"Soggy Archives anyone?"

Today I was off on my own, doing the town while Sandra was in the conference.
My plan was to take the Metro Subway to the Federal Triangle area and to tour the National Archives.



I ended up walking the distance from the National Zoo area where we have been staying to the Mall area. Upon my arrival I realized that the heavy rains the area received on the weekend (7 inches in 30 hours) had caused flooding and most of the buildings were closed!!!
Check out the photos.

Duane

This is the water being pumped out of the Internal Revenue Building.

God Bless America.... "America, Bless God!"

Here is a photo from inside our capital's rotunda, depicting the Pilgram's arrival and cause to seek a new home in the "New World". Photo 2 is a close-up (& rotated) of the book that is held in photo 1.

This is the view to the ceiling of the rotunda.

Sandra & I have enjoyed the past two days in our nation's capital. On Friday we toured the Capital Building, with an escort from MN Senator Norm Coleman's office.

Today, we drive to our most favorite location, Mount Vernon.

More info and photos to follow.

Duane

P.S. Here we are outside the Russell Senate Office building.

Duane & Sandra + Jessica

"The Graduate III"

This is getting like a Sylvester Stallone movie series.

Well today, was the actual ceremony. Below are a couple pics from JJ's big day.








JJ & her teacher, Lisa.


The hand-off of the diploma!!!!

The Graduate!

Well the actual graduation ceremony is Monday, but the party today was a success!

Here are a couple photos of a cool but delightful day.

L to R:
JJ, Jodie, Sandra & Laurie



And of course, the remaining Jones trio!

Tomorrow is church in the A.M. followed by a graduation party at the neighbors and a backyard party at the Wolff's while Bryan & Meg are in town.

Duane

Jessica's "Graduation Party" approaches!

I compiled a number of photos from Jessica's school years and made a composite.


We are looking forward to Meg & Bry's arrival and the time we'll get to spend with them.

J.J.'s party is set for Saturday, and we look forward to celebrating her graduation with family & friends!

Dad J

Three Team Members...Reach Summit!

Photos from our most recent assent!

Not pictured in this collection: David, Peter, Evan, Seth, Jodie, Brenna & Sandra
(Highly regarded team members...without whom we never would have made it!)


Team Lead, Owen (Ret.) & Dale at Mid-Base Camp.


Jason, still packing a gun in case we met up with wild animals!

And finally Duane, at the summit saying.....

"Didn't we bring a flag with us, to pitch at the summit???"

_____________________________________

Anyway....the cabin it water-tite! And for that we are very thankful.

We do still need to do some additional items, to truly call it complete...

but as for rain, we are good.

I almost want to say...."Bring it on", but that might be going too far!

Duane

B9, B9, B9....No I'm not a Bingo caller!!!

Today we received word, that on all accounts the biopsy results concluded that they were all benign.
Perhaps I should have titled the post.... PTL, PTL, PTL!!!!!

We are very thankful for the results as conveyed by Sandra's Doctor. We have been blessed by the many friends who have prayed along with us.

Thanks be to GOD, for HIS indescribable gift.

Duane

Senior Success!!!!!

On Saturday we took some more
photos of JJ for her senior portrait.

I submit the following.

I'd call it a keeper!

Dad Jones

Ten Years Later...& still going strong!

Harney Peak, SD - to - Jones & Co. Ltd's eaves!



This past weekend we worked on a tear-off an re-roof project at the cabin.

David, Pete, Jason, Dale, Duane, Evan & Seth all worked the roof while Jodie & Brenna provided much needed ground support (i.e meals and beverages as well as addl. support & site clean-up).

It was great to have the additional laborers!

The photos are for all your enjoyment. Two, from our 1996 archives from our camping trip to the Black Hills with the Feltault's, and the rest from roofing. The close-up of wood & chimney is an area we uncovered where carpenter ants had eaten away 2 X 6 rafters and framing. We hope that we "took care of them".

We replaced rafters and boxing with green treated lumber, applied poison for the ants to enjoy... (their "last meal", we hope) & new roof deck boards.

Enjoy!

Tired, but recooperating,

Dad Jones

Darwin's Ideas...refuted...."First-hand"!!!

This past weekend we began the process of a tear-off and re-shingle of our cabin roof.

First-hand I can say that that things do breakdown over time!

While I do believe that I'm wiser than I was ten years ago, I can say that my body doesn't function as a 40 year old's. This morning I awoke as a slow moving creature, with aches and pains that I never new existed!

We stripped half of the porch roof and the detatched garage's roof, and got the garage shingled. Yet to do, is the greater part of the job.

This coming weekend we'll continue with the cabin roof. The shingling of the garage roof was a good place to start, as it provided a good practice area prior to tackling the larger portion of the project.

While we didn't have the best of weather...we had light rain on and off, we got it done!
I'm nearly at the point of praying for more weather of the same for this coming weekend. I don't think my body can physically survive a 3-4 day stretch of clear weather!

We will try to call in additional laborers for this coming weekend.

Jason, Dale & I made good progress...but to complete this job we will need additional support.

With Love,

Tired & Sore GrandDad!

Cristo Vive Bowl 1000 - "A Smashing Success"!

Today we took part in a bowl-a-thon to raise money for a Christ-centered ministry to the disabled.

We had a great time. Most people know that a "perfect game" is 300 points.

I'm proud to say I scored 352 points!

Ooops!
Is it misleading to not mention that was my total score for three games?

