finally back to Oxford

After a year break, we finally made it back to Oxford for our summer visit to Uncle Britton and Aunt CoCo's. Last time we were there, this was our family photo ...

And, the last time we were there, it was a construction zone - literally ... plans included putting up a kitchen ceiling and a beam to replace a load-bearing wall. This time, it was more about singing and dancing on the wonderfully laid floors and in the finished bedrooms, kitchen, and front of the house ...

... including the new nursery for BJ (Baby Jones).

The light over BJ's crib that Uncle Britton really loves (a.k.a. is getting used to since Aunt CoCo loves it) ...

Last time, this room sported a table saw and 14 lbs of sawdust to boot,

this was only a vision of a kitchen before, and

this bathroom was also unfinished during our last visit.

From Friday to Sunday we ... spent time inside, rolling balls, running after Lydia who HAD to find out where Angie (the dog) was at all times, doing art projects, and eating great home-cooked meals.

We also went to AJ's so Lydia could do her best lemon face since this is where we took Eden's lemon face photo 3 years ago.

On Saturday, Granddaddy and CC came up for Courtney's shower (post to come) - and Granddaddy was quite impressed with Lydia's mad ball skills.

Lydia was also a big help, testing all the new baby equipment for her cousin!

Britton enjoyed his Bjorn so much, he walked around with Lydia for 10 minutes or so - and Lydia was a good sport, cooperating the whole time.

On Saturday after the shower, Eden went with Ashley and Courtney antiquing. This is the outside bed swing that we saw and took Eden's picture on 2 years ago, in Taylor, MS.

We also celebrated Lydia's birthday (for the third time) so the Jones family could participate ... cupcakes from a local bakery.

mmmmm - she got a shower right after, with chocolate in her hair, eyebrows, and fingernails ...

We closed all the doors down the hall, and Lydia had fun showing everyone how good she has gotten at walking, or running depending on what was at the end of the hall (and figuring out how to open the vent cover).

And Eden enjoyed the freedom of going outside to play with Angie in the backyard whenever she wanted.

We're glad to have been able to get back to Oxford, having missed last year for an understandable reason. We look forward to louder and more hectic years to come ... and to adding more people to the family pic!