Georgia ~ Day 2

Up and at 'em.  Timothy on Uncle Teazey's Tractor.  Too bad it's not green or he could sing, I'll take you for a ride on my green tractor...



Timothy in his dad's truck

The two lane empty roads remind me of my itty bitty small town roots.

Timothy took me to see his dad's grave.  Oh, how I wish I could have met and known that man.  His family says there is a lot fo his daddy in him, and for that I'm so grateful to Mr. Blalock.



We met my family at Zaxby's for lunch.  Mark and Andrew were especially impressed with the chicken strips!



Tim at The Dwarf House in Forest Park.  He managed this Chick Fil A.  It was my first time sitting at a sit down Chick Fil A.  They made my meal to order ~ all Gluten Free.  Now if I can just get the California CFA's on board!



My sweet nephews ~ Mason and Caleb and their new loot courtesy of LaLa and Uncle Bo. (Well, Uncle Bo picked it out.)

Caleb built the 3D Star Wars puzzle after working diligently and patiently.

Mason's all tuckered out.

Tomorrow is The Georgia Reception.  I'm excited to meet so many of Timothy's friends and family.  I've heard so much about them and it will be nice to meet more of my new extended friends and family!

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