Oysters for the 1st time.....

We went to Big Al's on our last day in Houma (the Christmas visit). Our friends Jenny and Matt joined us along with Gi-Gi, Paw, Aunt Sarah, Camryn, William and Evan. Jenny and Matt ordered char-broiled oysters and offered me one. I was feeling a little daring that day and since I have NEVER eaten an oyster in my life, I decided to give it try.............

Here I go.....


The flavor was good, but I think I have some serious texture issues, because as you can see in my face it took a lot to get it down!! At least now I can say I tried it!!!!

Here is Gusley saying good-bye to Gi-Gi and Paw before we head out of town........

and here is Gusley not even a mile away from the restaurant!! Can someone say pooped out??

A day in the Dell....Slidell, LA

A little more back-blogging.....After all the Christmas festivities we headed to Slidell for a visit with our good friends Lee, Jenn and Nash, where we spent the night and let the children laugh and play the day away!! Gusley and Nash are almost a month apart and they play very, very well together!! We really miss not being closer to them so that the boys can grow up together. Below are some pictures of the little rascals playing together in the kiddie corral!!!

January Birthdays

This post is loooooong overdue! It has been on my mind for quite some time and I finally have a minute to write it!! I figured I will try to post something on our friends and relatives birthdays, but January was a little too chaotic so this will be a general birthday post!!!

January 2nd - Happy Birthday Crystal!!! We hope you had a wonderful day and we sure do miss you and hope to make a trip to visit this summer!!

January 4th - Happy Birthday Paw Kenn!! We hope that you had a great birthday and we wish we could have been there to celebrate!!! We love and miss you very, very much! See you soon!!!

January 5th - Happy Birthday Aunt Lisa!! We sure hope your day was as wonderful as you are!! See you soon!!

January 11th - Happy First Birthday Vivian!! Vivian Lea, we can't believe you are already "1" year old! We are so happy that we were able to celebrate that special day with you!! We love you and can't wait to see you!!

January 26th - Happy Birthday Lee!! Sure wish we could have been at the party to celebrate the big day with you! Hope you had a super day!!

January 31st - Happy Birthday Abby!! Hope you have a great day and eat some P.F. Chang's for us!! Can't wait to see you!!

If I missed anyone, I am really sorry. Happy Birthday again to all of you!!

Inauguration Day January 20, 2009

I am at a loss of words to describe how I feel today. It has been snowing off and on all day and we have a new President, Barack Obama. I couldn't be happier. Gus and I have been watching the events all day and it is a euphoric feeling, I must say. A part of me wishes we were there, but the other part is satisfied watching it in the comfort of my own home. As I write this the Inaugural Parade is taking place, Gusley is taking a nap and I am in awe. The tears have been flowing all day long. I am so glad to be a part of this piece of history and can't wait to tell my children's children that I watched the inauguration on this day!

My grandfather who just passed away was a huge Obama fan and he went to the polls in his wheelchair to cast his vote...I know he was proud of the results and I know he would be glued to the television with the volume as high as it can go if he were here with us today. Gus and I are watching it in his honor and I am carrying on the tradition of watching the events with my child just as he did with me. What a special day this is....I am truly overwhelmed, excited, inspired and ready for the changes that are coming our way.

Yes WE Can!!!!!!

Fun at Gi-Gi and Paw's

December 26, 2008 ~ Still back-blogging! These were just a few cute shots we had of Gus playing at his grandparents house the day after Christmas!

Where he is sitting there is a little "lip" where the floors meet and he was learning to crawl up and down the lip. We are so proud of him and how observant he is!

Gus and his cousin Canon, hanging out in the rocking chair!

He loves "Hoots" his owl....he is using it for balance to show off his walking skills!

Smiling, happy baby!!




He found a new use for Gi-Gi and Paw's chair...he turned it on its side and pushed it all over the kitchen area!

All About ME!

So after catching up and reading my pal's blog, I enjoyed reading her 20 things and it inspired me to write down a few of my own "things" if you will. I have all these "things" in my head, but nothing written down. I am thinking that if I write them down maybe, just maybe they will become more concrete!! So here I go... I will title this post at the end since I do not know how many "things" I will come up with!

1. I love the snow and it snowed today, so it was a happy day!

2. I am nixxing my soft drink habit and I will limit myself to one a week, yep one a week.

3. I have made a promise to myself that I will run/walk a half marathon and a marathon before I turn 30. Three and a half years to train, I can do it!

4. I forgot how much I LOVE fried food, but I am ok with having it every now and then.

5. I am not looking forward to the day I have to stop nursing Gusley, or the day he goes to school, or....ohh you get the picture, sniff, sniff. I love my sweet baby boy oh so much!!

