It's beginning to feel a bit more like Christmas around the Jones' household..

We totally felt like "city-folk" going to Wal-Mart to get our Christmas tree, but since it was so late in the season, where we normally cut down our tree was closed--- so this will do for now. 

The tree came bundled up, so we didn't really know what we were getting into.  Can you imagine how excited Brandon was to be posing for this picture out front of our apartment complex.... not.

Small trees need loving too!

It has taken me a while to get into the "Christmas Spirit" lately, due to all of the crazy academic stuff I've been going through, so in search for our Christmas tree I wore this elf hat (courtesy of Crystal Seamans)...  and yes I did wear it into Wal-Mart, I felt right at home! ;)

It might be a little guy, but sure beats not having one at all.

My Christmas Santa's wouldn't fit on the tree, so they found a place to be displayed.

More Santa's and notice the wall hanging above them... Lavonne Fischer's hand-crafted Christmas cards from the past 3 years are just too beautiful to not display.

Our 2008 Christmas photo. We have celebrated 4 official Christmases as husband and wife, but unofficially it is up to 8. 

Thanksgiving in Iowa

What a remarkably blessed trip we had to Iowa at Thanksgiving time. 

To help set the stage a bit, the week prior to leaving for our 10 day excursion to Iowa Emily was having a major mental break down and dissertation disaster! Upon the spurring of her advisor "it was time that rubber met the road" and work needed to get done. So, the seven days leading up to the departure, Emily could be found at her trusty old computer, headphones on, fingers flying with fury, and pages upon pages of brilliance were being written (let's us the word "brilliance" lightly in this case)! The reason for this frantic attempt was twofold: (1) chapters 1-3 needed to be defended in front of her committee only 3 short weeks away and (2) if the chapters were not finished before Friday, Emily would not be able to leave on Thanksgiving vacation to see friends and family. So, needless to say, time was of the essence. Brandon was patient and kind although Emily was not patient or very kind during this stressful period. 

From the photos to follow, you will see that both of us made it up to Iowa. Emily was able to get her chapters "done" and in for edits and Brandon was able to survive the wrath of his crazy wife  (that'd be me!) Enjoy the photos, we'll walk you through the incredible trip - with all of the wonderful friends and family members we were able to see and spend time with.

 Sorry they are not in order. 

Old town area in Pella, IA was a great photo-op. Especially since it started to snow!

The twins turn 1!

Michael and Dave... need I say more?

Ballerina Tess.

The Jones' family. 16 people all in one house- surprised we all survived?!

The kiddos and I played legos. 

Mak was full of love for Aunt Emily!

Ron taught the boys how to make a traditional breakfast food called Ebineezer --- that's not it, it's more like Ebelskeezer, but I like to think it's like Ebineezer Scrooge

Crystal and Jason Lee met up with us in Marshalltown on their way from Nebraska to Waverly.

Brystal celebrated a birthday while we were there! Notice the crown that Tess, Titus, Rafe, and Corinne and Aunt Emily made for her! Pretty high class!

Megan also came down to Peppers for dinner. She brought her son Kelley (who I didn't get a picture of because he was so focused on either his trucks, coloring, or singing).

Uncle Brandon and Mikayla. Last time we visited this little peanut she screamed her head off at Brandon... not this time. 

Everytime we spend time with Rafe, there seems to be a photo similar to this.  I'm thinking Brandon is getting some of that youngest child out of him and treating these nieces and nephews as he would have a younger brother or sister.

Brandon again is multi-tasking. Caden is really into football and Trace is really into Uncle Brandon... so put the two together and this is what you get!!!!

We are posing for this lovely shot... can you tell?

Pepper's was the place to be. This group of guys (minus a few others) will be friends for a long time to come. It seemed as though they didn't even skip a beat from the last time we were all together. 

Dessert night at Grandma and Grandpa's place. 

Mother Theresa put us to work sending Thanksgiving blessings out to folks in Waverly affected by the floods- courtesy of St Mary's Parish. Four set of hands (and tongues) are better than one I guess.

Outside of the old train depot in Waverly which used to be the Coffee Depot and is now SubCity.

After the baptism we met up at Mike and Brenda's for a short bit and got a chance to visit with Grandma and Herb.

Holly and Andy graciously asked me to be Cici Honey's Godmother, and also scheduled the baptism for the weekend we were home. It was so great to see them all!

Megan, Teri and I met up the first night we arrived in Waverly. Wish Crystal could have been there. Nothing like good friends!

Half way from Athens to Waverly/Marshalltown is Carbondale, IL where a good friend of our lives. Val let us stay overnight at her place on the vineyard / Christmas tree farm.

Brandon seems to be able to sport even the most feminine jacket. 

Bulldog Homecoming

This Homecoming we were able to celebrate it with a little bit of "home" coming down to Athens. Brad, Theresa, and Brian joined us for a wild weekend of Georgia football this year! Crazy as it sounds, this was the first time in about 12 months that we'd seen them, so it was a wonderful time to catch up on all that we've missed.