2016 Family Pictures!!

 

EY Entrepreneur of the Year - Nationals in Palm Springs, CA

As you can read by earlier this year, Jonathan Jones won the EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the Gulf South Region (TX, LA and MS)!! There were roughly 35 finalists, of which there were only 10 winners, and THE ONE AND ONLY from Mississippi!!!

"Jonathan Jones was named the 2016 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Diversified and Industrial Products for the Gulf Coast region at the awards gala last night in Houston, TX. The EY Entrepreneur of the Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. Jonathan was nominated for the award in February 2016. After receiving the nomination, Jonathan submitted a series of essays describing business initiatives, company culture, financial information, community involvement and more. Over the next few months, Jonathan underwent a series of interviews by a panel of judges made up of previous winners, CEO's, private capital investors and other regional business leaders. As a regional winner, Jonathan is eligible for consideration for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year national awards, which will be announced on November 19, 2016 in Palm Springs, CA."

And so we went... Palm Springs!! E&Y certainly puts on quite a show for this specific event! The nights were themed, the days were set and the location was amazing. There were back-to-back speakers, ranging from Jack Nicklaus to Koby Bryant to Will Smith to Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank and entertainment by JOURNEY! Seriously, win or lose, to be at the event as a nominee for the national award is an award in and of itself!!

Jonathan ended up being a finalist of 5 in his category nationally, which is a HUGE deal considering there are 100+ across the country. Then, of the 5, one is chosen for the category... then one overall across 5 categories of industries. The winner of our category was a $10B+ market cap (yes, that's $10 BILLION). So quite honestly, we were all just thrilled he was in the top 5 of that category! The night was emceed by Seth Myers (who was hysterical I might add... I always thought he was annoying until seeing him in person and truly he was a funny guy), who announced the overall winner who was none other than J.W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr. Yes, that would be the son of the founder of Marriott. And quite the coincidence, we were staying at Marriott resort for the event!! Marriott International employees number 365,000+! Whoa!! This sweet older man was humbled by the award and very well deserved!! When we exited the event, E&Y already had a published magazine with Mr. Marriott and all other finalists featured. See below.

What a truly amazing event to be involved with!! I'm hopeful we continue to return to this event and one day win nationally!!

Getting ready for WHITE TECHNO NIGHT! Jonathan almost died when he heard the theme (I assume...bc he LOVVVES some techno.;);). He got so many compliments on those shoes...:) heehee. The kids loved helping us pack (not helping us leave though...:)).

The Coleys and Duhons!

Yummers! Donut wall on Journey night!

Frying funnel cakes with several toppings, donut wall, assorted gourmet popcorn, a candy bar, a coffee bar and cotton candy station? Don't mind if I do. I'm taking notes for Ceci's wedding reception one day!

"Don't stop believin!!!"

Hi, Fresh Prince!!

Our exec team!! Coleys, Duhons, Joneses, Weavers

My handsome man!

And the winner... Mr. Marriott.

Kristy, Paula and I getting down on the donut wall! Busted!

Jonathan was featured in the magazine as being a finalist. We were all OH SO PROUD!! What he and Jonathan have done has been nothing short of amazing!!

Christmas & NYE 2016!!

We had so much fun this year with the kiddos!! Ahhhh, what a holiday season! So much going on, so busy yet so fun! I tell myself that every year I will soak it in more... stop, relax, hot chocolate and the Grinch... then one day goes by, then the next, then the next, then the next.:( I do enjoy staying busy but at times I wish I could scale it back just a smidge. I do think the kiddos (I hope) enjoy the hustle and bustle of the season, which includes LOTS of kid parties, Santa sightings, and candy canes!! I love these sweet babies to my core, and I just hope that when it's all said and done, they know how much Jonathan and I love them so. 

"Their" tree! We have had two trees going on 3 years. This is one full of hard work and memories... pre-K and handmade ornaments! Beyond special. They decorate it and decide where everything goes. Joseph only knocked it down once this year.

Field trip FUN! My girl and I at the Children's Museum in Jackson for a field trip!

Mamma gave Ceci a gingerbread kit for her birthday, so we decided we would all have fun with this!!

Santa sighting! The Woodfin's annual Christmas party in Bellegrass!

Time to get ready for Ceci's first big Christmas program and performance in kindergarten!! (Our "other" tree)

BDS Christmas Program. So so sweet.

After the big program with her besties, Vera and Bennett Blair

Boys will be boys... TRUTH! All true brothers!!

Another Santa sighting at the Jones Companies Christmas party!!

SWEET, sweet Coley girls at the Jones Co party

Christmas karaoke at BDS! "Who Let the Elves Out?!?"

Tacky sweater party FUN!!!

Another fun party!! Sweet KD friend pic!!

Getting LOW on the floor!

Jennifer Pattie, Whitney Bounds, Rachel Jussley, Arlean Sackler, Holly Rogers, Katie Dixon, Courtney Nichols, Erin Miller

Wrapping presents is tough work!

PJ Party at the Pals!! Duhons, Paladichuks, Waterses and Hartels!

Christmas service with besties!

I'm sorry but who doesn't think this is THE best Christmas album of all time? I grew up on this album during all of Christmas... and it stuck. Stuck because it's amazing and because, let's face it, Elvis is THE MAN!

Cookies and milk for Santa!!

Christmas morning!! Oh so fun!!!!!!!!

American Girl Doll of the Year, Lea!

Mr. Man getting all the things he asked for!:)

Oh, and this little man woke up with a fever! Eeeek. We got through it. He still had fun.:)

Santa always leaves the BEST notes!!;)

Daddy got a fun happy t-shirt from a co-worker who apparently knows him too well! I told Dad to "make a serious face" for his Game of Thrones tee!

AAAAAAANDDD..... the highlight of our holiday vacation!;) Our super fun and always a hot mess bestie, Derek Gillaspy! He came in the day after Christmas and left on Jan 2nd. He's a hoot. One of Jonathan's best friends in high school then Ole Miss Kappa Sig fraternity brother (Jon treasurer and Gillaspy president), these two have been thick as thieves for years and years. We just love him. He always gives us a good laugh with his fun and lighthearted spirit and also lets us live vicariously through him since he's on the "scene" both dating and social. 

Gillaspy meet Ed's, Ed's meets Gillapsy...:)

The kids absolutely ADORED Mr. Derek. Mr. Derek definitely earned his keep... from wrestling with all 3, to playing ball with Les, to coloring pics with Ceci, he was "all in!!"

Arm bar? Go Ceci!!

Looks like Mr. Derek could only take two at a time, giving Joseph the heisman...!

Then Joseph got his Mr. Derek time!;)

Just taking baths on New Years... One bathed, dressed and ready for bed only to be told by big brother "get back in..." Mama wasn't a happy camper! Brothers in crime.