Oh Happy Week!

I swear I feel like we have been on a roller-coaster between last week and this week.

FRIDAY: Jake called me from work around 3:00pm and said, "pack your bag we are going to our 10 year reunion, see if you parents will watch Gus." In a frenzy I start trying on dresses and throwing cloths and shoes in a bag for me, Gus and Jake. When he gets home we are packed and ready to blast off! We dropped Gus and Buttercup off at my parents and away we went. Both second guessing such a long and quick trip, but we looked at each other and said, "You only live once and you only have one 10 year reunion." Away we went. We left around 7pm after a quick stop at Target, gas and food. We did not tell anyone we were going to make it to the reunion, but we kept taps on what a few of our friends were doing via FB. The all went out on Friday night and we were still driving when they were getting in....very funny drunk posts from a few! We got in around 4am, fell asleep at 5am and were up for 8am.....3 hours of sleep!!

SATURDAY: My father in law cooked a yummy breakfast and we visited with Sarah and Buster and the kids for a while then we headed to town because of all the shoes I brought none of them where quite right. We headed to Danny and Bridgette's because they had a huge bag of hand me downs for Gus!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Then we went to Marshall's. I bought a pair, but I was not sold on them. Off to Ross we go. I knew Ross would not disappoint and I was right! Found exactly what I was looking for! By this time we are both wearing thin and starving. We get Cane's and head to the rents house for a nap before the reunion. Friday was a near and dear friend of mine, Allison's birthday. I was going to wait and surprise her at the reunion, but something was telling me to call her before. I did! We played phone tag, but when we finally spoke we were just screaming and giddy that we were going to see each other! We made plans to meet at her house and ride with she and Robbie. We napped, showered and got dressed and away we went!

THE REUNION: When we got to the reunion it was a total shock for most that we were there because during the week I had told a few people that I did not think we were going to make it, so they were happy to see us! It was so nice to see old familiar faces and catch up with old friends! Everyone seemed to have had a blast. I know we did! Not long after we got there they started doing door prizes and people were telling me that my name was called (I had no idea they were giving the prizes away) and I was like, "for what?" Then I see someone holding up an ice chest...I won an ice chest! After the reunion no one wanted to part ways so most of the crowd went to Dooley's, a little dive bar that has a fabulous jukebox!! At 2am when the bar closed everyone still wasn't ready to leave so we all went to a classmate's parents house and swam until 4am!! What a blast, but we realized that we were certainly not 18 again and can't quite hang like we used too!! Thank you, thank you, thank you to our awesome sister and brother in law for coming get us at 4:30-5am and stopping at Mr. Ronnie's! Sarah and Buster, y'all are wonderful! Thank you so much!! By the time we went to bed it was 6am.

SUNDAY: Up and at it for 11am. My father in law was on his way back home with fried chicken! We showered, ate, visited and were back on the road headed home for 2pm, but had to make one more surprise visit with Maw! She was so happy to see Jake and I, but I know she was a little disappointed that Gus was not with us. Speaking of Gus, Saturday morning when I talked to mom he had woken up and thrown up a few times. She seems to think he had a little bug because after that he was fine...not 100% up to par, but still managing to laugh and play! By the time we left Maw's it was 3pm. We stopped to fuel up on gas and groceries and we hit the dusty trail. We were making great timing and north of Hattisburg, MS we caught some horrific weather and had to get off the interstate and wait it out for about 40 mins. I don't think we put the radio on until we were about 2 hours from home because we were just laughing and reminiscing about the night before! We drove up to the house at 12:15am, unloaded and I went to mom's and got in the bed with Gus. He came and snuggled right up to me. Oh I love that child so much!

RECAP OF THE WEEKEND IN HOURS: 18 hours = total driving time; 9.5 = total hours of sleep we got; 32-34 = total hours we were in Houma; the memories are PRICELESS and so worth every second of the trip!

MONDAY: Can we say dragging a$$ really bad?! However, I enter a picture of Gus into a contest and never heard anything back (there were not that many entries and his was one of the cutest). I had told Jake on the weekend that it was odd that I had not heard anything. Today I got a call to say that our picture won 3rd place and we would be receiving a $100 gift card from Visa!!!! Now that is how I like to start off a new week!!

TUESDAY: Not much happened today. Jake cut the grass and Gus was in bed for 8:30pm!

