Introducing Aaron-etta

As time marches on I realize more and more that my girls are just like their Daddy in so many ways. Both of them sleep exactly like him. You see this sleeping baby? Now you know what I have sleeping on either side of me every night. I now think maybe we should have named her Aaron-etta.

Not only does she look just like him but she also is in love with her Daddy. Look at how she looks at him! This wasn't a fluke either, it's always this way. Just staring at Daddy...

Happy New Year

Madeleine did not make it until midnight. She sacked out in the corner of the couch long before the ball dropped. I think she looks passed out drunk here, I wanted to prop a bottle of Martinelli's up in her lap but the bottle was bigger than her!

New Year's morning we had a German pancake with sauteed apples and fresh whipped cream. Oh, so good! Noelle insisted on wearing this sweater over her jammies. She's getting so demanding these days!

Here we have my very first turkey, EVER! All the cooking and baking I've done over the years and I've actually never done the bird myself. I've even hosted Thanksgiving but someone else did that part. So, since we did not get to be together this Thanksgiving and I wanted to do a really nice meal to start off the new year, this is what I came up with.

My meat thermometer broke so I just had to eyeball when was done so it was a little dry but the flavor was great. I slaved all day making homemade rolls, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, fresh green beans, gravy, and cranberry sauce. We even had cloth napkins but when it came time to eat Noelle was having a rough time and Madeleine was screaming to nurse so we did not even get to eat together. Oh, well! Aaron really appreciated the effort and told me over and over that I am the best wife ever!

Noelle's Birthday

~Pictures from Noelle's 3rd Birthday~

After her bath in the morning she got to open her present from Uncle JoJo & Aunt Amy that had been sitting there for over a week. Talk about torture!

Her first real purse...filled with candy! I even let her eat it for breakfast. Next was a Strawberry Shortcake outfit, she was so excited she we had to immediately put it on.

Then, Auntie came over with a balloon and presents. Honestly, if she had only come with the balloon it would have been plenty. The thing still has air and she probably spends at least an hour a day playing with it. Last night she actually fell asleep holding onto the string.

After Auntie left we had to hurry over to the park to meet our friends for lunch. *A side note story about the cupcakes. I only have one muffin tin so I had to make two separate batches. The first took a long time to cool, so I put them on the bench in our backyard since it was so cold outside they would cool a lot faster. I opened the door to go check on them and I see a POSSUM scurrying away. I look down at my cupcakes and the disgusting thing had eaten half of them!!!!!! I absolutely freaked out, so gross! There were still a few in the pan it had not touched but I could not stomach using them. I still get the hee-bee-gee-bees just thinking about it. Ack! Ugh! Gag! I threw my flip-flop at it and Aaron came running out with the broom but he was long gone. We were quite the scene. I was so upset that everyone had to share but they were still tasty.

Eating leftovers from lunch before heading off to bed....It was such a fun and exhausting day!

Christmas Dinner

After our Christmas Morning at home we went to Camarillo to my cousins, The Loomis'. It was a wonderful afternoon spent eating, drinking, laughing, talking, and of course, enjoying Emily's new Wii.

Noelle and Marissa having such fun together. Marissa has this awesome cubby underneath her bed with blankets, pillows, and a TV to watch movies. Any kids dream! Unfortunately, this is the only picture I got of Noelle in her Christmas dress. Right after this picture she did not make it to the potty in time so she spent the rest of the day in pajamas. She looked adorable, though!

The whole family getting ready to eat dinner.

My precious niece Evynn and Unc having a major discussion. Evynn says it's this way and Unc says it's that way.


Drawing numbers for our White Elephant gift exchange. It was FUN! The Ecolab cleaning products were the hot items.

And, of course, this sweet angel was the highlight of the holiday. She was loved and snuggled the whole day. Next year she will be in on more of the fun!

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was so much fun with a three year old! The looks are her face as she realized there was a gift underneath the paper was priceless. We felt like such a family that morning. Noelle definitely has the opening presents thing down and just loved ripping the paper. She had all kinds of gifts and loved each and every one of them.

What happens when you send Daddy out for Christmas jammies Christmas Eve afternoon? He comes home with Dora the Explorer pajamas when your kid does not even know who she is. Thanks Daddy! He combed through many racks to find anything Christmas and dealt with the crazy crowds, but at least they had candy canes on them.

Are we going to get this how on the road or what???? Patiently waiting while I fiddled with the video camera.

Let the opening begin!!!!!

Then it was on to play with them. Whoever came up with the Strawberry Shortcake bat & ball is one smart person.

Madeleine just hung out in her little sleeper. It was way cheesy but I found it on clearance for $2!

