A Very Jonesie Christmas

This Christmas we were very fortunate to have my entire family together!  Heather and Cisco drove in from Texas and Jeff and Janelle drove all the way from Louisiana!  We had so much fun together and found that going places with 13 kids could be quite interesting! 

The first few days were very rainy and since it was a little crazy having all the kids inside we decided to take them up to the church and play some indoor games in the cultural hall.  The kids had fun and got rowdy. 

We also took the kids to a Candy store in Ontario called Logan’s where they make Candy canes! 

If you have never seen a demonstration of how candy canes are made, I will tell you it is amazing!  I thoroughly enjoyed it and I think the adults appreciated it more than the kids!  Chris didn’t get to go so I really want to make sure we go back next Christmas.

There’s a bit of a glare here but you can see the kids all watching the Candy maker work his magic.

Even Libby was enthralled while on Grampy’s shoulders.

The Candy went from this…

to this…

to this…

to this…

  

and this…  

and finally a candy cane!  pretty neat huh?

They had a cool little contraption that would make little mint pillows that you could sample.  They were still warm and very airy and tasted delicious!

Maddie and Davis enjoyed their samples…

On Christmas eve we all go together at Mom and Dads and had a wonderful feast. It was wonderful to be all together and watch the cousins together.

The kids all dressed up and did a Nativity scene for us while Grampy read the Christmas story.  Libby was a sheep and Ava was baby Jesus.  She didn’t like having her nursing interrupted so we had to replace her with a doll.  Amanda took lots of cute pictures so I’ll have to add more later.

The next morning everyone (minus Wes and Kristy’s family since they were at their home on Christmas morning) came over to our house (our tiny house!) and had delicious aebleskivers, roasted potatoes, eggs and bacon.  I was worried about how we were going to fit everyone but we all just kind of ate in shifts and it worked out perfectly.

Grammy made pajamas for all the kids and Amanda made them t-shirts that said Jones.  They all looked so cute!

After Christmas we did lots of fun stuff together.  We spent time at the park… (once the crazy rainy weather cleared up)

I didn’t get any pictures but we had a fun evening together on my parents anniversary with all the adults in the family.  It was nice to be together without the kids and enjoy each others company.  We had dinner at BJ’s and then went to Chris and Amanda’s for some fun games.

We also rang in the New Year at our house playing games and eating my favorite… cheese ball!

On New Years day we went to the Rose Parade.  My camera died within 5 minutes of arriving at the Rose parade so sorry not many pictures there.  I may add some later from Amanda’s.

The kids always go for the Silly string.  (Note to self:  Go to the Dollar store ahead of time and stock up!)

Libby loved the parade and would stare at all the beautiful floats.

Many people over the years have asked me why we go to the parade every single year and they always want to know how early we have to get up.  The reason we go every year is because it has been a tradition in the Jones family.  All my California cousins, Aunts and Uncles go every year.  I think I’ve only missed 2 Rose parades since I was 5 years old when we moved here.  Since the Jones family has become so large and we don’t do reunions anymore, it really is the only time we see each other.  My Aunt Sharon and Uncle Bob always host a big Lunch after at their home.  It is a wonderful day and has wonderful memories.  When Chris first married me he would always try to get out of going to the parade. (but he always ended up going!) Now that we’ve been married for 10 years, it’s a tradition he enjoys too!  Its always a given, we’ll be at the parade on January 1st. 

As far as how early we get up, it actually is VERY easy!  We live about 40 minutes from the parade route so we leave our house at about 8:30 or 9.  (Usually 9) and we always seem to get there right as the first float is passing by.  We go to the end of the parade route and we stand on chairs, and stepladders in order to see over those in front of us.  If you’ve never seen the Rose Parade, it is truly an amazing sight!

 

I was really bad at taking pictures and didn’t get any more pictures during our Jones Christmas.  The night before Heather and Cisco left I did get this one.

What a wonderful Christmas we had!