6. Each day I find something new to love about Jake that I did not know the day before and I LOVE IT!!

7. I inherited some classical music cd's from my grandfather and Gus and I have been enjoying them.

8. I love to decorate with Christmas lights. Some may think it is tacky, but I think it creates great ambient lighting.

9. I am thankful to have a job that allows me to be a stay at home mother.

10. I am proud to say that I voted for Barack Obama and I am looking forward to what he has to offer to this country.

11. I have found a new respect for "nerd rock" thanks to They Might Be Giants and Jake! "Everyone wants a prosthetic foreheads on their real foreheads" are my favorite lyrics to one of their songs. It makes me laugh and brings a smile to my face when I think about it....so very true in the world today.

12. My grandmother is an amazing little lady and I love her very much!

13. My parents did a great job instilling morals and values in me, thanks mom and dad!

14. I love being a mother.

15. My life is exactly where and what I want it to be!

16. I love hiking and the great outdoors and can't wait to take advantage of that here in TN!

17. I LOVE ROLLERCOASTERS!!!!!!!!!

18. Jake and I drove out to Los Angeles for The Price Is Right...it was amazing and I saw Bob Barker :-)!

19. I eventually want to get my Masters in Education and become a teacher. That is a lifelong dream of mine....it will happen in due time.

20. I need a new computer.

There you have it my "things", unfortunately I have about 48972011 more, but I must stop at some point, however, this will be continued at a later date!!!!

Good Night!

Christmas Day in Louisiana!

These pictures are just a summation of Gusley's First Christmas, lord knows we have enough to fill a hard drive!! We really had a wonderful Christmas, it was not about Jake and I, but about our sweet little bundle of joy. We both found great pleasure in seeing him so excited and into the wrapping paper, tissue paper, boxes and gifts! Thanks to everyone that made Gusley's First Christmas so very special...we will always remember it as thought it were yesterday!

Gus went down for a really good morning nap, but I had to wake him up so that we could stay on schedule for the day, so here he is on our way to our first stop...Maw's. I love his hair!!

Here is Gus and Maw going for a little Christmas walk!

Our second and last stop...Gi-Gi and Paw's house! Gus is always a little unsure of everything when we first get there, then he warms up and he is one of the gang!

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Off in his own little world with the light saber....I guess Santa knows what to get you next year!!

Present time.....thanks Uncle Danny, Aunt Bridgette, Evan, Lucas and Vivian for the giraffe! It has been a hit since we got home with it!!

Trying to see what everyone else got!!

Thanks Aunt Sarah, Nanny Camryn and Will for the awesome helicopter....another gift that he goes to as soon as he gets up in the mornings!!

Pretty Lily in her nice white dress! Gi-Gi and Gus sliding in the background!

Sliding is fun, but climbing up the slide is even better!

Camryn and William....the cool riders of the family!!

and Evan too!!!

Lucas, not quite old enough to ride the big bikes so he will settle for the rocking horse!!!

Camryn on the super mini bike!!!

Just couldn't get enough of the slide!!

Vivian and Great-grandpa Earl!

Two big kids on Christmas Day!!!

Gusley's first experience on a trampoline....so glad he likes it, because I can't wait to get one!!

Camryn, Gusley and Jake

Nanny Camryn and Gusley swinging on such a beautiful day!! They both really enjoyed this!!

Lucas, swinging in the tree while waiting his turn!!

Gus and Vivian attempting the see-saw!

Hanging out inside with all his new toys!!

Gus and his Great-grandma Mazie

Two of a kind.......

Gus showing Vivian how his new lion can Roar!!

Evan with the bigger end of the wishbone....hope all your wishes come true dude!!

Houma's finest light display!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!

Christmas Morning!!!

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!!!!

Good Morning Santa Baby.......he is always such a happy baby when he wakes up in the morning......it is like he knew it was Christmas morning when he woke up!!

Hanging out in the bed with mommy and daddy....being the silly goose that he is!!

And now the fun begins......TOYS, TOYS and More TOYS!! Everywhere you look there were toys and paper and boxes and Christmas tree needles.......just the way we like it on Christmas morning!!!!!!

The very first item he goes for are his new books. That is one smart cookie!!!

Opps! I loaded this one sideways, but you get the picture right? He is pushing a little wooden truck that has four blocks and they spin as the truck rolls!!




Sitting among all his new toys from Santa and Paran!! Elmo was a hit!! I am still boggled as to why kids just go absolutely crazy over Elmo! He is darling, but my goodness, some children are just nuts about him!! "Elmo loves crayons and his goldfish too, that's Elmo's World!!"

Back to the wooden block truck!!

This is the first time he has nipple confusion! He thought his new puzzle piece was his pacifier!! Too darn cute!!

See what I mean......Confucius say? what??

All suited up and ready for Christmas Breakfast!!!!