March Gladness!

For many years March was the pinnacle of the sports year for me--there is nothing quite like the 'madness' that is the NCAA basketball tournament. However, two years ago on this very day something unprecedented took place; 'how my bracket was doing' was the last thing on my mind. My team, UCLA, had just made an incredible comeback to shock Gonzaga, leaving Adam Morrison in tears; but I could care less! I had just met the one and only Amanda Bussey and asked her out on our first date--an evening at my place featuring homemade sun-dried tomato turkey grilled cheese sandwiches (by yours truly) and NCAA tournament games (every woman's dream!). Let's just say that neither of us could tell you a thing about that silly basketball game and from that moment on 'March Madness' has taken a back seat to my Amanda! Thus, when this special time comes around each year and everyone is worked up into a frenzy about who is going to be the next 'Cinderella', all I can think about is that first night that started it all. So on this day I just want to tell Amanda how much I love her and how blessed I feel to have her in my life!

Tickle me ... ice!?

It was the summer of '90. Rollerblading was still for straight guys and Ninja Turtles were on top of the world (they still are pretty cool in my book). Mel Gibson never looked hunkier in 'Bird on a Wire' (Mom's favorite VHS that she'd fall asleep to each night). Posters of Marky Mark, Dante Bichette, and Chuck Finley hung from Heather's room.
My life was simple then. Everyday's objective the same--scrounging loose change from every nook and cranny in the house (i.e.; under the couch cushions and, if necessary, Dad's gold change tray) until I acquired just enough for a pack of Score baseball cards and the greatest summer treat known to man; 7-11's 'Ice Tickle.' There was no greater escape from that scorching, relentless heat inside the air-conditionless 2750 Royal Oaks Dr. Cherry, bubblegum, lime, watermelon ... whatever the flavor, it always did the trick! Friends would rave about their skinny, flavorless 'Otter-pops' and I'd just laugh in their face.
Tragically, one day the 'Ice Tickle' was discontinued. The years have flown by, but the memories of those chilly, slushy sticks of joy never faded. Over the years I'd glance in the freezer boxes of 7-11s all across the globe with hopes of their reappearance, but to no avail. Until last week! Having succumbed to a Slurpee craving I entered a local 7-11 and felt prompted to take a peek into the freezer box. Lo and behold, there they were! 'Ice Tickles' are back into my life and hopefully here to stay!

Summa Summa Summa Time...

Oh the joys of summer time! Mr. Sun has had his way with Utah County this season, showing no mercy as he continues to hit us with record temperatures. However, the Jones' have not let that stop them from enjoying their first summer together. Having purchased season passes to Seven Peaks and a no-name bag of frozen treats superior to the "Otter-Pop", we are living summer to the fullest. We have especially loved sharing our summer fun with friends and family. Mom and Dad Bussey came to town with their 8 year old sidekick, Mr. Macaroni & Cheese himself, Paydan. We had a great time celebrating the 4th of July, Provo style, at the "Stadium of Fire!!" After enduring lots of shrieky screams from prepubescent teenage girls while some hunky heart-throb from "High School Musical" shook his groove thing, the next act "played somethin' country" (Brooks & Dunn) and delighted us with their performance. Stadium of Fire made sure they went out with a bang as they put on the firework show of all firework shows; 50 minutes later and covered in ash and soot it was finally over.
Shortly thereafter we received a visit from Amanda's good friend, Melinda. Having visited Provo once before nearly 10 years ago, mesmorized by all the flashing lights and the hustle and bustle of this growing metropolis, Melinda fell in love all over again with Provo, as all who come to see her do. We had a blast with Melinda as we plunged down Seven Peak's most tantalizing slides and blew our way through crowds of small children in the 'Lazy River'. Amanda and Melinda also got to go see the newest Harry Potter movie to get them pumped up for the very highly anticipated release of the seventh Harry Potter book.
We love having family and friends visit and hope they enjoy their time here with us even half us much as we enjoy having them here! We can't thank them enough!
This Summer has been a dandy indeed, but the best part about it all is that it has only just begun! Events yet to come include: Jones family comes for Davis family reunion, Amanda and Chris go to WA for Grandma Christensen's 80th and G-ma and G-pa Hafen's 50th anniversary, Jones boys celebrate kickoff of BYU's football season with victory over Arizona!