My Yard

 
The end of summer is now upon us.  You can feel the cool in the air as we start fall.  I absolutely love the fall and the leaves changing colors! Although, I am going to soon be missing my favorite hobby of all time! Gardening! I put a lot of love and work into my yard every year.  I thought I would share some pictures of my yard and some of my beautiful plants. These are only a few of many favorites...

The Easter Lily my Bishop gave to me when my Mother died.  It reminds me of the Resurrection, and that I will see my Mother again!!

Our beautiful waterfall.

"Sunrise Sunset" Rose.

"Lady Lucille" Daylily.

"Disneyland" Rose.

"Julia Child" Rose.

"Endless Summer" Hydrangea.

"Limelight" Hydrangea.

"Sweet Fragrance" Rose.

"Indian Summer" Rudbeckia.

First Days of School

Ashley started the 5th grade this year.  She is on year round, so she started on August 16th.  Karrie started her Sophomore year at the brand new Herriman High School on August 26th.  Both of my girls are growing up so fast!!

Karrie's 15th Birthday

Karrie Cynthia Jones was born on Thursday, August 24, 1995 at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City.  Karrie was 9 weeks premature and weighed 3 lbs. 13 oz., 16 1/2 inches long.  Karrie had to be in the Newborn ICU for four weeks.  When she came home, she slept with a Bradycardia Monitor. Since she still could not eat on her own, she had to be fed with a tube that her Mom and Dad had to stick down her throat into her stomach!  She is very blessed to have only a mild case of Cerebral Palsy from being so early!
Karrie's middle name "Cynthia" is after her Mother "Bonnie Cynthia" and after her Grandmommy "Cynthia Wilkerson Shaw". She is proud to be named after them both.
Karrie has turned into a beautiful young woman.  She has a strong sense of right and wrong, loves the scriptures, and always strives to do what is right.  She is quiet, sensitive, loyal and compassionate.  We are so proud of who she has become!
On Thursday, August 19th, Karrie chose to go to "Outback Steakhouse" with all of the family for her birthday celebration. Then on her birthday, we had cake and ice cream as a family.  Happy 15th Birthday, Karrie!! We love you!!

 

Braces Off!

Karrie's braces are off!! Mike took her on Friday, August 20th to have them removed. She will be able to start her Sophomore year at High School with no braces!! She looks so good and has a beautiful smile!!

 Before

After

Boise, Idaho

Since we had not been to Debbie and Tims for two years, Mike and I made plans with Debbie to go visit on the July 24th weekend.  Amy, Katelynn and Elizabeth decided to come visit also.  It is always so much fun to spend time with Debbie, Tim and their family.  We always have such a good time with them!  It was good being all together as a family, although we really missed our Mother, who I know would have loved to be with all of her girls and grandchildren! The cousins loved being together and we made some wonderful memories!! I hope we can go visit again soon!!

Karrie and Jacob.  They have always been close.  

All the cousins together. 

Playing the game "Risk".

Tessa and Ashley.

Tessa, Austin, Ashley and Katelynn.

Austin, Tessa and Ashley always had to sit together in the car wherever we went.

4th of July

This 4th of July was a break from tradition for us.  In the past, we would bar-b-cue and have fireworks at my parent's home. How I miss those times! But, things are very different with my Mother being gone and my Dad being remarried. So, this year, we were invited to our good friends (the Pursers) to bar-b-cue and have fireworks.  It was good times, good food and good company. Mike cooked bratwurst and we had homemade ice cream made by Stacie and lemon pound cake made by Bonnie. Yummy!  The kids had fun doing fireworks and just hanging out together! We are so thankful for our friendship with the Pursers. They are like family to us.

 Jack Purser, Ashley Jones, Samantha Purser

 Karrie & Ashley Jones, Samantha & Noah Purser

Sparklers

Watching Fireworks

Disneyland - June 2010

 

Our family vacation was in California this year.  Most of the time was spent at Disneyland.  Both my sisters (Debbie & Amy) and their families came also.  We all love going to Disneyland together! It is fun for the girls to be with their cousins at Disneyland.  We all had fun riding rides, pin trading, meeting the characters and watching the World of Color, Fantasmic! and the fireworks.  Some of our favorite rides are: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Matterhorn. Of course, there are many more that we love!
One of the days, Amy, Wes and their girls drove down to Coronado Island with us to spend the day at the beach. Our Aunt Breta had us all over for dinner one night, and we were able to spend time with her and our cousin Mary.  It was a wonderful vacation and since we bought annual passes to Disneyland, we will be going back soon!