Mardi Gras

I was lucky enough to get to take an impromptu trip to New Orleans the end of last week with Matt. I got to see the first Mardi Gras parade Wednesday night and watched three parades pass by Thursday night. It was fun to be among the energy and excitement of New Orleans! Our first parade Wednesday night we stood among the people in the streets and waved and hollered with the best of them. We had pounds of beads hanging around our necks as we walked back to the hotel. And, I ran to the middle of the street...faster than I've run in a long time...to snag a Nerf football for Sawyer. We also got a few coins, a couple cups and a stuffed bear and alligator. I don't know if I was more excited that the kids would be so excited when we got home or just excited at the entire process. The parades take quite awhile to move down the route, so we ate at a wonderful restaurant,Bon Tons, and had crab au gratin while we waited for it to reach us. It was one of the two dishes Matt said I HAD to try when I came down this time. It was fantastic!

A look down one of the streeets on the parade route. There were people everywhere. The picture is fuzzy, but on the right side, there is a chicken-on-a-stick, gator-on-a-stick and funnel cake stand. These types of fair-food concession stands (minus the gator-on-a-stick, I suppose) were set up on corners all over the city.

Matt at Bon Tons with Crab Au Gratin.

One of the first floats Wednesday night.

This pic didn't turn out the best, but it does show how all the people on the floats were dressed. They all wore these masks...a little creepy, if you ask me. :-)

After our first parade...by the way...these were very 'family-friendly' parades that we saw, so we didn't have to "work" for the beads we're wearing. :-)

Thursday, the three parades lasted late into the night. The floats were more beautiful Thursday night. One of the parades was an all-female crew. Their throws were more geared toward females, and I thought their floats were the best. This night we got to stand in one of the boxes/grandstands. (I'm not sure if they have an official name.) We were more even-eyed with the floats. This was fun too and a new perspective. Thursday we ate at Pascal's and had the most amazing, largest shrimp I have ever tasted or seen. They come out eyes, heads, and all in a buttery flavor-filled sauce. It was a little difficult to eat at first when I saw them, but after the first taste, I got over it. You dip piece after piece of bread into that rich sauce while eating the shrimp. Mmmmmm....

On either side of the street you can see the stands set up for people to watch the parade routes. Not just anyone could go in these. This happened to be in front of our hotel, so the ones on the right we were invited to stand in because we were guests of the hotel.

Each parade is lead by a King.

Muses was the all-female parade. This was one of the floats. The shoe would change colors. It was pretty amazing.

Another float...very pretty.

Of course, Matt had to work quite a bit while I was there, but I didn't mind wandering the New Orleans' streets...and I felt somewhat familiar with them after being there in November. The weather was windy but pretty nice, so it was great just being outside.

It was a very quick trip getting in Wednesday mid-morning and flying out Friday afternoon, but it was exciting experiencing this event that is so big to New Orleans that it shuts down the city this week ahead. It was fun to be a little part of Mardi Gras!

Valentine's Day

We had a great Valentine's Day! You'll see in the previous post that I decided to do an e-card of sorts this year for our family and kids' Godparents so thought I would share that.

The kids were thrilled with the few little Valentine gifts and card that awaited them this morning. We got several inches of snow yesterday, but the wind wasn't blowing today and the weather was pretty decent so all of us (even Sawyer) went out sledding this afternoon. We had a fabulous time!!!

We didn't get the heart cupcakes or cake made that we had planned to do today so will save that for tomorrow, but all in all it was a good day.

Matt surprised me last night and took me to the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant, for dinner...one of our favorite places to eat...but one we seldom get to go to. He also made me a mix CD (so high school..so cute)! I loved it!

We hope whatever you did today found you with or thinking of or talking to somebody you love! Happy Valentine's Day!

