My boy is ONE!

Today was a beautiful day...literally and figuratively. It was a sunny, gorgeous day the day my boy turned one. My mom and sister came in from out of town for the big occasion. Thank God!! I never would have been able to get everything done without them. My mom and sister helped cook and clean. We had queso, guacamole, mini chicken meatballs with mini pasta, chicken nuggets, sliders, fruit, cupcakes and brownies. Mmmmm! Special thanks to Christy for making Gavin's cake. I wanted to make it myself, but just ran out of time. He had a banana cake with chocolate buttercream icing shaped into a monkey face. It turned out so good!

We had lots of guests, and Gavin had so much fun!

My favorite part of the day was when we sang "Happy Birthday" to Gavin and gave him his cake. He did not disappoint us!! He dug into that cake without hesitation and got it everywhere!

What a great day! Thanks to all of our family and friends for making this such a special day!!!

Boudin Ball 2010

Every year, the Krewe de Roux hosts a Mardi Gras-esque ball in Dallas. There are food, drinks, and a live band. The last time Gary and I went, we did an LSU theme...well, we wore purple. This time, our theme was Black and Gold!!!! I wore a black and gold dress. It wasn't enough for Gary to wear a black suit and a gold tie. Nope. He wore his Drew Brees jersey over his suit!!! He got so much attention...it was really a conversation starter! I didn't feel that great (fighting a vicous cough), but I still had a wonderful time!

Christy came with us, too. She had a great time! So great, we couldn't let her drive her home. She crashed on our couch. This is her before and after...

What a great night! Laissez les bon temps rouler and congrats to the Saints and the entire city of New Orleans! We couldn't be prouder... obviously!

Saints won the SUPERBOWL!!!

That's all...mostly. Enjoy these pics from our party.

Black and Gold, SUPERBOWL!!!!

The Saints are going to the Superbowl for the first time in franchise history. On Sunday, January 24th, 2010, the Saints beat the Minnesota Vikings in overtime by a score of 31-28 to join the Colts in Miami.

Christy came over to watch the game with me since Gary was out of town for work. She stated that I should never watch a game like this by myself in case I dislocated my knee from dancing and jumping around or passed out from holding my breath on Booth reviews. Funny. Gary called me the last few minutes of overtime when the Saints would kick the game winning field goal. I cried...a lot.

The Saints mean so much to that city. Growing up there, you can't help but be a Saints fan. That's really all there is!!! Even when the team was affectionately referred to as the "A'ints", people still bought tickets and showed up to the Super Dome with paper bags on their head because there is nothing else to do!!! Sad? Yes, but it's a reality. The Saints became even more of a crutch to the city after Katrina.

As a child, I remember going to the Saints practice facility on David Drive. I remember meeting Bobbie Hebert. I also remember how my friends mom almost passed out when he walked out of the building. I thought she was silly, but now I can totally relate! I heart Drew Brees! There are a few differences between Bobby Hebert and Drew Brees. The most obvious difference is that, well, Drew Brees is a great football player, AKA the surgeon (that's so cheesy). But more than that, he came to a city that was so broken and vowed to fix it on and off the field. He has a charity program that gives millions of dollars to cancer research and helping to rebuild schools, playgrounds and athletic programs in New Orleans. Now, he has lead the Aints to their first Superbowl, ever. And the city rejoiced! I would have given anything to be there, but instead, I kneeled on the floor while on the fun phone with my honey as we watched the unbelievable end to this game. And I cried.

Even if they don't win the Superbowl, I'm so proud of the Saints and what they accomplished this year. Saints in the Superbowl. Who would have thunk it?

Swimming lessons....

