A couple of weeks ago while up in Vancouver I took the kids to Krispy Kreme Donuts. We had lots of fun watching them make donuts and then picking one out to eat!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
January and February in Review!
This past couple of months have gone by almost faster than I can keep up, but we have had lots of fun. So here are a few pictures of some of the things that we have been doing.
Cooper's first "tea party" with his cousins, Janae and Kiera.
The girls had fun showing Cooper what it was all about.
Cooper caught on right away, especially when they started passing out the cookies.
Hannah with her first sucker.....
....and enjoying the swing.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Letter from Sister Eva Ivanova - Czech Republic, Ostrava Branch
On January 11, 2010 I received the following from a Sister in the Ostrava Branch where Kevin is now serving.
Dear Sister Brenda,
My name is Eva Ivanova and I am president of the primaries in our branch in Ostrava. Your son, Elder Jones is here and he is very good missionary. He quickly learns. Today we in the primaries got your gift - stickers. Much thanks for the gift. He made us happy and is very useful for us.
You can be calm. Your son is independent. At Christmas, they were missionaries in my home and I cooked a Christmas meal. I like to teach with them and other church members helping the missionaries too.
If you're interested, you can read my story. You'll find it at: http://mormonwoman.org/2010/01/06/portraits-of-mormon-women-eva/
Annex I send a picture.
Love Eva
It was so fun to get this letter. If you have a chance, check out Eva's story by clicking on the link above. It includes a couple of pictures of her. I can't really take credit for the sticker idea. Kevin told me before he left that he heard that some missionaries carry a few stickers in their pockets to hand out to children while they are talking with their parents or to use as an ice breaker. So I included some in his Christmas package hoping they would be helpful. I'm grateful that they were.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Christmas with Elder Jones (Kevin)
This picture was taken in July, the day before he told us that he would be serving a mission in the Czech Republic.He told us about his experience in the Mission Home and his walk around Prague. You can see the pictures he took on his mission blog.
He told us about his first week in Ostrava and the baptism of a man named, Jaroslav Spunda, that was performed at the end of that week.
He said that the meals they are served consist of meat, a sauce or gravy and bread or dumplings. The first few meals he ate he found that if you finish the meat first, they give you more meat or if you finish the bread first, they give you more bread. Their custom is that if a guest finishes one thing on their plate before the rest you fill up their plate again, it's like asking for more. So, he was getting plenty to eat! He said it is not as easy as you think it would be to finish everything on your plate at the same time.
He celebrated Christmas Eve with his companion and a couple of families in the ward. In the Czech Republic Christmas Eve is traditionally the night when they have the bigger celebration and Christmas Day is more quiet and laid back. Tradition also says that Baby Jesus brings the gifts on Christmas morning, not Santa Clause. Two Elders from another area spent the night at their apartment and they spent Christmas Day by sleeping in and watching Kevin open his Christmas gifts (I guess they had already opened theirs).
He is working hard and continuing to learn the language and is loving every minute of his time there. We are so grateful for the time we had visiting with him.
This is a picture of the Ostrava Town Square at night.
This is a picture of a church across the street from his apartment in Ostrava.Christmas with the Swanson's
We spent Christmas Day with Heather, Jeff, Janae and Kiera at their house this year.
Kim, Chris and Hannah were with us also.
Kim, Chris and Hannah were with us also.
Janae with all of her gifts!
Kiera with all of her gifts!
Heather opening a ring from Jeff.
Jeff with a gift from Heather.Christmas with the Blevins'
Christmas Day with Kim, Chris and Hannah.
Chris, Kim and Hannah talking to Janae.
Hanna trying to get into one of Kim's stocking stuffers.
Kim, Chris and Hannah still trying to wake up.Christmas with the Hanson's
We spent Christmas Eve with Andrea, Chris and Cooper. After opening gifts at our house we went to Grandma and Grandpa Sharp's house for dinner and gifts with them and Laurie's family.
Cooper in front of the Christmas tree. You may notice that you can't see any decorations on the tree behind him. They were all moved up out of his reach!
Andrea showing off an Edward (from Twilight) puzzle!
Grandma with Cooper.
Papa with Cooper.
Copper helping Chris open a gift.Sunday, November 15, 2009
Catching Up!
My girls have been giving me a bad time about updating our blog. It has only been a few weeks after all..... I only have a few excuses for it taking me so long to get on it, sending Kevin off on his mission, getting acclimated to my new calling as Stake Young Women's president, making alterations to a wedding dress for one of the young single adults in our branch, getting my act together for the 3 October birthdays in the family, making lasagna for munch and mingle, attending church meetings all while working full time...... oh, wait! I don't have an excuse because these are the same you all have going on in our lives everyday too. I am blessed with work! Really I am grateful to be busy.
Here are a few random pictures from the past few weeks. As you scroll down there are pictures of our Anniversary party and Cooper's birthday. Enjoy!
Andrea at Cooper's Birthday Party
Heather and Jeff waiting for the party to start
Siena with Cooper
Sweet little Hannah
Papa with the two youngest grandchildren, Cooper and Hannah
Cooper's First Birthday!
We had lots of fun celebrating Cooper's 1st birthday. He turned 1 on October 19th. He was a good sport letting us all take pictures and "help" him with his gifts. Andrea did such an amazing job making his cake!
30th Wedding Anniversary Surprise!!
Our kids surprised us with an anniversary party to celebrate 30 years of wedded bliss. We really have had a great marriage and we are grateful for every minute of it (the good times and the hard times). All of it has drawn us closer every day. We are grateful for our children and the time and energy they took to make this happen for us. We are also thankful for all of our extended family members that came to celebrate with us. We love them with all of our hearts.
Heather made this beautiful cake for us using the same colors used for our wedding/reception.
The Happy Couple!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Kevin Leaves for the MTC!
It was a wonderful and sad day when Kevin left for the MTC. We were so happy for him and excited for the experiences that he would have yet sad that it would be two years before we would see him again. We know he made the right choice to serve the Lord for these two years and know that he will touch the lives of many people in the Czech Republic for good. We love him and will miss him, his hugs, phone calls, and especially his teasing but look forward to reading his letters/emails about his missionary service and of course look forward to his holiday phone calls. He was really excited to leave and get started. He has a strong testimony of the gospel and is ready to share it with others in his mission area.
To help distract myself I took pictures. They aren't great because I was looking through tear filled eyes and not remembering to adjust for the light, etc. This is a picture of Kevin and Steve as we were walking into the Eugene Airport.
Kevin and Mom
Kevin and Dad
The last picture I could get of Kevin behind the security gate.
Kevin started a mission blog, which is now my assignment to keep updated, the link is on the right side of the screen. His address is posted and as I receive letters and emails I will post them here also. Please feel free to send him letters, I know that he will love to hear from you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
