Anne Parks and Her Dancin' Cousins

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Dads

I came across this video on a blog I like to read, Working Moms Against Guilt, and I thought it was just too cute not to share. There's nothing better than a daddy with his little girl!

Grandma Howell's Hair-Braiding Chair

When I was small, my mother would take me by my great-grandmother's house for her to braid my hair (or plat it, as Grandma would say). I would sit on the same chair each time. This summer, I mentioned the chair to my uncle, saying I wish that someone had saved it. He told me he thought it was in my great-grandpa's old barn. I went to check, and there it was! I cleaned it up, and my dad helped me recover it. I regret that I didn't take a "before" picture. I did take one after we'd started. I'm so proud of it, and I know Grandma would have loved it. I hope to be braiding Anne Parks hair soon (if I can get her to sit still).

The back and the seat were in pretty bad shape.

The final product:

Grandma, Grandpa, and me after my high school graduation. I believe it's the last picture I have of the three of us. They were two of the sweetest people I've ever known.

Christmas Party

Jason's friends from high school have a great tradition. They, and their families, have gotten together for a Christmas party each year since graduation. This year, there were kids everywhere, and we decided that we'd outgrown the traditional location. We had a great time. Anne Parks, especially, had fun playing with her friends.

Emily, Henry, Quinn, and John Vaughan
Uncle Aaron, Maggie, and Aunt Jen
Maggie, Jennifer, and Anne Parks

I Give Thanks for Friends!

Not only did I get to spend time with my family over the holiday; I also had the privilege of seeing some dear, Starkville friends. On Saturday, we gathered for a shower for Susan and her babies-to-be (That's no typo; she's having two!) We were also introduced to Laura's newest addition, Elizabeth. It was so wonderful to be with my friends. It was a rare treat since we live so far apart, and I treasure our time together.
Laura and Baby Elizabeth; Susan + 2 boys, me and AP, and Jessi

me and my sweet girl

Anne Parks helped by taking to gifts to Susan as she was opening them. She had a ball!

I Give Thanks for Family!

Anne Parks and I spent several days last week with Rambo Reed, Mommasissy, and Smith in Starkville. We had a great time and had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day when the rest of the family joined us. I've added a few new photo albums of our holiday on the left.

Emily and Smith

Sweet Boy

Anne Parks dancing along with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Rambo Reed joining Anne Parks' dance routine

Anne Parks and her baby taking a break

Uncle Drew and Reed watching "Scarlet Take a Tumble" (This was a hilarious YouTube video. I hope you've seen it. I was going to link here, but I found that it had been removed. So sad.)

Interesting?

My sister tagged me with the "Kreativ Blogger Award," and here's what she's insisting I do:
List 6 interesting things about myself and tag 6 others to do the same.

I'm not sure how interesting these things are, but here it goes:

1. Kreativ spellings get on my nerves. It's not just this "award," but anytime someone changes a "C" to a "K", an "S" to "Z", etc. just to look klever or kwik-wit'd, it bugz me!

2. This is probably the reason behind #1. I love words. I like learning new words, playing word games, and working crossword puzzles. Oftentimes, I'll remember where I was when I heard a word for the first time. Is that weird? Never mind, don't answer that!

3. Before my 29th birthday, I had lived in 29 different places (counting the dorm, sorority house, and college apartments). This lifestyle caused me, like my sister, to become bored with one place. I used to move furniture around too, but with a two year-old, who has the time or the energy?

4. I love murder mysteries. Sherlock Holmes is my all-time favorite detective, but I also love Sue Grafton's heroine, Kenzie Millhone. Most of my favorite tv shows are murder mysteries: Monk, Psych, Pushing Daisies, The Closer, CSI, Law & Order, Criminal Minds, and (my guilty pleasure) Murder, She Wrote.

5. I'm claustophobic.

6. I'm hand-making just about all of my Christmas gifts this year. It's been a lot of work, but I had so much fun planning what I wanted to do specifically for each person on my list. Having put more time and thought into each present this year is going to make the giving so much more gratifying. I'm getting excited just thinking about it!

Now, I tag Alli, Bonnie, Emily V., Erika, Katie, and Kristi.

Anne Parks' Pumpkin

Anne Parks is very excited!
Our newest little pumpkin is due to arrive on the 4th of July!

Plastic

I don't like to throw away plastic bags. In fact, I try to avoid getting them from the store in the first place. When I do have them, I stuff them into one of my kitchen cabinets with the thought of some super-cool, recycled craft project (when and if I ever find the time).
I didn't realize just how many bags I'd collected until last night. While I was at the stove with my back turned, Anne Parks "cleaned out" my cabinet for me.



She was very pleased with her project...



but not with the idea that she had to help put them back.

Halloween

We spent the weekend in Hattiesburg with Jason's family. We went to a neighborhood party where all of the kids had a chance to play in their costumes and run around. Minnie Mouse wouldn't slow down long enough for me to take her picture!
Minnie Mouse and Tinkerbell
Blaine, Reese the skunk, Minnie, and Jason

Elmo

Anne Parks, Jason, and I went to see Elmo the other night. It was actually "Sesame Street LIVE," but none of the kids there seemed to care about anyone but Elmo. I actually started to feel sorry for the rest of them! I did get to see my favorite, The Count. One...one Count...Ha...ha...ha!
Anne Parks was thrilled to be that close to Elmo. She was speechless!

Practicing

Minnie Mouse

We took our little Minnie Mouse to the JA Carnival last week. It was a great chance Anne Parks to sport her costume and play some games. Mommasissy and Smith came with us. Smith loved wearing his chick costume.
The yellow high heels are Anne Parks favorite part of the costume.
Cowboy Quinn (who didn't want to wear his hat and vest) and Minnie Mouse

Anne Parks won a watch.

The Fair

This time of year is one of my favorites. It's when the fair comes to town. I love it, and I couldn't wait to take Anne Parks. I posted this last year (Click the link to see last years pics. It's crazy how much AP has changed!), but I think it's worth repeating...

The following is Marshall Ramsey's list of top ten reasons to love the fair. I agree!

1. Free Biscuit and syrup
2. Pretty Cow Contest
3. Antique cars
4. People watching
5. Seeing the stuff you can win as prizes. I saw a Rebel flag with a bass on it once. I'm still trying to figure that one out. The bass will rise again?
6. Chicken on the stick
7. Watching how fast the rides are put up every year
8. The strange mixture of rap and country music blaring on the Midway
9. The art shows
10. Seeing a wide mix of Mississippians -- black, white, poor, rich, country, suburban, rural -- all come to one place to have fun.

Here are some photos of our leisurely Sunday afternoon on the midway...

Grandpa, Uncle Drew, and Anne Parks
Anne Parks and a snake
Whee!
Anne Parks was a very serious driver. She just about wore herself out "steering".
Picking up a duck...
and wondering why I can't take it home.
Circus Maximus


Anne Parks and I rode the carousel.
It was much too fast (evidenced by my death grip on AP)!
Then her hat flew off...
and she jumped off after it
I spent the rest of the loooong ride holding AP and trying not to fall. Next time we'll choose a slower ride.
What a great day! Fair, we'll miss you and we can't wait until next year!