I just read a book..

This is not normal for me because I rarely have the time to pick up a book longer than what I can read to my boys at night. But, I saw the book of the month at the library and grabbed it just for fun. It was actually really good and I want to share it with everyone: It's called the Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas. So, if you can, read it and tell me if you like it too!

The weather outside is frightful...

Although the snow does make our lawn look nice, I am partial to warm weather. However, we couldn't deprive our boys of playing in the snow so last Saturday when it all came pouring down on us, we went right out into the thick of it. First, we did some of our annual sledding. Brad thought up this great idea of attaching a rope to the back of our van and having one of us drive around the other on a sled. This started last year in the empty church parking lot. The parking lot wasn't empty Saturday so somehow he convinced me to do this on the road around our neighborhood. There wasn't much traffic so I thought it would be okay. All of you wondering why it would be okay, well, you're right. It's not. I wish I could've gotten a picture of Brad and Aaron on the sled with the snow plow coming up behind them. I didn't want to get out of the way because I would get stuck going down a lesser plowed street, but that plow was just too fast for us. So, I turned down the next street and got stuck in the snow for the 2nd and 3rd time that morning (too bad it wasn't the last time-snow plows take their time getting to my circle). Anyway, I did manage to get a few pictures of the winter wonderland in our front yard.

Ward Christmas Party

We went to the Ward Christmas party at the beginning of this month. It was almost like a real date for Brad and I. The kids were entertained (or asleep) and I didn't have to cook at all. Lani slept away most of the evening, Aaron kept asking when Santa was coming, and Ian showed off his talent for dropping most of his food on his shirt. When Santa finally arrived, Aaron and Ian were almost first in line to let him know they wanted power rangers for Christmas. Unfortunately, even though big brother showed him what to do, Ian took a lot of persuading to actually sit on Santa's lap. He cried until I told him Santa would give him candy:)

Thanksgiving Weekend

So, this Thanksgiving, I cooked everything myself. It was kinda fun, actually, except that it was a little stressful that the turkey wasn't done after 4.5 hours and I still needed to put the sweet potato and green bean casseroles in the oven. I was a little worried about everything being warm at the same time. But it all worked out in the end and everything was delicious. We had tons of leftovers because Brad's work gave him a 17 lb. turkey and none of the missionaries we had invited showed up to help us eat the four pies I made. Luckily, Ben volunteered to take one home with him:)
The best part of Thanksgiving weekend for us was Friday. We went to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. The boys had a blast. The skeletons were cool and there were lots of hands on activities including an erosion table, aka a huge water area where little kids can build with dirt and water and toy dinosaurs. Ian found lots of ways to have fun there by throwing and eating dirt, for example. The best part was that Brad took a break from homework and went with us. I'm not sure whether Brad or Aaron had more fun.
Alas, the colds we were trying to fend off have caught up with us and we end our weekend battling runny noses and hacking coughs with our humidifiers, kleenex and vapor rub. Thank goodness for cough syrup-my boys have never gone to sleep that quickly!

Our Rockers

Hey, did you guys know Brad has like 7 guitars? I think his love/obsession for music is rubbing off on our children. So, what are our kids' favorite songs? Jukebox Hero (Foreigner) and featured above TNT (ACDC).

At long last....

The dress we have all been waiting to see a girl in, our own little Lani, in a Kristen Cameron original. At long last it had it's debut today for church. No red carpet, but it has been sitting in a closet just waiting to be worn for four years now (we won't count the time I broke down and tried it on Ian-nobody tell him). Just wanted everyone to be able to enjoy this perfect moment for me. (For those of you tuning in more recently, Kristen is Brad's cousin and she made this out of my bridesmaids material for Aaron who we thought was going to be a girl.)

Blogger Tag

I don't usually respond to the questionnaire things, Jessie, but it's kinda cool to read other people's so I guess I'll do it.

So, everyone else, here's the rules:
In your blogs, list 6 facts/habits about yourselves. At the end of the post, tag 6 people and post their names, then go to their blogs and leave them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog. I was tagged, so now it's your turn - TAG! YOU'RE IT!

About me...

1. I'm writing a book about mothers and women in general because I think it is unbelievable the things we sometimes have to endure because we're women. (But everyday Brad asks me if I've worked on my book and usually I have to answer no.)
2. I am addicted to TV. It is sad, but at the end of the night I want to watch TV (preferably with a treat).
3. I do not make friends easily. It takes me awhile. That's why I really want to move so I can live by family.
4. I can count on one hand how many nights in the past two years (maybe even longer) that I have had five or more straight hours of sleep.
5. I complain about my life sometimes, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
6. My middle name has now been passed down for four generations (maybe more because I have no records of before my great-great grandfather.)

Okay, so Angie, Carrie, and Kristen-you have blogs and haven't been tagged, yet, so post your interesting facts/habits or just ignore me.

Halloween

Gilligan, a nurse, one BYU football player and of course our speed demon race car driver...sorry not the greatest photo, but you get the idea.

Choreography

Once upon a time when I was going to be a great choreographer, this is the dance I intended to choreograph. Just wanted everyone to see it. Of course, mine wouldn't have had 12 year olds doing it, but the dance it just beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w9tgN704XQ

At the moment...

*Aaron is busy with soccer, starting a new school, teasing his brother, and reading everything in sight. Yes, reading. He loves Dr Suess and anything that has to do with cars.

*Ian is ready for potty training although we're not sure if he knows that. He will miss Aaron at school, but I'm sure he will find someone else to beat up on. He is mommy's little helper.*Lani has started eating rice cereal like a pro. We may need a shovel soon. She gets cuter everyday.*Tara is recovering from surgery nicely, trying to take things slow, but still have a clean house. Not really achievable. She has decided to write a book. Any ideas welcome.
*Brad is busy submitting resumes, balancing his workload with school, while getting up with the boys at night (that part is new). Someday he will have time to breathe, but for now he'd rather use that time playing his guitar and researching how to build a new one.

Our Little Sweetheart

Our little girl is a special light in our home. Her brothers love her (sometimes a little more than they should). She puts up with their "hovering" and proves that she will be tough. She is a special blessing to her mother already sleeping in her own bed, stays asleep most of the night through, and even falls asleep on her own if she can find her thumb. We hope this keeps up and she does not succumb to her brothers' sleeping habits.

Our Little monster

Ian is everywhere and into everything right now. It is so hard to keep tabs on the energetic monster. He wants to do everything Aaron does, but sometimes fighting ensues. Our Ian makes up for his fierceness with his gentle politeness. He always says "thank you" and "please" and "I love you".

Our Little Genius

Aaron has another year home before kindergarten so we decided to do preschool at home. Everyday Tara is surprised at how much he already knows. This month we will take a trip to the fire station and Aaron will start soccer.

Intro to the Brad and Tara Jones Family

Brad has 6 more months of school before he will become a graduate of the Utah School of Business. Yeah!!! After that who knows where we will be. Indiana??? We have three beautiful children, Aaron (4), Ian (2), and Kailani (2 1/2 months). They fill Tara's days and even nights:)