Our Family is Growing!

We just returned from Colorado where we welcomed the newest member of our family, Brigham Glen Jones, Debbie and Mike's new little boy.  We had been planning to leave late Sunday afternoon and drive part way then get up and go the rest of the way and be at the hospital where Debbie would be having the baby induced Monday morning.  Well, things didn't work out as planned.  Sunday morning Mike called us and said they were on their way to the hospital.  I kept my phone with me and during Sacrament meeting it vibrated and I walked out and talked to Mike and found out the news that the baby had arrived!!!  This was fun because with this baby they weren't finding out what it was going to be.  The baby has been "It" for the whole pregnancy.  And, since they have two boys and one girl, they would be happy with either.  But, they really did think it was probably going to be a girl -- boy were they wrong.  Brigham, or Brig as the family is going to call him, was born at 11:17 am.  He weighed 8 lb 10 1/2 oz -- so he was pretty good sized.  He is so cute.  I love that newborn stage.  They feel so good to hold. 
Paul was able to change things at church and we decided to leave right after Sacrament meeting and head on out.  It was beautiful weather as we left Utah, but got pretty bad as we started in the mountains of Colorado.  It is a good thing we left when we did because I-70 had a major rock slide that closed the freeway an hour or two after we went past.  If we had left later we would have been stuck in Grand Junction and had a huge detour to get there.  As it is, the weather really slowed us down but we got to the hospital around 10:00pm and got to see mom and baby!! 

Check out Debbie's blog to see more pictures of baby Brigham and their family. 
This little baby is grandchild number 25!!  We feel so blessed by the Lord for the wonderful family that we have. 

A Special Day for Eli

I'm sure you will be seeing pictures and a much better post on Emily's blog, but here are just a few from today.

 

The following are some of the people that came to the baptism:

  

Emily gave a very touching spotlight about Elijah

  

A special day and special feelings for a Mom

Evan gave a great talk on Baptism.  He spoke clearly and loud where everyone could hear.  Great job Evan!

  

Eli sang a song "When I am Baptized" and then the baptism took place.  

After the baptism we moved to the Primary room where we saw a special video of Elijah from when he was a baby until now.  After that, some of Eli's cousins sang "The Holy Ghost"

Eli's aunt Edie gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  She had a bag with some special things to help Eli remember all the important things about the Holy Ghost.

 

 Eli was confirmed by his father and given a very touching and special blessing.  

Bishop Gatherum then had Eli's great grandparents bear their testimonies. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, we moved to a different church building and had a wonderful, delicious brunch.  Glen and Emily had the DVD playing, they had pictures on the table for us to look at, pages to write a note to Eli, and cute decorations on the tables.  Everything made it very special and memorable.  

 

 

 

Family Fun

This past week we had Paul's sister, Carol, come and visit.  It was so nice to have her here.  She had several things planned while we were at the Temple.  But, on Saturday she went with me to a Stake RS Conference where Emily Freeman spoke.  It was awesome.  Then after that we went to Sarah's house so Carol could see where she lived.  Then on to Eric and Tina's home.  It was fun to see the kids -- all so talented etc.  In the evening the adults went to Texas Roadhouse and met two of Paul and Carol's cousins.  We had a great time eating and visiting.

 

Waiting to get in the Restaurant

 
 

After dinner, part of us went to Lani and Don's home and continued to visit.  They are such great people and we had such a nice time!

The top pictures are Lani, Don, and Carol.  The bottom picture is Milene and Richard Olsen.

Christmas Flowers?

Around Thanksgiving we received a "Holiday" Amaryllis gift basket from Melinda.  We started watering it as soon as we got home from Missoula after Thanksgiving, thinking it would bloom for Christmas.  Melinda said she thought it would be fun to have it for a decoration for Christmas.  Well, we kept waiting for it to grow.  We waited and waited.  It finally started to put up some small shoots. Then they kept growing and growing. And, it is just now starting to bloom!! Yeah!!

A few days ago this is what they looked like. 

 

This  is what they look like today.  

Melinda also got some for her.  They started growing a little earlier than ours.  Here is a picture of hers.

 

It is interesting that hers put up more than one shoot.  But, the flowers are really pretty and we can see what ours will looks like soon.  

More of Mexico

We had lots of fun on our Cruise to Mexico.  Here are more pictures of things we did.  And, you can check out Sarah's blog to see more pictures:  http://sarahida.blogspot.com/
On the day Paul went on the zip lines in the jungles of Puerto Vallarta, Karen, Doyle, Norma and I took a taxi into the city and walked along the boardwalk by the beach etc.

 

  

We saw an interesting sculpture, sand sculptures, etc. 

  

  

 

I already shared things in Mazatlan, so I will go on to Cabo San Lucas.

Loralee and I took a boat out to the lands end of Baja California and saw Los Archos 

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We then went on a bus tour and saw some of the area.  The country side was different from the other ports.  Here it reminded me lots of Arizona.  There were Sahuaro cactus, etc, but it was still beautiful.  

Paul and Vernon had had such a great time on the zip lines, they went again.  Sarah, Melinda, and Staci had a great time on the beach and activities there.  

 

  

  

Melinda and Sarah road ATV along the beach and through a coconut grove.

 

   

The girls went on jet skis

 

And Staci even went parasailing

 

  

Pretty view of our ship and the arch of Los Archos 

 

  

The girls even held a baby tiger!

 

The Sapphire Princess was a beautiful ship and we really enjoyed it.  It was fun to be with a big group.  We loved the shows we saw each night and the dinners were fun trying each others food so we could taste everything!

  

  

  

Waiting for the show!

We look forward to our next cruise!  I wonder when it will be.