Annual Saints Game 2017

Uncle Charles is so kind to give me and B his tickets to one Saints home game every year.  We normally take two kids but this year we changed it up and invited another couple with us.  Since the game was on Christmas Eve, we were in Hattiesburg for the holidays and it was easy to invite J& L Cook with us since they would also be in Hattiesburg for the holidays. We decided to make a fun night of it and the four of us drove down to New Orleans December 23rd.  We had hotel reservations at Le Meridian and walked around together before grabbing dinner.  It was very cold that night but really fun to hang with J&L. 

The game was at noon on the 24th so we ate breakfast together and chatted before walking to the game.  Our hotel wasn't too far so that was nice not to have to worry about traffic and parking.  We just checked out of the hotel and put our luggage in the car.  The game was fun (as always) and since I'm writing this 6 years later, I cannot even remember if the Saints won the game (LOL).  I just know we had such a good time with J&L.  

After the game we drove back to Hattiesburg and joined the family at Bonnie's house for her annual Christmas Eve party.  Gram and Granddad kept the kids while we were in NoLa. 

Oklahoma Thanksgiving 2017

Our Thanksgiving this year would be spent in OK because it might be the last holiday in Edmond for P/V.  They recently retired and sold their business.  Their goal is to move to Texas to be closer to their kids and grand kids. 

B had to work Wednesday so we left Wednesday afternoon (11/22) and drove to OK.  We arrived around 11 pm and our kids were so tired.  We put them straight to bed and then stayed up and talked a bit.  Christopher was there to surprise everyone and it really was a nice surprise. 
Thursday morning came quickly and preparations began for an early afternoon meal.  The Vikings had a game and I knew it was important to watch that game along with other football games of the day.  I had already made a few things and froze them in TX but they thawed during our drive.  My crockpot corn was going to be easy to throw together.  It's hard for me to remember all the details because I'm trying to write this 6 months later!  We had a traditional Thanksgiving meal and the kids played outside a lot.  The older cousins took the younger ones to the park down the street and I'm pretty sure everyone had a great time.  Aunt Mo took some time to take pictures of kids and couples in the backyard and that was nice.  We ended our evening watching football and eating dessert (mostly pie). 

Friday morning started early with the guys renting a U-Haul and throwing a lot of trash away from P/V's house.  I think it totaled to 2 tons to the dump.  It was a lot of work.  Anna, Mandy and I just hung with the kids and after feeding them lunch, we took them to see the movie Wonder.  It was a sweet/sad movie and for Christmas, I wanted to get the book so I could read it aloud to the kids.  Instead of leftovers (again), we ate dinner at Ted's.  I think we had 2 tables full at Ted's: one kid table with 10 kids and one adult table with 9 adults. 

Our last day together was Saturday and it was spent just being chill at the house.  I woke up early and walked around the neighborhood, trying to burn off some of the food I had consumed over the last 2 days.   There were some important college football games on Saturday, the biggest of which was OU's game against West Virginia.  LSU was playing also, but my game would be on the back burner because I was in Sooner country.  I enjoyed cooking football food and snacks for the game, though, and cheering when I could.  Marcus put the LSU game on after the OU game was over so I got to watch a little of my Tigers.  We ended the night with a fire outside on the back porch and s'mores with the grandkids.  Making s'mores and sitting around a fire is always a nice way to end a family weekend. 

Of course we drove home Sunday with all the other millions of people.  I don't remember how long it took us, but it took a lot longer than any other day of the year.  At least we were together.  Our time in Edmond was fun and it could very well be the last time we make a trip up there since Gran and Papaw will hopefully be moving down soon. 

Halloween 2017

I think Halloween is so fun.  We decorate and I usually buy soap for the teachers as a little happy.  I look forward to when my kids are older and we can go to haunted houses together.  We've gone to Sea World the past couple of years for Halloscream and that's always fun too.  I like getting scared.

This year we had dress up and Halloween costumes I bought last year on sale, so we didn't have to buy anything for this year's Halloween.  The kids had 4 different opportunities to dress up but I'm not sure I have a picture from all the nights.  Let me recap.

Tuesday October 24th was our school's Spirit Night at CFA Greatwood.  Kids could dress up and participate in the costume parade and contest.  I had to work a shift for PTO so I was going to be there anyways.  We were there from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. 

Cheetah girl, Frankie-stein, Captain from Star Wars, sky landers

Thursday October 26th was our school's Bootastic Math & Reading Night that is held every year.  It's a lot of fun and the teachers do a great job putting together activities for the kids to enjoy.  Kahoot was the biggest hit this year.

Saturday October 28th was our annual block-party.  B was unfortunately out of town so he had to miss it but we had a good turn out. Frank got on the microphone and announced to everyone that they were expecting in June!  I love our cul-de-sac and maybe next year, I will try and plan a cul-de-sac Christmas get together where the kids can draw names and exchange gifts. 

Oliver as Mickey Mouse

Old School Bobbin' for Apples

Frank brought out the fire pit because it was cold.

