Spring break

We had so much fun just hanging out this spring break. The boys were happy to have each other to play with everyday and we had a few outings to stay busy and enjoy the wonderful Arizona spring weather. We started the two weeks with a lazy morning, park day and lunch. We were home in time for nap time and relaxed. That week was Benjamin's birthday and Brian took the day off to play with the boys. Then on Thursday we ventured to the Zoo. We had a wonderful time with friends and the boys loved it! We always take a picture by the monkey exhibit to show how big our monkeys are this visit.

We love these two families and love to hang out with Daddy's buddy's kiddos. Kim, Alyssa and I are all expecting and it is fun to hang around with my friends for a day in a kid-friendly place. I am so happy that Brian's friends married such great girls.

These boys had a lot of fun just being brothers for two weeks. They ate outside, played video games, built forts, constructed cities out of Legos and train tracks and jumped on the trampoline. The older boys were great with Henry and let me sleep in most mornings. It was a joy having them all home and a lot more relaxing than I had originally thought. Not having to pack lunches and letting Henry finish his nap everyday made it Spring Break for Mom too!

Ben wanted my camera at the zoo and suprise, suprise, he loved taking pictures of all things creepy and crawly!

What a wonderful two weeks with my boys before their sister is born. With Ben's birthday, baptism and Brian's birthday we were busy every weekend too! The two weeks flew by and I can't believe we only have two more before we are a family of seven. I love these little men and how fun they are getting to be around as they get older. Now back to schedules and work to finish the school year. It's going to be a challenging eight weeks with a new baby, but I'm sure with the help of family and friends we will make it. Take a deep breath..here we go!

It's Great To Be Eight

Brian baptized Benjamin Saturday, March 17th at our stake center. Ben's uncle Randall was the presiding member of the Stake Presidency. Grandma Jones gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, Grandma Tosczak said the closing prayer, Aunt Colene led the music and Avery sang "I Know My Savoir Loves Me". Uncle Darrell and Uncle Justin were the witnesses and Brian performed the confirmation with Ben's uncles and Grandpa Jones in the circle.

Aunt Aubrey was thoughtful and remembered to get pictures for us. I love this one! It was such a simple, special day. Daddy and Ben talked about the ordinance, and practiced so Ben knew just what to expect. Benjamin was very excited and calm about the day. He is such a sweet little man and a wonderful example to his younger brothers, and soon to be sister. When Brian and Ben got back from getting changed, Henry asked: "You baptized now, Ben?".

Ben got a suit for the occasion. In true Ben style, he plays it cool, but I think he felt pretty special going up to shake the bishop's hand when he got welcomed into the ward.

I can't believe how big and grown up my tiny baby Benjamin has become. I love this boy with all my heart and I'm so glad he came to our family as our oldest son. It is an honor to be his mom.

Daddy's Thoughts:

Saturday was a big day for our Benjamin. The night before, we spent time practicing how to get baptized. You did great and were prepared when the time came. You had several friends that attended including Hallie Walker, Weston Thomas, Britton Platt, and Hyrum Hendrickson. Benjamin your mother and I have always considered it to be a privilege to be your parents. You set a great example as an older brother and are a good friend to others. Baptism is the first of many covenants that you will make with your Heavenly Father. I challenge you to live your life in a way so that you are prepared to make further covenants with Him at the times you are supposed to during your life. We love you very much and are glad you are in our family.

Celebrating Benjamin Peter

Benjamin's 8th birthday was a great day for him, his brothers and Daddy! (Mommy got to lounge at home 35 weeks pregnant with Henry too) The boys started off the day with a trek up Camelback mountain. Luke wasn't about to be left behind this time and was a trooper, making it to the top with his brothers. After the hike they went to Barro's for pizza before going to a Diamondbacks spring training game. They came back with tales of getting their own soda and the huge slices. Brian brought Jefferson and Lukey home and then left again to go to the Phoenix Suns basketball game with Ben to finish the days festivities.

Henry got dressed in his D-backs shirt, found his baseball and was completely devastated when the boys left without him. He cried for a while, only to be consoled by an episode of Dora and clung to the baseball for close to an hour! It won't be long before he will be hiking right along side his brothers.

The Sunday before Ben's big day, we had both the Jones and Tosczak families over to celebrate the March birthdays. The kids had fun jumping and playing in the gorgeous weather and being with cousins. Grandma Jones made a train cake for Sean and Benjamin.

It was a very special night at Ben's first NBA basketball game. We have a friend that works for the team and in addition to the tickets, he sent the Gorilla, the team mascot up to Ben's seat with a backpack stuffed full of gear to help him celebrate his birthday. Brian enjoyed being able to share his love of basketball with Ben and it was a treat for both of them. After the game, Ben got to go shoot a free-throw on the court. Pretty great day all-in all!! Ben still talks about his best birthday ever.

Ben is a great big brother. What a fun way to spend your birthday. We love you Benjamin Peter. Happy 8th Birthday Sweet Boy.

Tooth fairy visits Jeffey

Back in October Jefferson lost his first tooth, followed shortly by the second one. Ben also lost one that month and the tooth fairy was quickly out of dollars! Poor Jefferson promptly lost the first tooth after it fell out and we had to write a note explaining the situation to the Tooth Fairy. It all worked out, he got hooked up with some dollars and was a happy boy in the morning. He was very excited to join the "big boy" ranks of his brother Ben.

