Thursday, January 31, 2008

My Birthday Dinner

This past Thursday, Jan. 31st, I turned 28 !! I am acknowledging that I am getting older and I am no longer in my MID twenties. My birthday celebrations really began on Wednesday - Lucky ME. Wednesday I went to lunch with my girls from City Hall. Val, Kelly, Rachelle and I went to Cocodries. The soup and salad was delicious and relatively healthy. Wednesday evening I went home and then we went to Sonia & Jimmy's house for dinner. They made me crawfish pie. For those of you who don't know the story, all I wanted for my 21st birthday was for my dad to make a crawfish pie for me. He made the best pie and as memory served me I thought about that crawfish pie every birthday and made darn good and well to mention to my dad each and every year. It became more of a joke to him but I really did want that pie. So, my in-laws decided to make one for me. It was very good and has renewed my love for crawfish pie. So, the begging now starts all over again for my dad and now my in-laws. I guess they could teach me how to make it myself BUT really, how much fun would that be?

Anyhow, on Thursday Philip met me and the guys from work (BJ, Chris and Tom) at Lonestar for lunch. It was really good too and I had so much fun just laughing at the guys. They are the funniest, most immature guys around, but they love me and I love them too. They made the waiters at the restaurant sing "Happy Birthday" to me, which was very embarrassing. Philip got me the DVR capability for the house, which is totally awesome. I have gone DVR crazy !! The guys from work got me a digital photo frame for my office. It's really nice, I just have to finish downloading the pictures I want to the memory card. Thursday evening we went to Outback with Sonia and Jimmy. THEN on Friday, my dad and I went and saw "The Eye" at the theater, had lunch and then had birthday fun at their house that evening.

So, as you can tell I had a great birthday this year, like every year BUT I must say last year only a handful of people remembered my birthday, which is perfectly okay, but I accepted that as you get older people don't call as much. Well, this year I felt like the most special person. Soo many people called to wish me a Happy Birthday !! It was so nice to know that people love and think of you as much as you love them. I am so very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends in my life. If we all could just take 1 minute out of the day to tell someone how much we love them I really do think the world would be a much better place. So, here's my minute. I love all of you and I am very thankful for each of you.

Be prepared . . . I have tons of pictures to download.

Tyler stiff arming me so he could hog the camera for himself.
A family picture
My very silly waiter laughing b/c I turned as red as the other waitress' shirt.
Me and my birthday cake @ Outback

Saturday, January 26, 2008

MARDI GRAS MAMBO !!!

We decided to experience the Denham Springs Mardi Gras parade. We were in a Christmas parade in December so this month we decided to let Tyler experience what it was like to catch beads instead of riding in the float. We went with some friends from my work, the Deschamps' family and Dustin. We had a great time and the kids loved the floats. At one point a helicopter flew overhead and the kids were astonished. When the parade started they had police officers & the fire department ride through to kick everything off. It was loud but it got the kids pumped for the parade. Also, different branches of the military were there and you know how I love the military so we got Tyler a "Marines" poster and some key chains.
Tyler & Philip after the police brigade came through. Tyler was amazed by all the sirens!!

The Deschamps' crew after the parade passed through. Kaiden had a blast !! He danced and jumped almost throughout the entire parade.

The Clark Family. I work with BJ. His wife Jeanette actually works for the city of DS as well. Their little girls name is Raelee and the little boy is Gage. Tyler has a secret crush on Raelee. Dustin didn't like the idea of me taking his picture so this is what I got.
Dustin finally warmed up to the camera. Joe, Kaiden, Tyler, Phe and Dustin after the parade.

Another couple that I work with. Ben is the Asst. Supervisor for the Water Dept. and Dana works at City Hall. Hannah is a super sweet little girl.

After the parade we got together with the Deschamps' crew. Of course we played UNO and of course I won !!! Go ME !!