Tuesday October 31st FINALLY Halloween.  We met the Parles and trick-or-treated with them in Greatwood.  It was a little rainy and drizzled on and off for the entire night but the kids didn't care.  They all four came home with tons of candy!

Rapunzel

Angry Bird

Black Power Ranger

Frankie

My People

Easter Weekend 2017

I wish Easter weekend could happen more often, but it's only once a year.  It's still my favorite weekend of the year and it's quickly becoming one of my kids' favorite weekends too.  Of course Civitan Camp is a favorite, but Easter is different.  It's truly relaxing and fun for all types.

This year was no different except we had more friends join us.  The Gillams flew down from North Carolina and the Livingston's drove over from Houston.  Our family drove over Thursday night after B got off of work and we made it real late, but everyone was sweet and waited up for us.  We quickly went to bed because we had to leave pretty early to pick Jen and the girls up from the airport.  I don't remember exactly what time they landed, but they flew from Florida because they had been on Spring Break at Disney.  Keith was coming form NC because he still had to work, so his flight was later.  After picking up Jen and the girls, we went into New Orleans for a while and walked around and went to Cafe Du Monde.  We looked at art and some of the magic shows around Jackson Square.

With Bree Bree making a pit stop

The line for Beignets

Tired after walking around New Orleans

We didn't have enough time to drive back to Hammond, so we went to visit Alyse for a short while.  Alyse lives in New Orleans and I hadn't seen her since last year when we ran into her at the Saints game.  She has a cute little house with a nice pool in the back, and she lives pretty close to Drew Brees.  I'm not sure which house was his, but it's close enough that he and his kids came trick-or-treating at Alyse's house last year.  It was just a way for us to pass the time.  Jen and all the kids were still in the van watching a movie and cooling off from our New Orleans walk.  Keith's flight arrived without problems and after he loaded up, we headed back to Hammond.  C/H Bryant were at Uncle Charles' house as well as most of the usual family that is there early.  Rob and Maria made their way over Friday night after they checked into their hotel.  Dad and Ella rented a bounce house that had been set up so that was a huge hit for the kids.  After a while, the 6 adults (B/K, K/J, and R/M) went to Canes for a little time away from the kids.  We left my dad in charge of all the kids and we figured they would just play outside.  When it was bed time, B set the tent up for the 6 kids, and K/J stayed in our normal room.  B and I set up our air mattress in the front room (where all the shoes are kept) but that was a mistake because the young people were singing karaoke on the carport (right outside our room).  It was loud, very loud.  Just imagine a bunch of young adults (late 20's) all drunk and singing bad karaoke.  We did not get much sleep that night.

Shopping trip for the weekend

gotta have beer

Some of the crowd

Bryce teaching the Easter story

brothers cooking crawfish

We had a bounce house this year for kids

I woke up early and went for a run.  Traditionally, B and I help Grandmalupe make beignets so we upheld tradition.  I love cooking with GLupe in the kitchen.  She's so serious about what she does.  Sort of like how she plays cards.  I love playing cards with GLupe and she's always my partner.  After breakfast, the kids just played outside and we helped get things ready for Uncle Charles.  He already had the cookers started and had picked up the crawfish already.  We cleaned the tables and got some of the chairs open and ready for guests.  I can't even remember who all came, but I know I spent most of my time with the Gillams, Livingstons, Bryants, Bubba & Gily and Mom & Chuck.  Jay Men. and his wife were there for the first time, and it seemed like they loved it.  Jay's grandfather (Uncle Tony) is G-Lupe's brother, and he lives either in Arizona or Nevada.  When Bub and I would visit Tacoma, WA, that's who we would stay with. It was good to see him and for B to meet him.  Saturday included the normal Easter story by Bryce for all the kids and then an egg hunt following. 

stealing a beignet

my people

godparents

Gily and Ashley

Bubba

After the egg hunt, Gram & Granddad took W and E and headed toward Florida because they were going to Disney for the week.  They had plans to spend them night in Tallahassee and then drive to Disney on Easter Sunday.  They had cute Easter shirts to wear also. The rest of us stayed in Hammond and had a wonderful afternoon.  We played kids vs the adults softball, ate more food, and just hung out until the bon fire where we made s'mores.  It's always a wonderful time.

Easter lunch with the family

packing eggs for the hunt

Loving on Grandmalupe

god-daughters

Easter in Disney

passed out on the way back to TX

Easter Sunday seemed weird without W and E but we woke up and went church Grandmalupe and Uncle Charles.  My mom and Chuck didn't go because they were long gone on the road to Disney.  Mass was good and then we headed home to get ready for our Easter family meal.  There was a lot of food and a lot of people.  The weather was so nice that we set up tables outside and ate under the trees.  B blessed the meal and the Livingston's came back to eat with us and J/K were there also.  After eating lunch, we took J/K to the airport and then hit the road back to Houston.  We wanted to stay longer, but knew that we needed to get back because of work and school. 

R and Eli

BFF's

weird not having W & E