Southern Thanksgiving

This year General Lee (my mom) relinquished her command and agreed to a southern Thanksgiving celebration! JC and I didn't really know how much work we were in for when we proposed the idea. Now I know why Mom was so willing to travel! Luckily, my husband can cook and my brother can clean - so we made out okay. Actually, I think that everyone had a good time. Then again, Thanksgiving is a holiday solely about eating ... who wouldn't have a good time?

JC and Matt preparing our 24 lb. bird

Matt posing with the gizzards

The crew waiting to be fed

The Jones/Sandberg/Buchanan Family

Mom and JC making the gravy

Dinnertime

Thanks to tips from my friends Amy and Megan, I finally mastered the art of dinner rolls. I think even JC was impressed; he said something to the effect of "this is what I remember from my childhood."

Yeast Bread, my nemesis

I know that I should probably adhere to the "three strikes, you're out" rule. However, my latest and greatest failure has only strengthened my resolve to master dinner rolls and other yeasted breads.

I have tried to produce delicious, light dinner rolls three times now. I've tried the recipes from Williams Sonoma and Lion House Bakery (twice) with no success. Each time, the rolls turn out too bready (if that makes sense).

[insert picture of rolls in garbage]

If anyone has an suggestions, they would be welcome and appreciated! Thanksgiving is coming and I'm determined to figure this out.

Crib vs. Daddy

JC and I have been working to get "The Bean's" room all set up for her arrival. The arrival of Grandma Lee and Grandpa Steve next week has helped to light a fire. The entire Jones family will be joining us for a southern Thanksgiving next week and we are excited to show off our decorating prowess!

The nursery has been a fun project for us. With the exception of the Tony Gwynn jersey that JC insists is going up on the wall, we have agreed on most of the decorating decisions. Nana (JC's mom) treated us and her newest grandchild to a new bedroom set and we picked up the crib last night. With only 12 screws, this assembly project was a lot easier than our gas grill! He had it together in 45 minutes.

House Renovation 2009

The money pit has struck yet again! After a year of housal bliss, we bit the bullet and started tackling some bigger projects. While not high on the priority list until the landscaper flooded it, our 250 sq. foot laundry room was probably the worst offender in the entire house. Between the utility carpet and sink, it was pretty bad. It definitely qualifies as (in the words of my friend Ann) "fancy camping."

We had some other projects on the high priority list as well - recessed lighting in the living room and repairs/painting in one of the bedrooms upstairs (future nursery of our bundle of joy, scheduled to arrive on February 7).

We're now on week 3 of the renovation and things are going well, aside from one small issue with our contractor who didn't order the tile for the laundry room on time. All in all though, this experience makes me feel very lucky to have a washer and dryer in my home. Because aside from the mild discomfort of having to haul my laundry down the street and sit there for 2 hours ... the laundromat is EXPENSIVE!

Before the renovation

After the renovation (tile installation aside)

Baby Sandberg's Room

The Jones Family Mourns the Passing of Simon the Cat

It is with great sorrow that family and friends announce the passing of Simon Jones formerly of Dorset, Vermont. Born around June 1995, Simon and his siblings were found roaming the streets of the Applegate Housing Project in Bennington, Vermont. Simon was noticed and adopted at the Petcetra adoptathon by Kristin Taylor Buchanan and Matthew Edward Jones. Simon spent his life as chief Alpha cat and rodent patrol officer of his Farwell Lane residence and begging for attention whe the family had friends over. He was constant companion to Matthew Jones on the den couch “catching the sports scores” and to Monie Jones who shared the same dog bed to save body heat. His favorite foods were Sliced Honey Maple Turkey from Manchester's Beverage Discount and fresh rodents, but a few hours old were O.K. too. Mr. Jones had a full and happy life in the Jones household and will certainly be missed. He is interned in the back yard behind the blueberries and next to the lilac and is marked by forget me nots.

He will be remembered as a loyal and loving friend to all.

Kristin and Andrew's Wedding

Last weekend, my sister Kristin got married! It was a wonderful event shared with family and friends. As always, Kristin looked amazing and I think that I caught some tears in the eyes of her new husband, Andrew, as she walked down the aisle.

As her matron (ick)-of-honor, I provided a toast to the newly married couple at their reception, offering her sage words of advice as she entered this new phase of life. High on the list was "say no to XBox" and "king size beds and separate bathrooms are the key to happiness."

As the official escort of my Grandma, JC also had a very important role to play in the wedding. He didn't know what he was in for when he signed up for that gig, because she didn't let him out of her sight. I had to cut in on her a couple of times on the dancefloor just to get him back!

In addition to his role as escort and my role as matron-of-honor, JC and I were tasked with decorating the newlywed's car. All I can say is thank goodness I got married first and can never be paid back for the things we did. Luckily, the newlyweds, still glowing from their reception, laughed it off. I still don't know if they have discovered that dead fish, though.

Unfortunately, I left my camera in the car during the ceremony and reception, but got some photos of the rehearsal dinner which was hosted at my parents house and of us ladies getting ready.

The ladies at Kristin's bridal luncheon

JC and Matt, getting the party started

My sister and Andrew, enjoying their rehearsal dinner

Papa Jones, talking business with my cousin Edward

JC and me, post dinner

Kristin getting ready, I love this picture!

Look how beautiful she turned out once those curlers came out.

San Diego 2009

I'm finally getting around to posting some pictures of the last few months of our lives. In July, JC and I went on the annual Sandberg (Shields/Hepworth) family vacation in San Diego. It was a great week filled with crazy kids, good books, beach time and this game you play with golf balls.

JC, our nephew Lucas and I took a day trip to Salt Lake City during the week so that the non-Saints among us (me) could check out the new LDS temple that had been built. I think JC was tired of answering my questions and decided that I just needed to go and see it for myself. These pictures were taken outside (no photos allowed inside).