Throw me somethin' mister!!!

Happy Mardi Gras!!! Last weekend we went over to Shreveport for the annual Mardi Gras parade. They have a groovy spot just for families right off of Clyde Fant Parkway (meaning no crazies or drunks!) We took Emily, Amber and Hayley with us too! It turned out to be a beautiful day!! The kids had fun just being outside and enjoying a very spring like day while waiting for the parade to begin. We caught lots of goodies...beads, cups, and stuffed animals. Sure helps to have a little one in your arms. Erin was "given" lots of cheesy stuffed animals. We then headed to my moms for some yummy southern shrimp gumbo and of course King cakes. Here are quite a few pics. of our day at the parade.

All decked out in our mardi gras best!!!

Erin teaching grandpa the correct way to eat an oreo



Amber & I passed the time painting our nails....purple & green of course

Ryan tried to teach Grandma & Julie how to ride the Ripstick....they still need work

Erin bonding with her new uncle-to-be!

The future Mr. & Mrs. Burton

Check out our loot!

Throw me somethin' mister!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

week in review

Last week started off with crazy Texas weather! It was so frigid! We even had an ice day on Wednesday so the kids enjoyed the day at home. No worries now though we are back up to 60 and are forcasted for 70 for this weekend! Ryan and Seth -mostly Ryan!- have been working really hard on Seth's pinewood derby car. This was his last year to participate and after their performance last year they felt they had something to prove...at least to themselves. He didn't win but came in 4th. He did great and had a blast with his buddies.

The 2nd graders held their annual 'Underground Railroad'. Emma had a great day! The kids all dressed in some ratty old clothes as slaves. They started off working different jobs on the plantation (cafeteria) like picking cotton, bricklaying, cleaning, ironing, taking care of babies etc..As they worked Harriet Tubman would come and take a few at a time and help them find freedom in Canada. They had so much fun trying to make their way down the halls without getting caught by the marshall (principal). They would stop along the way and find rest & food in safe houses (classes). What a great hands on way to learn!

Emma & her friend Jenna after a long day of pickin' cotton!

As for Erin, she has been rather entertaining this last week. She is getting so good at saying her little prayers. The other night though as she was wrapping things up instead of an "amen" we got a "bye". So cute and personal though! She has also decided she wants to buy a 'Pixie' (aka Annabeth). She told me I could "probably buy a baby for her at Wal-mart." When I asked how much that might cost she replied "probably twenty dollars". Can you tell she likes the word probably and she wants a new baby? Good thing she has her cousins!

My Emma

My Emma finally learned to ride her bike last week!! She is so proud of herself! Emma has always been a late bloomer.....she didn't walk or get her first tooth until she was 15months old and she still hasn't even lost her first tooth! In fact, she would go around singing "all I want for Christmas is to LOSE my two front teeth" Maybe this will be her year. She has been terrified of taking off the training wheels. We finally talked her into it or bribed her - whatever you wanna call it. She now dwarfs her bike so we told her it would be a piece of cake since she would be so close to the ground. After much practice she has gotten really good at it. I am so impressed at her perseverance. She would get so frustrated....she fell quite a few times and has many bruises on her little legs to prove it but each time she would get right back up and keep trying till she got it! The riding part was easy to nail...it was the starting, stopping & steering that were a challenge. There was one day at the park I saw her just sitting on the sidewalk next to her bike - after a few minutes she got back on and was cruising at full speed around the park. She had the biggest grin. She told me it was because she said a little prayer that she could learn to ride her bike. She is such a great little example to me.

Holiday Happenings

The holidays have come and gone and we are still trying to get back into the routine of things. I so miss the days of sleeping in! We had a great Christmas. We were able to share it with lots of family on both sides! We made trips to Louisiana and Missouri this year. Sadly, I didn't get as many pictures as I should have....I was too busy enjoying the company! Here is a sampling though......

Christmas morning - Doesn't she look so cute in her Christmas jammies and jewelry? She absolutley loves this crown Grandma Pam gave her. One of her favorite gifts and it came free with the doll! I also need to take a picture and post it of her daily outfits which include not only the crown but a cute ballerina tutu Grandma Mac gave her. She wears them both everywhere she goes!

The Thompsons -minus Laura's family- on Christmas Day at Grandma Rosies

One night we went to Aunt Angie's for a yummy dinner of Fajitas and games. The boys played video games while the girls made jewelry. Erin loved stringing her own bracelet.

Aunt Angie and Aunt Wanda are pros at this and had lots of things for us to choose from so we could make some jewelry for ourselves. Emma made some pretty bacelets and a pair of earrings to match one Aunt Wanda gave her for Christmas.

My sis-in-law Kimberly & I in Missouri.

We finally got to meet baby Tyler who isn't so much of a baby anymore but Erin sure liked to treat him that way!

Grandma Mac enjoying her wassail with Seth on a cold Missouri night!

Sandy & Amber making goodies for us to snack on while we played games. Notice the posed pics. That's when you realize you haven't taken any pictures and go around and tell everyone to smile the last night you are there.

Emma with her Uncle Bruce and showing off her new camera she got for Christmas. We were so glad he was able to come this year. The kids especially loved camping out in the living room telling stories.

Cousin Joseph with the kiddos! They are all getting so big and played so well together.

We had so much fun visiting with Grandma Smith.

One last picture together....can't wait for our next visit!

It was then back to Louisiana for a couple more days with my family. We attempted a little shopping on the boardwalk with the kids.

I just love Annabeth's pigtails!!

Me with all of my sisters and most of the kids after dinner on the River front one night.

Ice Skating

Saturday we kicked off the holiday season by hitting the ice. We went skating with Emily's family and Aunt Amber. It was a lot of fun although my ankles are still sore as well as Ryan's back from all that bending over to help Erin. We are getting old!

Erin loved being on the ice...especially with her daddy!

Look! No hands! We were really impressed with how well she did for only being 2!

Emma with Aunt Amber....Emma loved ice skating and got pretty dang good at it by the time we left. She could finally circle the rink with no falls and some speed!

Seth is great on the ice as well but wished he had the rink all to himself.

Taking a break!

Erin loves her aunt Emily!

Erin amazed by the zamboni !

Afterwards, we stuck around the mall and enjoyed a warm Cinnabon. Erin was determined to eat it all by herself which is a little tricky with a plastic spoon. Notice the icing in her hair....

Emma enjoying having daddy & mommy all day!

Seth and Amber enjoying their treat

All pooped out!

Dazzler

This is Emma all gussied up for her "Dazzler" jazz class's Christmas party. We were in such a rush to get her out the door and this was the only picture I got. She was so excited....I think more so about her new dress though.