS discount.

Jules and Dad.

And they're off!!

wait for me!

and me!!

Tire swing!!

See the HUGE mud puddle in the bottom of the pic above...sweet Daisy found herself in that thing. Poor Daisy. :(

Corn pit!

This pic below was taken moments AFTER my sister dropped that large pumpkin (that's on my lap) on my shin. I was sure my shin was shattered. She just laughed at me. It's what we Cagle's do when people get hurt. Shame...but funny. :)

I was posing with the pumpkins in the first place cause Julie had been telling me I had a pumpkin obsession..and maybe I do. Unless they shatter my shin. ugh...

I would seriously LOVE to have one of these in our backyard. For me.

Jeje, Papa and the grandkids

PH, PH, BH

Mmmm corn on the cob...

Hayride to feed the cows.

Colbie had a 'thing' about the farmer who drove the hayride...SO WEIRD.

She freaked out when she saw him...both times she went to Coon hollo.

This pic describes the aggressiveness of the cows, the LARGE cows.

They had sand paper tongues and were not afraid to use them. :)

more costume pics...

Alabama Trip: Rachel's version (second verse, same as the first! I just wanted to be fully documented.)

2011-11-14T15:59:00.000-05:00

In October, my friend, Melanie, and her 4 year old son, Isaac, came in town to visit. We always have so much fun together and do lots of shopping and eating! We knew Isaac and Alex would have a lot of fun too! Avery and I went to pick them up in Birmingham while John went with Alex to his soccer game. Avery loved sitting in the front seat by me while we waited in the cell phone lot-she even had to buckle up.

We met John and Alex to eat Mexican and they started talking and playing like they see each other every week. Wish they did!

Melanie likes to bribe my kids into liking her and I do the same. She definitely won Avery's heart with this Minnie Mouse ensemble of shoes, glasses,and a purse. She still talks about, "Isaac's mommy giving it to her."

They loved having Isaac spend the night!

They were racing the boys' new cars down the hall.

Isaac loves all things CARS so they all wanted to watch the movie.

Fun at Target!

As usual, we went to hear Coach Nick speak at Nick at Noon.

The boys had the best time playing and tackling each other all the time.

They were ready for the game!

We took the boys out to the quad to play on the inflatables before we headed to the AL/TN game.

They went into this elephant and then slid out of his nose...it was a little weird.

Alex was trying to take a picture of this guys jacket sitting in front of us. He liked the "Camerican flag (that's how he's always said it) and Big Al."

Alex always enjoys talking to this lady we sit by and Isaac, not to be outdone, had to join in the conversation too.

Melanie's grandparents were at the game and while she was talking to them they both just took a seat to watch the festivities on the field.

Isaac didn't like his eyeblack anymore so he gave it to his mom.

Me and Mimi! She kept the boys for us while we went out before the game and then kept Avery during the game.

Y'all come back and see us soon!

Annual Alabama Trip: Little boys edition

2011-11-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

So this year I took Isaac with me to Tuscaloosa. He was going to travel with me, have some fun Mama/son time and when we got there play with Alex. Worked out well! He LOVES to go on an airplane. He is normally a home body but does like the occasional fun trip. :) He traveled like a CHAMP.

So I am not ashamed of the fact that I do give Alex and Avery gifts when I come so they will love me. :) It usually helps the warm up process with Avery. I think Alex loves me (heck, he loves everyone!). I got Avery a Minnie Mouse purse and sunglasses and shoes...she was diggin' those. :)

The kids played and played. They wallered, tackled, ran, laughed, jumped, watched tv...whatever and got along pretty well!

Alex is in an ad on a magazine! When he saw himself on the magazine he said, "Hey look! There's my hand!" HA.

Sharing a Cars blanket watching Cars. :)

We went to Nick at Noon...my brush with greatness. :) He was telling us that we were all being duped and being too prideful about beating Tennessee. Thankfully we beat them anyway. :)

Rachel, I didn't realise we went as twins. :)

Nothin' like a little football in your skivvies on a crisp fall morning. :)

Getting ready to hit the Quad with the boys.

Posing in their TRENT jerseys. :)

This, below, is little boy heaven. Where phrases like, "Don't you want another cookie?" are heard often. This is Mimi's kitchen at her house. The boys stayed there a little bit while Rachel and I shopped some. Isaac and Alex were in lovin' it.

The boys were like puppies...always wrestling and tackling each other.

Playing on the Quad. The elephant's nose exit gave me pause. But not the boys, they loved it.

We went by Nanny and Granddaddy's seats before the game. Liz and Bob Winter were there too. :)

The game was fun. Isaac was tired (past his bedtime) and was not loving the noise. After halftime he got a second wind and it was better.

Isaac and Alex started taking pics of each other. I will spare you the other 5, 092. :)

ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!

Headed home...

This was the Florida sunrise that greeted us as we came home.

I ALWAYS LOVE my Alabama trip. Rachel, you are one of my favorite people. Thank you so much for all the fun we always have. It is so fun to see our little kids play together. You are such a wonderful wife, mama and friend. Catching up with you and hanging out makes me miss you even more. I am so thankful to God for you. :)

SUPER MAN

2011-11-13T19:46:00.003-05:00

super

2011-11-06T12:00:00.000-05:00

Daisy won the Fire Safety Prevention Post Contest for her class. We were so proud of her. We have yet to see the award winning art...but I am sure it's exceptional! :)

Here is Isaac getting to be Super Man with Dan. :)