WEDNESDAY: Happy Birthday Mom! We went over to Nanny's house to celebrate Mom's birthday! We had a really good time and Gus enjoyed the cats, dog, dollhouse, radio and vacuum cleaner!! Nanny made two yummy cakes and sent us home with half of each one so it has been a challenge to keep Gus away from them!!

THURSDAY: Gus' little gal pal from across the street came over to play with him and they had a picnic lunch together! Oh yeah, our mailbox got hit yet again...3 times now. It was hanging on by one screw, we were able to put it back on the post, but Jake will have to add more screws to keep it on for future knocks!

FRIDAY: Well the day has just started. Gus slept until 8:45am so we should have a good day!!

Happy weekend!!! At least this post was not near as exhausting as the previous one!

10 year Reunion

We did not think that we were going to be able to make our 10 year reunion and had replied "NO". At the last minute, 3pm Friday to be exact, Jake called me and told me to pack my bags that we were going to LA for our reunion. I had nothing to wear, or so I thought so off to the closet I ran and began trying on dresses. The first one was THE ONE, but I still went through 17 more! Anyway, I packed our bags, made arrangements for Gus and we hit the dusty trail at 7pm.

We arrived in LA at 4am, fell asleep at 5am, were woken up at 8am by the yummy smells of Paw's breakfast, were dressed and out the door to grab lunch and shoes for me by 11:30am, got back in time to take an hour nap the bath and be at Allison's for 6ish. I was going to surprise her and see her at the reunion, but it got the best of me and I called her!!! She was stoked so we met up with she and Robbie and rode together! We attended the reunion from start to finish then went out with everyone until 2am and then like old times had a house party after the bar closed! Sarah and Buster were kind enough to come get us at 5am and even brought us to Mr. Ronnie's for donuts! We fell asleep at 6am and were up by 10 or 11am and had a 9 hour drive back home, plus a stop at Maw's!

Needless to say we drove 18+ hours, slept >9 hours TOTAL, drank TOO much, and partied till the break of dawn and had a wonderful time so it was worth it! I only have 4-5 pictures from the entire weekend so I think it is safe to say we passed a good time!!

Casey and I with our raffle winnings!!

Hunter and Abby getting down with their bad selves!!

Happy Birthday, Sandy!

Happy Birthday, Sandy! Wishing you another year of happiness and good health! Hopefully next year y'all will be on the beach with us!!! Love, l*j*g

14 years....

Happy 14th Anniversary, Danny and Bridgette!! So glad we got to celebrate with y'all!! You two are made for each other and are two very special and influential people in our lives. Y'all are wonderful parents who always make sure to put your children first and it is evident in every way! Thank you for being such great role models to Jake and I. Here's to many, many, MANY more years of wedded bliss!!! Love ya'll very, very much!!

Happy Birthday, Danny!!

Happy birthday Danny! Hope you have a great day and a year full of good health and happiness!! Love ya, l*j*g

Welcome Baby Jude Miller

Our good friends Jerry and Lauren had their baby boy, Jude Miller G., on June 4th, 2010 around 7am-8am. He weighed 8.5 lbs and 19 1/2 inches long!! Jake and I were able to go see him the very next day and he is just perfect. He baked in the womb for just the right amount of time. Lauren looked wonderful and was just beaming with joy as was Jerry!

Once we got there and I was able to hold him it brought tears to my eyes to see just how perfect, sweet and beautiful he was...not that I expected any less. It was a beautiful thing. We are so happy for Jerry and Lauren and can't wait to visit again and let Gus meet his new friend Jude!

Group shot...

Sweet baby Jude :-)

I have been meaning to post pictures from Lauren's shower, but time seems to be an issue these days or could it just be a 2 year old and a crazy hectic schedule these days?! Either way, Mom, Amanda, Endi and I took a field trip North of Nashville for Lauren's shower the day of/day before the flood, May 1, 2010. We had no idea how bad it was going to get, but once we were there. We were there for quite sometime because of the rain and flooding. We were able to make it home and home is where we stayed for the next 3 days!

Lauren got some really great gifts and baby Jude will always have something nice to wear! All the food was oh so yummy and the cake, oh the cake was delish!! Here of a few pictures of Momma with some of her great gifts!

How you doing, Baby?

