Church History Museum

A few months ago we took Kinsley to the Church History Museum with our friends Matt and Rhianon. Who knew that by doing that we would be creating a Church History Museum Fanatic. She asks to go there on a daily basis... Seriously! I guess there are worse things to love.

She loved learning about the Book of Mormon while playing with the hands on exhibits.

Aila loved driving the car. She would have done that all day.

The garden area was really cool.
They also have learning stations for Adults too... with really little chairs........ Okay, so it isn't for adults but Matty and Eric had a great time challenging each other to MULTIPLE games of memory.
Both of the girls really liked fishing on Nephi's boat.

Kinsley's favorite station was dressing up like a Señorita, learning how to dance, and dancing her heart out. She was pretty cute doing it.

Since, going to the Church History Museum with Matt and Rhianon, it has become Kinsley's FAVORITE place to visit. We have been many, MANY times. On Saturday, Kinsley asked to go again so this time we invited her neighbor friends (Ryker & Sadie) to come with us.
Dancing like a Señorita.Gathering eggs, working in the garden, and cooking a meal to feed the missionaries.

The Lord commanded Nephi to go and build a boat.

Building a tower
Looking at the gold plates.
Coloring.

Happy Valentine's Day

I was lucky to spend Valentine's morning with my three valentines. Eric didn't have to be to his extern site until 10. Which gave me enough time to make everyone heart shaped pancakes.
That afternoon Kinsley and I made our neighbors some heart shaped sugar cookies. Unfortunately, great minds think a like and they also made us a plate of sugar cookies.

Kinsley loves helping me in the kitchen but we made WAAAAYYYY too many cookies. I froze half of then to use as mini fruit pizzas in the future.

Hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Nap Time

I recently made Aila start taking one nap instead of two. I feel like she sleeps better and wakes up happier. However, the switch has been difficult. The last few days she has had a hard time staying awake during lunch. Adorable.

Aila @ 16 Months

Well, I guess it is more official now. Aila is on the move! She takes the initiative and walks on her own. Although, it still isn't her main mode of getting around.

She hasn't quite learned to stand up after she falls down. She tries this way... but then gives up and scoots to the nearest piece of furniture and pulls herself up.We have been teaching Aila sign language. She can correctly sign the words: help, all done, milk, more, thank you, please, book, and open. "More" is her favorite word. Here is a video of her signing. I should also mention that she is signing "more" after her THIRD bowl of pasta. I swear- all this girl does is eat. We are surprised she isn't ginormous!

Aila recently went in for a check-up. She finally gained weight and currently weighs 19 pounds 11 ounces (in the 5th percentile). She is 30 inches tall (in the 43rd percentile). She also received some immunizations which left her limping, crying, and saying "ow" for two days.

A Prize

Sometimes, when Kinsley is really good in a store, I will reward her at the end of the shopping trip with some money. Not a lot of money- just a coin or two. The little machines at a stores entryway are quite a temptation for her. After one such shopping excursion, she was given some money, and looked intently at all of the machines to see what they had to offer. I attempted to hurry the choosing process.

I tried to steer her towards a sticker. "No."

I tried to steer her towards jewelry. "No."

I tried to steer her towards bouncy balls. "No."

I tried to steer her towards candy. "No."

I tried to steer her towards the gum balls. "No."

This was her prize......GROSS LOOKING TEETH!!!!

In my family we call them "Billy Bob" teeth. Apparently, she has some of my Uncle Craig in her. He loved Billy Bob teeth!

What was he thinking!?!?!

I have seriously come to question Santa's thinking when he gave my girls {EACH} a recorder?!?! What was he thinking? They LOVE playing them together.... but they play them together WAAAY to often. I have had too many days like this one...

I hate noisy toys. I now have them hidden. I wonder how long it will be until someone notices.

Playing in the Snow

On Sunday we awoke to three inches of snow on our lawn. While at church, Kinsley begged us to take her outside to play in the snow. When we got home I volunteered Eric. It looked too cold for me. They had a great time! Everytime Eric tried to build a snowman Kinsley would jump and flatten the ball. Needless to say, they never built a snowman.

Grandma Prather's B-Day

It is a rare occasion when Eric's extended family can all get together. I think it has been two years since we have seen everyone (in one place and at the same time). But we were able to all gather (except for Shelli) for Grandma Prather's birthday at one of our favorite restaurants... Maddox. It was SOOO good. I think I could eat their raspberry butter straight out of the jar! It was a fun evening and we had a great time together.Aila cuddling with her Grandpa Pierce

Bringing in 2012 W/ A BASH

The annual BALL BASH!

We rang in the new year, early, with the annual Jones Ball Bash. My dad brought the bounce house for the little kids to play in while the big kids were on the court. We had a really good turn out this year.

Unfortunately/fortunately, I didn't get any pictures of Eric showing his skills on the basketball court. He was meeting with some optometrists talking about buying into a partnership. The meeting went REALLY well. We feel very blessed with the opportunity to, possibly, return and practice in our home town. We just pray that the doctor doesn't change his mind.That evening, my dad got together with his mom and siblings for games and finger food. Then Eric and I met up with my siblings and cousins and had a great time doing the same thing-- however, I think our crowd was more rowdy. =)

Happy New Year!!!

The next day we celebrated my dad's birthday. He had a lot of helpers opening presents this year. Kinsley kept asking me where her present was.

Aila signing "more."