Halloween 2011

Rapunzel and Transformers Bumblebee
CANDY!!!

Family Halloween tradition...roasting hot dogs and homemade chili

our Trick-or-Treat crew, complete with Baby Neie #3

October 2011

at the St Tammany Parish Fair
Ole! At a friend's birthday party

little man playing in the dirt

at the SAGE Halloween party

SAGE Halloween party guests

Cousins at the pumpkin patch =)

the kids' pumpkins

our front porch

petting a baby alligator at Boo Fest

sweet siblings playing in the yard

Ricardo Sanchez

Pictured below is Northwood Church Worship Team with Ricardo Sanchez (back row left, he jokes about being the tallest Latino ever) and his drummer Terry (far right).

In October, our church worship team had the privilege to perform with Grammy nominated Christian artist Ricardo Sanchez. What an amazing experience! He is friends with our pastor and visited our church October 9. Our choir practiced for weeks ahead of time to nail down our parts so we would be ready for him and his team. He lead the worship at both Sunday morning services and then a praise and worship concert that evening. The resume of each of his band members is quite impressive...the keyboard player is pretty much a legend, having composed works for Tyler Perry, performed at the Grammy's, and worked with Bobby Brown and other artists. Ricardo writes his own music and his songs speak to us all. To see these talented individuals playing their hearts out to and for God was inspiring. To be a part of their team, even if just for a little while, was a true blessing and something I'll never forget. He even mentioned that our singers were better prepared than most. (We rock!) I'm compelled to improve myself, not only for my team but for the purpose of being a servant of God. Ricardo Sanchez has been nominated yet again for another Grammy for his work.

FELIX the cat

Daddy brought home a surprise in September...a kitty! We adopted him from some friends who were trying to get rid of him. Poor cat had never been taken to the vet, so I immediately made an appointment for him. The doctor said he was about 8 months old. His stool sample and all of his blood work came back clean. However, his ears were horribly infected and needed serious treatment. He is a sweet soul...he loves to cuddle and be cuddled. He is also very playful and enjoys watching the gerbils roll around in their balls. Ryan, though, has learned the hard way what happens when you tease a cat...ouch! We named him Felix and he is a wonderful addition to our family. The kids want to give him his own stocking at Christmas full of cat toys and treats. =)

September 2011

Playing in the rain

fun cousin time

Saints Day at school

he's special =)

MES (Madisonville Elementary School) hosts a Grandparent Bingo every year to honor Grandparents Day. This picture was sent home to us...what a special time! Natalie even won a round of Bingo and received a Homework Pass that allows her to skip a night of homework.

Family Vacation 2011

This year we as a whole family ventured to Navarre Beach, FL, for our first real family vacation. Daniel isn't one to take off of work so this was a magical time for us. He loved it and plans on taking a vacation every year from now on. =) There was so much to do and the kids had the time of our lives. Such a blessing to be able to spend this time together. I took a ton of photos, but here are some highlights.

the Fishing Pier at Navarre Village

playing in the waves

early morning swim

Natalie and Sophia loved playing in the crashing waves

buddies!

Ryan learned to swim on his own in these waters

drawing maps in the sand

Naval Air and Space Museum ~ Pensacola, FL

On our next visit, we plan on seeing an air show

future pilot

pilot pose

swimming with daddy

the kids could not get enough of the beach

I joined Luke for some shell searching. The best shells are farther out where people haven't stepped on them and left them broken. The floor of the ocean is a blanket of shells!

Gulfarium

Sharks, daddy!

beautiful marine life

petting the rays in the touch pool

August 2011

Natalie started First grade this month! Our schools started early this year, on August 8. She was ready to start learning and see her friends. Natalie is such an awesome kid...she is always happy, always smiling, and has such enthusiasm for life. Everything is exciting to her. I love the light in her eyes. Her attitude helps her excel in school and thrive in that kind of atmosphere. She rides the bus to and from school since it conveniently stops right outside of our house on the corner. Ryan has been quite bored without his sister and Sophia around. We had Sophia all summer and it was so much fun watching the kids together. They are like siblings rather than cousins. Ryan enjoyed teasing and tormenting them like any good brother would do. He really does love them and misses their presence. He is such a rough and tumble little guy...all boy, that's for sure. He can drive me batty and melt my heart all in the same moment. The kids are involved in gymnastics again this year and love every minute of it.

This month we had the pleasure of my Aunt Beryline visiting for a day. She is a rep for the V.A. (my uncle, deceased, was military) and they flew her and a friend out to New Orleans for some meetings. Mom and I drove to New Orleans and picked them up for some quality family time back at her home. So glad we were able to have that time together.

First Day of 1st grade

Dressed for school in colorful shoes and socks

feeding Lily Cheetos

Mom and her sister-in-law, my Aunt Beryline

Playing in the dirt is fun!

Playing with little brother can be messy...but it rocks!