Happy Birthday Lisa Ladd!

Well ,with a Family this large we have another birthday. As you can see we have corrupted Lisa ( my apologies to Cory). She now has the BIG blonde hair and tube top, yep fitting right in! Happy Birthday Lisa! I know you had a good one!

Hey Ya'll

I am still basking in the afterglow. I find myself reliving so many moments from the reunion. What a feeling it is, to be blessed with so many new friends. My family is made up of wonderful people, with giving hearts and loving souls.

I love you all.

Orrin

pssst, I quit smoking again last Sunday ^__^
I am givin myself an ataboy

Snapfish!

I made us a Snapfish account so that we can upload pictures there, and then also order prints and other stuff with the photos on them. That way everyone can get copies. The link and log-in information is on the right.

Start uploading there, rather than on the photobucket. I will work on transfering the current photobucket photo's to the new Snapfish account.

PS: I MISS YA'LL!

(I got the ya'll down! Hillbilly is rubbing off on me already!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENNAH!

Happy Birthday Brennah! The big 18! Now you're FREE...and legal for MOST things...including going to jail if you screw up! LOL! (just kidding Jodi, we know that would never happen). I do remember crying for that very reason when I turned 18 though!!! Hope you had a great day Brennah! Love you lots and have enjoyed watching you grow up. Seems like no time since we traveled to Jackson TN to see you born, and then visiting back and forth. We sure did enjoy making you say things that would make your Mom shiver with fear!!! You were always up for it too! Now you do it without our help!!!!
Enjoy LIFE!
Love, Aunt Sandi

C'MON CUZINS-AUNTS-UNCLES!

Okay everyone....I know the BIG meet is over, but we still want to hear from everyone! People hit this site all the time, but they are not writting! I want to know what everyone is up to!? Hey...someone needs to ask Jodi about her "goose" encounter! She seems to be taking over the kind of life situation I used to find myself in! (through no fault of my own of course).

Hope everyone is enjoying these hot summer days!

Post your pics!

Hey Sarah, when you get time, can you post your pics of the reunion in the photo bucket? Any one else that took pics, please get 'em in there! I'd love to see them all! Thanks.

hey

Hey, I heard you guys had a party......why didn't someone call me?

Dave

WE'RE ALL SO NICE!

It seems like a lot of you are using your phone list! How can our whole family be so nice? I feel like I'm in the twilight zone or maybe we should all be on a 1950's sitcom. Now THAT WOULD BE FUNNY!!!!Just imagine what that would be like! Jodi could be the sweet and likeable worrier, Sandi would be Lucy, Jimmy is the scary neighbor, Cathi gets that surprised look everytime Sandi is around, Donna just laughs all the time(everyone thinks she drinks) Vicki and Dennis are the proffessional couple, Mandi is the natural blonde,everyone wonders how Cory got the hot wife,Orrin is the philosopher,Gail never comes out because she is playing a game,Aud Shirl and Earnie wonder about this generation.Sarah just roams from house to house with that curious frown line,Evona and Francis call a lot (because they're in Ca.) and Cloud and I are the normal ones! Yeah! I like it!

Jodi makes scores again!

Jodi-thanks again for another great slide show! I got it to come up full screen, (still don't know how I did that), but it was really cool seeing everyone in costume! Thanks for working on that. I love it! .....and just in case someone else has viewed it, she didn't leave anyone out....she has to go back and see why it dropped some of the pics. So don't start counting yet. Thanks Jodi. I would help you if I could, but I don't know nuthin' bout birfin' no slide shows!
Love ya!

Amazing Family

Mom and I are home now. We talked about family for a long time on the way home. It is a 2 day trip. We both agree that are family is one in a million. I'm so thankful and proud to call you all, "my family". The stories I heard were generally funny and sometimes sad and sometimes just plain crazy. And yes Sandi, sometimes vague............we'll just let some of those r.i.p.
I think, I've not only rekindled relationships with family I grew up with, but also made some grand friendships with those I just got to know. I hope we all continue to grow our relationships, new and old. You all hold a huge place in my heart. And life is just too short to let them just lay stagnent. So I say "Let's get the next party rolling".
I miss you all already!

