A Few Photos

Over the past two weeks we have really been enjoying little Hughes! He is grinning and cooing during his wake time! Just thought we would share a few moments caught by Kent! ...he might laugh out loud at ANY moment!


....so serious


...what's going on up there?
...time to go! Nap time!

Kilmichael

We had the best visit in Kilmichael over the past weekend! This is a picture of Hughes' first nap at MaLyn and Big Daddy's house! Hughes made himself right at home...just as we all do when we go to Kilmichael.

He took his morning nap and we headed to the Bank of Kilmichael to open Hughes' first bank account! Here is a photo of Kent and Hughes in front of the bank! I love Kent's new accessory...paci in mouth!After the bank visit, we headed over to see Granddaddy Brown! Hughes got to spend some quality time with Granddaddy Brown through the afternoon. Hughes took a nap in my arms, Granddaddy Brown's arms, and on the bed most of the time!

However, he did wake up to eat. After his lunch, he was very playful and had a good time grinning at Kent and Granddaddy Brown.Friday night Big Daddy, Kent's Dad, grilled our dinner! Chicken, mixed vegetables, and green bean bundles were the menu for the night...healthy and scrumptious!!! YUMMO! Food is ALWAYS amazing when we go to Big Daddy and MaLyn's house! Let me just name a few of my favorites: Boston Cream Pie, Hashbrown Casserole, Steak, all of the above, Coffee Cake...did I mention the Boston Cream Pie?...there is so much to list, but that Christmas Boston Cream Pie is all I can think about!...Maybe I need to go eat breakfast...I am instantly hungry!

Sunday morning, we had to have bath time! Hughes loves a bath and I am so thankful for his calmness during this time! I am so fearful of the water and it would stress me to the max if Hughes was flailing and flopping around during bath time! Truth be told, he would probably get rag baths until he was able to hold his head up...if he acted up during bath time!

At 11:00 a.m. we headed off to church! It was our first time at the new church building! Big Daddy has really put lots of time and effort into the new building...the hard work REALLY paid off. After church, it was time to celebrate Harlan's 2nd birthday! We can't believe Little Haha is already two! Francie gives Harlan a birthday hug!...Too sweet for words! Francie is a great big sister! This is the sweet face that greeting us when we walked in the door from church!

Hughes finally got to meet Pamela! We were so excited when we heard that Nick and Pamela were coming to meet Hughes and celebrate with Harlan on his birthday.

Hughes hanging out in his swing while the rest of us eat lunch!

Harlan and his Daddy! Priceless picture! This would be a great framer for Mike's desk at work! (I must print these pictures out and mail them to everyone!)

Harlan's birthday cake!!! I must say, Mary Love, did an amazing job on this cake! Love the font, love the tractor, and best of all, it was very tasty! I think you have a side job in the works Mary Love!

Harlan loved hearing the birthday song from his audience!...so much we blew out candles and sang TWICE! :)

Francie gave the window a little life with her new jelly dancers!...I mean, shouldn't everyone get a gift when someone has a birthday? I think so!

Here we all are eating our Bar-B-Q from Little Dooey's and enjoying each other's company.

Harlan's birthday ride on Big Daddy's new toy! What is it with a boy and his toys? Whatever it is...Harlan couldn't be happier with the new Ranger!

Hughes first trip to Kilmichael was amazing. Our family is blessed with loving, caring, giving, and thoughtful families. This Tuesday morning Hughes was still smiling from the exciting trip!

Home Again...Home Again

Home Again...Home Again...jiggidy jog! We made our trip home and had the best time!

First stop...SURPRISE Uncle Ronnie for his 60th birthday! Aunt Carla has been planning this birthday party since before Christmas...and boy did the hard work pay off! The food was scrumptious, band hoppin', and best of all was the company! Here are a few pictures from our stop in Starkville:

MaLyn fed Hughes after his long ride home!

Granddaddy Brown and Hughes checked each other out!

Kent and Francie took a whirl around the dance floor!

Mary Love and Harlan danced a little jig, too!

Hughes thought Aunt Ruby was very entertaining!