Smilebox Valentine

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

MONA

As I sit down to write this, the snow is blowing quite hard and we're back to the wintery wonderland outside. Only yesterday we were playing outside in our jackets. Ahhh.... Oh well, I keep reminding myself that it is only February in Nebraska, and we're likely to have blizzards through March. But, the nice days are here a little more often...and we're trying to enjoy them as much as we can! Lainey did not have preschool this morning or her Valentine's Day Party. :-( Yet, I was the parent in the parking lot ready to drop her off. Shouldn't they announce school closings on the Disney Channel? :-) It wasn't even snowing when we woke up this morning, but it was snowing by the time we left for school. I've learned my lesson. :-)

But, this post is about our trip back to Kearney last weekend. Matt was asked to help judge the speech meets at UNK. So, we headed home. It's always nice to go home. The kids have a great time back. Different toys and projects...and most importantly...new dress-up clothes. I don't even know why I pack for the girls. :-) Plus, we get good meals...which is always a bonus! Saturday, The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) had a kids' day. We rarely take advantage of this really nice art museum Kearney has. I didn't go through it much when I lived there either. But, the art they feature and the artists showcased are really quite amazing! But...this day was for the kids. They had stations set up all over for the kids to create. It was fun. They had projects and activities for all ages. AND...the String Beans were there! It's one of our favorite kid bands. We didn't take time to sit and watch though...just listened as we worked..since the concert freed up some table space at the stations. Anyway, it was a fun afternoon. It was right during Sawyer's nap time which was a little tough. Thankfully, Uncle Scott strolled him around to see the art, listen to the music and enjoy the nice weather outside until the girls completed their projects. But, it was something new and different, and the girls had a great time!

The girls and their crane masks.

Even Sawyer got a crane mask.

By the end Sawyer was past the point of needing to leave...so this was a one-time shot. No re-dos. :-)

It was also just a gorgeous day to be outside! So, after naps, we went to the park. YIPPEE! What fun it was to just be able to swing again and go down the slides!

The girls racing around my parents' house to burn off some energy on this beautiful day! Always competitive they are!

Sawyer had fun mowing the lawn and just being outside. What a fun spring/summer this will be for him!

Swings again! :-)

It was a quick but fun weekend!

Hodge Podge

Well...this post is one that has been written several times...in my head over the past 2 weeks. If I could just sync what I write in my head to the computer...I would have a new blog written at least every other day. :-) Hmmm...too bad I'm not super-techi and a neurosurgeon, I could score big-time with that one! Come to think of it, I'll probably see that in my lifetime. My reality is that blogging seems to get pushed further and further down my priority list, and although I enjoy doing it...come the end of the day...collapse into bed...or sit at the computer to do one more thing? Well...here it is 2 weeks later. :-) So, this post is one of several posts combined. And...it's going to be done as quickly as I can do it while the kiddos are napping...because I have LOTS on my to-do list yet. :-)

BOWLING

A couple weeks ago Lainey and Sophie met a little friend for an afternoon of bowling. It was both girls first time at the sport. We chose the mystic side, so the lights (or lack of them actually) made it even more exciting. They had fun, but if a game was just 5 frames that would have been perfect! :-) Oh, and I'm wondering how I can get those floors put in my house. The girls were hurling the balls down the lanes...no delicate form here...and those floors are indestructible! Watching them, brought back memories of my first time bowling. My family went together to Hill-Top lanes in Kearney...I think I might have been around 7??? Of course, there were no bumpers at that time (genius whoever thought of those!). And...it was manual scoring. Let's just say, at the very end of my game, my mom was putting creative happy faces in my zeros! :-)

Lainey struttin' her stuff after bowling her frame.

Dancin' in the mystic lights!

Sophie has great form even after throwing the ball down the lane.

Sophie loved the little air blower.

Sawyer was just hangin' out watching all the craziness as always.

SLEDDING...FINALLY!

The girls were finally able to go sledding on January 25th. Matt was home and there was snow on the ground. It was cold, but it was a good afternoon to bundle up and head down the hill. They were SO excited! They were equally as excited for the hot chocolate and marshmallows that awaited them when they came inside. As I write this today, it's beautiful outside (YEAH!) and the snow on the hill in our backyard is gone. I'm sure we'll see more snow yet this year, but for now the nice temps can stay as long as they like! :-)

Bundled Up!

Lainey

Sophie and Dad on their first run down.

Sophie wanted to go solo & loved it.

