it's progress

Just a little update on our deck - we cannot express how much we LOVE this new area in our lives. It's like a whole new room added on to our house, even if it is outdoors. We cookout, have picnics, watch B play, blow bubbles, ride cars, bring all toys inside outside, read magazines, talk on the phone, and on and on. We LOVE having this area and hope to make a little more progress before summer. We need a few pillows, some plants and my Dad is going to finish the top portion of the pergola so we can plant Wisteria and hang curtains... but even without all of that, we are really enjoying an outside escape.

Since the beginning of deck day to the latest update!

- 10.07.12











- 03.07.12


And since this last photo, Jon built a table and we stained it two weeks ago. Added some rot iron planters too. More photos to come in the future. We are proud of our progress - should've done this years ago :)

firetrucks and parades

The Royal Order of the Firetruck... This is by far our favorite parade during Mardi Gras! I don't know if it's because it's so fun seeing people decorate their golf carts, boats and tractor trailors, or because it's our neighborhood parade! And this year, Bennett and Jon rode on the twin's float and had a blast! Unfortunately we didn't capture a photo of B and J on the float because they flew by us too quickly... and I was that screaming mom trying to get her baby's attention - so proud!

We ordered pizzas, packed the coolers full and had a great time hanging out with Francy, JoJo, Chris, Ashley Lynn, Emilynn, MarMar, Uncle Stan, Little Joey, Hutton, DeeDee, Grandpa, Ms. Jean, Lindsay, John and Jay!

DeeDee couldn't wait to get her hands on Jay!

Hutton came with MarMar, Uncle Stan and Little Joey

Emilynn taking part in Mardi Gras too!


On Monday night, Jon came home early from work and we decided to head to downtown Fairhope for the OOMM Parade. This is Mrs. Pam's Mardi Gras society and we were really excited to take B to the parade and watch from the bank balcony. We were hoping to meet up with Mrs. Pam and Mr. Jordan, but they had great seats at Aurora's across town and close to the loading at the Civic Center to see Mrs. Pam's friends! Jon and I had not been to this parade in years and we had a great time. Afterwards we headed to the Mexican Restaurant! Who would've thought the Stablers, the Rices, the Hawleys and the Liebs ate Mexican food - ha! Only twice a week :)

Hutton at the OOMM Mardi Gras Parade Monday night

MarMar and Jay

B having a pre-parade snack

Very possessive and proud of his beads

He was dancing like crazy to the bands - like his momma :)


Trying his first moonpie! - 02.19.12, 17 months

Giving the moonpie back... not so much for him.

Jay Nicklos caught a rubber chicken!

Jon, Bennett and Jay taking in the festivities

will you be mine?

Valentine's Day 2012! It was a fun day full of love, cupcakes and kazoos! We enjoyed the day delivering cupcakes to friends and family and just plain ole having fun :) We even gave Jon a huge chocolate Best Catch fish! Needless to say, he didn't even touch it because it isn't healthy... so I threw it to Little Joey in the Maids of Jubilee Mardi Gras Parade!

Francy surprised B early in the morning before work with a Balloon and treats! - 02.14.12, 17 months

DeeDee gave B a kazoo - and boy, oh boy, did he love to play it all day... long :)

Valentine's Day Cupcakes decorated with B's first words toppers


Heart cups :)

How to eat a Cupcake 101



How to steal a 2nd cupcake from the cake stand while Momma's not looking 101

He is pretty intense when it comes to cupcakes.




Hoping your Valentine's Day was as sweet as ours!

friends

B has the best little buddies ever! And I'm not just saying that because I love all their parents, too. Seriously, his friends are the cutest, sweetest little people I have ever been around. They had so much fun together celebrating Currie's 1st Birthday! The high 30s weather didn't stop these rascals from having a ball at the petting zoo :)

Currie and B take a wagon ride at Currie's first birthday party! - 02.12.12, 17 months

Frank and the ducks

Frank wasn't afraid of any of the animals!

Sweet Anna Reese

Stella and the bunny

Stella and B


William, the gatekeeper

Frank!


He is definitely Jon's child... sanitizing at all times!

William pulling B in the wagon - Poor William, B is 10 pounds heavier than him!

Currie's cake was hard as a rock from the cold weather - but that didn't stop her from digging in :)

B can't decide between his two favs - juice box or cupcake?

This picture cracks me up... I can see it now... fast forward 15 years. Frank driving everyone on a Friday night out. Bennett turning up the radio full blast (bc that's safe). William in the back seat hanging out with sweet Stella. All four anticipating a fun night out. Oh my gosh... how scary to think this is right around the corner. Before we know it, all of us parents will be calling each other trying to get the scoop on what party is happening. I think I will lock Bennett in his room. I can't handle this - haha! I might have a heart attack thinking about this.

Jay Nick and Gordon!

KOER 2012

Unfortunately I didn't take that many photos during Mardi Gras this year. I'm pretty sure it's because I was too busy chasing around a toddler and having a few toddies here and there! But I am happy to report that Jon and I partied like rockstars for two weekends straight. Probably the most we have partied since before I was pregnant with Bennett. Actually, that is most definitely the most we have done since pre-Bennett era. It was so fun to let loose, dance, socialize and enjoy one another's company. As much as we missed our sweet B during the parades and balls, it was good for us to get out as two. And I am also happy to report that we will not be partying like that again for a very, very, very long time. Our bodies cannot handle that kind of pressure. We are officially old. We hit our 30s and someone hit the switch. Partying like a rockstar, from now on, will be at Bennett's birthday parties, and will most likely involve cupcakes and jumpies, not whiskey, screwdrivers and dance bands :)

Saturday morning of Jon's float loading at the KOER barn, Hagan and the girls joined us for a short while to see all the awesome floats! It was a good day :)

Precious Campbell

Jon's float! The theme of the floats was giants

NY Giants - good thing they won the Super Bowl two weeks before

Clifford, the big red dog - one of B's fav!

Bennett and Stella - 02.10.12, 17 months

- 02.10.12, 17 months

Campbell, B and Cooper

They love each other :)