Puggles

Braden, Easton, Olivia and Jacob have been going to Awana's every Sunday night. It's more of a "social gathering" for Easton and Jacob but we always have a good time. They tell them a little Bible story, they color, eat a snack and play games. Last week was black light night. They had black lights in the gym with balls and gloves that glowed. I think the parent had more fun than the kids!! =) A couple weeks ago Easton got his puggle shirt and the night happened to be camo night so yes, that is my son dressed in all camo.
Easton & Jacob-Proud Puggles

Bumpin' Bellies
This Sunday we are going to sing Christmas Songs at the "old folks home" so we have been practicing our Jingle Bells.

My Little Sweet Heart

This morning I was getting ready to leave for work and Easton was laying on the couch watching tv. I thought he was going to throw a fit when I told him goodbye because he did yesterday. He had been doing so well but I guess after a week at home he got out of routine. So I went over and told him mommy had to go to work. He said, "Easton want to go to mommy's work." I told him he couldn't but mommy would come get him real soon, then I said, "Can I have a kiss?" He gave me a kiss then said,"Mommy give Easton a hug." That was the first time he had ever asked for a hug. I said,"You want a hug?" His face lit up and he jumped up gave me a big hug then as he was laying down he said,"I wuv you." What a way to start off the day!!!

Sassy Girl

Isabelle is something else these days. She tries to talk so much and will copy things you say. But last week she did a few things on her own that are definitely worth sharing.
Last Wed- I was holding her and Jana(Scott's Sister) was tapping her on the shoulder trying to get her attention. She was ignoring Jana, so she just kept on. Well finally after a minute or so Isabelle turned around, put her pointer finger right in Jana's face and said,"NO!"
Thurs-Papa Joe was right in her face giving her kisses and talking to her. She pushed his face away with her hand and said,"STOP."
Fri-She pretty much did the same thing to Bridgette. Bridgette had her hand on her and was talking to her and she pushed her hand off and told her,"STOP."
We are definitely going to have our hands full!!!

Curry's Farm

Last Friday we went to Curry's Farm to cut our tree down(or so I thought). On the way there I noticed Scott had on blue jeans, a sweater and one of his nicer jackets. I said,"Is that what you are cutting the tree down in?" He laughed and said he wasn't doing it. I thought that was the whole point of going to "cut down your own tree." Next time I know what they really mean is we are going to pick it out then someone else cuts it down. Anyways...other than the extremely cold weather we had a good time. They took us on a sleigh ride, the kids got to ride a "train," they had places to pose for pictures, a hay slide, ducks to feed and some awesome hot cider. I must say the tree is absolutely beautiful, a little flimsy on the branches but very pretty.

In the truck on the way

Kids riding the train
These are all the grandkids that went:Garryn, Ashton, John Paul, Easton, Jordan, Olivia, Braden, Jacob and Isabelle & Leighton(not pictured)

Jacob with his adorable pose
You notice all the LSU attire, this was prior to 1:30. We weren't so proud about 6 that evening!!

No Way

It's amazing how fast kids pick up on things. The other day somebody asked Easton a question, I can't remember what it was, but I told him to say, "No Way." Well it has stuck with him. I must have heard it 15 times last night. Here were a few:

Me: Easton, lets go take a bath.
Him: No Way.
Me: Easton, come eat dinner.
Him: No Way.
Me:Come let mommy put your pajama's on.
Him: No Way.

I promise this went on all night. I will definitely choose my words more wisely next time.

1/2 Day

One of the good things about living in Louisiana and being a teacher is when football playoffs roll around, all of a sudden nothing else seems to matter. All 5 high schools in the Parish made it to the playoffs and 4 of them have to travel south to New Orleans or Baton Rouge. Therefore today became 1/2 for everyone. I stayed home with the kids so at least I only had to take 1/2 a day off. GO WEST OUACHITA!!!!

Feeling Each Others Pain

Yesterday Scott got a call from the daycare saying Easton was running fever and Isabelle was puking. So we got to take both of them to the dr. yesterday afternoon. They usually prick their finger to check for infection(I thing it's a way for them to make an extra $20 on every person but whatever). Well we let Easton go first to get it over with and of course he did not like it too much. Then they did Isabelle and it was so cute, Easton didn't want to leave the room and when she started crying you should have seen the look on his face. It was so cute!! Turns out Easton's throat is infected and Isabelle may have a stomach bug. I did notice this morning though that her 2 teeth had popped through on the top so I think that could of had something to do with it.

