Livermore Rodeo

So, yes, I've been behind in blogs.  There's lots to catch up on, as Stacy and I took a vacation to Napa Valley for our 5 yr anniversary!  Mom came to take care of Shelby.  

Here's the Livermore Rodeo weekend.  It started with a parade.  Shelby had fun watching the flags and listening to the bands.

The moo cows were funny.

And he liked the cool military vehicles.

I love the little downtown fountain area.Livermore Rodeo is pegged to be the Fastest Rodeo in the world.  They weren't kidding.  By the time Shelby got up from his nap and we got there, it was over a few hours later.  What rodeo ends at 5pm?  We had a great time, and cheered for the bull rider from San Angelo, Tx.

Shelby was funny.  In between riders they'd play music and about the time he got to jammin' the rider would come out and the music would stop.  He got so mad he yelled in the general direction of the press box, "Hey!  I wanna dance!"

We stood in line forever and Shelby picked out the one horse he wanted to ride so we had to await that horse's availability.  He was so excited, but when he got on top of it, he freaked out.After a few rounds, he was calming down.And by the end he was good to go.  "Hey, Daddy, I like the horsey now."

Taiko Work Shop

For Christina's 30th birthday, I (Stacy) bought us a 3 hour workshop for Taiko Drumming.  We saw a performance in Houston a few years back, and she loved it instantly.  I was mainly looking to buy us tickets to a show, but I saw that they do workshops.  They also offer semester classes, if you wanted to become a real Taiko Drummer.

We had a lot of fun, but we are both going to be sore tomorrow.

 If you have never seen Taiko Drumming before, here is a video to watch how it is suppose to be done. 

Future Aggie Football Stud

While Daddy slept in this morning, Shelby and I decided to go outside and play with his Aggie football costume from Grandpa Dino.  I couldn't get him to wear the shoulder pads, but we had a fun time.  We wanted to surprise Daddy with pics of his future Aggie football player.

Abby

For those that haven't heard, I wanted to share an update on Abby.  She was diagnosed with Diabetes recently, but is doing much better.  She started randomly urinating in the house and drinking water excessively.  And not just loosing her bladder on the way to the back door.  Clearly going in her sleep and waking up in a puddle on the bed, on the couch.  

Yes, our next comforter will be washable and I have to steam this couch!

She's been reacting well to her insulin (Stacy sticks her twice/day!), so cross your fingers we've gotten the right dosage.   She's 10 yrs old this past March, so this kind of stuff is bound to happen, I know.  I'm glad it's something manageable.   
Her 7th birthday look back.

Photography

If you haven't checked out my CAJ Photography blog lately, please do.  I've posted a few recent shoots.  I'm excited because I finally saved up enough for my new lens!  I got to use it today and I just love it!!!!!

www.cajphotography.blogspot.com

TDLC Camping Trip

Sorry for the delay in blogs.  It's been ill-time for the Jones household.  (Minus Immunity King Stacy)

Last Friday Shelby had a stomach bug that lasted for about 12 hours.  He was doing so great we decided to go ahead on the Trinity Daycare Learning Center annual camping trip that was planned.  Shelby had a blast!  We all did, until Mommy got the stomach bug at 3:30am at a campsite....nuff said.

Then Tuesday Shelby got sent home with a fever and no one has gotten any sleep since.  We're really hoping tonight is the turning point.

(See if you can find us.  No, Stacy is not featured.  He had to run home to take care of Abby.)

We were tasked with putting together a family sign for our tent.  I chose one of Shelby's "military" photos and ordered an enlargement with "Jones Family Tent.  Now Recruiting: Serious Marshmellow Toasters.  Apply Inside."It didn't take long before he was off...He loved the water.  He kept calling it the "water fountain."Throwing rocks was the thing to do.
Yes, Shelby and Alex are still a "thing."  (You remember Pebbles & Bam Bam?)  They're so funny together.Okay, for all those Momma's with little boys out there, I'll admit it.  I started tearing when Shelby did this.  My crying movements caused the blurred photo.  And so it begins...His future Father-in-Law, Steve, took him "fishing."  We told Shelby that's what throwing fake worms in the water was.

Loving the great outdoors.  He walked over to a patch of high grass and jumped right in!  He said, "Mommy, watch this!"

Shelby just loves Ms. Kim

A real water fountain!

This was hilarious.  Shelby stood there nicely eyeing Alex's graham cracker.  And then she offered him some.

He took a bite so fast and handed it back.

And that night he got to experience his first campfire and his first S'More!  The chocolate did its number, and it was 10:30pm before his excitement wore down and he'd sleep in the tent.

Minus the ending (and the fact that I froze my rear off while Stacy practically smiled in his sleep), it was an EXCELLENT time!  Shelby is on his way to Eagle Scout!

Daddy & the Dodgers

On Sunday Shelby and I went to watch Daddy's baseball game.  Stacy has decided to join an adult, competitive hard ball league.  He's been craving the sense of accomplishment competitive sports gives him.  Entertaining a 2 yrs old for 3 hours isn't the easiest, but he did really well.Shelby would yell to Stacy, "Daddy, hit the ball!  And run fast!"  Then, as the teammates started yelling, "Go, Stacy!"  Shelby's screams became, "Go Daddy Stacy!"  Then, just, "Go Stacy!"

Stacy had a great game!  He played left field and threw a runner out at home....from a throw out in left field!  That's my man!!!!

But when the pitcher hit him with a ball, I about told him I was gonna charge that mound and put my boot up his @$$.

Shelby was so excited when one of the guys gave him his very own helmet.

After the game, Daddy let him go on the field and run the bases.  I ran out of memory just in time to miss his slide into the base.

We had a great time watching the Dodgers!  (Stacy's jersey hasn't come in yet.  Now, you know we'll have to get Shelby a matching one so Mommy can have a father/son photo session in time for Father's Day!)

Jones Groundbreaking

Stacy and I have wracked our brains on what to do with this awful patch of land that obviously repels anything green.  We finally decided we'd attack a deck project.  One weekend at a time. Off to Home Depot the family went.

The Master Architect during the planning stages.

Me pretending to help.  The ground is ferocious!  TONS of rocks.  I used all my weight and finally gave in to a little garden hand shovel to dig them out.

Shelby even hopped in for a little help.  Okay, so maybe he just jumped in mud puddles.  We let him have at it.  Hey, it's a little boy's job, right?

He's about as much help as Mommy.

After a long day's work.  (Way to go, Stace)

Ph.D. (Post hole digger degree.) Stacy learned that from his PaPa.

We'll keep you posted.  (Ha...pun definitely intended.)