Park Play

Good Morning All,

   Well the old camera didn't do half bad at the park on Saturday. We had a great time running around trying to stay warm.  Little man was all over the place- tunnel, swings, stairs, and the slide with big sister. We enjoyed it, because it is going to get cold here in the next few days. By the end of the week it is  suppose to be in the teens with no chance of snow. Honestly, if it is going to be that cold can't we just have a little white stuff so my kids can play in it for the first time? Have a great week. I will be going back to Louisiana on Thursday so I'll try to post from there.

Christmas Part 2

 At mom's house on Christmas Eve my camera took a turn for the worst. I was only able to take a few photos at all of our Christmas stops. So no group photos of the family, no Christmas lights or close-ups of pretty decorations.  I will have to send off the lens and camera body this week to get fix, so my plan is to dust off the old Rebel that my hubby insisted I keep in case something like that happened. Our New Years Eve and day was spent recuperating on the couch watching college football and washing clothes. And on that note, thank you Tigers for a wonderful finish. I am so ready for next year!  The tree is down and the Mardi Gras decorations are up, although we are probably the only house in our neighborhood sporting purple, gold, and green. Wish us luck. The girls want to take the wagon out and throw beads at all the children, so I'll let you know if they actually talk me into it.

Christmas Part 1

 We are settling back into our routine after our trip home for Christmas. All of us have been pretty sick and I have been a bit overwhelmed with clothes, sickness, presents, preparing for another trip, etc.  Here are a few shots of the extended family at our Christmas party. We have been playing white elephant for several years and the "presents" get worse and worse. This year was really bad. But that's why I love my family. We just like to get together, even if we are exchanging previously viewed DVD's or knife blocks with no knives. It's good clean fun and the wine was a nice addition to the party (Thanks S and G)! The bottom photo is the family at the hotel. It was our home away from home for 10 nights, and this is where we spent our Christmas morning opening presents and eating at the breakfast buffet. Good Times. Stay tuned for part 2.

Santa Not Included

   So, birthday was really good.  My in-laws sent a Christmas centerpiece for the new table (thanks Grandma!), hubby got me a new phone, the owner of my LSS sent me a bunch of goodies, but my parents FORGOT. I can understand how anyone else could forget, but I mean they were *there* when I was born. Oh well, the husband is happy because this means he can come out of the doghouse after he forgot 2 years ago. . . and yes I'm 29 again.

    On Sunday after church we took the kids over to a local outdoor mall to have pictures with Santa. It was 48 degrees outside. I had to give big girl my coat to stop her teeth from chattering. Little Man kept pulling off his shoes. After waiting about 30 minutes for Santa to show up, people started leaving. We kept moving up in the line until we were first. At this point Santa was over an hour and a half late. Then the rain starts. So, hubby piled the kids onto Santa's chair and I snapped my photos without him. Sure, I have a feeling that in a few days I will get the kids all dressed up to try again but honestly, with kids this cute, who needs Santa?

    

Tigga is Graduating!

As I write this, my brother is *finally* graduating from college. I know he is trilled, but I also know that there are two people who are even more excited about the prospect of a diploma for the baby of the family. I am so sorry I couldn't be there for your Senior show and the ceremony, but I'll see you soon. Here are photos of Tigga at age 5 and of him and his classmates via my Dad's cell phone. In other news little "e" came home yesterday afternoon and is doing much better. Thank you so much for your prayers. We are starting the countdown until we make our way back home for Christmas. Stay tuned.  And yes, that is still snow on the ground in Hammond, LA!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Happy, happy birthday Grandma. We all miss and love you and hope you enjoyed the snow yesterday! Here is one of my favorite photos from Halloween with the birthday girl in it. Only 9 more days until we can deliver your present in person! 

    Believe it or not, snow on the bayou and it was 60 degrees and rained all day. The snow picture is my parent's backyard. We have crawfish boils on this porch; not snowball fights.

   An update on little "e"-she is still in the hospital with pneumonia. Please keep her and her family in your prayers that she is able to stay off oxygen in order to go home. Sis, I am so sorry that I am not there to help cook a meal or go and play dolls with little e in her room. Just keep the faith and know that this too shall pass. You are a great mom and you are doing a wonderful job.

Little "E"

Please pray for little "e." She has been sick for quite a while and was admitted to the hospital yesterday. Also pray for her parents. It is so difficult to have a sick child. You just want to take all of their pain away and sometimes the only thing you can do is to hold them and love them. I have two out of three kiddos sick around here for the past week. Nothing major, just the regular crud that occurs around this time of year. Pup is sick too. We found out yesterday that she is anemic; she goes back next week for another evaluation. She'll be 12 at the end of this month and has been a part of our family since she was 10 weeks old.  Needless to say both hubby and I are watching her closely and hoping for the best. Working on getting the Christmas cards out a bit earlier this year so people have the new address. I'll post some cards of Christmas past this month to "refresh your memories."