JoAnn's Halloween Utility Apron

My sister started a little crafting blog not too long ago to share projects that she is working on, mainly with crochet.  Tonight I saw that she posted some new pictures of a utility apron that she made to wear to work at the craft store she works at.  Everything she makes, she pretty well designs herself and I'm always so impressed.  I thought I'd put a link here so that you could check it out, if you want to see her handiwork.  Her birthday is October 30th, so she's always been a little attached to Halloween, which is part of the explanation for the effort she put into this themed apron.
Click the link below to see her post:
JoAnn's Halloween Utility Apron For Work

Some More Towels

 Here are the two requested pictures that I didn't include.  We went to the pool yesterday so I was sure to get a couple quick shots.  Bron loves, loves her towel.  She knows it's hers.  :)

Elijah spent about half of the time at the pool wrapped up in his towel because he got himself nice and cold during the first half of our time there.  Sorry, Mom, that you can't see the diver because he's standing in front of it.  But isn't that towel just the right size for him?

Beach Towels!

We had a really fun package arrive in the mail last week.  My mom ordered all of the children beach towels!  They're so beautiful and fun!  We had to take some pictures to show you how great they are, Grammy.

You can't really see her name, but I love this towel.  Amelia adores it.  :)

Sting Rays for Calvin!

The towel holder decided he was missing out by not being included in these pictures.

Not that we're going to the beach.  But we've been visiting the local pool once a week and they will be so helpful.  Thanks so much, Mom!

Anna and Leslie

I wanted to post a few photos of the time we got to spend with Peter's sisters. Following are some pictures of our visit to see Peter's youngest sibling, Anna, husband Walt and four children.

The boys played a little football in their front yard.

We enjoyed a pizza lunch with them.

Near the end of our trip we got to attend church with Peter's other sister, Leslie.  Her husband, John, plays the organ for the worship service and it was wonderful to get to hear him and see what their church was like.  Afterwards, we followed them home to see their new house, eat lunch and spend the afternoon with them.

John especially loves to cook.  He is a very good cook.  We always get a good meal when we're there.  This time he made a mediterranean Moussaka that was fabulous.  It might be the first time I've had cooked eggplant and genuinely loved it.  He gave me the recipe so I can try it too.

Their new place is on four acres... 

...which I think their dogs love.

We're so thankful for the chance to fellowship with these dear family members, be it ever so brief.

Before we left, Leslie wanted Elijah to open his birthday present that she'd got for him.

I think John had given her the idea that Star Wars was a good idea.  He was certainly correct. 

Grandpa and Grandma Jones

 The third and last stop on our southern journey this January was in Mississippi, near Holly Springs.  Peter's parents live there and his two sisters live within a short drive also.

 What we did:  Yahtzee with Grandpa Jerry...

 ...Memory Matching with Grandma Betty...

 ...watch Grandpa dance a jig with Grandma...

 ...coloring...

 ...play doh...

 ...and watch cartoons.

You can tell by the looks on their faces that they are enjoying the program.  I think it was Tom and Jerry.

Quite a bit of time was spent outside, of course.  The older boys spent most of their time fishing in the ponds on the adjoining property.

 This is the view of that property.  Ahhh...rural Mississippi.  The landscape is idyllic.

The days were a bit chilly and so this was one of the few times that it was warm enough for Bronwyn to "play" outside.

We're all so thankful that the Lord provided the opportunity for us to spend these sweet days with Peter's Dad and Mom.  It means so much just to be in their company and for the children to get to know them.  This was the real goal of our trip and the Lord worked everything out for that to be the case. Peter's mom has been chronically ill for about 11 years.  Her improvement since the last time we visited was remarkable.  It was such a delight to see her doing activities with the children, talking and eating with us.  She was unable to do any of these things last time.  We found much to be thankful for in this time of fellowship.

 

Bayfront Park, Jackson's Oak and at home with the Joneses

Here is a proper picture of Peter's brother and family, the Mitchell Jones Family.

 After a morning of touring the USS Alabama and then a midday rest and lunch at home, our hosts/family took us to the lovely Bayfront Park.  We walked a trail leading to a beach area on the bay between the city that they live in, Daphne, and Mobile.

 There were many novelties (for northerners) to enjoy, including spanish moss hanging from the trees...

...bayou/marshland...

 ...alligator warnings...

 ...and palmettos!

 The baby cousins.

 Taking off our shoes and playing in the sand (in January) was pretty novel to us northerners also.

 Peter and Mitchell.

 Bridge across the bay and some of the high rises of Mobile.

 It was warm, but not that warm.  We tried to keep them from getting too wet.

 Elijah was delighted with the sand.  His smile here has partly to do with the fact that he has found a golf ball and "hidden" it with sand.

 Somebody else was less excited about the feel of the sand on her feet.

 All of the girls.

 Peter took this nice picture of the water/trees/sky with the setting sun's light on them and the moon hanging there.

 He also got this picture of the giant live oak tree that we saw before we left.  It is a good picture considering the lighting was so bad because the sun had set.  However, it doesn't begin to do justice to this amazing tree, named Jackson's Oak.  My sister-in-law told me that it has been there since the 1700's.  It is one of several that escaped the burning of much of the south in the Civil War.

 Back at the Jones house, the girls disappeared and never came back!  They were having so much fun in the bedroom dressing up and playing with cousin Emma's toys!

 My organized sister-in-law, Tessa, had everything so well planned.  They set up three tables in their dining room to fit everyone for meals.  At bed time, we removed two of the tables and laid out bedding on the floor for all of the boys. Tessa cooked for this group of 16 people as if she does it all of the time and her meals were amazing!  She even made us a traditional southern breakfast of Baked Cheese Grits and Conecuh Sausage.  We were so grateful.

 Saying good-by, Elijah and little Ryan gave some hugs.

 And we got a group picture before we departed.

And a picture of the girls to remember what a sweet time they had together.

God bless the Mitchell Jones family for their hospitality!