Georgia ~ Day 3

I know I'm nine but I think Butts county is a funny name!

After Mama Jean and I were all done getting our hair styled at the salon we headed to watch our nephew TJ's champion football team play this morning.

We drove through Timothy's old neighborhood and stopped by the house he grew up in.

After The Wedding Reception in Jonesboro (photos and a blog coming soon....) we met the entire family at Buckner's a good ol' down south buffet.

The "little boys" had so much fun together

Happy wife = happy life.  A little fatherly advice

TJ and Uncle Bo

Thank you to everyone for a wonderful day.  The reception was perfect as was our family dinner.

Tomorrow we set sail for our Honeymoon cruise in New Orleans! :)

Nicolas and Elle's Baptism Party

After the Church service we all went to my sister Janice's house for a party.  There was a yummy taco bar with cook's on site and lots of yummy desserts.  The best part was having so many friends and family together.  Many people came from Oregon for the celebrations. 

Ken, Sonia and Nicolas - who loves to stick his tongue out

Nick, Elle and Dana - color coordinated, but of course :)

Sonia, Nicolas, Amelia and (my cousin) Megan.  Nicolas and Amelia are a month a part.  If was fun seeing them play together.

I tried to get some decent shots of them together.  Nicolas just wanted to nibble on Elle's yummy dress.

Amelia and Nicolas are all smiles but Elle just won't look my way.

Oh well.  At least they are all happy here!!

Practicing crawling can prove to be a challenge on tile floors....

Uh oh.  Sorry, Amelia!!

Sonia and her buddies "Jiji" (her flower girl) and her twin brother "Bubu."  They are going to have a new baby in their family this Fall!

We closed out the afternoon with a little present opening.  Elle and Nicolas received many nice gifts in honor of their baptism.  I gave Elle her first birthday gifts a month early.  Some clothes and her first Madame Alexander doll.  She loves how the eyes open and close, open and close.  Precious!!!

What a fun filled family weekend.  Next gathering will be the wedding... 09/09/11!!!!!!!

Water Babies

Nicolas is living the life in his bumble bee floaty

And now a turn for Miss Elle

Mama Sonia and her sweet boy.

Both Nicolas and Elle take swimming lessons with their parents so they are super comfortable in the water.  I was in the pool starting at 3 weeks old (we had a pool in our backyard in Houston and my parents wanted to get me comfortable as soon as possible) and have videos of me under the age of one dunking myself!  Elle must take after LaLa (and her mom who was also a fish!)

And up she goes!  No fussing at all!

In their element

We had to do everything we could to keep Jake out of the pool while the babies were enjoying the water.  But a football and such inviting water?  He accidentally joined us a few times. 

Big smiles with Papa 

And perfect conditions to perfect one's tan

Andrew and Uncle Bo chillaxin'

All of the fun in the sun led to tired babies and grown ups too.  Tomorrow is Nicolas and Elle's Baptism.  It's so great to have most of our family under one room to celebrate occasions like this one!

Hughie Family Photos

It's been 17 years since all of the Hughies (my parents, siblings and their families and myself) have all been together in one place at one time.  We live throughout the country and distance tends to keep us from all being together.  This made a family photo shoot a requirement!  I took on the project of hiring a photographer and coordinating the details to make it happen.  Since my parents live in an itty bitty town and it was the day before Christmas eve, it wasn't so easy to find an available and affordable photographer to take on the job.  I went the economical route (although it wasn't exactly cheap) and hired a local photographer.  She captured some great shots, but her editing skills weren't stellar and her pricing for getting the prints printed (or the digital file for that matter) were astronomical.  What was supposed to be a relatively simple process turned into some heated negotiating.  I was able to eventually get the disk AND my friend Melvin saved the day and artistically edited the images (although he refused to remove the under eye baggage...ugh).  I'm so grateful to have these shots.  I love them and know that they will be treasured.  Especially for my parents to have a photo with have their entire family in one shot!

My mom and dad and their beloved Jake.  They will celebrate 50 years of marriage in 2 years.  5 children, 2 daughter in laws, 2 (almost 3) son in laws, and 6 grandkids.  They have created quite a family and a legacy as well.

Child #1 Janice (Graffius) and her family: husband Mark and sons Gregory and Andrew.  (Along with the snowman that my brother David and family created!)

Child #2 David and his family: wife Julie and sons Caleb and Mason

Child #3 Ken and his family:  wife Sonia and son Nicolas

Child #4 Melinda Marie with dad and mom (family to follow, smile)

Child #5 Dana (Everett) and her family: husband Nick, daughter Elle and dog George

LOVED all of the snow.  It really felt like Christmas with the winter wonderland.  Somehow the beach and palm trees just doesn't feel the same.

Andrew (age 17) and Gregory (20)

Mason (6) and Caleb (7)

Elle Julianne (6 months)

Nicolas Kenneth (2 months)

LaLa and her nephews and niece

Nana and Papa Oregon and their grandchildren

The original Hughies ~ party of seven!

L-O-V-E