Every time we would visit Maw Cenac we were always greeted with, "How you doing, Baby?" and a kiss. She would always ask about us and what we were up to and would just talk about life in general. She always had stories from the old days, which Jake and I always love to hear. The family threw Maw a surprise 90th birthday party 3 years ago and although we were not able to make it we were told that she enjoyed herself and seeing all of her family.

The first time we brought Gus over to meet Maw, she just held him and kept telling us what a darlin' little boy he was. This picture looks like he is trying to get away, but he did get very comfy on her and settle in for a nice nap while we visited with her for Mother's Day - 2008. Maw loved that she had such a large family and it always seemed like the more that were there to visit the bigger her smile would get.

Today we were informed that she passed away early this morning. I know the family has wonderful memories with Maw Cenac and that they will never be forgotten. I am so grateful that Gusley was able to know 4 out of 8 of his great grandparents because I never knew any of mine. What a special thing to experience. Maw, we love you and will always remember you and each time we are asked, "How you doing, Baby?", we will always think of you!

Happy 30th Birthday Sarah!!!

Today is Jake's sister, Sarah's 30th birthday!!!! She has been dreading this birthday for a few years, but it seems like it didn't turn out to be as bad as she expected!! Last night Jake and I were discussing how old Sarah was going to be today and it went a little something like this:

JMC: "well she's turning 29"

LBC: "no, it's the big 3-0"

JMC: "no, not yet, not this year, she and I are 2 years apart"

LBC: "babe', we are going to be 28 this year"

JMC: quiet pause..........

We hope you have a wonderful day and we really wish we were there to have 30 shots with you!! Hahahaha, who am I fooling. I couldn't make it past 2 or 3! Sarah, we are so excited that you and Buster are going to tie the knot. We can't wait for the big day!!!

Sarah, we just want you to know that we are so incredibly happy for you and that you have found someone who loves you and your children unconditionally. Someone that can say it was "love at first sight" and truly mean it! Someone that makes you HAPPY!! Oh the list goes on and on and on!! You can see and feel the love in the picture. Not to mention that was only 10 or so days after the proposal!!!! We wish you a decade of new adventures, new paths in life and most importantly peace and happiness!! Enjoy the 30's and don't start dreading the 40's because everyone says it just keeps getting better!!!! Happy Birthday Sis!! We love you very, very much!!

*l*j*g*

First Birthday of the New Year.....

Happy Birthday Crystal!!!!

Today is my very best friend, Crystal's birthday!! Though we are far apart we always seem to pick up right where we left off when we see each other! She is an amazing person, so strong and determined and very much a go getter, not to mention the life of the party!! Last year she was chosen as the South's Hottest Single in the South Magazine in Savannah, GA...way to go Crystal!!! Here is her picture from the magazine.....SMOKIN' HOTT......



Crystal, we wish we could be with you to celebrate, but we hope to see you very soon. Enjoy your day and we hope you have a wonderful twenty-ten!! Love you, Snoopy!!!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree......

The Sunday after Thanksgiving we headed to the local tree farm being run by the Boy Scouts to get our Christmas Tree. It was cold and we knew what we wanted so we went straight to that section and found the perfect tree in a matter of 2 minutes, I kid you not!!!! It took longer for them to take it down than it did for us to pick it out. Gus really enjoyed himself at the farm. He went from tree to tree pulling on the price tags.

No Mommy, let's get this one too!!

Or maybe this one?

Our nice light display! Thank you, Jake!

Next year he will go all Clark Griswold on us...stay tuned!!

As a side note to all our friends back home, do you remember how the people on Prevost Drive used to decorate/light up? (they may still do it, but it has been a while since I have seen it) Well rest assured that we feel like we are right back down there! The street around the bend from us is ALL lit up! I will post pictures for y'all to see!!

Trying to get a picture of Gus in front of our tree...this is a two person job and I was attempting it alone!

I don't think he cared to much for Buttercup's Christmas collar...what do you think?



We are really looking forward to Christmas this year! It is going to be so much fun for all of us!

South Louisiana Day 2

Sunday = Funday!!!! We invited several of our friends and family over for an afternoon visit and had a great turnout. Thanks to all that made the trek and came visit!! We really enjoyed seeing you all!

