My Boy !!

Tyler has really started repeating everything we say. We practice our body parts all the time and he knows them but it's really hard to get him to show other people.

Alzheimer's Walk

Harvest Manor Nursing Home along with other Plantation Management Facilities participated in the Alzheimer's Walk this year at LSU. It was a beautiful day and we couldn't ask for better weather or a better crowd. I didn't actively help with the Harvest Manor booth but I can say I helped Nicole restock the grab bag table. I brought Tyler along with me and we walked about 1.5 miles which really wasn't bad. Tyler really liked looking at the LSU campus. It was a beautiful day. Once we finished the walking part we all went to the booth's we noticed a Children's Area so I brought Tyler over there to play.

Tyler was a dancing fool. They had a live band and he was getting down.

Tony the Tiger really wanted to play with Tyler and at first he was really nervous but he warmed up and let us all take a picture together.

Dustin & Amber came over later that night. Tyler knew we were looking at him so he was being really silly. Dustin took this picture. Look at that kids belly !!

Ashley's 1st Birthday

Sunday was my niece's 1st birthday. I can't believe that she is one year old. Time has gone by so fast. Ashley has just began taking her first steps. The other day she took about 5 in a row but now she is just taking one or two here and there. I wouldn't doubt that in the next week she is running circles around JJ and Suzanne. They better start Ashley proofing.

Suzanne was trying to get Ashley's attention for a cute picture but me being the bad aunt that I am tried to distract her with my camera case - not knowing it was going to turn into a chew toy. Still a cute pic. though.

Our cousin-in-law Angel was making Ashley grin so big. Don't remember what she was doing to get her so giggly.

Can you tell who is very tired? Tyler didn't have a nap at all. The birthday party was smack in the middle of nap time and I figured he would maybe take a cat nap in my lap at some point but he didn't, he wanted to explore their back yard and play with the dogs. Man, he looks a little grouchy !!

Ashley's grandma (Suzanne's mom) was pushing her around and Ashley LOVED it!!

Can't you tell ?

One year down and many more to come

The Next SuperMan

Philip & I have been racking our brains trying to decide what Tyler should be for Halloween. On our way home from Tennessee we stopped at a Walgreens and as we were walking out Philip spotted a SuperMan costume in Tyler's size. We bought it and figured if it doesn't work out we'll give it away or he can wear it when he is playing around the house.

Tyler was pointing our TV remote towards the mirror, I'm not sure what he thought that would accomplish.

GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE

Philip & I went on vacation this year for the first time without Tyler. We left on a Monday and did not get home until Saturday afternoon. I was having serious feelings of anxiety as the trip grew closer. Philip & I spent every free second with him before we left. We both dropped him off at Casi's Monday morning and then hit the road. When he started crying as we got to Casi's house my heart broke - I felt like a true scumbag. Who can leave their child for an entire week, how selfish. Not really, we both really needed some time to just be Katie & Philip, not mom or dad. We did feel real guilty though as we drove out of the neighborhood but we knew that Tyler was in good hands with Casi and of course his nunu and papa which said they would keep him for the week.

Philip of course fell asleep almost as soon as he ate his McDonald's breakfast. Go figure, healways falls asleep in an instant.

So we got to the cabin with nothing but God's Grace. It was the most terrifying experience I have ever been through. Hopefully, nothing will try to beat it out. Once was definitely enough. Philip is not really the best navigator, he reads a few words on the directions and gives instruction, however, the instructions were WAY off. We got lost more than once and once we finally made it to the mountains to get to the cabin we felt so relieved, well until we started UP the mountain. Philip should have known to make us switch up with the driving b/c we started uphill it got crazy. The road was only wide enough for one and it was very very curvy. Plus, the steepness of the road what beyond belief. We would be looking at the dark sky and not even know if the road went left or right because we were angled up towards the sky. I had a major anxiety attack and we finally got to a spot where we could stop and switch so Phe could drive. I packed this mini flashlight so we used that so we could see the name of the cabins. They didn't have any light anywhere so it's a good thing I packed it. We made it to the cabin around elevenish. We were exhausted and I had already made up my mind that we were going back down into town in the morning so we could find a hotel to stay in, I was not going to go back up that mountain. BUT this is what I woke up too, it was so much prettier than the picture. So we stayed.

