MD's new toy

Christmas with the Family...What a Joy! Part 2

I guess from the pictures you can figure out that our focus was on Mary Deane. She was so cute. I did include one photo of the others :-)

Christmas with the Family...What a Joy!

We had everyone together for Christmas and it was so fun. See the photos.

Tina Jones - The New American Idol

You have to watch both videos below. They are part of the American Idol Experience at Disney World. Ignore the choppiness of the sound when the camera is zooming in and out.

My American Idol

We went to Disney World and Tina was able to try out for the American Idol at Hollywood Studios. They audition about 200 people a day and 21 make it. Three people perform each show and then the winners perform against each other at the last show of the evening. The winner for the day gets a "golden ticket" to go to the real American Idol tryouts and be at the front of the line. Tina made it to the 2 pm show and did a great job. They had an age bias and picked they 16 year old even though everyone thought Tina did a better job. I felt like I was married to a movie star because as we went through the parks the rest of the day people were coming up to Tina and saying, "hi, I voted for you". She is my American Idol.

Karlie Marie Jones graduated from Brigham Young University!!! She is off to enjoy a career in teaching elementary students. It was great to be at the graduation and endure, whoops, I meant to say, enjoy two long graduation ceremonies. Congratulations Karlie! I love you.


You've heard of the game "Where in the world is Waldo", well look at the photo and try and find Karlie in the group of graduates in the Marriott Center. She is the one with the yellow lei around her neck on the right hand side :-)

Also, you might have noticed that I only have weather for three cities. Karlie has moved back home for the summer until her job starts in the fall. So, for the first time in awhile I do not have anyone residing in Utah.

Katie, our beautiful Katie. This is her recent high school photo. Of course she is still not allowed to date until she is 30 :-) We are so thankful to have her in our home.

Tina and I got to visit Mary Deane (oh, and Brendon and Ann :-) last week during one of my business trips. Last time I babysat Mary Deane we danced and told stories. However, this time it was too close to bed time and so we read a book instead. We were able to read the book at least five times before it got a little boring. Mary Deane is so fun to be with and it was nice to see Ann and Brendon as well.

I was able to cook dinner for the love of my life, Tina, and one of my wonderful children, Katie on Saturday night for Valentine's Day. The menu consisted of a marinated and grilled t-bone steak, baked potato, green beans, out of the oven bread, and a home made cake. I set the table but forgot to take a picture but the flower was the centerpiece. We had a great time and the girls seems to like the meal. I love my wife so much. She has brought so much joy to my life and I look forward to spending eternity with her. I'm also glad I got to spend the day with one of my children. I love Katie so much as well. One last thing....I cooked this dinner because I love my family. It had nothing to do with a "holiday" created by flower, candy, and card making companies to increase their bottom line in the name of love. I've committed to doing this again on a random day to show those companies that love exists other than on February 14th!

My coed wife, Tina, worked so hard this last semester that she got on the Dean's List. Congratulations! I love you and always knew you were smarter than me :-)

This is the Jones Family before we began the Trek. Tina and I were advisors, Karlie was an advisor with another Youth Adult, and Katie was a "ma". Although it was cold, we walked a long way, I got sick, and sleeping on the ground was very comfortable, it was a great experience. The Trek experience reminds us of the sacrifices the early pioneers made, it reminds us of what is really important, it shows us how we can survive on very little, and finally, it shows us that we can be happy even though we are uncomfortable as long as we are serving the Lord and others.

One side note....Tina got the name of "Hot Mama" on the Trek since her dress caught on fire the first night while standing next to a fire barrel to try and stay warm. The Asian foreign exchange student who noticed it was so nice and calm when he said "You on fire, You on fire" in his broken English. It was a great story for the rest of the Trek....and yes, she is a "Hot Mama"!

Mary Deane also liked to hear Grandma Jones sing her songs.

Mary Deane

Grandpa Jones got to know Mary Deane a lot better over the Christmas vacation. We really enjoyed our time together. She especially liked the stories I told her. We love you Mary Deane.