The next day we took the entire group to San Francisco to take a ferry over to Alcatraz.  It turned out to be a gorgeous day on the bay and we had a great time walking around the old prison grounds.  

Wyatt, Devon, Ethan and Ryan

It is always great to find new ways to keep the kids in line.  Once we spent one whole minute being shut into the Hole (a sound-proof cell without any windows, furniture or lights!  Believe me, one minute in that cell feels like an hour.) we were able to inspire all sorts of good behavior.  

Overall it was a wonderful experience to spend with cousins that we don't get to see as often as we'd like to.  I can't wait until we get together again.

All the Jones families were able to gather to celebrate Dad's 70th Birthday.  For his party, we had a family talent night and had a fun BBQ.  All the cousins loved getting together and playing in the backyard.

Our kids acted out the famous Beans skit from days of yore (we were forced to watch the 80's version with Me, Spence and Jimmy up at the Zion's reunion.)

Benji

Playing the cup game/song

Ella

Singing "Let it go!" from Frozen

Jet, Cole and Levi

Tonnette, Ella, Jason, Kyla, Arianne & Makenna

Kyla chasing Ethan

Tonnette and the girls

Sienna

Kyla

Tired out little love.

Laina and Anna

The next morning the boys helped Dad put new cement on the side of the house.  Near the fence, they had all the kids put their handprints in the new cement.

Happy 70th Birthday, Dad!

Man.  I just can't seem to catch up.  I'll just keep plodding away...one post at a time.  Close your eyes and imagine it is still July (and not nearly October!!) and you'll find the Jones clan visiting, well, the Jones clan.  :)  We got to Santa Rosa a couple of days before all the crazy of the great gathering of the Jones tribes.  When you come early to the party, you get a little one-on-one time with Grandma and Grandpa...always a bonus.  We took the kids (plus cousin Devon) to the Redwoods - a family favorite.  We got a beautiful day and the kids loved running through that magnificent forrest.  There are just no words that ever describe how beautiful those trees are.  Every time we go, I try my hardest to take a picture that captures the forrest, but even those end up wanting.  

Here are a slew of pictures of the kids running around and finding four leaf clovers (Austin is our resident 4-clover king.  He finds them first and the most often.)

Ethan found a little heart...

We love the Redwoods!