Da Mama Day!

Happy belated Da Mama Day to all you mothers out there! I hope you all were loved by your families and got the day you hoped for (at least partially). For those of you that didn't Levi offers the above empathy...

Over the past two plus weeks we've been pretty busy getting our lives back in order after vacation and busy season. We've been laying low for the most part, but we were glad to have some visitors along the way. I know I'm probably missing some people but the boys were very excited to have Nani around for the day a couple weeks ago. Levi showed off his reading skills (memorization skills is more like it) and enjoyed some nap time with Nani as well.

We also had the pleasure of having Uncle Johnny and his co-worker/friend Kirk in town to keep us busy last week. They were much busier than we were visiting and enjoying the city, but we did get to enjoy the Shedd Aquarium, deep dish pizza, and our local custard shop while they were around! However, you'll have to venture on to Facebook to catch any pictures of their visit.

So, I blink and here we are at Da Mama Day 2013! We call it that here at theJonesPod simply because that is how the boys refer to Jenny - Da Mama. We had a great day both with and without Jenny. I say that because us dudes gave Jenny a couple hours break in the afternoon just to hang out with a friend and be an adult :)

However, as every Da Mama Day should begin... we served Jenny breakfast in bed!

Tigue was much more into it than Levi... partially because he was hungry and this was his first Da Mama Day that he was actively involved :) He was very helpful in the kitchen... unlike someone else.

 

Taking a quick side track from the boys, I just wanted to document that Jenny and I were able to enjoy a night out with amazing friends on Monday at a rooftop (thanks Jared and Somerlie)! For those of you that don't know what I'm talking about, the homes around Wrigley Field, where the Cubs play baseball, have the top 3-4 floors designed to be able to view the game! It is amazing. It is my preferred way to enjoy the game!

Can't beat the view at this rooftop overlooking right field!

We also enjoyed a night out yesterday for all four of us as we celebrated our friends' son's first birthday! It was another great evening, but after two nights out before Wednesday, theJonesPod is spent!

I didn't know that Jenny's sleeping rolls were genetic... but both are boys have it!

 These were all taken within a minute...

And that gets you caught up on theJonesPod. A busy but fun start to "real" Spring and hopefully more time spent outside. I think having a few more visitors would be nice too... hint hint ;) Have a great rest of the week everyone and remember... "Adventure is out there!" (Name that Disney movie)

"Come to ME, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." ~ Matthew 11:28

GOD's Skyline!

 Say hello to one of GOD's many skylines! Taking a week off from city life, Jenny, the boys, and I were able to head out to the smoky mountains in NC and enjoy some time with our amazing friends the Roundys - home on furlough! By the way the above photo is off their back porch... I know, right?!

Finally a little Cities and Knights competition! 

Don't worry we'll get to the boys...

Through the first two nights theJonesPod was 0-2 against team Roundy...

And my Jenny has a lot of catching up to do in the knitting department...

This is one of Jenny R's newest creations!

So, we got to spend the week hanging out in the mountains and relaxing, so a lot of pictures were not taken but we did get "caught up" on our hike to Clingmans Dome and a nearby bald (grassy plains on a mountain). If you can zoom in check out Tigue's face... classic!

 Had to get a close-up of Levi's peacock hairdo!

The dudes heading up to the dome...

We made the half mile 45 degree hike! Mama and Levi take a break and take in the scenery.

The view was incredible, I have to imagine our visibility was across a few states and multiple hundred miles in each direction. 

Super Cool!

Tigue was a little cold but had to get the shot!

Taking a lunch break before our next hike...

(yes we rented a minivan and it was amazing!)

Tigue was out in the first half mile of the hike to the bald...

Levi was a trooper and took in all the sights

Still sleeping...

Levi hiked about half of the 2 mile hike out to the bald on foot

Cutest hiker on the mountain that day!

Made it to the bald and guess who woke up just in time!

There's that pretty family again (and me)!

This is how you take in a bald...

Tigue being silly

Levi and Jonathan taking in the bald...

"I'm pretty sure I can outrun you if a bear shows up..."

Chillaxing

Super Yum!

Heading back Levi walked almost the entire way!

Don't get mud on your boots!

Adventureman Levi

This pretty much captures most of the terrain we walked...

"Tigue hiking too!"

Made it!

Ok, so... four full days with the Roundys and though their kids were in school every day (other than the wee one), I am sad to admit this may be the only picture we took of them. It was a wonderful trip, a relatively relaxing time and a blessing to get this time with the Roundys. Thank you guys for having us!

In addition to our wonderful trip to NC, we also made a 36 hour pit stop in Indianapolis to enjoy some time with Jenny's dad's side of the family (Mimi, Aunt Jane, Aunt Barb, and Uncle Steve). We had a great time enjoying their company and even got to spend some time at the Indy Children's Museum. There will be pictures to follow, but for now take my word that it was incredible. Also, I was ecstatic to find out Levi was a baseball hitting natural! He got a bat and ball from Aunt Barb and Uncle Steve and he took to it like a fish to water! I uploaded a video to Facebook, but for some reason can't get the video to upload here :( I will try again later this week. Have a great week everyone; enjoy the remainder of April and may your month of May be sunny and bright!

"fear not, for I am with you;  be not dismayed, for I am your GOD; I will strengthen you, I will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ~ Isaiah 41:10