Where did January go?

Where did January go?

I’ve been asking myself that all month.  I keep thinking, oh I’ll catch up on this day, or this day.  Truth is, I seem to feel like I’m falling further behind.  So instead of getting to post on this blog daily, like I had hoped I’m instead going to give the January recap… it seems so much has happened.

 

Man I love those kiddos!

The boys started flag football.  They love it.  The both fully believe they will be playing in the NFL in 10 years.  I tell them I’d love to watch them play as long as they remember they would then be a role model for younger kids and to make sure they don’t show boat.  It’s a big topic in our house, I always want my kiddos to remain humble.  Like Tim McGraw's song, “Humble and Kind”  They don’t have to be millionaires, president of the united states , or even a famous celebrity… I’ll be more proud of them for being humble and kind than any other title (well maybe the title of Mom and Dad would make me proud too).  That being said, the boys think" dabbing" is the coolest thing ever and asked if they win the super bowl if I’d be okay with them spiking the ball in the end-zone and dabbing.  I told them, instead of spiking the ball in the end zone to celebrate, what would be even better would be to take the ball to the fans and find a little kid watching and to pass the ball onto them.  Think of the message that would send to younger children I said.  Michael, who always one step further ahead in thought said, “You know mom, that would be cool, but you know what would be the best thing to do?”  “What?” I said to Michael, knowing I’d probably find myself disagreeing in my head, but complimenting his creativity later.  He said, “If I was a kid in the stands, I think the coolest thing ever would be to get a ball from the play that had just been spiked in the end zone. So maybe that’s what I’ll do, I’ll spike the ball and then gently hand the football to the little kid.” Don’t you think that’s a good idea mom?”  No, I smiled, just hand the ball over kindly.  Michael just smiled, knowing full well his plan was superior to anything mom suggested.

Nana, Papa, Lindsay and Isabelle watching the boys play football... too bad I forgot to take a picture of the boys actually playing!

Back to football.  The boys are doing great, love playing and are having fun.  That’s really what this league is about and I think that’s why we support it.  They learn basic skills, but their teams are more concerned with having fun rather than playing for blood.  Sadly we’ve seen those coaches out there, just fortunate our boys aren’t on those teams.

Here's Gabriel super excited because he got an old phone from Grandpa and Grandma's house.  What he didn't realize is that it is a landline.  It was crazy for me to explain to him what a dial tone was, that he had to plug it into the wall and that it didn't have the option of playing games.  Yes, my kids are growing up in a completely different world!

Also this month Isabelle started soccer.  It’s the first real organized sport we’ve put her in and we are one week in.  Her practice/game was last Saturday morning and when we arrived at 7:45 a.m. it was 38 degrees out.  Needless to say, she was more concerned with how cold she was and where the snack was, instead of performing the drills.  Some of it seems pretty typical given the age, Michael was the same way.  We hope once it warms up and she gets use to it, she might be more “into it”.  And if not, that’s okay too.  I won’t complain about one less activity.

Maddie getting ready to go out in the cold to watch her siblings play in their respective sports.

My little girl is getting SO BIG!

We also went to the eye doctor this month!  It was Isabelle's first time and she thought it was funny to look like a princess pirate.

Other things that happened this month.  A trip to New Orleans.  I had a conference I attended for work and was fortunate enough to go to NO.  It was such a blast and I got to see some beautiful sites in the city.  Such a fun culturally rich place that is clearly still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.  The people there were amazing and made me love the south even more.

The view out my hotel room.

Walking through the streets, I found a movie being filmed.

The director and others were sitting under this tent watching what was being filmed.

I think this is some sort of government building

What a cool view right?

Another view from my hotel room, 36th floor

Where one of our college friends had their wedding reception, such a pretty place.

no caption needed

Doesn't look like much but this is Preservation Hall, where the music all started, I understand.

That hotel behind is right across the street from where I stayed, and tonight I saw it on TV as the place where the ladies from the Bachelor stayed.  I was right there!

I just happened to be in New Orleans on inauguration day.  As I was getting ready to check out I noticed a large commotion going on outside my window.  Turns out there was a big protest where people blocked off the road and in true NO fashion had a jazz band and played music while they marched down the street.  Down below you can see they had Lady Liberty in a coffin.  

The Super Dome, I couldn't help but think of the people who sought refuge there during Katrina.

Madelyn continues to grow faster than we’d like.  I’ll post her 8 month update shortly (when I get it written) and it almost pains me to think that in a few short weeks she will be officially as old as the time I carried her in my stomach.  Man do I miss those moments of feeling her move around inside of me.  Never did I ever think I’d say that.  Now she just moves around outside of me and is becoming more and more mobile with each passing day.  Still the happiest baby in the world (I’m biased), she has taken on a new role in her 8^thmonth… stay tuned.

Finally this month Grandma, Grandpa and Grandpa Ray came to visit and while I missed seeing them when I was in NO, the kids had a lot of fun. 

Great Grandpa Ray, Sleepy Maddie and Isabelle.  

Here Belle wanted to be held like Maddie.  

Here we are celebrating Grandpa Ray's birthday. Nevermind Belle's missing eyes.... we are growing out her bangs and she just took the clips out.  She does have eyes under there.

Here are some pictures to recap the last few weeks…

This kid must be growing again... I can't keep him fed.  He's ALWAYS hungry.

This big brother has been just that, a great big brother by playing nicely with Isabelle and helping her at soccer.  Its nice to see him growing and maturing.

This girl is growing up in front of my eyes and I can hardly believe my baby is going to be turning 5 next week!  Say it isn't so!

And then there's this pumpkin... she's moving all over and hardly wants to sit down.  Man do we all love her so much.


Awe yes, January, you've been so busy.  It's almost a blur.

Thanks for the memories... onto February!

Until next time
Angie