We've reached the "mimicking stage"

Trying to be like Mommy....

Trying to be like Daddy...

Trying to be like all 3 of my grandpas... (PS...b/c we know he isn't picking this up from Mommy or Daddy)

My inner photographer!

I finally got a new camera! I'm probably gettting a little bit too over the top taking pics but I just can't help it. I love my new camera and lets face it, this little fella just totally attracts it! :)

The night I got it (few weeks ago) I got a crash course lesson from Em. Still have quite a few lessons and playing around to do with it. It's exciting though! Here are some of my camera's first shots as a new wannabe photographer:

How many kiddos can you fit in this vehicle??

The Dowdy children were much more patient with me taking pics than Jackson.

Stay tuned for more Kelly Jones' Photography! :)

Totally Toddler Status

For 14 months I have heard my husband still say that Jackson was in "Alien phase" (he says all babies look like aliens, no offense to any babies by the way, that's my husbands verdict not mine), however I completely disagree. He'd use to say,..."oh he's not eating table food" or "he's not walking" or "he's not talking",...that's why he wasn't even considered a baby or a toddler. HE IS NOW. He is blossoming into a little toddler now. He's been doing table food and sippy cups and such since he was 10 months and started walking right at a year. He loves to feed himself. He actually fusses and reaches for our fork and spoon now if we start feeding him ourselves. Here's him conquering his applesauce.

Mr. Independent brushing his teeth

At his year appointment his pediatrician suggested that now to keep his car seat "rear facing" instead of turning it around. Well we lasted 2 months with that recommendation. We love his pediatrician and usually go by what he suggests, it just wasn't realistic for buddy now. Jackson is getting taller and his feet are pushing at the seat the whole car ride. Doesn't he just look like a big boy in his front facing seat?!

Also,...biggest news: Drum role please,.....

SO LONG PACI!!!!

Lately we've just been giving buddy his paci WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. Well Thursday night came along last week and we had realized that he hadn't used it within the past couple days. So he's lasted almost a week without it,...so hey...Goodbye paci! I do have to admit that I was flying solo with Jackson this Saturday at my cousin's wedding and I brought it with us just in case of a meltdown emergency. Well when he did just started jabbering I resulted to try to it, so I could at least see a portion of the wedding. Well he didn't want to have anything to do with it. I guess he realized he didn't need it anymore,...what a big boy! Now paci,... I will miss you on those special circumstances in the grocery store when Jackson loves to hear himself echo in the cheese aisle, or at restaurants when he has a meltdown because he doesn't want to sit in one place for over 7 minutes, but I do think we're better off without you...thanks for your assistance for the first 13 1/2 months!

Boy has time flown by?! I am sadden at the thought of him not being my baby boy anymore but these past few months have just been really cool. Getting to see him do stuff on his own and be his own self. It's amazing to see him develop into a little toddler. What a blessing! :)

Welcome to the Jones Family!!

I have a new sister-in-law. A week and a half later after the wedding, I'm finally doing a post and am still SO incredibly excited. Zack and Meghann tied the knot Saturday, August 1st at 2:00pm at Bethel Baptist Church. It was an absolutely beautiful ceremony. They sang "Looking in the eyes of love" and it was AMAZING! I know they were probably nervous about that but they totally nailed it! The bride was stunning, Meghann looked like a princess and the groom very handsome.

PS: Look at these 2 cuties! That is one good looking best man and nephew of the groom! <3>

The happy couple sharing their first dance! :)

Kisses for buddy! He just looked so handsome, how could you not!?

For the record, before you see the next picture I do need to make something completely clear! Kendra and I only used the window paint to write cutesy little things on the windows of Meghann's car. The boys however did all this:

I guess a wedding isn't the same without trashing the newly happy couple's car, right? The groomsmen are the guilty party for this one! Painting the license plate, writing "HELP ME" backwards over the front windshield so they could read it from the inside, birdseed EVERYWHERE, hot tamales, toilet paper, and skittles everywhere, shaving cream inside and out,...oh my. And for last finishing (like that wasn't sufficient enough already for a get-away car), my daddy pulls out caution tape he had in his truck. It gave it a little something extra I think-haha! I think the couple will have birdseed in their car for the next few months!

It was an amazing day and such an eye-opener to see God's work at hand. Zack and Meghann are a perfect match. We knew the first time we met her that she was the one for Zack. They are so in love and happy and we are so lucky to now have her as a part of our family. We love you guys and best wishes for a happy future!!!!

4 Years!

4 years ago today,...we were waiting to say I DO! :)

Today is our 4 year wedding anniversary!

On Josh's birthday I went on and on about all that I loved about my husband so I won't do that right now. However it has been an amazing 4 years and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the future. In the past 4 years we have bought our first house together, bought family vehicles, and most importantly had our little Jackson! We have shared so many memorable moments and I wouldn't trade one second of it.

Happy anniversary hunnie! I love you! <3