Sunday, May 13, 2012

Mother's Day and Katie Bug's First Dance Recital

Today was a really big day.  It is Mother's Day and it is also our Katie Bug's very first big dance recital.   It made it really fun this year because I got to be important Mimi and take her to dress rehearsal..It was exhausting and so exciting!   Kate and I did it together... We were pros.  :)  Her Mommy was in Canada so that made me in charge.  yay!  

 With much anticipation I woke up the day of recital and started getting ready.   Coffee...check, Mother's Day cards and gifts....check, special gift for KBug...check, camera battery charged...check, clothes for me and Big Daddy...check and we are off to the recital.   We arrived a little early but the place was already totally packed out.   We quickly discovered we didn't have near enough seats so we grabbed some on the back row with Big Daddy guarding them.  That just added to the drama that was escalating by the minute! 

Mommy, Aunt Lara and Katelyn helped her get her costume, make and hair done.  Nana sewed her sleeves and Daddy came with a big bouquet of flowers.  

Finally the big event begins... and our Katie Bug performs second!   The question in our minds was...would she do anything other than stand there...  Standing would be ok...just look cute..and maybe wave.   I knew right away when she came out she was relaxed.  I was there at dress rehearsal and she held her hands over her eyes from the bright lights and searched for me in the audience.  Today though, she was hopping and skipping and trying to keep up with her friends.  Our Katie Bug didn't know it but she had inherited a big dose of drama genes...and the stage had her name written all over it.  As a good friend posted on Facebook....another generation of dancing Abbotts.   :)  Well I can tell you this Mimi would love it if she took a liking to it..  Miss Christina my littlest granddaughter was there to see her cousin dance and she said she liked it too and wants to dance.    Visions of recitals and performances danced through my head.   


 No little tapping for our big girl...

 singing her heart out




  dancing to the music

After she performed two performances beautifully we all gathered out front for pictures...
It was wonderful how the family gathered to cheer her on. 
Granny wanted to be there and was not able to make it.  She sure was missed. 

 Kiss from cousin Ashton...Job well done!

 Kate's fan club

 Mimi's Girls

 Kate with Mommy and Daddy

 Nana , Daddy and Kate.. 
Isn't that smile the cutest!  Our Kate is a trooper

 Aunt Carrie and family came from Houston to see her

 Cousin Ashton and Katelyn with Kate

 Uncle Josh, cousin Christina and Johnathan, cousin Justin
Aunt Dee Dee and Luisa

 Her ole Big Daddy

 Big Daddy and Mimi love me

Time to get this  girls dancin' shoes off

After pictures we all gathered at Red, Hot and Blue and Uncle James joined us too.  I loved watching Johnathan enjoy his time with the big boys and cousin Justin as always looked out for him.   Christina was in heaven with " the kids."   She was very pleased as she made the rounds talking to everyone.   It was sweet to watch them with her.  Too cute.  Katie Bug was enjoying the social hour and made the rounds...and everyone talked their heads off.    We had a great Mother's Day celebration and great food too.  I missed getting to be with my oldest son Jeff today but he worked today to protect us.  I will see him tomorrow and he sent me a beautiful E Card.  



I received lots of love and gifts this day.  I am a very blessed Mom and Mimi.   
Thank you for making it such a special day for me!  I love you!

I missed having my Mom with us so I am sending her a very special
 Happy Mother's Day wish. ( I will see you soon.  :) 
I Love You Mom!


 Also wishing  Mother's Day love to Wanda, Larry's Mom.
I hope you had a great day! 



Mother's Day Love to all the special Moms in my life!

 The end of a great day!
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the
days of my life. Psalm 27:4

Sunday, May 6, 2012

The Swanns...Birds of a Feather Flock Together...

May is the time of year that Swanns gather in Wood County, Texas to celebrate our family.  For the last few years we have met at the Sharon Baptist Church.  Doris Swann Woodard, Toodle( Terry), Worm ( Ronnie ) Swann and Melissa Woodard are the latest Swanns to take on the task of preparation for our big event.   There is much behind the scenes work that must be done to make our reunion happen.    Our thanks to them for the festive decorations, fantastic food, great auction and wonderful day!   I would also like to give recognition and thanks to all the past years of hard work done by many family members...starting with the brothers and sisters....to ensure our family unity stays intact.  Does anyone remember when we started this?  The first one I remember was at Hogg State Park in Quitman I think.   That was in about....1974?  I remember Missy was a baby and sat in Uncle Vern's lap most of the day.  That would have been about 35 or so years ago.  If anyone knows the answer to that or any past reunion info email me and I will update that...  
Anyone wanting to post comments can do so by clicking the comments link at the end of this blog...or you can click this link and it will direct your comments to me and I will be glad to post them for you.  
To reply to Swann Reunion Post click here 


You can click on each picture to enlarge it and if you want
a copy ...right click on the picture and save to your computer

 Our festive decorations that were perfect for the day.  
Cinco de Mayo





Swanns began to trickle in mid- morning and around noon we were ready to begin our feast.  This year we had chicken and beef fajitas with all the fixin's, hot dogs from the grill, taco salad, black eyed pea salad, coconut cake, fresh strawberry pie, peanut butter fudge and  mini cheesecakes.  We had lemonade, cold drinks and delish sweet tea!  What did I leave out?   It was a feast fit for Swanns.  :)     


 Lining up for our feast

Not only were we busy savoring each delicious bite, we were also enjoying some time of fellowship with each other.  Each year some of us are missing in action due to schedules or illness and reunion time is such a nice way to catch up. 