Donna

Memories, sweeten thru the ages just like wine

From an Elvis song:

"Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened thru the ages just like wine...."

Tomorrow morning I leave Michigan and head back to California. I've had a wonderful visit with my mom and siblings here and got to share with them, the wonderful memories I have from the reunion.

What an amazing gathering we had! For many years I had hoped that this would happen and it finally pulled together with the persistance from some amazing ladies. Now that we've done it, it should be easier to make it happen year after year.

Living in California I am far away from my immediate family and it hasn't been easy to visit them over the years. There was a time I hadn't seen my mom and brothers and sisters for nearly six years. When I finally did I made a vow to myself to not let that much time go by again. I try to see them every year and I've come pretty close. After the visit I would cry and cry when it was time to go. The love in our family runs deep and pulls at the heart when we must tear apart. I would be so sad that my "vacation" was over and I had to return home to the routine things. Then one day my perspective changed. Instead of being sad that it was over, I realized how blessed I was to have the opportunity to visit. Since then, each time I get to visit my family my heart soars as I receive another blessing. Yes, I miss them dearly when we are apart but recognizing that blessing eases the pain a bit as I aniticpate the next blessing.

I am so thankful that we all got to spend a few days together. We laughed and we shared. It doesn't get any better than that! As we live our lives we work and do our best to live and accumulate the things that are important to each of us. The one thing that is unique to each person is the memory of the experience. Yes, we all went to the reunion and experienced it together, but the memory that each of us took away is unique to the person. And that makes it a masterpiece! The definition of "Sacred" is something who's value can not be measured. The gift that each of us is given is a period of time in this life. Once we spend that time it can not be taken back. When I spend "time" with someone I recognize that they are giving something to me that is in short supply and they can not take it back. I realize how Sacred and precious that time is and I am so thankful that I get to share in it.

I am not one to dwell in the past. I try not to pine over lost opportunities or regrets. The past I can not change, it's gone, therefore I focus on this moment and the moments to come. I have my memories to cherish and look forward to the memories to come. In the end our lives will be measured by the moments we touch others. We become part of someone's memories.

I have learned a lot in this life. I've had to go inward to understand the challenges presented to me and then dig up the strength to meet that challenge. It was extremely difficult but the single most important thing that gave me the courage and strength was my family. I thank God every night.

Our family is as solid as a mountain and I truly feel blessed to have each and every one. I love the memories that I have and look forward to the memories to come. So, let's all make a vow to do this again. Let's start planning for the next time that we can get together and make some beautiful memories!

I love each and every one of you and am so thankful to have you in my life.

Yeah, I can be ohhh so corny

I just caint help m'self

I hope Dennis & Jim will sing it next year!

THE BALLAD OF THE LADD CAFE

Come and listen to a story about a clan named Ladd
They wanted to get together, oh so bad
Then one day the girls put it all together
So we headed south in hot muggy weather
(Reunion that is, smiling faces, happy hearts)

Well the first ya know there’s a party goin on
Kin folk huggin & tellin stories till dawn
Said “Arkansas is the place ya oughta stay
Ya’ll load up yer trucks and move down to Bay”
(Arkansas that is, cotton fields and & Ladd’s Café)

Too soon it was time to say goodbye to the Ladds and all our kin
We just can’t thank you enough for letting us drop in
If we’re invited back again to this locality
We’ll need extra days, but that’s a formality
(Laddbillies, that’s what they call us now,
Great folks!!! Y’all come back now, ya hear?!?)

AGAIN!

