Play that funky music white boy

Is there anything cuter than this? I submit that there is not!

A little preoccupied

So I've had a few people mention I again have been missing from the blog world and "why haven't I posted anything lately". I know I still need to post about Benjamin's birthday and Halloween and the cute things Ben has been doing lately ........ the list goes on an on. But I thought I would post a little something about why I have been so busy lately.

We moved into the new house. And I really LOVE this house. I know I have my work cut out for me. It needs a little work - just cosmetic - but I'm real excited about doing all of that. At first we had issues with the kids completely adjusting but I think they really like their new house too and their new school. So needless to say I still have a bazillion boxes everywhere to sort through so I will only post outside photos for now.

Front view


Side view of driveway - carport curves to the right and the small building is a workshop (500-600 sq ft) which we hope to someday convert to a little apartment

Back view of the house with an awesome huge covered porch


Back yard has an adorable playhouse for the kids which by the way has electricity and air conditioning.

Do you want to come over and play?

They say its your birthday

Tuesday was Jacks 6th Birthday. In celebration of his birthday -- school was cancelled. Actually it was parent teacher conference day but he still got the day off.

Birthday waffles - wish I could say that they were lovingly homemade. I did however think loving thoughts as I warmed them in the toaster


One of the gifts Grandma Mikey sent. Can you tell Jack enjoys having his picture taken

Jacks Birthday wish was to eat and play with a rat so on to Chuck E Cheese

This of course was not at the top of my list of favorite places but hey you only turn 6 once and the kids seemed to really enjoy themselves

Back home for cake and icecream - Good Times



Our family certainly would not be the same without this little boy. He has brought much joy and entertainment . And who could resist those beautiful blue eyes!

My Jack -- I love you!

Homecoming - GEAUX CAJUNS!

Yesterday was ULL Homecoming. We decided to go to the parade on campus and had a REALLY good time. Apparently not too many people realized that this was going on - you can see we had no problem finding a place along the street all to ourselves. Of course here in Louisiana people throw beads even when its not Mardi Gras. Jack has never really experienced Mardi Gras since he was just a few months old when we left. He kept talking about how great it was and asked if Mardi Gras was like this parade. We assured him that it was going to be even better.

They also threw candy and I'm pretty sure we have enough that we won't need to buy any for Halloween

Featuring the ULL Band but even more entertaining were the floats with the Sorority's and Fraternity's. They had music blasting and the floats were bouncing and apparently the music we listened to in Jr High and High School is making a comeback. Maybe its just because they are classics.
Here we are loaded down with beads and Jack holding the flag that the cheerleaders threw to him

Can you tell what Payton's favorite catch was

The kids with the loot

OK yes I am a dental hygienist and yes that is my almost one year old with a sucker in his mouth -- it made him really happy (and quiet)

THE END

All in all a really good time. The weather was fabulous and the parade lasted almost an hour - perfect for kids.

Can't wait til Mardi Gras and bigger and better parades. We welcome visitors!

We've got a climber

I know its a little dark at first but I think you can see the problem we have here. The ladder no longer stays in the upright position --- the kid has no fear. Of course it doesn't help that the older brothers are cheering him on.

I'm beating you at mother of the year

Jack: Mom can I have a drink of your soda?

Me: No

Payton: Can I have a drink of your soda

Me: No

Payton: Why?

Me: Because I'm being selfish

Payton: I thought you were allergic to shellfish

Me: I'm being selfish not shellfish - it means I don't want to share

A few minutes later I was presented with a picture that Jack drew with "No (a picture of a fish)" and a frowny face which Jack informed me was him

Double Digits

It's hard to believe that my #1 is 10. I wish I could say I remember it like it was yesterday but I can't --- my memory isn't all that great. I have swiss cheese for brains. Unfortunately I can't remember every detail of his 10 years. All I know is that it seems like I blink and he get's older and seems to change everyday.

I do know that I'm glad that I have been given the opportunity to be this boy's mother. I have learned a lot from him and he amazes me every day. He has been such a blessing to Ryan and I. For the first few years of his life we worried so much about him and his health. He overcame those early ailments and has grown into such a magnificent little man. He is a wonderful older brother and always so helpful.

Payton I am so glad you are mine!!

Happy Decade!

My Jack and His Big Day

Being the good mother that I am I have slacked off on posting about My Jack's first day of Kindergarten. He has now finished two weeks of school and he loves it.

Jack and his big brother

Unfortunately I had to go to work early that day and couldn't take him, but I did make sure I took the "First Day" photos.

When I asked Jack what his favorite part of his first day was he said the bus ride home "It was so cool".

He likes his teacher Miss Hue and is meeting lots of new friends.

GOOD TIMES

I had a great Birthday- thanks for asking. And since I have a husband who is always trying to find ways to surprise me and puts a lot of thought into gifts ...... I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Of course I had to work, but right before lunch this beautiful creation showed up at the office. "Happy Birthday Love Your 3 Sons" This picture really doesn't do it justice but it was absolutely wonderful to eat.