Showered with Love

These four amazing women, with the help of a lot more, threw me the most wonderful baby shower to help welcome our newest addition. When I got pregnant this time, I remember Kim telling me that when we found out it was a girl she was going to rent the out the ballroom at some big hotel and throw a huge party. Well, she "borrowed" her sister-in-law's home and did just that! I was so excited for months and overwhelmed with love from everyone. I often think that if this little girl has as many cherished friends as I do, she will be okay without a sister.

I LOVE these girls so much!!
More pictures of my amazing friends. Sherri did such a great job with all these pictures and I'm grateful for the memories.
Okay, so this picture makes me a little sad that this girl won't have a sister. Denia is my best friend and I love being so close to her in so many ways. Her and my mom helped make this such a special day. Avery sat beside me and helped me open gifts and was excited for every tiny bow and outfit. It is a blessing that Dee decided to have a little buddy for our baby that will be born just a few weeks later. We told Avery that she will have to share her sisters and we will share our brothers with Noah.
My sweet friend Ange was in town from Utah and made this incredible cake for the shower. Seriously, have you ever seen anything so gorgeous? And it tasted just as good as it looked. What a gift! I think it may have topped our wedding cake.
The food was everything that I loved! Salads, veggies, rolls and lots of treats. The girls know me well.
My mom brought a bunch of pictures of my when I was little and a red dress that Denia and I both wore. I can't wait to take a picture of this baby wearing the same dress. It was given to me by my great grandmother Dupuis, my dad's grandma. Since we don't have a blessing dress to pass down, this is a very treasured little dress.

The baby and mommy were super spoiled by everyone who came and many more who couldn't make it, but dropped off something or contributed to my dream diaper bag. This is going to be the best dressed little lady.
The decorations were beautiful and it was a perfectly, girly theme of pink. The girls took care of every detail and it was perfect.

Leah made tasty bags of pink popcorn as favors that the guests could take home when they left.
More pink goodness.
I feel like I opened gifts forever. I managed to keep it together most of the time. I think I cried twice and it was tough to keep the tears at bay the rest of the time, with all the tiny handmade shoes, hair bows, blankets and adorable outfits everyone brought. It still overwhelms me to think about how fortunate I am to have so many people who are excited with us for our girl.
It was so much fun opening all the packages full of tiny, ruffly cuteness.

Alyssa put together a bow-making table where everyone could come and make a bow, headband or flower for the baby. They attached them to cards and I got to take them home with me at the end of the shower. It was a great idea and it will be neat remember who made each one when I get to play "dress-up".

Grandma Jones made her a white quilt just like the she did for the boys. These are very special blankets to me and she will be wrapped up in it for her blessing.




This is one lucky little girl already! I have more friends than any one person deserves, and I treasure them all. I worry sometimes about how I am going to raise a daughter after four sons, but I don't have to look very far for examples of great "daughter-moms" in my life. Thank you to everyone who made this such a special day for me and baby girl Jones.

I also had my friend Danielle throw me another wonderful shower with all my friends from church and we didn't get any pictures. It was another overwhelming event where I felt showered with love! Life is good.

More girl fun!

I have prepared more for this little one than any of the others. Not that we are any more excited, girls just have more stuff, more ruffles, flowers, bows and pink...and more to do! I have been so spoiled by friends and family and love to sit in her room and soak in the peaceful color and clean paint smell. On a side note, clean smells have been a major craving this go around. Vinegar, bleach, pine sol, fresh paint, cut grass, Fabuloso and sugar! It is odd to me how your body takes over when you are expecting. Nesting is in full force with three weeks to go and I am getting ready to fill the freezer with meals so we can eat when I am too tired to remember my name.

For one of my showers they made bows, add that to everyone's generous gifts and the fun I have had crafting and she is set withaccessories for pretty much the rest of her life! I can't wait to see all these on her tiny head. I think we may have to change them hourly to get enough were out of them. It is special to know that each one of them were made by friends and family.

She may also have to wear a different dress to each hour of church on Sunday to get a chance to use all of these. There are so many adorable outfits stuffed in overflowing drawers.

I have had fun making all the headbands my heart desires and getting to keep them for myself. I love that I get to make two of everything so Denia's little girl can match baby girl Jones.

The boys had a blast painting their sister's room. I'm not sure if they loved painting it for her or just be allowed to paint, but it was a fun time. We decided on a nice Tiffany blue as not to get a complete pink overload. Although, almost everything else, including her clothes, are pink.

They took the job very seriously.

Pink, pink and more pink.

Ruffles and a chandelier; pom poms and pink lanterns, what more can a girl want?

I love that her room is a modge podge of borrowed, and donated items. I feel overwhelmed by how many people are excited about her coming to our family. One of my dear friends wrote me a card that said "Finally, you get to be with your daughter again. " I love the thought that she was meant to be in our family, that there is no accident that she is following four brothers and that she will most likely be the caboose to our little crew. I know that she will be treasured and watched out for, by her dad and I and the boys. If she is as "sweet", as Brian puts it, as the boys are, we are going to be so blessed to have her in our home (and I'm sure she will be). I can hardly wait the three more weeks to meet her. She is one lucky little lady.