The ministry of Cristo Vive International is great!

If you haven't had the opportunity to visit their website yet, please check it out.
www.cristovive.net

Our efforts, along with 18 other bowlers today, raised $13,013!
I know that there are addl. funds still to come, which will push the total even higher. PTL!

On behalf of Jessica, and many other children and families affected by disability and served by Cristo Vive.....

THANK YOU!!!

With Love,

Duane & Sandra

Jessica's "Starry Night Prom"!

We'll Jessica had a great night on Saturday! She along with a number of her friends and care attendants went to the "Starry Night Prom".

This photo was as she left the house...
(we need to have the other photos developed.)

Rumor has it that she loved to dance!

Duane

Happy Birthday to Sandra

May 6th, 2006
Can you believe it!
Sandra is a year older, and still doesn't look like she could be a Grandma
...let alone soon to be a GrandMaMa of three!

Happy Birthday Sandra!

With Love,
Duane

Water ...water...everywhere!

Today began with a nice breakfast, and then off to the JW Marriott to float along the "lazy river".

A tearful end to three fun days, as we had to bring Bry & Meg to the airport.

Dad Jones

And then there were three!

Here is a photo of Meg & Bry and ???.

More sun today, and more swimming.
These three head back to CA at dinner time.

Dad J

Fun in AZ!

Today is pool time and dinner out.
We also hope to do a portrait of Jessica for her senior photo.
The surroundings here at the JW Marriott are gorgeous.
A very nice destination!

With Love from AZ,

Dad J

What do Grandparents look like????

This was taken at the moment we heard from Meggan & Bryan......

"It's a GIRL!!!!!"

Blessings to Meg & Bry,

GrandDad & GrandMaMa Jones

P.S. Bill & Denise....Welcome to the fraternity!

Well....I think its finally safe to say that spring in MN has arrived!!!

Here is a photo from the front yard that proves the point...(I hope).
Even though the last two nights have had temperatures in the thirties, it seems we are on track for the onset of spring and summer.

We look forward to our meeting up with Meg & Bry in an area that is more like "summer"!
I heard that the temps last week were in the 90 degree range.

"Break-out the shorts and sandals!

With love from MN,

Dad Jones

A few new photos of Evelyn.....

Here are three choice photos, one from Jodie's time in FL, and two from last week.

MMW....Enjoy! (I'll send a CD)

GrandDad J

Safety First!.... Second... Third!!!

Well, GrandMum & GrandDad are preparing
for the grandkids!
This week we added to household belongings an umbrella stroller & car seat.

My doesn't Evelyn look happy and safe?!!!

GrandDad J

..."Today, I think I shall hold Evelyn!"

Ah yes.... today we meet Sarah & Evelyn at the airport.
What a week we'll have!

Dad J

"Don't Curse the Darkness....."

Don't Curse the Darkness!......

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"Light a candle!"





"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."

By this, I don't mean we should tip-toe around the truth, (or, as is said in MN... "sanding off of the truth"). But I do proclaim with scripture's support.... "watch what you say"!

O.K. that last part was my paraphrase... but I believe it holds true to the author's intent!

With Love,

Dad J

Exciting Opportunity -- Worthy Cause! -- Cristo Vive International

I am posting below, a poster for an event that I will be participating in early May 2006.
Cristo Vive International is a Christ-centered organization that reaches out to children with both physical, and cognitive disabilties. Their work is both here in the USA and abroad. This year they will have camps in Osceola WI., and in Ecuador, South America & Ireland, U.K.

Jessica has participated in their camping progam the last three summers, and will again go to Cristo Vive camp this year in June.

We cannot speak more highly, or with more respect and admiration for this organization.

Their efforts are truly making a difference for these individuals and their families.

Please consider this organization's needs.

With Love & Christ's encouragement,

Duane & Sandra Jones

May we present..."The New Wolff Baby Wheels!"

Well, we're not exactly Vana White & what's his name....
But we present to you (Meggan & Bryan and ?????) the new baby's wheels!

With Love,
Dad & Mom Jones + Jessica

P.S. We'll bring it with when we visit.

Truly, a sermon worth hearing!

Meggan & Bryan, in a recent post on their blog, provided a link to a sermon they heard at their church in CA. (Grace Community Church).

Dr. Steve Lawson delivered this message to their church while in CA. last month.

The link I am posting below is from Dr. Lawson's church website. He originally preached this message on January 1st, 2006 at his church in Mobile, AL.

You can find it by looking for the Hebrews sermon on 1/1/2006.

The download of the sermon's streaming audio takes a bit of time, but is well worth the wait!

Please consider taking the time to hear this. It is delivered by a pastor who seems to have done his homework well, has a passion for the Word, and how it relates to each of us.

Blessings,

Dad J

http://www.cfbcmobile.org/site/cpage.asp?sec_id=377&cpage_id=421&secure=&dlyear=2006&dlcat=Hebrews

P.S. "Springtime is nearing" just recieved another 5-7 inches of snow!

Did someone say "Springtime is Nearing!"????

On Sunday there was virtually no snow.
We awoke today to heavy snow falling. You'll see by the photos!

Dad J

Springtime is nearing!

During the night, we awoke to great flashes of lightning. There was not much in the way of thunder however, and neither did we receive much of any rain.
It was however, a dramatic display & quite unique for this time of year.


No the image is not mine...merely a visual representation to accompany the post.

Blessings from MN,
Dad J