Next stop...Baldwyn, Mississippi! Hughes made his first trip to Papa Sam and Gran's house on the 31st of August! Ben scooped him up as soon as we walked in the door!

Uncle Ben and Hughes talked a bit before bedtime!

Morning Brunch at Mama Jean's house...yum yum! Chocolate gravy, biscuits, fruit pizza, eggs, REAL sausage, bacon, breakfast casserole, and hot coffee...does it get any better? But before we can bless the food and eat our breakfast, Hughes had to meet his Great Mama Jean!

One great gran just won't do...

Great Mama Jean must have two!!!

Now Hughes made the trip over to meet Great Grandmother and Granddaddy! What is it about Grandmother's house that makes you won't to take a nap? My belief is that you sleep best when you feel safe and comfortable. Well, Kent must have felt comfortable as ever, because he stretched out on the love seat, snuggled up with some pillows and took a mini snoozer. But first, Grandmother got to feed Hughes right when he walked in the door.

Then, Granddaddy had to get some snuggle time, too!

The above picture is near and dear! Every child, grandchild, and great grandchild has taken a nap on these quilts! They are so soft and see through in some places! Hughes had to pull them out of the back closet for a photo op! While we were getting the blankets, we found the truck, trailer and race car! I remember these toys when I was a little girl...I am sure everyone remembers these toys! So, it was only appropriate that Hughes would play with them, too!

Side Note: I used to LOVE getting pulled around the house on these quilts! Why was that so much fun? A quilt ride...nothing better when you are small...Actually, I would still enjoy a quilt ride!

Did anyone else do this when they were a small tot?

After telling Great Grandmother and Granddaddy good-bye (no worries we will be back for lunch after church tomorrow!), we headed back over to Mama Jeans for a fun game of the Newly Weds. Any couple that had been married for two years or less participated! Alise, Aunt Laura, Autumn, and Bronwyn headed this game up! Here were some of the questions:

1. How many times a day does your husband tell you he loves you?

2. What time of day do you KNOW your spouse will call you?

3. What is your wife's favorite accessory?

Bronwyn and Eric were the clear winners of the Newly Wed Game!

Well, if you play the newly wed game, you must play the Goldy Wed Game!

....pause...I am now typing with one hand...Sweet Baby boy was fighting his sleep and he needed Lil Mama to rock...so this blog will end soon!

...Back to the game...Goldy Wed includes all other couples! Example questions:

1. If your spouse was given $1000 what would he/she spend it on? (most answers involved grand kids!)

2. If your husband were to go anywhere on vacay, where would he go?

3. Where was you first date?

4. Where was your first kiss? (LOCATION)

5. What was your first fight about?

6. What is your husband's favorite meal that you cook?

Chip and Nancy were the big winners of Goldy Wed! I have no idea why we didn't take their celebratory photo! I guess these others will just have to do...my one arm is wearing out...we must go..until next time!

Baby Estella's future is so bright!

Baby Hughes with Uncle Brad and Emma Kate!

Baby Hughes just chillin'!Papa Sam and Hughes spending a little quality time together!We had a great time and can't wait to go back very soon!

Next weekend...Kilmichael here we come!

Frog and Friends

Gran, my mom, hates...repeat...hates frogs...But I have a feeling this is one frog she will be very 'hoppy' about holding!

Hughes and Jack got to hang out for a bit yesterday morning! I wish I knew what they were looking at...? Hope you all have a wonderful Friday!

Extra Special

1st Annual Mama Jean’s Magic Thing

Saturday, August 1st
9:00 am - Until


9:00 am. Brunch begins.
Menu will consist of all the McCreary Favorites and (unfortunately) Apple Jerry’s Famous Gravy! (Smoke Alarm Buzzing and Kitchen Fire Included)


11:00 a.m. Swimming and Sunning at Uncle Mark’s Pool.
Baby-sitting Services provided by Mama Jean with Soothing
Background Snoring by the McCreary Quartet.


