Back to the books

Here I am in front of my school. Ready to learn!

Growing up. Sniff. Sniff.

I will hold it up high, like this!

Hi new friends. Ms. Chamberlain and Ms. Boone pictured. Ms. Milem, not pictured

My "threenager"

I often joke that Shepard is three going on 15. He acts like he's the boss, and is already saying, "You're wrong; I'm right." At which point we say, "Well, either way, that's being rude, and we don't act like that..." Then he giggles and says, "You're right, and I'm right. And that's being nice, right?"

He's listening! So funny how some days he likes to tell you all the rules, even when they're rules he doesn't necessarily abide by. Kinda like a lot of adults I know...but anyway.

It's already JUNE. And my sweet little baby boy is about to turn four. I cannot understand how this happened. But I'm going to celebrate, either way.

Here is his annual "yearbook" that I'm ordering. This is my version of scrapbooking. I love these. And I love getting a groupon and discount codes for them too. Yay for groupon and shutterfly! Enjoy.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Create your own custom photo books at Shutterfly.com.

To the mountains!

We had a little family getaway to celebrate our friend Mike's 40th birthday. This was likely the first trip to the mountains that Shepard will remember. He was very excited about seeing the mountains, the tunnels, the icicles and the leftover snow.

What fun.

Learning about the art of snowball fighting

Rock-tober--PICTURE EDITION!

I simply love October. Cool air, astonishing sunsets, lots of family birthdays to celebrate, fall festivals. I mean. Does it get better? All that awesome-sauce without the stress of Christmas just yet?

We've been having some fun...

Play-doh night with Daddy

Always my jumping super-hero

Hanging out with the Jones clan for Grandma and Aunt Jessica's birthday celebration...

Dino-Shepard

My cousin-of-a-cousin BFF.

Go Eagles longhair.

And of course, we had to hit up a fall festival! We were there with friends, but when you're all chasing your respective progeny, it's sometimes hard to get a group photo.

My pumpkin

sandbox is always a hit

Giant RED TRACTOR!

Daddy is standing on the back...but that was one big tractor!

Along came a spider and sat down beside him

All three of us looking at the camera would be a miracle

HAY. RIDE.

Some of our friends from church.

Running through the mini-maze

Sad pumpkin. It did not make it.

What a nice little vignette they set up!

Fun water pumps with ducks

On Sunday, we got to participate in the York County CROP walk with Shepard's school. Several hundred folks did a walk to raise money for hunger. Team Jones raised $75! Thanks, everyone! We did a one-mile mini-walk through Winthrop campus. Shepard brought along his trumpet and did great walking.

Prepping for the CROP walk at Winthrop (see Tillman tower in background)

Picture in the Herald (Jerod and Shepard on far right)

Waiting to cross the street on our CROP walk with his preschool director

School pictures

I'm a sucker for the school picture. I just have to get them. They couldn't get a class picture of his spring class, which made me sad, as we really liked his teachers and classmates. So, this picture is priceless to me. These are his "school friends" that we go see each day. They are such a big part of his life right now. He comes home singing all kinds of songs these days, like "Baa, baa black sheep," his ABC's, "Bringing home a baby bumblebee..." It seems he is constantly learning new things.
Here are his friends and teachers, Miss Lecara and Miss Leah.

L-R: Front-Trevor, Xavier, Rylen; 2nd-??, RJ, Devin, Shepard, ??; Back: Miss Lecara, Aiden, ?? Hayden, ??, ??, Miss Leah

I need to work on the girls. A lot of the boys he's been with since he was tiny.

They have group time in front of this wall each morning and discuss what month, date and day of the week it is. They go through their shapes and colors. It's terribly cute to see. None of them can sit still for more than 20 seconds.


 Who's that handsome little man!?!?!

It was 90 degrees outside when they took these "fall" pics. I didn't know there would be a full-length pic. Oh well. Please note the blue bandaid on the big toe.  :)

More Hoppy Easter!

One day, we'll get a family picture where everyone is looking. Until then, enjoy this one!

I heart Grandma.

Easter snacks after service

Cheese? Yes, please.

Did you take my ham croissant???

Easter reception.

Toddler-picture set-up. Who will he let hold him??

Say Bunny!

Me and my buddy, Kaden.

Family and Friends

We've gotten to visit with lots of family and friends this week. And little man is saying all kinds of new words. Just about anything he hears he'll give a try. So, let's all make sure he hears nice words. ;)

{remember to click on pictures to see larger size}

Cousin Jonathan, Uncle Carl and Aunt Debbie

Great Aunt Linda and Grandma talk to Great Aunt Jim on facetime

Grandma and Shepard share silly face time

Making raspberry sounds for about 30 minutes straight

More raspberries...what can you do?

I'm a silly little guy!

Th-bbbbbhhh-bbbbhhhh!!!

Everyone's looking a pictures

Look, my other cousins are on the screen!

Climbing while Scooby watches

Uncle Matt makes crazy eyes

Aunt Debbie gives me some love

My friend Sophie is playing at my house!

The finer points of triangle-playing

Here, Shepard, these are maracas.

Yay! Maracas!!!