QUOTES

Here are a two quotes from the girls (I have so many more but off the top of my head...):

After getting Sophie dressed the other morning, she darted in front of my mirror, placed her hands on her hips and exclaimed, "OK! Yep, I look good!" Just that quick she was off again. On one hand, I'm so glad she has confidence. On the other hand...oh my!

Matt and I are taking a Dave Ramsey class on Sunday nights so have been getting a weekly babysitter. While making dinner, Lainey exclaimed to me..."Mommy, you know, you are going out with daddy tonight. You really had better go and get ready." Wow...either I looked pretty in need of some sprucing up, or our date-nights need to be re-defined!!

WE NEED SPRING!!!

We need spring so badly to come to our house! I need to open the windows and Lysol everything! My poor little guy had to go to the doctor Wednesday morning. He's not feeling well..again. He had a horrible double ear infection, an infection in both eyes, a fever and basically just a nasty, nasty (NASTY) cold in general. The girls are both coughing some with a little runny nose but nothing too bad (knock on wood). So, can I say again, we need spring! Through it all, Sawyer is still a happy little boy though. Here are a few pics that I took...mostly for Matt because he wasn't here to see what he looked like when I was trying to tell him just how sad I was for him when he woke up with both eyes stuck together. :-( After antibiotics and Vigamox drops for his eyes he is starting to look and feel better. Anyway...hope you're all healthy as you read this!

Sawyer smiling through the pain. What a good boy!

Calling daddy to tell him he didn't feel good.

When talking to Sawyer you get a lot of number punching beeps and frequently get hung up on.


I told Sawyer to tell Daddy "Bye-Bye"....this is what daddy got.

Dance and Cheer

Last weekend we went to Holdrege, NE. Matt's cousin, Bronwyn, is a Senior and is on the Dance team. They were doing a Cheer and Dance camp for the kids. You can imagine how excited Lainey and Sophie were. They practice for 2 hours in the afternoon (what a BRAVE bunch of highschoolers!) and performed at half-time of the Girls' Varsity game. As an added bonus his cousin, Rob, is a Sophomore and plays JV and Varsity ball for Holdrege, so we were able to watch him as well. We also got to see Grammy & Grandpa Monte, Uncle Mike, Aunt Wendi & Aldyn, Aunt Mollie & Adam, Great-Aunt Trish Sheffield, Great-Aunt Beth & Annie Allmand at the game as well! WOW! AND...my college friend, Kristin's husband coaches the Holdrege girls, so we got to watch him, and I got to visit and catch-up with her. She has a little girl, Skylar, a little younger than Sophie and the girls enjoyed playing at their house a bit in the afternoon and hanging out during the games. [We dropped Sawyer off with my parents in Kearney (Thanks, Mom & Dad!) as he was battling a little cold and cutting several teeth. It would have been too long and too much sitting for him.] The girls were able to have a sleep-over with Grammy and Grandpa Monte at Great-Grandma Elaine's house in Axtell to end the night which they thought was extra-special. It was a REALLY fun day!!!!

Holdrege Dusters Cheer and Dance Camp 2009

The purple pom-poms haven't stopped shakin' at our house!

Lainey & Sophie with Bronwyn (Matt's cousin) and

their dance teacher. :-) They LOVED her!

Thanks, Bronwyn, for thinking of the girls!

The girls in the bleachers with Skylar. They had fun

coloring and playing and dancing with the band. Once

in awhile they would watch the game. :-)

Pinkalicious!

A very favorite book at our house is 'Pinkalicious' (second only to 'Fancy Nancy'). Awhile back I bought strawberry cake mix and pink frosting at the store for just such a day as today. With temps so bitterly cold as they have been we are all feeling a bit cooped up. So, after naps today, we made pink cupcakes and read 'Pinkalicious' while they baked. The girls frosted and sprinkled 'til their hearts were content. And, their favorite part was eating the cupcake right before supper to test their success...then having another for dessert (and sharing the treat with daddy!). All in all, it sure did help our afternoon...and if you haven't read the book and have any bit of pink in your house...we recommend it. :-)

Sawyer just liked the cupcakes the girls kept feeding him as he walked by!