Fun At The Fair

Bossier City had a State Fair this year, for the first time. I'm not really sure how it is the Bossier City "State Fair", but whatever. We took our niece, Taylor, with us for her birthday. Her and Raelee are 5mos apart, so they have so much fun together.

It was nice but H-O-T!!!!! They had a blast, and afterwards the girls talked Brad into pizza. Happy Birthday Taylor.....We love you!

Cuddle Time

This is what it's all about : )
Gosh I love these little people so much!

Party At Jill's

I took Raelee to a birthday party at Jill's Gymnastics Saturday. ( I know...today is Thursday....but I'm just getting them up!) She had so much fun. So, of course, now she wants to take gymnastics. As, most of you know, Raelee is not the most graceful little angel, so we may just sleep on this one for a while. Lordy Lordy, let's just get enrolled in Kindergarten first : )
Jumping on the trampolineReady....SteadyMy little monkeyI didn't say she was afraid

Not Me! Monday

Welcome back to Not Me Monday. Here is my week, or not, in review:

I did not JUST take my 5yr old daughter to the dentist for her FIRST check-up. Duh...NOT ME! That would be totally irresponsible on my part. But, if that did happen, I would be proud to announce that this certain 5yr old has perfect, cavity free teeth!

I did not let my son walk joyously around in my high heels, and play in my curlers, just so I could finish getting dressed. NOT ME! What mother would allow such a thing.

I did not eat a snickers for supper while watching the Grey's Anatomy season finale. Nope...NOT ME! But, I'm sure it would have been REALLY good.

I did not call the lady at the school board AGAIN to see if Raelee had moved up on the list for magnet school. NOT ME! I'm not the crazy stalker type.

I did not let the kids skip their bath after swimming because they were cleaner than when they started, and I was exhausted. Of course not...NOT ME! That would be totally unsanitary.

WOW... I really feel better about myself now, knowing that NONE of these things really happened. How about you?

This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

My Little Photographer

Colton got a hold of my camera, and I had 10 pictures of this on it. Such cute little chubby toes!

Yeah....Summer Is Finally Here!

Or at least that's what Grandmother and Pawpaw's pool says. We took the kids swimming this week after school one day with cousins, Jewel Ann and Micah. They had so much fun. Raelee is not afraid of anything anymore, but we still need to work on getting her to swim without any type of life jacket. Colton loved it and kept trying to be big like the girls. So, here are the start of the summer pics : )

Colton and Micah

Poor Jewel Ann riding Raelee on her back

Raelee the future dolphin trainer

A Rain-Free Afternoon

"teaching" sissy how to blow bubbles

I sure do LOVE this pretty little face
This little monkey is not too shabby either

Soccer Girl

Raelee had her last soccer game Friday night. We spent the whole week playing rain out games, since it has been raining here FOREVER. I am so proud of my little Rae. She ran up and down that field the whole season like a champ. Bless her heart, as you can see, she is so much smaller (and younger) than everyone else, so I was so glad she didn't give up. She had a blast. Brad and I want to encourage her to do whatever makes her happy, whether it be sports, school groups, church activities, or all of the above. We are here for her to live and learn. She wants to try something different every season, and I think that's great. I don't want her to get so wrapped up and involved in one thing right now that she gets burnt out. Who knows what the little munchkin will come home wanting to do, or be in, once Kindergarten starts! WOW....that's just in a few months....UGGHHH!

I do believe the sun is in their eyes

She is soooo proud of her medal

Pizza party afterwards at Mr.Gatti's
Colton waited all season for this part

Not Me! Monday

I am jumping on the "Not Me!" bandwagon that MckMama has started. I will do this every Monday about the week before. I hope you enjoy!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I most certainly did not let Raelee play 2 soccer games in a row in the same uniform because she only had them on for 1 hour. NOT ME! What kind of mom would I be?

I did not pick a booger the size of Dallas out of my 2 year old's nose in front of my cousin and almost make her puke her lunch.Nope NOT ME!

I absolutely did not get Raelee a Happy Meal just so she could get ANOTHER Kidz Bop CD. NOT ME! I would never justify that.

I by all means did not scarf down chicken nuggets myself like it was my last meal. NOT ME! I only eat Subway and SlimFast.

I did not keep my kids in pjs all day, then throw them on clothes before going to the in laws for dinner, just like we had been dressed all day. Of course NOT ME!

I am certainly NOT jealous that my husband is going on a fishing trip this week with 20 friends down south. NOT ME! What kind of crazy wife would I be? I get to spend quality time with my kids for 4 DAYS STRAIGHT ALONE!

I would NEVER have done any of these things, and I HOPE that you would not dare do them either!

Not Just A Mother

Mother's Day to me is such an amazing day of the year. A chance to celebrate the woman who gave me life, raised me right, put up with teenage years, helped plan a wedding, takes care of grand kids, and everything in between. Not only is this woman my mother, but she is my best friend. I don't know anyone else who is more selfless and giving than my mom. I have never had to doubt her love and support, and for that I am grateful. She has taught me to be the mother that I am today, and I couldn't do it without her. I have learned that family ALWAYS comes first, and it always will. She is an incredible woman and I am so blessed to be her daughter.