Game of the Year

If you are an LSU fan there is one game you have been waiting anxiously and nervously for...LSU vs Alabama. For those of you who don't follow college football, the head coach at Alabama used to be the head coach at LSU. He was pretty much worshiped there and when he left people were pretty bitter. He went on to the Miami Dolphins then this past Jan he decided to come back to the college world and of all places he's at Alabama. Well they finally played last night and after a very ugly game the Tigers barely pulled it off with a 41-34 victory. There were some pretty funny things out there leading up to the game. Our local sport store sold shirts saying, "Bama Bleaux's(blows)," it was all you heard about on the radio and somebody went so far as to make a new version of Sweet Home Alabama. It was pretty cool too be honest. Here is a site you can go to hear it. LSU's new coach is Les Miles so keep that in mind when you here the song.
http://songofthemorning.blogspot.com/2007/11/geaux-tigers-beat-bama.html

Update on the Family

I haven't been all that great at updating this thing. I keep thinking things will slow down but it just isn't happening. I feel like life is passing by and I don't know where the time is going. Here is a little update on what we have all been up to...

Halloween was a big day for Isabelle, she took her first step. I thought it was a fluke but then the next day when I picked her up at the daycare they told me she had taken 2 steps. So of course we went home and I had to see it for myself and sure enough she had the 2-step down. It's been a couple days since I started this and now she is up to about 7 steps. We call her little miss sassy. She loves to point her finger and talk back already. It's hilarious!!! And now she's got this new thing where she knows she doing something wrong and I'll say,"Isabelle," and she turns and puts her hand in the air as if to say, "what am I doing wrong." Her vocabulary still consists of mama, dada, no-no, ba-ba,ny-ny(night,night) and of course, ty-da(tiger). The day care swears she said thank you and Easton but I haven't heard it. She is sleeping all night in her own room. She's probably wondering what took us so long to get her her own bed in her own room.

Easton on the other hand, not sleeping so well. He's in our bed now and still wakes up and tosses and turns. He has really gotten in to Mickey Mouse and Winnie the "Poot." He knows the theme songs for 3 shows. I'll ask, "what does Barney sing?" He say, "I wuv you, I wuv me," then I'll say, "what does Mickey Mouse sing?" He says, "It Mickey Mouse Cub House." And the last is my favorite, I'll say, "What does Thomas(the train) sing?" and he goes, "da,da,da,da da,da,da,da,da,da,da" with the right tune. He absolutely loves Isabelle. He's still kinda rough but he really just wants to play. The other day he was kinda in a bad mood and I kept asking him questions. Of course, the answer to everything was,"NO." I asked him,"Is Easton cute?" He said "NO" then hesitated and in a really sweet voice he said,"momma, sista cute."

Braden is well into his first year of first grade. When you ask him how school was that day, the answer is always the same,"Boring." He is wrapping up his flag football season. His team went undefeated so they are in the playoffs which start Thurs. Scott coaches him and absolutely loves it. He is becoming very independant. He's made some friends in the neighborhood so as soon as we get home he if off on his bike to find someone to play with. The other day I told him he needed to home home in 15 minutes and I told him what time that was. Well he didn't come back for about 30 minutes. He comes in the door and I was so ready to fuss at him but before I could say a word he said, "I know you are going to be mad at me because that was later than 15 minutes but let me explain what happened." It sounded so mature. So he went into this long story about how the frisbee went in the neighbors yard and they couldn't figure out what house it was. Finally I just said, "OK Braden, it's ok, just sit down and eat."

Scott has been busy at work.The months of Sept and Oct he had to go out of town 3 times for 4 days each time. Its been pretty rough but I guess thats just part of it. He continues to coach Braden and does a great job. He gets so many compliments from the parents about how he coaches and how their kids have learned so much. He has his 20 year high school reunion this weekend, that ought to be interesting.

Things have been pretty crazy for me at work as well. You would think with 10 kids all day I would have a little free time, not so much!!! It's always something. When you start teaching in La they have this program called LATAAP(La Teacher Assistance and Assessment Period). I think they do it to make your first 2 years miserable. Its a bunch of busy work and they come and observe you. Last year I was observed by my mentor and principal. Tomorrow I am being observed by my outside assessor which is a pretty big deal. If I don't pass I get one more shot next semester and if I still don't I cant teach in La for 2 years. I feel pretty confident but I know I am going to be so nervous. I've gotten to know the lady who is coming and she's very nice and helpful so hopefully it will go ok. Then I will have to be observed by my principal again and finish my portfolio and I will be official. Now that we are 1/3 of the way through the schoole year I am going to try to enjoy these next 6 weeks because next semester is going to be a whole different story.

Halloween

The kids go to Awana's every Sunday night but the Sunday before Halloween they had a little carnival for the kids. They all had a great time.

Braden in his Karate Soup(as he calls it)

Me and Easton on the hay ride
Jacob and Easton--I could not get them still so this was the best I could do
Easton is "showing his teeth" in this Pic
Braden and Isabelle--They look so much alike in this pic
These next few are Halloween night:
Braden(Harry Potter) & cousin Garryn

Easton ridin his Horsy
Jacob & Easton

Easton