California

Back in May, we took an INCREDIBLE trip to California. The first leg of the trip, Greg, Luke, and I flew to LA for two nights. My mom met us out there the second night so she and I could go to THE ELLEN SHOW! (my sister was supposed to come too, however, mommy intuition kicked in and leaving an almost 8 week old was understandably, too hard:)) The show was so much fun and I already want to go back! The rest of the short stay in Southern Cal was great too with some outdoor time at the park in the lovely weather!


waiting for our plane....this little boy LOVES airplanes

excited to fly!

at a park in LA






Before The Ellen Show!






The only real planning we did for this trip was book plane tickets from Houston to LA and from San Francisco back to Houston. So...after we checked out of our hotel in LA and dropped mom off at the airpot we went to Starbucks to 'Google' and map out our driving route up the coast to Napa. We drove up the PCH from LA , stopped at Duke's in Malibu for a lunch by the beach, drove through the Pepperdine campus (telling Luke that is where he should attend college...if Baylor doesn't work out, of course), then continued along the waterfront for a bit longer before cutting back inland to the interstate for the rest of the drive. It was so much fun! We were in the car about 10 hours with a pit stop here and there. Luke did fantastic and NEVER stopped talking. :) We had a wonderful week in Napa together as a family of three. It is a beautiful city!






yummy fish tacos

INCREDIBLE man.

another incredible little man

















sharing a milkshake!

there were duck/ducklings just wandering all around our hotel...there were also two white swans and a black swan...Luke loved it



Hess winery...beautiful





ice cream shop after dinner





Trefethen



Clif winery






playing at dinner

Our trip overlapped with our good friends, The Chambers trip so we were able to meet up with their family for a wonderful dinner! It was one of the best dinners we've had and so much fun.



delicious and BEAUTIFUL restaurant

worn out in the airport on our way home!

I am so grateful for the sweet memories we created on this trip and the wonderful quality time together!

A quiet 'I Love You.'

I don't want to forget this moment, ever.

Luke usually "picks" who he wants to read to him before bed. Sometimes it's Mommy. Sometimes it's Daddy (a lot these days :)) and quite often no matter who he picks, we both stay in there. One of us doing the reading in the rocking chair with Luke while the other lays on the floor listening to the story so that we both get to lay him in his crib and give him 'double' the good night kisses and I love you's.

Last night, Greg had to run to the store, so it was just me reading. Afterwards, Luke specifically asked me to "rock you more." As I was rocking him in the silence, his head on my shoulder, he gently lifted his head, looked up at my face, and in the softest little whisper told me 'I love you, mommy' then turned his head and layed it back on my shoulder.

I don't want the 'rock you mores' and the quiet I love you's to end.

April

So much for keeping up the blog consistently. April has been a fun month for us. Here are little blurbs and pictures of what the Jones family has been doing...



Decorating cookies since someone didn't want a nap!

Mommy's cookie :)

The first weekend in April Greg was invited through work to go to Destin, Florida for an event where he won an award. We decided to extend our stay an extra night to enjoy the beach and some one on one time together. Luke was in the loving care of his Kippy and Pappy. I don't have any pictures on my computer of his stay in Longview but it consisted of park playing, swinging, eating, visiting his great grandmother, and being spoiled, spoiled, spoiled! He loves his quality time with his Kippy and Pappy so much. Meanwhile, Greg and I spent an afternoon on the white sand, had a fun dinner out, and caught up on some r&r.

Easter weekend was wonderful weekend filled with friends, egg hunting, and lots of FOOD! We had a 'Good Friday' over at the Garretts house along with the Chambers family grilling steaks, decorating cookies, enjoying the weather, and watching all of our little ones play! What a blessing.

Saturday morning we woke up to a front yard FULL of eggs with a sign on the door saying "You've been egged!" Luke had a blast "hunting" the eggs and it wasn't long before our little neighbor, Hudson, came running over to help! I have a feeling his mom and dad had something to do with the 'egging!' After naps we headed across the street for some more back yard fun with the McNab family. Jennifer is definitely the hostess with the mostess. The fajitas were delish and washed down with a bunny cake and home made ice cream! Hudson and Luke went swimming and played until they were pink in the face. We ended the evening by putting both boys in the bath for a good scrub down before bed!

Easter Sunday was another wonderful day. Luke got to go to big church with us and did fantastic. Greg and I loved having him in the service with us. I don't have a family photo of us on Easter...I just snapped some on my phone. Sunday evening we headed over to the Hollon's house. James, James Thomas, and Luke played and played before our wonderful dinner together. What a great evening with 2 special families celebrating the resserection of Jesus!

This past weekend we celebrated Greg's birthday which is actually today! We had a babysitter Friday night so we could go to dinner. I spent Friday afternoon baking away. I made him a home made red velvet cake with Elizabeth Dain's recipe for 'the best icing you have ever had,' home made vanilla ice cream, and a dump cake (also from Elizabeth's recipe blog...sorry Elizabeth, I do not know how to link :() I have never eaten so much dessert in one weekend! (well, I'm sure I have...) Saturday morning we went on a casual little bike ride in the blissful weather and spent the remainder of the day outside together. Luke 'helped' Greg do some pruning and other yard work. He is quite the daddy's boy these days. This afternoon, Luke and I made Daddy some cupcakes so we could sing to him. Luke has been so excited to 'sing to Daddy.' Greg came home early and due to the very excited little boy, we went ahead with the celebration!

I normally don't post specific 'wound' area pictures, but Luke is NEVER without shoes/socks and I think baby feet are precious barefoot! He only stood a few minutes this way but it was worth photographing. :) especially the chub thighs!

These picture are examples of what our weekday and weekend life often consists of ....park with friends, playtime with Daddy, experimenting in the kitchen, stroller rides...repeat. :)

Happy birthday to my favorite person. Thank you for making our home your number one priority in life. You are our everything. Thank you for loving me the way you do. I hope this is your best year yet. You deserve the world. I love you.