Happy New Year!

We decided after many years of laying low for NYE to try something new.  Lulu’s in Gulf Shores was having a noon new years for the kids and the weather was wonderful so us (and several hundred other people) swarmed in.  The kids had a great time just playing in the sand.  Can’t asked for anything more on NYE than mid70’s and sand in your toes!  For the “NOON” ball drop, they rolled several hundred feet of bubble wrap and let the kids jump on it.  It was LOUD and sounded just like firecrackers!  I had a great video of it on my phone but some how managed to pocket erase it! 

 

After lunch Mimi and Papa, against their better judgment agreed to take the kids for the night.  Our first overnight trip since before Luke was born.  (Another mild stone passed )  Mommy and Daddy found a oyster bar and cheered their Auburn Tigers to victory!  Then rang in the new year with the marlin drop and fireworks at the wharf. We were in bed by 12:15!  It was a nice, much needed evening, just the two of us!

 

Logan loved climbing the mountain oh sand.  He also loved the claw type shovels. He’d hold one in each hand and thought he was a monster!

Elizabeth very precisely measured sand as she “cooked”.

We have had a great year. At times, I feel bad about how wonderful life has been. At others, worried about what might be around the corner, life can’t be so good for so long, right? Truth is no one knows what tomorrow will bring, but we are very aware of all the many blessings we have in our lives, and are very thankful to God for them. We pray 2012 brings the same blessings to our family and friends!

After Christmas

The week after Christmas the kids and I enjoyed a few days of nothing!  Playing with Christmas toys, riding four wheelers, and enjoying the warm weather!

 

Ice Cream Maker

Elizabeth got an ice cream maker for Christmas, so despite the TONS oh food in our house, we had to make ice cream Monday.

It actually turned out not so bad.  Heavy cream and chocolate! It’s kind of like making the coffee can ice cream.

Elizabeth's K class with Santa.

Mommy and E "easy baking!"

Christmas Round Two

 

 

Just as the kids, thought they had torn into all their Christmas presents, a silver sleigh arrived with a second load of presents.

 

Where to start??

Logan is the Imaginex King.  We need to build him a super toy self for his room to store all his toys!

Christmas mess round two! 

Recycle bin and trash are both officially full!  I guess that’s one of many signs of a successful, and blessed Christmas!

Very exciting Christmas morning

In true Elizabeth fashion, she lead her brother around the house looking at all the things left from Santa.  Because we put the three in the playroom, the stockings were across the house by the fireplace and Santa also left a couple special toys outside for them.  As expected they pretty much walked around in an over stimulated, daze most of the morning, not knowing what to play with next.  About the time they were recovering, Mimi, Papa and Teresa showed up with Christmas round two.

 

A big boy toy, flying helicopter.  After Daddy and Handy Papa figured it out, they showed Logan and he did fairly well considering how tricky it is.  Just waiting for it to land on top the neighbors house.

Light up sword…his latest interest in action heros is Star Wars.

Checking out stockings.  This is mine, this is yours…

 

Such a good big sister, took her time, and help her little brother enjoy his toys too.  He pretty much stayed inside this ball house for the first hour. 

And although this wasn’t on E Santa list, it sure brought her many smiles too.

Easy bake fun!  She got enough easy bake refill packs to last several months! Yummy!

 

Logan was thrilled to find his “big truck” that Santa left out back.  I think at first review of the tree, he was doubtful of Santa bringing his big truck.

Merry Christmas from our Family!

 

 

The Before

The After

Leading up to Christmas

 

Our little ginger bread boy.  We had never made gingerbread men before but I had the cookie cutters so we gave it a try.  I cheated with a boxed mix.  We’ve never been big gingerbread fans but the box mix was surprisingly good.  Needless to say all our gingerbread people have been eaten!  We did save one for Santa!

Luke had a goal to sleep as little as possible this past weekend.  He kept going and going until he would eventually just crash.  This afternoon he must have slept on Papa for well over an hour even with Papa snoring.

Out elf, Action, had a little party the last night before he returned to the north pole.

This little boy melts my heart.  This was one of many birthday hugs he gave me.  His dad tried convincing the kids I needed birthday spankings but Logan would have nothing to do with it.  He said no, don’t spank mommy, give her birthday hugs instead!  I like his thinking.

Gingerbread house

Luke's new look

Momma finally broke down and got Luke a haircut. I keep taking double takes because I think it really changed his look.

NOLA Bowl

Elizabeth and her scout friends got to go on the field for pregame of the New orleans bowl.

Bad attempt

Some times no matter how hard you try, it’s near impossible to get three kids all looking at the camera with a smile!

 

Breakfast with Santa

Chevron hosts a night Breakfast with Santa every year.  Each kid gets to go see Santa and receive their gift.

Elizabeth and Logan humored their parents with a force smile, while Luke didn’t hold back his dislike of the situation.  He seems hit or miss.  He went and sat on Sat’s lap at the mall one day and didn’t want to leave.  Guess he is just picky about who’s lap he sits on!

 

 

Wise girl

Last Friday Elizabeths class had their christmas program.

Mommy’s little helper

Elizabeth was begging to decorate the tree so I caved.  Everyone started out but slowly I lost my helpers and I was also trying to cook dinner at the time.  Next thing I know Logan comes asking for more ornaments.  He had put 90% of them on the tree by himself, and I think I have a lot of ornaments.  It amusing since some branches have 4 or 5 and none above half way.  He was climbing up and down the chair and everything. 

 

So after all his hard work I told him to get Daddy and he could put the angle on the tree.  It was a little harder than anticipated but they made it happen.  And he was so proud!

Then we are outside playing and he asked me to take his picture with the nativity scene.  I told him I didn’t have a camera and he said go get it.  So I did.  We now have a picture of mommy’s latest online purchase and Logan with his new gun.  Nothing like Logan, baby Jesus and a gun!

Action

Action joined our family shortly after Thanksgiving and the kids LOVE finding him in the morning.  This morning was especially fun since he opened the bag of candy the kids had been eyeing.  He hasn’t gotten brave and made big messes yet like we hear of other elves doing.  Must be saving those for years to come!

Happy 4th Birthday Logan!

We can’t believe Logan is 4.  He is growing like a weed and won’t keep quiet.  Seriously, at some point over the summer he became a chatter box and hasn’t slowed down since.  If I had the time, I could just sit and listen to him talk all day – it just warms my heart.  He is such a loving, little guy.  He loves action figures like batman and pirates.  He has caves and boats and will sit and play with them for hours.  For his real birthday day Thursday, we let him pic the menu all day, blue snowmen pancakes, happy meal, and then dominos pizza for dinner!  Parent of year meals right there!  He ate so much food since they are all his favorites, he actually left ice cream in his bowl that night.  We love you Buddy and hope you had a great birthday!

 

Christmas Parade 2011

 

 

After the birthday party we decided to go catch the Christmas parade downtown NOLA.  Parades in LA never disappoint!

 

This little girls favorite parade seat.

Only in NOLA.

PLEASE, let me ride in the parade!