If you watched Discovery Health's Too Many Babies and Too Many Babies: How They Do It and yearned for more of Austin's Jones family and their adorable brood, you're in luck. On August 30, 2010, TLC premieres a new series, Quints by Surprise, airing in Austin at 9pm central. The series picks up where the two previous hour long specials left off, following the Joneses throughout daily life with five rambunctious toddlers and a vivacious six year old.
Casey and Ethan Jones, a wholesome Christian couple originally from Denton, TX, got the surprise of their lives when they found out that they were pregnant with quintuplets, but they were even more surprised to learn that TLC was interested turning their lives into the next family reality series. Clearly viewers liked what they saw in the first two specials. "It is pretty surreal to see your family on TV, let alone a network with the audience and respect that TLC has," states Ethan.
It may be surreal to see themselves on TV, but what about living life in front of the camera? Ethan says he and Casey are getting more and more used to the cameras, along with the attention from strangers that they bring. Although the quints are oblivious to the crew most of the time, big sister Eliot loves to have fun with them and play around with their equipment. Other than being asked a question or two from time to time, nothing is really required of her or her sisters and brother. Ethan still runs his business, Eliot J Construction, so much of the filming has to be done around his work schedule, with interviews conducted on weekday evenings and family outings on the weekends. He and Casey are committed to keeping regularity in the kids' lives: regular bed times during the week and tons of fun activities on the weekends.
As for how their lives have changed since the airing of the first two specials, Ethan states "Life is still pretty much our normal crazy, just on camera this time. We are definitely not celebrities...I don’t think people would pay any attention to us if we didn’t have cameras around us all the time." What does resonate with the Ethan and Casey is how positively people have responded to their story.
Still somewhat fresh off the Jon and Kate debacle, the Jones family is a breath of fresh air. Their intentions in putting their lives on camera are not to accentuate their difficulties with five same aged toddlers, but rather to show that life contains challenges for everyone, and that doesn't mean it can't be filled with joy, laughter, and love. "People face amazing challenges every day, so our story is not necessarily unique in that regard," Ethan reflects. "We are doing our best to address the challenges that we are facing in accordance with our Christian faith. If we can manage to do that, I believe people who are having a hard time finding reasons to smile might start to view life in a different way."
While Ethan can't say too much about what viewers can expect to see, he was able to give a little insight. A lot of the financial struggles that the couple faced when their family nearly tripled in size are still ongoing, but at the same time, the quints are growing fast, getting easier to manage, and the family is able to venture out more. The series is sure to give us a behind the scenes look at a lot of fun family summer adventures. Ethan expects the series will be "fun, fun, and more fun, mixed with the ever present challenges of our daily life and our struggle to overcome those challenges." Fun, family, and five babies? We can't wait to watch.
For more information on Austin's Jones Family, visit JonesLife.
Still can't get enough? Watch Too Many Babies? webisodes on TLC.com or check out TLC's TV listings for Quints by Surprise..
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Too Many Babies? How They Do It on Discovery Health's Baby Week
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Comments
It's really nice to hear positive stories about families with multiples on TV rather than um... some of what's been on in the past. (i.e. Octomom, John & Kate Plus Eight drama)
I think it's nice that they are doing this show. I also think it's sad that other families with multiples have been painted in a negative light. After all, we have to remember that this is reality television and while the families have allowed the cameras into their lives, shows need ratings (which usually comes with some kind of drama).
Nonetheless, I'll be tuning in! I always enjoy shows with multiples.
I can't imagine having so many babies all at one time. Kudos to the Jones Family and their sweet quintuplets :)
Annoyed that yet another show about a family with too many kids is airing on TLC. Let's keep encouraging having more kids then you can handle.
The show seem to revolve around money. First they were married with no kids, spending tons of money watsefully on vacations, personal trainers, and big kids toys (boats, designer purses etc). Then they have kids (and not the cheap way, thousands in fetility treatments). Then they overspent on a home, have too many kids and complain the whole show on how they miss the old life and how they have to get rid of the dream house. Though realistic, I felt like the whole show was a cry for handouts!
What I've heard about Ethan, and his refusal to discuss his poor behavior (affairs) tell me all I need to know.
He's a jerk, his wife doesn't know or care who fathered her children.
Ignore the show and hope that this couple will make amends for all their lies.
You know its people like u that make livin HARD! Nobody is perfect n considering you don't know what happen if it was an affair or not is none of ur business. If u don't like them don't watch the show. U put comments back to back looks like somebody has too much time on their hand. We all have flaws n have done things that r out of the will of God but I thank God for being a forgiving God cause we live n a world were everybody wants to point fingers for their flaws instead of looking n letting God fix their own problem. N in this day n time everybody need to be lookin to make any extra money possible. So I say kuddos to this family. They are happy respectful of each other n don't mind telling the truth abbout their situation SO GO GeT URSelF together!!
I would like to know where these allegations came from. They are a very sweet family. If you are going to make such accusations back it up with something.
I work behind the scenes on the show and have gotten to know the Jones' very well. Your allegations are laughable. They are a very sweet couple, they have their flaws but who doesn't?
Ethan refused to answer my questions on his blog, nor would he post my questions.
He made a pity-party reply about his mistakes...he sounds like another Jon.
Yeah, they're another version of J&K, but it's like a bad rerun.
The wife isn't as pretty, the kids aren't even Ethan's bio children, and neither parent has an ounce of class. Maybe it's a Texas thing? Where I come from children don't question whether their father was an anonymous sperm donor. Ethan HATES the fact that the kids aren't his, the only good part (for him) is that he can continue his affairs.
Casey, get checked for STDs. Find a man who is worthy.
JMO.
The show will be a flop and these people will be back to expecting everyone else to support them.
I can understand that people are tired of these super-size families that the networks keep trying to promote.
Whether you liked Jon and Kate or not, they were pioneers in this sort of television. These other families seem like knock-offs and the Jones parents are the worst of the lot.
The show is over, which is a good thing.
I hope the parents were able to get a little money to help their stuggling family. They may be sad about losing the show so quickly (only one the air for 5 weeks) but it's so much better that they raise their children without TLC.
I have used the screen name LindaOriginal at a blog for several years. The posts above are not mine and I am greatly offended that someone would pretend to be me. Never would I post the noxious things said above! Why do trolls do this?? I have never posted at Examiner and only posting now because of the imposter.
God Bless you guys! We also live in the Austin area and have 3 daughters and they are tough. I think you guys are amazing and have such a great attitude about this wonderful gift : ) Stay positive and keep doing what you're doing.
they are a sweet family......... don't go and dis them..........if you don't like them , then don't write hateful comments.....i liked j and k until the drama ....... ethan and casey seem to have it togother
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