Gavin started his first swimming lesson today! He loves being in the water...mostly. There are a few scared faces... But the rest of the time, it was all smiles and high fives!!!
One of my favorite things about these lessons (besides the family bonding and teaching my son how to swim) is the fact that they have to wear two pairs of swimming "pants"-just in case one can't hold the doody. Speaking of doody, they sing a doody check song while in the pool. Thank God Gavin did not poop in the pool! Unfortunately, he did poop on the floor. That's right. I give the boy "naked" time each day to air out a little bit. Just so happens that he waited until that time to poop. A perfect little big boy turd! What a great day! Can't wait till next week! I think I will get in the water next week...

Holidays 2009

It's been a while since I posted and one of the reasons is my new camera...the awesome camera Gary got me for Christmas! It's a Canon Rebel, and it rocks! Only, I didn't know how to download pictures from it. I don't think the computer knows what to think of this new addition. Nevertheless, I downloaded pictures and can proceed with my blog...

So...Christmas was a bit hectic. We had our Christmas here the Tuesday before Christmas (and the night before we left for New Orleans). It was very quite and intimate. Just the way we wanted it. We woke up early the next morning and hit the road for New Orleans. I spent most of the trip in the back seat trying to entertain Gavin. He was such a trooper! The drive was going so well until we hit Baton Rouge. We were stuck in traffic for an hour and a half. I'm not even kidding you. That hour and a half put us in New Orleans for rush hour traffic. Not fun.

Once we were there, the hecticness continued. It's mildly to moderately stressful being at someone else's house with your baby, dog and husband. Not only do you have to deal with everyday issues, you have to deal with it at someone else's house while trying to help with cleaning and cooking for Christmas dinner. It was still a great time. It was great to hang out with my sister, brodder, nephew, niece, mom, Michelle and Leonard on Christmas Eve. It was also so great to hang out with Ellie's family on Christmas Day. Jan (Ellie's sister) has a beautiful house and had a beautiful Christmas dinner! On Saturday, we headed over to the northshore (again) to visit Gary's friends, Brad, Brandie, Emma and Kyle. I can't believe how big those kids are getting!!!

Fantastic matching p.j.'s from yours truly...

Gavin and Jack trying to eat the same sock. I don't get it. Why do they both love to eat socks?My brother-in-law. You have to know him to think this picture is funny. On second thought, no you don't!!! Hahaha!
And...you have to know Ellie to know why this picture is funny...
Gavin's P.J.'s that Gary got him. Gavin opening presents...

Sweet Emma...

And her brother, Kyle. Why is that dinosaur eating a candy cane? Did they have candy canes in prehistoric times? Does that make candy canes prehistoric? Fossils? I digress...



We drove back to Dallas on Sunday. It was a hellacious. Gavin pooped 4 times!!! I know, TMI. But, we had to stop 4 times to change him. And, he was tired of being in the car. We made it home pretty quickly!! Then...back to work.

Wednesday, Beth surprised me with the news that her and Joey were driving up to see us!! Yayayayayay! They drove up Thursday night, we toasted and rang in the new year, and then went to bed. We spent the rest of the weekend hanging out, making s'mores, and going to dinner at Tillman's (still one of my favorite places!) It was a great time! They drove back home on Sunday :(

It was a hectic, but great holiday. I can't wait till next year when Gavin is older and "gets" it a little bit more. I think next Thanksgiving, we might try to meet our family in Arkansas. A shorter drive and no Baton Rouge.

Ice, ice, baby...

Gary and I both had this Friday off, and we had a babysitter, so we went on a date! First, we went to the Gaylord Texan for the Ice exhibit. The theme of the ice exhibit was "The Grinch" by Dr. Seuss. They gave us these fantastic parkas at the entrance, which REALLY came in handy! I mean...they told us it would be 9 degrees, but I think that's hard to wrap your head around when you grow up in the South! The parkas kept us really warm...gloves would have come in handy.

The ice sculptures were really amazing.

Gary's alter ego...

We had fun hanging out together, but we were ready to get the heck out of this icy tent! We finished the day with some yummy sushi at Kona Grill and a little bit of shopping. It was a great day! I enjoyed being able to reconnect with my hubby and eating/shopping without rushing!