Gus has a thing for boxes these days....big or small, short or tall.......he had the best time playing in this box while Jake and I got dressed and packed up for the big day! Thank you Huggies for keeping our child entertained!

Almost has the whole tricycle concept put together.....next time he should have it!!

Some of the gang....Gus taking a minute to sip some water and chat with Paw!

Ahhhhh...that's some good water!




Evan making a string and cup telephone. The line broke once he called Jake!!

Hanging out at the volleyball court!

Back at the see-saw......could be catching raindrops, but I think he just liked the feeling of leaning back while going up and down! Thrill-seeker?

Lily just couldn't go anymore......poor baby did manage to eat her ice cream cone before passing out!

Lucas on his second wind!

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!!

Happy Birthday Rochelle!!!

Happy Birthday Rochelle!!!! Sorry we are posting this two days late, but we were thinking about you on your birthday and hope you had a great day!!! I am posting these pictures of Gus in his camo just for you!! There is even a little orange deer embroidered on his shirt pocket and he has velcro pockets on his pants to hold his treats while in the stand!! I guess he is all ready to go!!

Hope you had a wonderful birthday and we can't wait to see y'all in a few weeks! You are the best!! Love you berry, berry much, Lauren, Jake and Gusley

October 18th, 2008.....first day in Houma!

Gus and I watching cousin Vivian eat brocoli like a big girl!! Gus did give it a try, but he did not care too much for it! Maybe next time....



Good ole Kevin and Jessie!!



Me doing what I love to do...SWINGING!!

Gusley Norman and Uncle Norman. Yep he is named after his Grandpa and his great uncle!!

Other birthdays...

While we are wishing happy birthdays....we would like to wish Aunt Bridgette a happy belated birthday back on October 10th!! We hope you had a great day and we are loving all the pictures you are posting with your new camera!!! Happy belated birthday, we love and miss you!!

And last, but not least, Andrea!! Happy Birthday Dupinator!! It was so great to see you while we were in town and that you were able to meet baby Gusley!! Hope you had a swell birthday as well!! We love and miss you too!!

Earache or not Louisiana here we come!!!

Gus has not been the "No fuss Gus" that he usually is the last few days so we took him in to the doctor today and he weighs 21 pounds even and has an ear infection in his right ear. Doc said should be fine since it is his first one. He and daddy are tucked in as I type this (I am suppose to be packing, but have some cute pictures to post before I can pack). Hopefully he will have a good rest and be on the road to Louisiana and recovery by day break!!!

See y'all soon!! Very soon!

The Mr. & Mrs. take it to the streets!!

Ok, Jake and I have this thing when we see funky cars we simply have to get a picture either with the car or of the car which explains the first two pictures!

This Dodge Magnum was hot pink the picture does not do much justice. It was seriously almost the color of the text color I used to describe it!!



Now this next one is for our friends back home in Houma........if you can't duck it, well y'all know the rest!! Evidently this poor sole wasn't ready to give up on his/her Mercury!!!

Jake being Jake and me getting a picture of it!!

Me walking and talking!!

Inside the Opryland Hotel and Resort.....very nice, I must say!

August 20th, 2008

As promised, here is a picture of Allison and Gusley in honor of her birthday!! Happy Birthday Allison, hope you had a wonderful day!!




Also as promised, here is a picture of the Orange Monkeys from Stroller Strides Olympics!! Please do not pay too close attention to the monkey on my shirt as it was a one handed attempt!! I took the easy route with Gus' shirt by ironing on an applique of a monkey that said "monkey business".

Happy Birthday Allison!!

We just wanted to wish Allison a very happy birthday today! We love and miss you bunches and hope to see you very soon!!

I had it all planned out that I was going to post a picture of Allison and Gus in this post to celebrate her birthday, well just my luck, my computer has come down with some crazy disease/virus/ailment and I cannot access my pictures at the moment. So as soon as we are back in business Allison gets a picture post!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLISON!!

Would you look at that?

Jake got off early a few days ago so we were just lounging outside on the deck enjoying the weather and this is what Gus had to say about 83 degrees in the middle of August!




This is our beautiful Hydranga that Shannon and Chris sent us when Gusley was born. It started out as just two little stalks and has blossomed into this beautiful plant! Thank you Shannon and Chris, we think about you guys every time we are out on the deck and see it! Love and miss y'all!