Paul's Kittens - 3 weeks old
One at 4 weeks
David and Andrew with our neighbor, Donna, in front of
her hollyhocks - the largest I've ever seen!
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Pictures
Andrew and Sam in front of their cabins at Kids' Camp
Paul's Kittens - 3 weeks old
One at 4 weeks
David and Andrew with our neighbor, Donna, in front of
her hollyhocks - the largest I've ever seen!
Paul's Kittens - 3 weeks old
One at 4 weeks
David and Andrew with our neighbor, Donna, in front of
her hollyhocks - the largest I've ever seen!
Monday, June 23, 2008
June
Here's what's been happening with the Jones family:
Abby is in Oregon. For some strange reason she seems to like being out there! :) She and Simeon are doing concerts together - every Sunday a different church - and she has a job at a store (something like a T.J. Maxx is how she described it). She's having a great summer!
Joshua is in Canada where he's in the EXALT choir once again this year. They'll leave this weekend for a 10 day tour around New England. He'll come back early July and hope to work as much as possible before heading off to college the end of August.
Paul turned 16! Due to our move, we got a late start on the extensive MI requirements for licensing, so he's still a few months away from getting a driver's license. He's doing really well behind the wheel and we're logging the necessary practice hours as quickly as we can. The day after his birthday his cat had a litter of 4 kittens. Everyone's enjoying them! The biggest thing in Paul's life right now is that he was accepted into our local zoo's summer teen volunteer program. He's loving being at the zoo, working behind the scenes, and getting to be around the animals. It's definitely "his thing"!! :)
Thomas - is logging lots of miles on his bicycle these days. He's doing an Algebra class this summer to get ready for the transition to the charter school in the fall, so he needs lots of time on his bike to clear his head after studying! He's been hoping to find a job - maybe on a local farm - but it hasn't happened yet. He really wants to work and will do a great job, so we're hoping and praying something works out for him.
Philip and Sam - are marching!! Our music program continues in the summer with marching band. They spent a week in band camp and have already marched in their first parade. Philip played cello during the school year but moved to the more parade-friendly cymbals for the summer.
Peter and David waiting to see the parade start
Andrew is looking forward to going to camp this week. He and Sam will have a great time, I'm sure!
Peter, David, and Daniel are just enjoying being outdoors. They spend most of their days riding their bikes, jumping on the trampoline, "helping" our neighbor in his farm, and just being boys! There's never a lack of dirty clothes with them around!
Another highlight for June was our Gorveatte family reunion. Most of the family was able to come to Michigan and be together to celebrate Nanny and Grampy's 50th Anniversary! We had a lot of fun and made some special memories.
Abby is in Oregon. For some strange reason she seems to like being out there! :) She and Simeon are doing concerts together - every Sunday a different church - and she has a job at a store (something like a T.J. Maxx is how she described it). She's having a great summer!
Joshua is in Canada where he's in the EXALT choir once again this year. They'll leave this weekend for a 10 day tour around New England. He'll come back early July and hope to work as much as possible before heading off to college the end of August.
Paul turned 16! Due to our move, we got a late start on the extensive MI requirements for licensing, so he's still a few months away from getting a driver's license. He's doing really well behind the wheel and we're logging the necessary practice hours as quickly as we can. The day after his birthday his cat had a litter of 4 kittens. Everyone's enjoying them! The biggest thing in Paul's life right now is that he was accepted into our local zoo's summer teen volunteer program. He's loving being at the zoo, working behind the scenes, and getting to be around the animals. It's definitely "his thing"!! :)
Thomas - is logging lots of miles on his bicycle these days. He's doing an Algebra class this summer to get ready for the transition to the charter school in the fall, so he needs lots of time on his bike to clear his head after studying! He's been hoping to find a job - maybe on a local farm - but it hasn't happened yet. He really wants to work and will do a great job, so we're hoping and praying something works out for him.
Philip and Sam - are marching!! Our music program continues in the summer with marching band. They spent a week in band camp and have already marched in their first parade. Philip played cello during the school year but moved to the more parade-friendly cymbals for the summer.
Peter and David waiting to see the parade start
Andrew is looking forward to going to camp this week. He and Sam will have a great time, I'm sure!
Peter, David, and Daniel are just enjoying being outdoors. They spend most of their days riding their bikes, jumping on the trampoline, "helping" our neighbor in his farm, and just being boys! There's never a lack of dirty clothes with them around!
Another highlight for June was our Gorveatte family reunion. Most of the family was able to come to Michigan and be together to celebrate Nanny and Grampy's 50th Anniversary! We had a lot of fun and made some special memories.
Left: cousins John and Josiah Gorveatte with Paul Right: cousin Joel Gorveatte with Thomas and Joshua (That's Uncle Mark standing)
Left: Philip, Seth, Andrew Right: Jordan, David, Kate
Mom, Samuel, Daniel, Peter, and Grampy
Ruth Neyman, Tracy and Joel Gorveatte
Thursday, May 29, 2008
And yet another benefit of a large family...
Family Volleyball!
(and Daniel and the engaged daughter weren't available).
Summer Sunset in Burnips
We're in that time of year where we see sunsets after 9:30 pm. Within a matter of seconds, the colors morph from bluish pink to reddish orange.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
They're Engaged!!
