What did I do in 2011?

I obviously didn't get around to blogging in 2011.  Here is why:

In January I was called to be the Stake Primary President.  Although it is less stressful than being the ward Primary President, it has kept me busy.  Each month we have a ward or branch conference to attend. (sometimes that can mean a 1 hr. to 2 hr. drive to and from the conference) I have a monthly Presidency meeting. I have traveled around and done some cub scout training with the different units. And I have traveled to Knoxville twice for different training. 
In March we traveled as a family to Portland Oregon for my brother Varon's wedding.  We traveled from Portland to Moses Lake WA to visit my parents.  Then we drove back to Portland for the wedding.  Then down to the bottom of Oregon for the reception and back to Portland.  We had a great time being with family, the only draw back was that we all took turns being sick.  It wasn't pretty! Here is a picture of my father, brothers, sisters, and Varon's new wife Mandy.

In May Warren and I tagged along with my sister Kim and father to England for 10 days.  My father served his mission there and we were able to go back and see some of the areas that he served in.  We also met a really nice family that he baptized while he was there.  We spent some time in London looking at the sites.  We went on two different day tours looking at castles, the White Cliffs of Dover, Cathedrals, Stratford Upon Avon, etc. 

We arrived home a few days before TaraLyn graduated from High School.

The first of July we made a three day trip to Idaho.  The truck was packed with TaraLyn's things for college including her cello.  We stopped in Nauvoo to take in the sites and got to listen to Vocal Point.  The next day we stopped at Mt. Rushmore and then continued on to Rexburg to see Kjirsten.  (We had Will with us......he had returned from his mission a week before.  Both of them were extremely nervous to see each other.  But obviously that turned out well.)

We spent the month in Idaho/Utah visiting family and friends, attending the Jones Family reunion, and attending Kjirsten's Graduation from BYU-Idaho. 

These are the Jones cousins that were all born in the same year that Clayton was born. (2000)

After graduation we packed all of Kjirsten's things in the truck and drove back home.  Will and I drove back in two days. (Warren had flown back home earlier).  We were ready to be out of the truck by the time we got back to TN.

Then the next month (August) I drove back to the west with Breanne and TaraLyn to take them to school with a vehicle.  We took the long route and drove to Las Vegas first then Idaho.  We spent four days in Vegas working at an ASEA convention for my sister Kim.  We had a blast being there with Kim and my friend Mary and her boys.  Plus, all three of us earned some money.  After the convention we drove to Idaho and got the girls all settled in their basement apartment at Grandpa Jones' house.  I was able to fly home this time.

 

Before flying home I was able to attend my niece Reilyn's baptism and be an escort for my sister for her endowment session in the Draper temple.  It was a very special day being with family and participating those ordinances with them.

I arrived home just in time for Stake Conference.  I know that doesn't sound all of that exciting, but it was a big deal for me.  I had my first Stake Training that I was conducting and I had to give a talk in the  Sunday Session.  I survived and was sooooooooo happy to have that weekend over. 

In October we went to Atlanta to attend the temple with Kjirsten for her first time. Then two weeks later we traveled to Nauvoo for Kjirsten and Wills sealing.  We were so thankful for those who came and supported them.  My sister Kim flew into Atlanta for the endowment session.  My Aunt Anita, Uncle Arlon, and Aunt Carla drove from Utah/Idaho for the wedding in Nauvoo.  My father, Varon, and Mandi flew from WA.  We had friends from Decatur that drove over for the day.  Marta, Talon and Natalie drove from TN to be in attendance.  And the Burtons were there of course.  It was a beautiful weekend in Nauvoo and the sealing was beautiful. 

The end of November Warren and I took a week long trip to Virginia. We visited the Washington D.C. temple, civil war battlefields, Thomas Jefferson's home at Monticello, attended a murder mystery dinner, and relaxed. 

This month we are happy to have Breanne and TaraLyn home for Christmas.  Next week will be Kjirsten and Will's wedding reception.  The next day we will start the new year off by having Kjel's Eagle Court of Honor.  We will have to post pictures of these events later.  It has been one busy year.  I think that I was away from home for about nine weeks of the year.  CRAZY!!!! 

Each year our Bishop challenges us to go to the temple more than we did the year before.  This year I just tried to go to different temples each time.  I went to the Columbia South Carolina temple, Portland Temple, London Temple, Rexburg Temple, Draper Temple, Atlanta Temple, Nauvoo Temple, and Washington D.C. Temple.