Jenny D. McNeal, almost CPA

Jenny has worked with us for 6 years.   She came to work part time right out of high school while she attended college - first PJC and then Texas A & M Commerce.  When Jenny started working with us, I knew she was very smart and observant when she dubbed me the "cool mom" (hear that Courtney?) even though I consider myself an older sister :)  We all took care of her and have watched her grow up.  Jenny was the main one who helped me so much for the eighteen months we lived in Arkansas.  She would get all of my work as it came in, and scan it in for me.  I am thankful that she did that for me so that I could work from home!!

We have all watched as Jenny got engaged, then married, bought a house, became an aunt, graduated with her masters, and all the other little things along the way...and now all of her hard work has paid off and she has passed all four of her CPA exams!!  Jenny got the news last week while she was on vacation in Florida.  Needless to say she was super excited and what a perfect way to end her trip to Panama City!  Just a few more little details to finish up before her title of Certified Public Accountant is official.

We all wanted to do something special for Jenny since she has worked so hard for so long.  We decided to have a Mexican theme potluck meal and to decorate her office - in her favorite color of course.  So Monday night, Courtney and I met Cissy and Laura at the office to decorate for Jenny's arrival back to work on Tuesday.

Cissy and Courtney in action.  Laura was keeping Avery happy.

I found this wreath idea on pinterest.  It is made with a foam pool noodle!  

Jenny D. McNeal, almost CPA

Everyone brought a Mexican dish for potluck.  Jenny was glad to have some Mexican food after a week of sea food.

Curtis crashed the party.  We let him since he fixes our computers when they crash.  He is good to have around every now and then.

Dani, Laura and Jackie

We had Hunter's famous peanut butter cookie cups, sopaipilla cheesecake, and salted caramel chocolate cake which is Jenny's favorite.  Well, it was her favorite.  It might not be now though.  I had never made one and lets just say...it was quite a disaster.  (note to self - NEVER attempt to make caramel from sugar, water and heavy cream EVER again). But I think the sopaipilla cheesecake may have redeemed me?

purple cupcake suckers 

lots of good food

CONGRATULATIONS JENNY, WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!!! You have worked so hard and it has paid off.  We love you!

P.S. Now what is your excuse for not having a baby for us to spoil?

PROM

I am still trying to recuperate from prom.  Courtney had her junior prom on Saturday night.  The junior class is responsible for putting the prom on, so I took off on Friday to help decorate for it.  But it really started for me on Thursday, when I started baking cakes for the cake balls.  My mom came through for me and was a huge help - she baked 3 of the cakes and then came over Friday night and helped me dip all the cake balls in almond bark.  We ended up with a little over 250 cakes balls when we were done Friday night - Red Velvet, Chocolate, White and Lemon.  

Just about all day Saturday was dedicated to getting ready for prom - something I really wasn't expecting.  Things have changed in the last 20 something years since I went to prom (when I did my own hair, makeup, nails, etc).  And with Michael, all I had to do was rent a tux for him and I was done.  Not so easy with a girl.  We went and had toes done, nails done, hair done, makeup done, pictures made, and by the time we did all of that, it was time for prom.  And I helped with the refreshment table at prom, so I was pretty busy while there.  And then stayed a while afterwards to help clean up.

But, Courtney had a good time.  So that made every bit of it worth it!  And, she looked beautiful!

We started Saturday morning at 10am getting our nails done.

 And then it was time for Courtney to get her hair done.  Courtney wore some clip in extensions that made her hair about 4 or 5 inches longer.  

And Shanna helped Courtney with her make up too.  Courtney didn't want to have tons of make up like some of the girls (for which I am thankful).  Shanna did an awesome job on both Courtney's hair and make up.

Courtney is a nail biter.  Which means she didn't have much nail for the french manicure she got.  And she decided she didn't like the way her nails looked, so Shanna saved they day and put some polish on Court's nails to tone down the white.  Next time, we will plan ahead and have Shanna do Court's nails to begin with.

We had just enough time to run through the drive-thru and get a quick bite to eat.  And then it was time to go home and get changed.

Brother and Sister

Courtney and Aaron, her date for prom

Cute couple!

Love this picture!!

Avery made her way in a few of the pictures :)

Courtney and Bailey

Another favorite!

Typical Courtney - on the phone

Avery saying "cheese"

Courtney and BFF Charlie

Courtney, Charlie and Carson

After we went and made pictures, Courtney and Aaron went to a classmates house for a meal (I stole the next few pictures off of Facebook)

Courtney and Kastley

Courtney and Kelby

Prom was at Heritage Hall this year.  The theme was "Putting on the Ritz" and we decorated in a twenties theme.

The red carpet and paparazzi

The refreshment table

Lenita let me borrow her chocolate fountain and it was a big hit

Aaron had forgot Courtney's corsage when he picked her up, but they went to his house and got it before prom.  Very pretty!

Tyler and Hailey

And just for the fun of it (and because I didn't have a blog 3 years ago) here are some pictures from Michael's junior prom.  He took Kelli for his date.