So its all over. When are we going to do this again? I had such an amazing time, and can't believe what a great family was on my dad's side of the family. You all are such great people and I am so happy I got to meet you. Now all I can think about is when will it happen again. I had so much fun, and just wanna see everyone. I wish that we lived near everyone. Even my mom was shocked! I still wish everyone would've worn the hillbilly outfits to scare my mom!

Also,

Thanks to everyone who has helped in this reunion. It wouldn't have happened with out you. Everyone has made it seem like I knew them my entire life. It was an amazing experience, and I hope it can happen again. Asa and Brennah, thanks for taking me with you places. The fireworks were really fun. Now Brennah knows not to leave Asa in the car with her keys!!! You guys made me feel like you were my siblings. I had a great time and can't wait to see you again!

Thanks!!!!

FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!

We had so much fun!!! We just got back from our convention and are worn out but are so glad we got to come to Northeast Arkansas and see everyone! and I can't stop talking in exclamation points!! Let's do the next one at the beach or lake and just rent a big house and some condos so we can just hang out and stay up all night together!!!!

ATTENTION MISS JOODEEE!

Do you think you could put the little slide show on the side of the blog page so we don't loose it ??? I mean really...I've watched it about 20 times all ready! If you can't do that, can you keep it on top? I'm sure everyone would agree with that!

WE WERE DEFINATELY NOTICED!!!

Just had to let you all know that I wore my "Glad to be a Ladd" T Shirt to church tonight. Would you believe 2 women saw my shirt and said they wondered what was going on uptown! They said they drove by and saw a group of guys dressed like gangsters, drove by again, and saw the gals in slinky dresses and feathers....went back to get their kids, and drove by to look at us FOUR times! The officer on duty said he drove by all night long just to look (I told the Chief not to even think of bothering us!) Then I had two calls at home tonight asking me who all those people were and why were they dressed like that?! Any way, after I was approached at church about it, everyone gathered around and wanted me to tell them all about it, and wanted to know who all was there. (most of the old timers could make the connection to everyone). One lady started describing the way we were dressed better than I could!! Then several said they wished they had been invited! Too funny!

Back home in CA

Francis and I finally made it home about 3:00a.m. this morning. Many things to do today to catch up on work, but I just can't get all you guys off my mind. Yes, Debbey, I know how you feel, sad and happy at the same time...it's crazy. I just don't know the words either to say right now. My heart is so full, but I will try. This was a dream come true for me! I will never ever forget it. We shared so many memories and yes I do love all the stories and the history of our family. I kept thinking, if only my dad were here, he would share some stories, but for those who did know him, they can tell you that he would have shared the same stories over and over again! lol...but he did love all his family soooo much.

First I want to say, thank you again to all those that worked so hard on this event. It was perfect. I love that we were able to sit in the "Ladd Cafe" as long as wanted and to share our lives with each other. Where else could we have been that comfortable. Yes, the mosquitoes were hungry and I'm not sure who got the most bites me or Lisa...I think I counted about 10 on each leg!!

Jodi, Brent, Brennah & Kelsie, thank you so much for sharing your home with us and for picking us up at the airport. You went above and beyond and we thank you. Jodi, I watched you work so hard getting all this together and I know it took much planning before we all got there...you are awesome.

Debbey & Cloud, what a wonderful job you did on the Mystery Dinner. We enjoyed that so much. Debbey, thank you too for all the work you did putting this together and for the thoughtful gifts you gave us. It's great to have all the names & addresses of everyone. Vicki and Mandi so glad to see you again too and Mandi's sons. Also was very nice to meet Dennis. Loved his singing, kinda got us all stirred up "Hell No" lol.

Sandi, what can I say, you are the life of the party, what would we have talked about if you didn't have so many interesting stories. Thanks for making me laugh so much that my sides hurt. And Jack, thanks for marrying her 4 or 5 times, it made for such a great story. Lori, it was wonderful to see you and your beautiful daughters again too.

Jim & Charlotte, loved your singing and who would have thunk it....Charlotte can really shake that thing! Asa, what a handsome guy you are and Breann it was so good to see you and Ransom again too.