After waking up to the gorgeous Smokey Mountains we decided to go out and get some breakfast and see what Gatlinburg has to offer. We went to Cades Cove. It was a torturous drive b/c everyone was stopping in the hopes of seeing a bear but they did have things alone the way to do. We stopped at a side stop right after we went through a really old tunnel running through the mountain. It was so pretty I had to snap a few shots of the tunnel and of us walking along the creek.

On Wednesday we went to the Wax Museum and the Aquarium. We had a great time in the Wax Museum cutting up and pretending to be famous.

We went to Rock City on our last day. It was so pretty and interesting.

Philip is so brave, I wouldn't dare go out on that thing..... YIKES!!

A group of tourists (like ourselves) were passing by so we ask them to take our picture so they did... Aren't we the cutest couple ever ?? I am being sarcastic hope you know.

Our trip was just what we needed and we both felt so refreshed once we got home. We got home right before 5:00. We missed Tyler too much. We couldn't get home fast enough. When we got to Sonia/Jimmy's house Tyler just walked up to me and put his head on my shoulder. It was so sweet. We got him home and he cuddled and kissed on us all night long. There was no limit to his affection which is usually a rarity. We let him stay up late to watch the LSU football game so we could get as much cuddling as possible. He really did miss us - it was nice to be missed.

BUBBLY BOY meets BIG FOOT

Tyler and Nunu were having a great time playing in the back yard with bubbles. Tyler has somewhat learned how to wave the bubble wand in the air to get bubbles. Sonia did me a huge favor and watched him for me while I went shopping. I really needed some time to get away and have some 'Katie' time. While I was out I bought Tyler these really cute brown leather shoes for the fall. He really liked them b/c he wouldn't let me take them off.

Livingston Parish Fair

So as if it isn't bad enough that we live in Hick Town, Louisiana, my family along with a bunch of our freinds and their children decided to hit the Livingston Parish Fair by storm. It was me, Phe, Tyler, Robin, Kaiden, Kalli, Dawn, Emma, Wade, Nicole and Chad. It was cold and loud. I forgot how good fair food is though. Wade bought a funnel cake and I think we devoured it in a matter of seconds. Wade wore BOOTS which was hysterical, however, he did look mighty good wearing them, maybe he should go cowboy !! He'll get a major kick out of that. I only rode one ride, the Ring of Fire. I rode it with Robin and it made me nauseous. I remember now why I don't like riding the fair rides. Robin and Philip took the kids to ride some of the kiddy rides and they never came back, so apparently my child loved all the rides. Shame I missed it but what can a girl do. So, let me post some pics.

Me and Kalli snuggling b/c it was cold out....
Kaiden and Tyler boating around
Kaiden was having a blast as you can see.
Tyler has finally gotten the concept of holding hands with us while walking in a parking lot or in public.
Dawn's little girl Emma was chowing down on potato soup. She was so sweet and quiet - unlike Tyler who was tormenting Chad and Philip. We went to Chili's after the fair for some real food and warmth.
To end I have to say I was so proud of all the children. None of them cried the entire time and as late as we stayed out none of them were whiney. We didn't get home until 11:30. We are such bad parents !!

Landon's 1st Birthday

My very good friend Mimi had her little boys 1st birthday party this weekend. The theme was none other than Thomas the Tank Engine. Being that we love Thomas it was a no brainer, we had to go, plus, we love Mimi and her family. I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked but when your chasing your child down and trying to keep him away from the pool, a camera really doesn't fit into the picture.

This is Landon digging into his birthday cake. He looks like Santa Claus with all the icing taking shape as a beard. He had a good snack!
On the left is my friend Jodi's little boy Nicholas and Landon is on the right.
Tyler was in train heaven when he walked in the house and saw nothing but trains and Thomas toys. He was playing with his friend Parker, which by the way is my friend Michelle's little boy. Parker was born exactly one month before Tyler. Both Tyler & Parker are very shy and very clingy to their mommies but they played very well together and actually stepped away from us.
Tyler was concentrating very hard b/c he was lining up all of the trains.
Parker doing the same....