Halloween

I just realize how long it has been since my last blog. Oops! But here is my Halloween update.
My parents invited us out with them to a Halloween party they were attending. Bobby and I didn't exactly dress up. I was Fuddy and Bobby was Duddy. But we had a blast getting my parents ready and spending the evening with them and their friends.

One thing about their friends, they always treat you like you are their best friend and give you such a warm welcome.

We spent Saturday night before Halloween at a party with my parents. Bobby and I did not dress up so we went as "Fuddy" and "Duddy."

It was a lot of fun helping my parents get ready. My mom had some pretty awesome socks.

I handled the white makeup and mom handled the eye liner but Dad actually did his own lipstick.

My mom is allergic to face paint so she used a TON of green eye shadow. I think she looked great.

Dad as Dracula and Mom as the Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz

Mom was tired of waiting for karaoke to start up so she sang along with the Glee soundtrack from my ipod.

She finally got on stage.

Mom and her buddies - Michelle and Nicole

My dad with three (out of four) of his favorite ladies...of course me being the most important. But somebody had to take the picture. :-)

Top 2 in the Costume Contest
Freddy Krueger (Michelle's son Corey)

And the winner! My dad.
I was so proud!

She's Growing Up Too Fast!

A few weeks ago I took Katy for some shots. I can't believe how grown up she has become almost overnight! When Bob and I got married, she was our flower girl. She was a tiny little 9 year old and now she's a permit-carrying 15 year old. How tie flies!

Jones Reunion 09

The annual Jones family reunion was held this weekend. It is always a lot of work but a lot of fun too. We host around 70+ family members at my aunt and uncle's home in Argo. They have a huge porch and patio which is perfect for everything. And, the weather was beautiful!!

This year we chose to do crockpot meals - soups! We had around 12 crockpots with everything from chili, taco soup, potato soup, vegetable soup, chicken and dumplins, beef stew, and on and on. We had crackers, mexican cornbread, rolls, homemade cornbread, etc.

The dessert table was full as well. My mom made a homemade italian creme cake and a chocolate velvet cake. We also had tons of other homemade desserts like red velvet cake, apple dump cake, cupcakes, and cookies.

My uncle butch (mom's older brother) and his son, Chris.
The event is held at my Uncle Butch and Aunt Elaine's home.

My aunt Patty with her daughter Tara and granddaughter Tanslee.

My mom with baby Caden. Caden is the son of my cousin Jonathan. He is also my grandmother's first great-grandchild.

My cousin Melissa and her daughter Haley. Haley sang a Kellie Pickler song all by herself. I have blogged about her singing before. Melissa and her family live in Jacksonville, Florida.

Cousins - Kayla and her fiance, Chris, Candace, and Matthew

Haley and Anna

Uncle Butch and Uncle Harold (grandmother's brother)

Cousin Angela and her husband, Wayne. They are apart of the Florida family.

Andrea and her daughter Abby.

Matthew

Chris

Mom and Granny singing "When He was on the Cross, I was on His Mind."

Oldies

In honor of the reunion, here are some oldies...

My grandmother

My mom and baby me

My grandmother and my cousin Matthew

Me and Kim

Trip to the Zoo - 1992
(l-r) Chris, Kim, Andrew, Candace, Me, and Matthew

My mom, her older brother, and younger sister.
around 1965

Easter

We had a great Easter Sunday. Church was wonderful and the choir presented their cantata. Nicholas and Brooklynn were precious in their Easter outfits.

After church, we went to Bob's parents' house for lunch and an egg hunt with the girls.
My Easter Bunny Cake.

Bobby and Katy

Coby played outside while we hid eggs. Coby loves rocks and once he finds just the right one, he becomes extremely obsessed.

I can't believe how big the girls are getting. Sarah is 7 and Katy is 14. They are sweet girls with such big hearts.

30 Years

My parents were married on Friday, March 2, 1979. Today, they celebrated 30 years of marriage. I look up to my parents and they have been an example to me over my 26 years. I love the way my dad loves my mom. I love that they sing karaoke together. They love to travel and shop.

1985

I was born in 1982 and was only child for a little while. My brother, Andrew, was born in 1988.

Andrew's high school graduation - 2006

2008

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Pawpaw

My grandfather, or Papaw, was (and remains) one of my favorite people in the world. He loved all of his grandkids and I loved him more than he probably ever realized. Today, January 26th, is his birthday.

My Papaw was raised in a little country church, one that his daddy and granddaddy helped to build. He had four children with my grandmother - including my mom who misses him so much. Papaw loved John Wayne and Bear Bryant. He loved dill-pickle chips and grapico to drink. He ALWAYS had a tan line (he owned a guardrail and fencing company and was always outside). He always called me Melanie Ann.

I had just turned 14 when Papaw was diagnosed with lung cancer. I will forever remember my mom telling me that Pop had cancer and I will always remember my dad waking me to tell me that my pop had passed away. My heart broke.

I think in the 12 years since his passing, I have learned even more about who my Papaw was and what he stood for. He was not perfect and he made many mistakes but I think that is what makes me cherish him even more.

Happy Birthday Papaw!

“Talk low, talk slow and don't say too much.” - John Wayne