World Series Team Roping

Mid- December we headed to Las Vegas where Brent competed in the World Series Team Roping.  It was a huge event, the stakes were high-- The payout was $6 million to be exact.    

Brent and his team roping partner roped 3 times, and they were shy of luck all 3 times.  

Although they didn't take home any of the winnings, it was a big deal to even qualify to rope in the event, and I'm proud of Brent for making it there.  

My parents came to support Brent and met us in Vegas, and it was fun to have them there as well.

I was feeling under the weather (actually, I don't recall ever feeling this sick, or remember being this sick for this long. Whatever I had was a NASTY bug), therefore, I didn't take many pictures.

Here's Brody waiting to board the plane. He really was excited to fly even though the picture says otherwise!

Brent and Broden (Brent's roping partner) drove to Vegas and hauled the horses there, and Brody, and I flew down and met them.  We rode home with my parents and I was nervous about the 9 hour drive for Brody, but he was  THE best 2-year-old little traveler we could ask for.  He did amazing, and didn't whimper or whine once the whole way home.  Not even ONCE.  We were so proud of him.

Ready to take off!

Helping Daddy get ready to rope.

Here we go! Headed to watch Brent and Broden rope, with Grandma and Grandpa.

Brent is entering the arena at the back of the line-- black shirt and hat. He was a basket full of nerves!

Warming up.

Go Dad!

Ready to roll.

And they're off. Broden was the header, Brent, the heeler.

Almost!

While in Vegas we ate at, well, lots of good restuarants, but one of Brody's favorites was a place called Steak and Shake. We also went to the aquariums at Mandalay Bay, and spent some time in the hotel's arcade playing games.

Thanksgiving with the Joneses and the Jones Family Christmas Party

We spent Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa Jones'. I didn't take many pictures, but the highlight for the grand kids was when Grandpa Max took them for a tractor ride after dinner.

Then in early December we had our annual Jones Family Christmas Party.

There are so many of us that we hold it at the church so we can all fit.

We had a yummy dinner, then played games, exchanged gifts, and Grandma read the nativity story from the scriptures while the kids acted it out.  

Our sister-in-law, Sheena, and niece, Tess.

Brody, and the other cousins his age were mostly a distraction on-stage during the nativity story.  A comical distraction.

At some point Brody tried to bail off the stage, and gave me a heart attack.  Grandma caught him.

Hoping to Adopt

Hooray!  We are officially hoping to adopt!

We've completed the application process and have been approved to adopt through LDS Family Services.  Now the search begins for that special birth-mother, and baby.We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby #2 and we hope, and pray we will be able to experience the miracle of adoption again, and welcome another precious baby into our family. 

Spread the word.  If you know of any expectant parents who are considering adoption for their baby, we invite you to tell them about our family.

We love adoption.

Such a powerful message. I love the message in this video and it's true-- birth moms are super heroes.

Elba Valley

In October, we went out to the beautiful Elba valley and a friend of ours took a few pictures for us.

This and That

 This post is a mish mash of pictures that are from this and that.

I snuck a picture of Brent and Brody snuggled together sleeping soundly on the couch.

 Family time is my favorite time.

We like to snuggle around the fire pit in our back yard, and roast hot dogs (or "hog hogs" according to Brody).

Something that is important to us is daily family scripture study, and prayer.  We have a tradition of following it with a family group hug.

Brody is my little grocery shopping buddy.

And he's his dad's handy-man helper.

This picture was taken at my parent's house.  Brody likes to sit next to this picture of my grandpa, and point to it and say, "Gama's daddy."

Last month, I went to a baby shower for Brent's youngest sister, Janelle. 

Isn't she adorable?

She's expecting her first baby this month.  Wowza, where did the time go?  She was just a wee little one when Brent and I got married!

Day At The Park

One day while Kourtney was in town we met at the park to play, and then went to dinner together.  It was an unusually warm November day, so we took advantage of the nice weather and played outside.

Halloween 2012

In preparation for Halloween we carved a pumpkin, and we stuck with the traditional jack-o-lantern style.

I attempted to roast the pumpkin seeds, and maybe I didn't follow the directions correctly, but I can't say I loved them.  Next year, maybe I'll try a different recipe.

It makes it easier with your mouth open.

Ewww, pumpkin guts.  

Halloween night, Brody got dressed in his lion costume, and we took him to the trunk-or-treat at the church.

He walked around with a nervous look on his face the majority of the night.  He probably wondered what all those kids were doing, running around in weird costumes.

"We're off to see the wizard". . . 

Again, Brody tried on parts to mine and Brent's costumes.

I think he makes a pretty cute scare crow/ lion cross!