It's official!! Simeon and Abby are getting married! It's bittersweet for Mom and Dad, but Dad did consent and had given his blessing. We are thrilled that she's found a wonderful man and have no doubt God has great plans for their future.
The proposal happened at Disneyland and Simeon had made arrangements for a photographer to capture the moment. Here he is down on one knee.
She said, "Yes!", much to his relief! :)
Disneyland gave them VIP treatment for the rest of the day.
We'll share a date as soon as it's set, but are planning next spring.
The proposal happened at Disneyland and Simeon had made arrangements for a photographer to capture the moment. Here he is down on one knee.
She said, "Yes!", much to his relief! :)
Disneyland gave them VIP treatment for the rest of the day.
We'll share a date as soon as it's set, but are planning next spring.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Update
Here's the latest news at the Joneses...
Abby's school year is done and she and Simeon are home for a short visit. They'll leave this weekend and fly to his home in Oregon where she'll go with his family to Disneyland next week and then join him (singing and playing the piano) in several concerts that he'll be holding. She'll come back mid June to spend the rest of the summer in Michigan.
Joshua is just 2 weeks from his high school graduation. Here's one of his senior pictures:
Now playing at 3rd base...
Abby's school year is done and she and Simeon are home for a short visit. They'll leave this weekend and fly to his home in Oregon where she'll go with his family to Disneyland next week and then join him (singing and playing the piano) in several concerts that he'll be holding. She'll come back mid June to spend the rest of the summer in Michigan.
Joshua is just 2 weeks from his high school graduation. Here's one of his senior pictures:
Baseball season is off to a great start. After several weeks of practices the games have begun! Tonight we had David's first T-Ball game.
waiting for his turn to bat
he swings
he hits it!
safe at first and ready to take second!
Now playing at 3rd base...
Friday, April 18, 2008
Update (long overdue, I know.....)
Lots happening for the Joneses in April! I'll try to keep it short and get in all the news!!
First, the sad news. Our family's dog, Buddy, who's been with us for almost 8 years (since he was an 8 week old puppy) died this week. We live on a very busy highway and had worried since we moved here that his natural instinct to run out into the road would mean his demise. Unfortunately, that's what happened. We were relieved that he didn't suffer. Lots of tears around here!
First, the sad news. Our family's dog, Buddy, who's been with us for almost 8 years (since he was an 8 week old puppy) died this week. We live on a very busy highway and had worried since we moved here that his natural instinct to run out into the road would mean his demise. Unfortunately, that's what happened. We were relieved that he didn't suffer. Lots of tears around here!
On a better note....Steve lives on!! We just celebrated his 45th birthday!
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Other April news.....vacation! We took a trip to Alabama during our spring break. It was great to see old friends and spend some time in Tuscaloosa during its most beautiful time of the year. We also enjoyed a couple of days at Grammy Jones and PaPa's house where the river provided lots of enjoyment.
Philip thought it was warm enough to swim, but quickly learned otherwise!!
Yes, Daniel is fishing with a swim noodle! :)
Continuing with the news......it's baseball season!! The snow has melted, the grass is turning green, and it's time to play ball! This is our first year to have the boys in baseball so we're all looking forward it.
Our wonderful neighbor cleared some land for the boys to build a practice field behind our back yard. He even cut down some trees for them to make a backstop. Philip, with some help from Sam and Andrew, dug the holes for the posts, cut the wire and stapled it up. Should provide hours of fun!!
And lastly......the house in Tuscaloosa is sold! The sale is closed and we're very thankful to have that chapter behind us. Thanks to all of you who've been praying about that with us.
So...there's the news. Perhaps it won't be May before we post again!!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Chicago
Steve, Allison, Megan, and Matt Stewart spent last week visiting with us! We had a great visit and loved being together. We learned something, too - at our age it is NOT possible to stay up half the night talking and then get up and function normally the next day! :)
We had a great day trip to Chicago while they were here. Here are some highlights:
Lunch at a genuine "Chicago-style pizza" joint:
We had a great day trip to Chicago while they were here. Here are some highlights:
Lunch at a genuine "Chicago-style pizza" joint:
Inside Union Station:
Downtown between the Sears Tower and Union Station:
Daniel at the base of the Sears Tower:
David's turn! :)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Maple Syrup Time
Another fun learning experience for the southern kids.....tapping the maple trees, gathering buckets of sap, and boiling it down to make sweet, 100% pure maple syrup! It's very basic process, but rather time and energy consuming. First, the maple trees are "tapped" - a hole is drilled and a spout inserted. A bucket is hung on the spout and the sap flows into it. The rate of flow varies depending on the weather. Sharp cold nights and very warm sunny days make the sap run best.
The buckets are emptied daily into large storage barrels. Every couple of days our neighbor, "the maple syrup maker", fills large vats with sap, brings it to a boil over a hot wood fire, and keeps the top skimmed clean while the water evaporates from the sap. It can take 12 hours of boiling 40 gallons of sap to produce 1 gallon of syrup!
The buckets are emptied daily into large storage barrels. Every couple of days our neighbor, "the maple syrup maker", fills large vats with sap, brings it to a boil over a hot wood fire, and keeps the top skimmed clean while the water evaporates from the sap. It can take 12 hours of boiling 40 gallons of sap to produce 1 gallon of syrup!
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