Jones Family Scoop: July 2009

Friday, July 31, 2009

Reunion

Stacy went with Shae and Harper to a work out location Saturday morning. Since they were gone for most of the morning, Grammy and Grandpa stepped up to the plate and kept the kids entertained! Way to go, guys!

Shelby was funny. He wanted to do everything just like MaryAnn, including drink out of the pink princess cups.

Grandpa Dino and Baby Trace.

Grandpa braved the lake with the two rugrats. Grandpa and Grammy got them life vests. HUGE help!

Shelby and MaryAnn were so pooped after playing in the lake. Soon after Shelby laid around on G-G-Daddy, the two kids took a 3 hour nap! And, G-G-Daddy fell asleep in the sun.

When they awoke from their nap, they found the big kids had returned! Round 2!

With the extra help, even Little Stacy got to join in the fun.

Okay, all Munchkins out, the big boys need a break.

Shelby chillin' with Ciotka (sounds like Chuch-ee)

How about some land games.

These are actually 2 videos from the night before.

Tackle Grandpa Dino!

Hannah and Aunt Linda arrived Saturday evening.

This video cracks me up for a couple of reasons.

#1 Watch Shelby struggling to get the bag of Cheetos. MaryAnn is chomping away like, "whatever dude, you're on your own" and like a typical man, Shelby refuses to ask for help.

#2 He triumphantly gets the bag of chips and gets so excited he skips half the numerical system in telling Hannah how many Cheetos he desires.

#3 When Hannah holds tight to Mommy's word, Shelby is immediately defeated and Hannah looks for help. You did good, Hannah!

Uncle Tim and Ian got there at 1:30am, coming from a baseball tournament. Can someone please tell me where time goes! When Stacy and I first started dating 8 years ago, this guy was a little pip-squeak. Now he's a grown man with facial hair! And Hannah is in college, with her transfer to UT starting this fall. Wow!

Saturday night we celebrated Shae's Birthday! We let him make us all dinner as a special treat. LOL! He did a fabulous grilling job, really, though.

On Sunday morning, Shae & Harper set up the pinata they brought and the kids got down to business!

After a lot of hard work, they had to cut them a break and make a nice crack so MaryAnn could finish off the job. Shelby was coaching her from the sidelines, "Get de candy, MauwyAnn!"

When she was successful, their little conversation had me rolling. It went like this:

Shelby - "Good job, MauwyAnn!" as he patted her on the back and took off (below) to get the candy.

MaryAnn - Looked up without missing a beat, "That's right, Cowboy!"

HILARIOUS!

Grandpa Dino made sure Baby Trace got to enjoy a lick or two.

That's all, folks!

We had a wonderful time at the reunion. HUGE thanks to Grammy for all the planning all year long. Can't wait to see you guys next year! Love you all!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Cousins

We arrived in Texas Friday evening for the Jones Reunion. Though I have tons of photos to share soon, I couldn't wait to post a few of Shelby with his cousins, MaryAnn and Little Stacy (aka Baby Trace). It was so much fun to watch him make Baby Trace laugh and tell me, "Mommy, he's my best friend." And to watch him follow MaryAnn to the end of the earth just to find out they were both in trouble. LOL! He had a blast! (Again, more with the rest of the family to come.)

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Chipmunk Cheeks

While eating lunch yesterday, Shelby found out that he can use his cheeks as storage. We were eating grapes, and he shoved the last two in his mouth as we were heading outside. I just had to share the photo from the occasion.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

County Fair

We went to the county fair on Tuesday, because it was "$2 Tuesdays". We went with the George's from across the street. It was like any other county fair that I have been to, but we did have to go through a metal detector. That was a first for me. They had all the usual games, rides, food, and animals. Shelby was excited about the "Alaskan Piglet Races".

Shelby and his friend Jett had lots of fun, and of course causing mischief.

Shelby felt right at home with the farm animals, and we even ran into a family member...

Sadie & Bolo

We are dog sitting for some neighbors while they are in Italy for 2 weeks. I (Stacy) am very exited about this, because if you know me then you know I love big dogs. These are American Bulldogs. They usually stay at their house in the yard. Since it has been 100 degrees the past couple of days (that is rare for us), I bring them over to our house so they can cool off inside. The male (Bolo) reminds me of a dog that Shae and I had in college. They are very good with Shelby, besides the occasional lick. Abby actually does good with them. My guess is that she knows they could eat her in one bite.

Sadie has to have medicine, which is mixed with wet food so that she will eat it. Bolo can't be left out, so he gets the other half of the can. Bolo does not like to eat from a bowl, he prefers being spoon fed.

Sadie chases the water from a hose, and Shelby wanted to try it out. The slide in the background is part of a playground set that Christina picked out on craigslist. She said that WE can go disassemble it, WE can bring it home, and then WE can reassemble. There was no WE in that process. I did recruit Mike, our neighbor across the street to help with the loading and unloading. His son will get to play on it anytime he wants. Thanks for the help. The playground still needs some prep work done before it is reassembled. I am not sure when that will be. Maybe if WE work together, it will get done faster.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Kung Fu Shelby

While we were shopping in China Town in San Fran, Mom & Nonny bought Shelby his own Kung Fu outfit. He wanted to watch Kung Fu Panda and wear his outfit. He was doing some serious karate chops for this shot.

Even the bravest warriors need kisses from Daddy.

Thank you Nonny & Nonna!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Oakland A's Fireworks Game

We were invited to attend an Oakland A's game with the Lesher's. Steve Lesher is Public Affairs at Shell and has a rather extensive network. We were tailgating with the Mayor of Martinez.

We were excited to see the Nickells there as well.

Stacy and Lenecia are very excited about being the popular "southern" folk at the party! Lenecia made her infamous banana pudding, along with lemon bars and FABULOUS sopapilla cheesecake. Stacy was a huge hit (and now made us a shoe-in for the next tailgate) with fried pickle chips. Apparently no one's ever heard of them here, but all are now fans. So glad you two know how to cook and Dave and I know how to eat and be supportive spouses! Steve said he knew he should have invited more people from the south. They can cook!

Me & Rachel (my HR Grad hire at work) LOVE her!

On to the game...

I am indebted to this lady that was in our crowd who had an extra sweatshirt. I left mine in the car and it got REALLY COLD!

Though I woke up the next morning with a sore neck, it was worth these fireworks!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

My Nonna

Shelby loves his Nonna! He told me this morning, AGAIN, "Momma, I got to airport for a mintue. Alright? I see my Nonna and come back."

S0me videos from her trip.

Daddy and Shelby playing football with Nonna as a safe base.

Listen closely to Shelby. Nonna is trying to find the letters and he's picking random ones, but listen closely....he really is spelling his name right!

Chillin' in the lawn with Nonna, Nonny & Mommy

Lodi

When Mom & Nonny came so Stacy & I could go to Napa Valley for our anniversary, Nonny spent the weekend with her best friend since my mom was 4 yrs old, Carol. Carol lives in Lodi, which is only 1 hr away. Carol and her husband, Tom, live in a nice home on the property owned by Tom's daugher, Melinda, and her husband, Russ. They have 3 kids, Van, Zach and Mia.

I love the main gate to their property.