5:00 pm Grilling Extravaganza.
Uncle Mark and Apple Jerry will prepare a variety of grilled delights. Side courses will again include family favorites with dessert
selections to include - but not limited to - Aunt Lisa’s Strawberry Salad and Aunt Diane’s Chocolate Pie (Hint, Hint………)



So Come One, Come All
For Reservations or Menu Requests -
Call Mama Jean

Aunt Laura recently sent out this invitation via e-mail! Kent, Hughes, and I have an exciting weekend ahead...with a few surprise stops..;) The McCreary family is always so much fun to be around and there is never a dull moment! Ordinarily, we would still all meet up for weekends, but Aunt Laura has made it more special with the simple e-mail of this invitation (it was originally in publisher and very cute...but blogger didn't recognize that program)! Now that we have an invitation the weekend immediately becomes a little more special. And with the title, it sounds as if we have many more get-togethers at the end of every July...am I right McCreary fam? Why is it when someone, Aunt Laura in this case, does something small(typing up a simple invitation), the moment immediately becomes so much more special?

Note to self: Always take the time to do the little things to make events special.

For example:

A. Go to the grocery store. Buy inexpensive flowers. Make a table arrangement for a weeknight dinner.

B. Send someone a card in the mail for no reason but to tell them how special they are to you. (I do not do this enough! But I am now inspired to take a trip to Hallmark today!)

C. Leave a note in your husband's lunchbox or on the dash of their car for him to receive at a random time of day.

(...I would love it if you would leave a comment and tell me what little things you do to make your life a little more special! I am always looking for new ideas!)Aunt Laura, Alise, and Hughes

We are also going to get to meet Baby Estella this weekend for the first time!

...Is this precious baby not adorable? In a couple of months, Estella and Hughes will be welcomed with another new cousin, Clara! We are so excited to see everyone! The McCreary family is growing in numbers and we look forward to the fun memories ahead!

We will have some photos of the weekend at the beginning of next week!

Challenge for the day: Make the little things extra special this week!

Can it be done?

Today is the day that I start TRYING to get back in shape! I haven't officially gone back to the doctor to get the big O.K. But, I will have to start out slow so I'm not really worried about doing any damage! For example, tonight Kent and I took Hughes for a 9:00p.m. stroll around the neighborhood. I put my workout pants on...too tight of course, laced up my tennis shoes, threw Hughes in the Bob stroller (which is amazing!!), and headed out the door! First of all, when I put the workout gear on...I meant business..:) Now, next week when I pull the Polar Heartrate monitor out...I will mean SERIOUS business! Anyway, tonight my plan is to work in intervals. I will walk a minute and then run minute and so forth until I can go no longer. So here we go! Minute one...walk. Minute two...run (okay really this is a jog that is no faster than Kent's walk!). Minute 2 1/2...side stitch! Are you kidding me? Have I really been jogging for 30 seconds and I am hurting? This workout routine may get off to a slower start than I thought! Nonetheless, I continued this walk until we finished the circle and made it back to the driveway. What's the saying?, "No pain, no gain." I can only hope that the side stitch won't start until minute 4 tomorrow!

...................................................

Random Thought: I have always wondered why "Moms" wear their pants up so much higher than they should. I mean, there is not much attractive about jeans that are up around your neck and the back pockets sit more on your lower back than your bum. But, I have figured out why wearing pants under the chest is so fab for Moms...they are just trying to get their old jeans to fit around the smallest part of their body...which happens to have shifted after 9 months. What used to be their 'waist' (around the belly button) has now moved north (right below the rib cage)! The alternative is to wear the jeans on the hip, but then the problem is muffin top hanging over the waistband or elastic top pants (and I think we all know the major brands are not going to start making elastic waist bands the hip item for the Fall '09 season)! So, I apologize to all the Moms out there that I looked at and secretly wanted come up behind you and jerk your pants down 10 inches! This lesson learned is the drive behind the above paragraph...Can one really find their old body or has a permanent shift been made? To be continued...

See Photo Below: This is Alessandra Ambrosio's body nine weeks after giving birth (a Victoria's Secret model)...clearly there is a secret and she hasn't shared it with the other Moms in the world.

See Below: Look at this face! Who can really complain about body image when you have a sweet baby that looks at you like you are perfect in everyway?