For lunch I met my good friend Jill at The Ground Pati ( a burger joint) and enjoyed a wonderful chicken sandwich and fries. Good food - good company. Thanks Jill for lunch and as always good entertaining conversation.

After work - off to teach class. I think I somehow managed to convince myself that if I exercised it wouldn't matter how much food I consumed. Which for some reason taking the day off of my diet for my birthday has progressively turned into a week long event

After class I met up with Ryan and the boys for some WINGS!! I know it seems like such an elaborate place to go for a birthday dinner ... but I knew I wouldn't be disappointed with the food and there is something about the look on my boys' faces when they walk into this amazing place. There are TV's everywhere even in the bathroom and yes it was the first place they went to when we walked in the door.
So I ate and I ate like I was never going to see food again even though I knew that cake and Rocky Road Icecream were waiting for me at home.

When we got home the boys could hardly contain themselves they were sure that the next gift would make a blog entry for sure.

Yes my friends --- a Snuggie ( not to be confused with the Slanket)
I laughed so hard when I opened this and I loved the fact that my kids knew it would make me laugh and of course blog about it.

So now I can enjoy the comforting warmth of a blanket and still be able to find my hands..... Check out all the things I can do with my Snuggie

I can use a remote control and still be nice and warm

I can hold my beautiful baby

And it's so nice and big that I can cover all of my children at once

Not pictured: I can eat a snack, I can read a book, I can talk on the phone, I can read a newspaper and so many many more ...........

So thank you all for the Birthday Wishes!!

Shocking!

I know some of you may be trying to recover from shock that I'm posting two days in a row. I've been meaning to post this one for a while. Just one more piece of evidence who his favorite is.

School Days

Payton started school this Tuesday. All schools here in Lafayette wear uniforms - something Payton wasn't too excited about but in time will get used to.

Of course you can see Jack and Ben wanted to go too. Jack starts Kindergarten this year but, Kindergarten doesn't start until next week

My 4th grader showing how cool he is

Payton's teacher this year: Mrs. Bacon --- he was pretty pleased with this since Bacon is one of his favorite food groups

The Brotherhood

Despite the cramped living conditions we have had since we moved back to Louisiana -- the kids have managed to still create a clubhouse

Club Awesome : Password don't enter without Password unless you're a member of Club Awesome

Yes! Club Awesome meets in the closet. You would think with all of the junk we have stored in the boys closet that there wouldn't be any room for anything else. Somehow they manage to cram in there. What's great is that they include Ben who thinks its pretty cool hanging with his brothers. I find it interesting for boys that are not crazy about the dark who need a nightlight in their room at night ----have no problem shutting themselves in a dark compact space for hours at a time with only a flashlight to protect themselves.

Taking an apple juice break

No!

I'm sure there will be a day when he realizes what NO means but for now ..... its a new trick

In case you forgot

Sometimes its hard to remember just how adorable my children are. Especially when one is pouting or when one is throwing a fit or when one isn't feeling well and is fussy. But I do remember...... Ryan and I sure make cute kids!

We love visitors!

A couple weeks ago The Tregaskes family and Grandma Mikey came to visit. The boys of course loved every second of having their cousins around!! So we spent a lot of time driving around showing the wonderful things about Louisiana and why we love it here.

Yes it makes me a little nervous to know that we had 11 people in a 8 passenger car but we somehow survived and still liked eachother after.

One of the "hot" spots to visit is Avery Island - home of the Tabasco hot sauce factory. Here you learn all about the history of how Tabasco came to be. "Tabasco" means "Land of the hot and humid" and the kids all agreed (thanks to Nathan bringing to our attention) that Louisiana should really be called Tabasco.

Of course we had to show off the UL campus where Ryan is now working. It's a beautiful campus with lots of oak trees and its own swamp in the middle of campus. We took the kids to the swamp to feed the fish and turtles - NOT the alligators - but somehow the alligators managed to find a way to get their fill of bread too.

The cousins in front of one of the larger Oak trees on campus

We also went on a swamp tour: Ryan and our tour guide

Just a few things seen on the tour.........

What's a swamp tour without alligators? And what could be more fun than teasing the alligators? Our guide had some fish with him and would throw a fishing line with the fish out to attract the alligators closer to the boat -- but not too close. Of course if I had better reflexes with the camera these would have turned out better but you can see the alligator jumping at the fish (sort of?)

Our next stop was Red Stick or better known as Baton Rouge. We drove over to Baton Rouge so our visitors could go on the longest bridge and say they crossed the Mississippi. If I didn't know how to spell Mississippi before the trip I do now. Listening to 6 children repeat over and over M-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i over and over was the highlight of the drive.

Visiting the Baton Rouge Temple

We are so glad that Amy and the kids and Mikey came to visit. Hopefully more people will feel the urge to make a road trip too!!!