Chelsea

My family lost a very special member this week, my parents beagle Chelsea. She was 11 years old. I remember the day my parents got her. I was a junior in college and mom called me and said they had a new puppy. The first time I met her she was super tiny and all she wanted to do was run around and play. Well, that is really all she ever wanted to do was play or find someone to rub her or give you kisses or sleep on the couch. Those are the things that filled her days and made her happy. Chelsea had many nick names - Big Mama and Big C were the two that seemed to stick. We miss you Chelsea and love you very much. We'll always remember the love, the kisses, the running up and down the hall chasing the ball, and the many, many scratches you got over the years! We love you!

Courtney, Chris, Will, Abby & Murray

3 Months Old

Will turned 3 months old on January 19th. He has doubled his birth weight and more, weighing in at 12 lbs. He is also getting longer. He's outgrown his newborn clothes and we have moved on to 3 month clothes. Some are a little big, but he is looking handsome in them anyway. He's been enjoying his time riding in his swing, shopping with mom, visiting Dad and Grandma at work, hanging out with both Grandmas so mommy and daddy can go to a movie or dinner, and laughing a lot. He loves to laugh, talk, and smile. He's sleeping thru the night most nights and continues to eat very well (takes after his mom and dad there!).

Here are a few pictures from the past few weeks.

The monthly pictures are getting harder to take. Thank goodness for the hood and Dad's quick reflexes!!

Will smiling - one of his favorite past times! I think in is the sweater - thanks Aaron and Stephanie! He looks so cute in it and his jeans!

After his nightly bath. Sweet baby boy.

Playtime in the swing (aka time when mommy gets things done around the house)!

Multi-tasking - holding his keys and trying to eat his hand at the same time!

My Little Sister

My sister turned 28 on January 15th! It is so hard to believe. I realize that every year I get older she gets older, but I often still think of her as 11 or 14 or even 18. She was in town this weekend and we were able to hang out some. I miss her so much and wish that she lived in Dallas, but I am so happy that she is close by in OKC. I know that will not always be the case.

I have so many memories of our times together. Most sisters fight like cats and dogs at least part of their lives, but honestly Carrie and I have always been close. Granted I think for at least part of her life she would do anything to keep me out of trouble - especially during my high school years! For some reason she didn't like to hear mom and I scream at each other. :)

Carrie is a wonderful, loving, thoughtful person. She truly wants to make the world a better place and does so every day as a Kidergarten teacher. I realize that there are a lot of teachers in the world, but Carrie goes above and beyond the call of duty. So often she is calling me telling me she is going to a dance recital that a student invited her to or buying them shoes or clothes or even lunch to help their parents out. Things she is not required to do. She treats these children like her own and better. Carrie is also a wonderful wife, daughter, aunt, friend, and most of all sister. She makes everyone around her smile, is always willing to lend a helping hand, and is always the biggest advocate of those close to her.

Carrie, I love you very much and I am the luckiest girl on the earth to be able to call you my sister. Happy Birthday! Just think, in a couple years we'll be celebrating the BIG 30!

Happy New Year!

We want to wish everyone a VERY Happy 2008! I know the new year will bring great things to all of you and we are looking forward to sharing it with you. As we start the New Year, we want to thank everyone for your kindness in 2007. It was by far our most life changing year so far and the love we received from our friends and family is more than we could have ever asked for. We are thankful daily for the gifts we've been given and know we are truly blessed with such a loving family and great friends. Happy New Year!

Well, Chris and I didn't think we'd have that exciting of a New Years Eve this year, with Will being so young and it always seems overrated. We planned on staying home and watching Dick Clark and going to bed early (maybe even ringing it in on East Coast time). As it got closer, we decided we had to do something, so we invited friends over for dinner at our house. We had a relaxing evening and were excited to ring in 2008 with friends and Will. We didn't end up in bed until 2AM, the latest we've "chosen" to stay up in a while. On New Years Day, Chris went to Amarillo with his family to visit his grandparents. I went to Kristi and Chris's house for yummy food and football. As you can see from the picture below, Will is already just one of the guys! And for any of you that were wondering, YES he is a Cowboys fan! Don't think you can sway him any other way!

Jimbo, Will and Chris watching football New Years Day
Go Cowboys! Even at naptime!

Will's First Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas and celebrated with family and friends. Will really enjoyed his first Christmas - meeting family and being held by everyone. Here are a few pictures from all the festivities. We hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season!

We spent Christmas Eve at my parent's house. We spent the early part of the day with our extended family and then had Christmas and Santa with my immediate family that evening. It was such a fun day and a great way to show Will what Christmas is all about at the Jones's house! Next year I am sure he'll be very excited about the paper, the boxes, and the ornaments on the tree. Get ready Grandma!

Our family in front of the tree at my parent's house.

Grandma and Grandpa with Will (nice jammies Mom!)

Josh, Me, Will, Chris and Carrie by the tree

Will LOVED the mobile at Grandma's house.

Mom (aka Grandma, Didi, Mimi, take your pick) did a wonderful job of hosting Christmas. Doesn't she look pretty?

We spent Christmas Day at Chris's parents house. Will was dressed in another of his MANY Christmas outfit and we called him our little reindeer all day. Will met his cousins Karina and Brennan for the first time on Christmas Day after hearing about them since the day he was born! I can't wait to see them all running around in the years to come!

" Come on Mom, let me out of this car seat and PLEASE stop taking pictures!"

Little Reindeer with his Daddy

And with his Mommy in front of the tree

Karina and Brennan "helping organize" presents. Aka - looking for ones that have their name on them!

Karina holding Will. Such a good big cousin!

Will snoozing during dinner.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.