Hubbie's Summer Off...

So, what's Brad been doing with his awesome, "I'm a teacher and the pay sucks, but I get 2 months off in the summer" vacation you ask?

Drinking cocktails at noon? Reading lots and lots of books? Watching reruns of horrible tv?

NO! Of course that is what I would want to do, but not my hubby. He's back in the saddle as they say. His summer life has begun, grime and all.

He's been workin' his tail off! 

This won't surprise any of you who know him...you'll know how he can't sit still, he's always planning the next project, and he is a super hard worker. 

Since he decided to take the summer off of grad school too, this has left him "extra" free for many many projects.

He's busy as a bee cutting down trees, building firepits, being a handy man and fixing all those little things that "can wait", moving furniture, mending and painting chicken houses and of course taking extra special care of his very pregnant wife and uber needy 18 month old. 

It has been wonderful. I love his "summer jobs" that make him all dirty, sweaty and smelling of oil and gasoline. His hands get rough, his skin gets tan, and his mind is free of details and stress. This kind of work makes him tired and proud and accomplished and it shows. The perfect balance for the rest of year spent working with students, reading, studying, thinking, grading, meeting with groups, completing assignments, writing endless papers, listening to lectures, giving lectures, being professional, wearing a tie, and inspiring young minds. 

Gettin' dirty makes him happy and just when he tires of it and all the heat, sweat, calluses, aches and pains, and hard labor, it will be time to return to his other self. What a perfect balance...

Videos

I'm horrible about uploading my videos. But I finally got a few on here and thought I would share. 

First: Here's a glimpse of us playing in Venice Beach...

Cute right?

And how about this one...a peek at the rare UTTER relaxation of an 18 month old...definitely a RARE sight!

So peaceful...and yes, his eyes are shut...and yes, he fell asleep on papa in this position: goldfish in one fist, sippy in the other. love.

Jones Gals...

During our 9 day stint at the lake, we had several visitors, including my grandma and two cousins, sus and liz. 

Liz was in oklahoma from denver to spend some time with Sus before she leaves for the Peace Corps in a couple of weeks. 

They were only at the lake one night but we crammed in lots of fun things including lots of porch time, some Tara therapy (thanks sus!), a prenatal yoga session, a long boat ride, dinner out, a denver/la semi-final game, more porch time and of course some "ben-watching". 

It was great!

Here's ben/sus/gram enjoying the view...

Now sus/liz/lo enjoying the view...

sisters...

liz put together a scrapbook for sus and chris. it had a page from every family member, lots of friends, and of course pics throughout their lives. It was really special and she did a great job organizing it all. Sus LOVED it!

Ben looking like a stud on the boat ride...

Big mama driving the boat...

It was such a fun visit...A gathering of Jones women is never boring! :)

A fiesta, baby!

A few weeks ago, we had another infamous gathering at Rasp Ranch. Per par, it was a fabulous evening full of amazing grub and even better company...

While visiting awhile back, I mentioned to Josh my dire failures at making homemade tortillas...which led to his brain cogs to start turning, and he planned a fun fiesta night where we could all watch and learn how to make them. He learned first hand from a Honduras native who cooked for him and Micca while they were staying on a private island in Belize. Yes, you read that right, and it is ok to be envious. 

Anyway, we gathered and watched and (tried) to learn. I mostly devoured the endless supply of chips and salsa that were placed before me and doubted Josh as he tossed and sprinkled in the ingredients without so much as a measuring spoon. 

Of course, they turned out to be the most delicious things I've ever put in my mouth. Go figure. 

It was a deliciously fun night...

The tortilla expert...

Rare family photo!

Zach making a delicious sopapilla cheesecake for dessert. wow.

Ben entertaining the crowd...

Not waiting to enjoy the torts...Yummo!

Micca feeling left out without a HUGE belly. Toss pillow doesn't quite do the trick though!

Another cute belly pic of Ash and I...

The 3 amigas...LOVE 'EM!

Off to the Lake again!!!

B/B/B/F = Best Belly Buds Forever

Here we are! In all our glory. Harboring the two babies that will either be pre-arranged for marriage, or forced to be best friends...and enjoying it immensely. I love this picture. I know it will be one that we look back on with such fondness. It has such a "remember when....?" quality to it.

This was Saturday the 16th, when we headed over to Ash and Zach's to celebrate both Brad's and Zach's birthdays. We enjoyed a delicious steak dinner, an even yummier dessert of homemade fudge cake and banana ice cream, and lots of baby talk. We can't even believe that there will be two more babies joining us this summer!

Ash is due any minute so please be sending lots of happy thoughts and prayers to her, Zach and baby Magic!

Scenes from Memorial Day '09

AWESOME WEEK-END.