Christmas Eve 2008

Christmas Eve we spent at Auntie's house. We had a very casual evening, everyone brought appetizers to share. It was a very small means Christmas for us, we did not even draw names for a gift exchange. It was actually nice in way because we just focused on being a family rather than gifts. We just snacked, drank, and had a good time enjoying each other.

Auntie hand painted a box full of different Christmas balls for us. I've already packed them away and did not take pictures. Dang me! A cute Mr. & Mrs. Snowman for Aaron and I, Strawberry Shortcake for Noelle, Flowers for Madeleine, and a couple of other beautiful ornaments. We love them!

Noelle got a very special gift from Auntie and Unc. A play kitchen! She really loves everything in my kitchen and is always sneaking my utensils out of the drawers and pretends she is cooking. It was definitely time to get her some of her own.

Grandma also came through in the kitchen department. A whole set of dishes, utensils, tea pots, etc. You know 50,000 different little pieces for me to pick up and put away 5 times a day.

Noelle LOVES to toaster and the mixer.

Madeleine just snoozed and enjoyed being held.

We're Up And Running!

YEA! Auntie helped me fix my computer, now I can download pictures. This is really picture heavy, but I am sure you guys are happy to look at these sweet girls, right? I have a lot of updating to do, stick with me over the next couple of days!

Madeleine has created her own schedule and generally wakes every three hours on the nose. She usually nurses at 6am and I try to get back to sleep ASAP because I know Noelle will be in by around 6:45-7. I pray that she will decide to sleep in and I will get a full hour but it never happens. Those few minutes of sleep go by so fast, I am just too tired and not ready to get up, so we usually hang out in bed for quite a while.

This is what our mornings look like.

Propped up in the corner of the couch under Daddy's favorite blanket.

When Daddy is home, he is either on his computer taking care of e-mails or on the couch with a baby asleep on his chest.

Just like her big sister LOVING bath time.

Noelle has become my sous chef. Here we are making my seriously yummy cinnamon rolls. I would love to eat one right now.

I hear a lot of rustling and noise and turn around to find Noelle had climbed in this bag. It provided a good hour of entertainment! The video is the best, I'll try to get that posted.

Really rough mornings we turn the TV on for her. For Christmas she got some 'Little Einstein' movies. I can actually tolerate listening to them over and over again, the classical music is doable. The best part is when she asks to watch them, "Mommy, can I watch Fittle Fine Fines?"


Here is Noelle's first slumber party, she invited all of her favorite stuffed toys. You have to sleep on the floor at a slumber party, right?

Happy New Year!

From the Jones Family!

We hope this year brings success, love, happiness and anything else your hearts desire. We are looking forward to what 2009 will bring our way. Whatever it may be, we are just grateful to have each other and being able to watch our sweet girls grow.

Aaron and I rung in the New Year from our couch with a bottle of Martinelli's last night. That is how is goes when you have a little one that can't be away from her Mommy. It was so exciting, it took every ounce I had to keep my sleep deprived eyes open.

This morning Madeleine is snoozing, Daddy and Noelle are playing outside while I have a German Pancake in the oven. I am also getting a turkey and all the fixings going for a special New Year's dinner. I could not ask for more, it's pure domestic bliss!

Happy, Happy Birthday To My Noelley-Belly

December 30, 2005 2:28am.....she came into the world and I became known as,"Mommy." I can hardly believe three years have gone by since that moment.

Noelle is such an amazing little girl. We all love her so very much. She has energy that goes on for days, is smart as a whip, and absolutely enjoys life to it's fullest. She runs, jumps, plays, screams and gets into all kinds of trouble. She has so many songs memorized and loves to sing them all day long. My personal favorite is "Dangerous" by Akon, she gets that from her Father.

Noelle has had the perfect little girl birthday. She got to eat M&M's & Cheetos for breakfast (thanks Aunt Amy!), and Auntie came over to bring her presents and a Mickey Mouse balloon. We then took a yummy lunch of Baked Ziti, Salad, Bread, Grapes and Cupcakes to the park to play and eat with her friends. After the park, we came home and she got to play with Jake and Norah some more. Everyone was so thoughtful and gave her such wonderful gifts. Clothes, coloring books, movies, and Strawberry Shortcake galore. She's already had so much fun playing with everything.

We had plans to go out with Daddy tonight but we were just all too tired. Noelle ate leftovers with Daddy and is already asleep. She went to bed with a dirty face and so many happy memories. What more could a little girl ask for?

I love you, sweet baby girl. Thank you for picking me!

No pictures......still having technical difficulties. Hopefully, we can fix it tomorrow.

Merry Christmas!

To all of those we know and love!

Each and every single one of you bless our lives so much and we are so grateful. May we all remember His example as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

We can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for our family.