Baby Shower!

I love my employer, the West St. Tammany YMCA. I have met some of the greatest people being part of this organization, especially the women. These ladies are inspirational, admirable, encouraging, and all around awesome. My fellow coworkers decided to host a baby shower for me. I love these ladies! I was blown away by the effort they put into this wonderful afternoon. So many people came! Daniel and I were given a plethora of gifts for our unborn angel. I am truly blessed to know these women and call them my friends. We have more babies on the way among us, so I look forward to helping with future YMCA showers!

 the date of the shower was actually 11/12/11

my fellow coworkers =)

marble cake and homemade cupcakes...yummy! 

my boss made this lovely blanket...gorgeous! 

me and my momma admiring a tiny baby bracelet 

the 'cake' delivered to me from Daniel

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