 Brub ( Gerald Wayne), Uncle Dorman
and Aunt Mary 

 Larry, Reggie, Aunt Fran and Aunt Mary

 Julie, Brub's wife and Uncle Eugie

 Uncle Dorman, Will Burke and Aunt Mary

I was our roving photographer of course...and managed to get some family shots...

 
 Jennifer and Jerry

 Sherry and Lori

 Kay and Laney

 Vickie and Reg

 Uncle Eugie and Elaine


 When Swanns get together the first thing you notice is how many 
Swann Beauties we have..  God certainly blessed our family when it comes to 
the looks department. Regardless if they are Swanns by blood or Swanns of our hearts we thank God for the beauty that graces our family.    So let's give tribute to our Swann Beauties. ( I wish I had more...next year ya'll hunt me down so I can get your picture.)  

 Aunt Joy Swann Walsh

 Sherry Lynn Walsh
Daughter of Aunt Joy

 Lori Walsh
Daughter of Aunt Joy

 Brenda Swann Llewallen
Daughter of Aunt Jo and Uncle Vern Swann


 Vickie Swann
wife of Reggie Swann

 Aunt Fran Swann
wife of Uncle Eugie

 Aunt Mary Swann
Wife of Uncle Dorman Swann

 Doris Swann Woodard
Daughter of Uncle Jelly ( Gerald) and Aunt Bugs ( Marie) Swann

 Elaine Swann Abbott
Daughter of Uncle Eugene and Aunt Fran Swann


Monica Llewallen Carpenter
Daughter of Brenda Swann Llewallen

Jennifer
Daughter of Donnie and Pat Swann

If anyone else got  reunion pics would you please send them to me...and I will update
this post with them. 
Click here to reply to Swann Reunion post

In our handsome Swann men category ( by birth or the heart)  I have a few pics

 Larry Abbott...married to Elaine Swann and
Reggie Swann

Brub and Uncle Dorman Swann

 Eugie Swann
Our most senior Swann at the family reunion

Jerry Swann 
Son of Donnie and Pat Swann

 Dustin....son of Vickie Swann

Monica's son Grayson... clearly the winner
The Auction
Every year we hold a really fun auction to raise funds for our next reunion.  Toodle (Terry) was our auctioneer again this year and did a fantastic job.  We had some great items donated.   A little reminder not to forget each year to bring things that can be auctioned for our fundraiser.   A big family THANKS to all those who brought great items including crosses, jewelry, framed heirloom pictures of Mama and Papa Swann...love the little trailer birdhouse...and all the home made jams and relishes.   I did some fancy bidding myself to get two jars of Doris' homemade strawberry jelly.   ;) 

Let the bidding begin!

Terry Lee ( Toodle)  Our Auctioneer

 Uncle Dorman outbids to get a framed picture of Mama and Papa Swann and
Uncle Eugie has lots of jars of home made squash pickles from Aunt Joy and
homemade strawberry jalapeno jelly from Doris.  

 Auction Energy


 After the Auction it is time for a family group shot.  Everyone is so agreeable and helpful when it comes to family photo time.  hint hint ;)  Your photographer appreciates that.


 Mary and I took turns taking the picture so I am including 
one of each

There was a bit of time for chatting and play before we said our 
goodbyes...  

 Whoa...whats going on?  What am I doing here? I look in pain... 
someone get a doctor....  no wait...

 Oh...basketball... Lori's idea.   ;)  
Her shot looks better than mine.  lol

Lori is our resident coach... More game playing. 

 Enjoying the afternoon

 Group shot
Lori, Elaine, Joy and Vickie


Our most senior family member, Uncle Vern Swann, 
could not attend our family reunion
this year so Larry and I stopped by to visit him 
and tell him all about it. He had lots of questions about everyone and
 missed not being able to attend.  
We love you Uncle Vern!

 A little nostalgia... This is the pond at Uncle Vern's house.  
Brought back lots of memories as a kid.  Uncle Vern and Aunt Jo
were kid magnets.  :) 

 Reg and I on Uncle Vern's front porch

 Uncle Vern's dog... He was nice...  :) 

 Relaxing a bit at Reg and Vickie's before we headed back to Garland


 It was a great day...and we enjoyed spending time with our wonderful family.
Until next year!  

If you did not attend this year....you were missed!   Please come next year,
the first Saturday in May at the Sharon Baptist Church off of Hwy 37 just out of Winnsboro.   If you have Swann Reunion questions send them to 

Please feel free to share this link with other family members  
The Swanns...Birds of a feather flock together 

Your roving Family Photographer and Blogster... Elaine ( Laney)  Swann Abbott  
 
The Swanns

JOYMOUNTAIN

JOYMOUNTAIN