Besides having an amazing mom, I also have the privilege of having a wonderful Mimi. I really don't think I could just sit down and explain the words that I feel for this woman. She is like a second mother to me. I know that I can pick up the phone and call her ANYTIME about ANYTHING and she is there to listen and help in any way possible. It has been a rough last 14 years for her, but she is a rock and I admire her so much. She is the christian rock that keeps this family going. She is a giver, a servant, and strong woman of God. I am so glad Raelee has her Great-Grandmother, just like I did.

I am so thankful for being a mommy also. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and two beautiful, amazing kids. I love being a mommy, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Raelee is about to start Kindergarten, and Colton will turn 2 next month. Wow...where has the time gone? I just want to soak in every minute that I can, and hold them in my lap as long as they will let me.

There are several other moms and grandmas that are special to me, but I wanted to mention my BEST FRIENDS. Mom and Mimi.... I love you both so much, and I thank you for making me the woman I am today.

Eat AND Dance At Joe's

Saturday, the kids and I headed to the Boardwalk, along with Grandmother and Pawpaw. I wanted to just run down there and get Raelee some play clothes, and of course that turns into an eventful evening. It had been so long since we had nice weather, so we couldn't resist. We went to a couple of stores, then of course Raelee has to go see the animals....Bass Pro Shop. So after walking up an appetite we decide to eat at Joe's Crab Shack. This is one place that Colton loves. Not only for the loud obnoxious music, dancing and lights....but he LOVES popcorn shrimp. So, while at Joe's Raelee decides not to be shy, and gets up to dance with the waiters. I was so surprised. She was having so much fun, and was so proud of herself. That poor waitress trying to help her, she deserves a thank you note. We then proceed to the "pick a duck" game, and low and behold....Raelee and Colton are both WINNERS....woohoo! So needless to say, we have a blowup spongebob and dolphin that will be swimming in Grandmother and Pawpaw's pool real soon.

Grandmothers are the BEST! Holding one grandchild so that she can stay warm, while holding a cup for the other, hoping it doesn't dump in her lap.

The big winners! Now Raelee says she can practice being a dolphin trainer in grandmother's pool, just like Carley : )
Colton cuddles his Spongebob.

A Beautiful Southern Wedding

Last weekend, Brad and I escaped to a wonderful weekend in Baton Rouge for a true southern wedding. I wasn't sure that I was going to go since Colton was having such a hard time after the surgery, but Thursday morning he woke up a new child. Friday morning I packed my bags and we headed down after Brad got off of work. The wedding was for some dear friends of ours, Rocky and Rachael, so I really didn't want to miss it. Brad was a groomsman, so we attended a yummy rehearsal dinner at The Cabin in Gonzalez. Saturday a group of us found a great new restaurant called "Sammy's". The guys stayed there and watched the NFL draft and ate crawfish, and the girls headed out for some shopping. The wedding was at the Houmas Plantation House, which was absolutely beautiful. They couldn't have asked for a more perfect day and weather. It was a nice little getaway for Brad and I, and I got some much needed sleep in the amazing hotel bed. Congrats Rocky and Rachael.....we are so happy for the both of you. You are two of our dearest friends and we love you!The beautiful Houmas Plantation HouseMe and WendyMy handsome hubby escorting me to my seat

Me and the wonderful bride, RachaelSome of the crew from ShreveportWendy, Me, and Maria

Sunday morning, we got up and headed home, but not before stopping at Prejean's for one last cajun meal. Danny and Wendy joined us, so it was really nice. I know what you're thinking.....we ate the whole time....yep we sure did, and it was worth every bite!

Disney On Ice

I know it's been a while since I have blogged, so I have a little catching up to do. Last week, Grandmother and Pawpaw bought all the kids, grand kids, and Mimi, tickets to Disney on Ice. Raelee was soooo excited, and Colton kept chanting for "Mickey" (mickey mouse). Once we arrived and loaded down with toys and food, the show begins....Colton FREAKS out. What? Are you kidding me? The kid who wouldn't leave Scooby alone at the last birthday party we went to. Uggg! Well, needless to say I spent most of my time outside with him, or at the top of the stairs. He could care less about seeing "Mickey". It may have been the fact that he was still not 100% from the tonsils either. He did love when the lights came on and the man rode around on the zamboni....of course. He also sat still long enough to scarf down some of Uncle Kevin's popcorn. All the others loved it, and from what I hear, Raelee didn't take her eyes off of it. She loves all of the princesses and anything magical. Thanks Brook for taking care of my munchkin, and thanks Grandmother and Pawpaw for a wonderful treat. Patiently waiting on the show.The 5 minutes that he was still.The kids with their souvenirs.