Kalli being super sweet as usual. Tyler and Kaiden were sitting on the couch watching 'Cars' & Kalli really just wanted to hang out with the boys so I made a little room on the couch and they all sat like three peas in a pod. **Notice the fear in Tyler's eyes** Kalli doesn't beat him up anymore but you sure wouldn't know it by his expression.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Just an update.

We scheduled a little getaway to the camp last weekend. It was very much needed and we didn't get much rest or relaxing done but we did have a great time. Sometimes it's just nice to get away from the every day pattern of life. Tyler loved the boat and was very curious about the water flowing under the boat so he would just sit and watch the water rippling against the boat. We actually fed the Pelicans and Tyler thought that was about the coolest thing ever but I didn't get any pictures so sorry.
Tyler's first ride in the boat of the trip. Doesn't he look cute and silly !!
Tyler was really driving the boat, of course, with my assistance.
We were barely moving.
Tyler trying to figure out the whole "water" deal.
Papa & Tyler chillin the boat.
So, I went on my first business meeting for the City of Denham Springs. It was a conference in Alexandria, LA and it was overnight. I was very nervous about leaving home but at the same time looking forward to doing something new and learning new things. Along with 4 of my collegues, the Mayor of Denham Springs and a couple of the City Councilmen, we went to classes and seminars that Tuesday and Wednesday. We learned some interesting stuff about water & wastewater systems. What was even better was I only spent $5 on a drink, everything else was FREE !! YEY !! Anyhow, Tyler had to stay 2 nights with Sonia b/c I was gone and Philip's work schedule was crazy. When I got home Tyler didn't want anything to do with me, I guess I would be mad too if my mama left me too. These two pictures are of bath time @ Sonia's.

I think this is the cutest bath picture EVER !!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

HOW BOUT THEM TIGERS !!

I have to dedicate this to Baton Rouge's top ranked LSU TIGERS !!! This has been an amazing year for this team and it was the last time many of them would ever play together. We all love our home teams but you know LSU has the heart of champions, even when they don't win THE championship game. LSU had many struggles this year with the rumors of Les Miles leaving to go the Michigan, Dorsey getting hurt, Flynn playing while banged up, Williams out with injury, receivers not hanging on to the ball, penalty after penalty, etc. but in the end the team was given some time to heal and play their hearts out and came out with a VICTORY. GO TIGERS is all I can say. Check out these pictures and look at this slide show (you'll need to copy-paste address) if you want, it's pretty good. You can see that these guys play with ALL of their heart and then some.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/multimedia/13523727.html






I couldn't find a decent picture of Jacob Hester, which is my favorite player, who rocked last night, but when doesn't he ??

GO TIGERS !!

My two TIGERS celebrating a touchdown !! Tyler was trying to give me kisses while I was taking this picture.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

HAPPY NEW YEARS

I can not believe that 2007 has already come and gone. Where has the time gone? I remember my parents telling me as I get older time will go by much faster. They were so right. I remember last new years like it was yesterday. Philip had to work nights this year so Sunday night we went by the fireworks stand and bought a few smaller, more kid friendly fireworks. Tyler and I bundled up outside and watched Philip light them up. Tyler absolutely loves fireworks even the loud ones. He screams and claps up a storm for more, more and more.

Monday afternoon Tyler & I went and got Ryan so he could hang out with us like usual. Valerie was having a get together with some friends so we went by there and had finger foods and popped more fireworks. Tyler still was estactic about all the explosions of color. After a while we went back to the house and Ryan did a few more fireworks in our front yard. We all watched the ball drop and shared hugs and kisses, then we all crashed. I can not believe that Tyler stayed up till midnight with us. He was so well behaved and not the least bit cranky. He kissed Ryan and I and went to bed. My sweet boys.
Ryan and Tyler right after the clock struck 12

Ryan and I

This is what we did on New Years Day - NOTHING but hang around the house.

Tyler loves his girl Daisy. She will let him do anything to her and she doesn't even care. She is such a good girl and loves all the attention she gets from Tyler.