Merry Christmas 2007

Merry Christmas everyone! We miss all our family & friends and wish we could have spent this special day with all of you. The Texan Jones' wish you all a safe a prosperous 2008.

Wilson...The Rock Star!!!!!!

The Hill Country Galleria Mall opened last week to much fan-fare here in Austin. They had several opening week activities including a Doggy Costume Contest. Needless to say, since this mall is only 2.5 miles away from us, we entered.

Wilson got an honorable mention!

Parting Shots of Grandma/Grandpy Visit

Grandma/Grandpy Visit

Dad & Mary came to visit us. Last Sunday we took the boat out to Lake Travis and got some good action pictures there. The following Monday, we went to the Texas State Capital building. Enjoy!

Day at Barton Creek

Today we took a little hike down to Barton Creek. It was a great way to show "Auntie Jen" some of the natural beauty of Austin. Barton Creek is about 5 or so miles away from home. We last did this hike about two years in August and it was just a small trickle of water. However, this year, with all the rains, water was flowing pretty fast. We brought Wilson with us so he can let his Golden Retriever genes out. As the pictures show, he had a great time, as did all of us.

Pearls Feedburner Test

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Wilson Update

Wilson is now 14 1/2 weeks old. He has been with us for approx. 2 1/2 weeks and has gained about 15 lbs already. He has already outgrown one of his collars and soon will outgrow a second.

He isn't house trained and we're cleaning messes often. Luckily we have a steam cleaner to help with the carpets. If we take him out religiously every hour, he's ok. He makes it through the night in his crate with out any accidents. (So we know he can hold it!)

A neighbor of ours suggested, as a way to help him at night to keep barking down, to leave some worn clothes near his crate. Amazingly, it works! So we don't have sleepless nights but we are still waking up early at 6:30-7AM to take him out once his bladder is full. :-)

Austin Critters #1

We're kinda new to Austin. So we're not quite used to all the critters yet. This is one we have in a neighbors yard. The thing is HUGE. Not quite the largest spider I've ever seen but it is about 3" in size from hind legs to tip of front legs. I did a quick LiveSearch and think it's a Yellow Argiope Spider (Argiope aurantia).

Kinda freaky...but kinda cool.

New Addition

Born 4/18/2007 in Ponca City, OK.

Doug, Ryan, Erika & Kenny took the 8hr commute from Austin to Ponca City to pick up "Wilson" on July 13, 2007. We drove just to the inside border of the Osage Indian Reservation to get him.

Click here for map to Ponca City, OK

Wilson, or "Willy"for short , is a Goldendoodle which is a mixed breed between Golden Retriever and Standard Poodle. Standard Poodles are hypoallergenic dogs that done emit dander and don't shed. When mixed with a Golden Retriever, they pick up much of the hypoallergenic traits of the poodle parent with significantly less shedding and dander. We're hoping that this will represent low(er) risk for both Ryan & Pearl who have some been known to have sensitivities to dog dander.

We're all HUGELY excited to have this new addition to our family.

Pearl's Professional Photo

As you all know, Pearl has recently received her real estate agents license. She is now actively marketing herself and trying to make boat loads of money so I can retire by the ripe old age of 45. Here are the results of her professional photo shoot.

Erika in Grease! - If You Only Knew

Erika performed in the play Grease with a bunch of local child actors/actresses. She worked nearly the entire school year learning the part. She actually played two characters. Cherry is the character you see her playing here and was the larger of the two roles. Needless to say, her parents are very proud.

Erika playing part of Cherry in Act 2, Scene 2 - "If You Only Knew"

Kenny & Erika Talent Show

Kenny & Erika performed this bit from the movie High School Musical. They practiced for weeks and did a great job performing out in front of everybody.

His name is "Marbles"

One of Kenny's friends gave him a rooster for his birthday. It makes ALOT of noise when you don't pay attention to it. Pearl & I were quite surprised to see this delivered...we have NO IDEA how to take care of it. But I am thinking of recipes! :-)

Puerto Vallarta Trip - 2007

We spent the first 2 weeks of March 2007 at Paradise Village located in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. We had a great time. Enjoy the pictures of our family vacation!