2011 Update

It is definitely time to update my blog. I am missing over 4 months of info and my blog book will be very lacking for 2011 if I don't remedy my slacking.

Last time I wrote we were preparing for the return of our missionary. Alex returned without any problems to a small group at the airport. We enjoyed a few days with him and then everyone arrived for his homecoming and family pictures. We enjoyed hearing him speak about the wonderful things he learned while in Texas, and we could see that he had grown into a man while he was gone. I love, love, love, having my missionary home. Sadly he was only home for about 10 days and then headed off to BYU for Fall semester. Fall semester brought highs and lows for him. He found he was no longer sure about majoring in Chemistry and is still seeking to find the right career for his future.

I'm sure his high was finding that he still enjoyed spending time with his best friend Katie and decided they should make it a permanent union sooner than later. By October he was engaged and the date was set for December 22nd in the Bountiful Temple. It was nice to be the mother of the groom for a change, and I didn't feel a lot of pressure until just before Thanksgiving when I realized I still needed to decorate and get all the stuff ready for the reception in Ely as Katie was not going to do that for me.

We pressed forward through the holidays and looking forward to meeting in Bountiful for the wedding just before Christmas. Everyone but Zac was able to attend. (We missed him.) The wedding ended up on a beautiful, sunny winter day. The skies were blue and the temperature was not too bad. This was all after days of inversion in Utah, so we were really blessed to have such great weather. Katie and Alex were sealed by her great Uncle Keith McMullin who is currently a member of the Presiding Bishopric. He did a wonderful job and we all enjoyed the ceremony.

Later we adjourned to the chapel for a Cafe Rio Catered Lunch (which was scrumptious) and then a reception later that evening that was wonderful. The day couldn't have been better. Everything was fabulous.

Then off to Ely on Friday as Christmas was only two days away. We were lucky to have everyone with us for Christmas except the Barrus' (sometimes we have to share) and we really enjoyed having the grandchildren for Christmas. Children always make the day more special. I felt guilty taking a day off from making pom pom's for the wedding, but thank goodness for everyone Christmas was on Sunday and I felt compelled to let everyone relax a little. It was a beautiful Christmas, made all the better by being with family.

This is what it looks like when the Jones' get together - games, games, games!

Monday we began the arduous task of decorating for the reception (at least we began the ceiling). I think I forgot how difficult ceilings are in these big buildings. With lots of wonderful help we survived and after two days of continuous work we were all ready on time.

The reception was small but enjoyed by family and those that attended. The new couple is now back and school and enjoying their new life together. We are grateful to have Katie as part of our family and know she will do a great job of keeping Alex in line and helping him figure out what to do with his life. Katie is currently doing her student teaching and we look forward to her graduation in April.