Sarah so good to see you again and hear more family history, Orrin and Gail Shailee, I can't believe I finally met you after all these years. Orrin, you're so handsome but when you cross your eyes you look a little scary lol and Gail, yes you do look so much like Gabby. It was so much fun getting to know you both.

Cory you were only 3 when I met you and look at you now. Loved visiting with you and Lisa and Dylan. You guys are so much fun can't wait to party with you again.

Donna & Cathi, so glad I got to see you both again. We've been together a few times over the years, but it's just so fun to get to know you better. It was nice to finally meet Louis also.

Gabby, Arlene & Gail so nice to see you again and to meet Kendall. Gabby, you look so much like my dad now I didn't know whether to hug you or cry, so I did both. Can't wait to see you all again.

Bob, thank you for driving us back to the airport and for all you did.
Aunt Aud...thanks for being our fearless leader...you look great in your tiara. Thanks for dinner our last day there.
Aunt Shirley....thanks for driving all the way from Fla. It would't have been the same without you.
Aunt Earnie....thanks for the family history stories, and the great food you prepared for us.

I love you all so much and I hope I didn't forget anyone, cause you all made this so special for me. And this is only a little of how I feel. Okay, I'll stop now, cause you probably already quit reading it anyway. lol...

I just love you all too much to know how to put it into words.

Thank you all for the memories, for the laughter...and for the love.

We have the most wonderful family in the world...and I wish you all the best life has to offer.

Jodi

Ladd Reunion: We're back in U.S. of Texas

Ladd Reunion: We're back in U.S. of Texas

We're back in U.S. of Texas

Howdy all,We got in last night around midnight.We stopped in on Gails (and Jodi's)in-laws before we left.Everything went smooth.We want to thank all ya'll for everything and making this first re-union everything we thought it would be.Sure was good seeing everyone.I'm especially glad to see Dylan.It was like looking back into the past and seeing Cory as a thirteen year old. Well just remember that just because we are winding down,doesnt mean we have to let this thing go obsolete.It wont be hard to come in and make a small entry from time to time and let us all know whats up.Jim,I enjoyed sitting in with ya'll.Maybe next time I can remember the words .LOL.And Ernie,thanks for taking me off my diet with that breakfast.Good seeing Aud & Family & Cathi & Lew, Shirl& Donna again as well as Sarah,Orrin and Gail S...Cory & Lisa,I think we will be up there around Christmas so I'll get the address to your place and maybe I can spend a couple of days with you..Evonna,tell Jerry & Vernon that we expect them here on the blog some too.Jodi,Deb,Sandi and all the add-ons (kids) it wouldnt have happened without your hard work.Ok,I'm outta here before I spoil my image,so I'll catch ya'll later...:)

THOSE WHO CAN'T MAKE IT :(

For those of you who can't make it in....we will be talkin' bout ya! It will all be nice tho. Maybe we can post some pics afterwards and we can try this whole thing again some time. It would be so wonderful if the whole clan could make it in, but for those of you that can't....start thinking of the next time!
We will be thinking of yaw.
Love, Sandi

phone numbers

Here are some numbers you may need when you get to Jonesboro:
Jodi-home 870-9315315
cell 870-243-4740
Sandi- 870-919-6036
A.Aud 870-931-2151
A.Earnie h.870-781-3520
c.870-243-1917
hol.inn 870-935-2030

Thanks Everyone!

The T-shirts are here, the food has been ordered and the big event is almost here. I just want to thank everyone for staying in touch and helping this become an actuality. It's still hard for me to imagine what it's going to be like when we're all together.

For the folks about to make the journey to Arkansas, please drive safely--I just can't wait to see ya!

For everyone locally who has worked so hard to help bring this together...thanks from the bottom of my heart. I'd be lost without you.

Love you guys so much!
Jodi

READY?

Start packing! It's almost time!