Birthday Celebrations

Before....... and

After!!!

After the girls helped me make cupcakes this morning, I made two for the birthday boy to choose from. Unlike his daddy, he chose the chocolate one.

We enjoyed singing Happy Birthday for the THIRD time!

Unlike the girls, who were quite dainty with their initial cake interaction, Jake grabbed it immediately and proceeded to demolish it and squish it with his fingers.
It took a little help from Daddy for him to realize there was more to this procedure than just "squishing" and then there was no holding back........

Nothing like a little chocolate in your hair!
In true Jake fashion, he kept a grip on cupcake with his left hand while shoveling it in with his right. Eventually, he figured out what exactly he was gripping and then starting eating that as well.
He seemed as if he was in a sugar coma!!
I think that about does it!

Happy 1st Birthday Jake!

On the morning of the big day, we ALL went into his room (armed with video camera and still camera) and sang Happy Birthday. As you can see from his furrowed brow, it seems as if he's thinking, "What in the world is wrong with you people! Can't you see I just woke up?!" What a hoot!

We always start off a birthday with a cinnamon roll breakfast. This was his very first. He seems to like the candle, and of course we had to sing again!

Immediately he slaps his hand on it as if to say, "Hands off people...this one's mine!"

After he sucked on his cinnamon roll for a while, I managed to wrestle it away from him (after much screaming) in order to cut it into bite sizes. He ate the entire thing......with no gagging I might add. MMMMmmmm...go figure on that one, huh?

I'm officially a big boy today!
(Cake, ice cream, and presents will follow on Saturday so more pictures to come)

The Many Moods of a One Year Old

Excited.....

It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to!!!!!!! Unfortunately, even birthdays are not immune to temper tantrums.

I'm just chillin'!


Irritated.......Enough already with the pictures!!

Where Does the Time Go?

Yes, of course I know we have two other children, but I'm feeling very nostagic this week....most certainly because of Jake's birthday. It's just so hard to wrap my mind around where exactly an entire year of our lives has gone so quickly. It doesn't help, I'm sure, that he's the last. What a blessing this little boy and his sisters have been in our lives. I never imagined loving other people so much!

Mommy's Helper

Hi, Mommy! Do you need some help unloading the dishwasher?
Oh...Well....I can see it's already empty so maybe you won't mind if take a closer look.
Oh, no...I'm definitely NOT climbing on TOP of your dishwasher lid. Don't mind me!
Oh, Boy....I think I'm busted!

My Sleeping Prince

I was able to catch a rare photo of Jake sleeping before having to wake him up before church Sunday morning.
Is there anything better than little fat feet??
Playing peek-a-boo with me while on the changing table


Here I am, Mommy!!

My 34th Birthday

What an incredible birthday I enjoyed. My SWEET husband took the day off (!!!!!) to take care of the morning chaos and then spend the day with me. It was awesome! I was then rewarded with a Zoe's cake (a local bakery that is too good for words). Look how beautiful! I can't even begin to describe it except to say chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate.

We all enjoyed cake and I got a rare picture taken with my precious angels.

The best part of the day........Paul and I enjoyed the evening out alone. We went to an awesome Martini bar, sampled many martini's, ate an incredible dinner and took a cab home!! (BTW...HANNAH took this picture. I think she's following in my footsteps!)

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival

Two weeks ago we went to the annual Strawberry Festival in Ponchatoula Louisiana. It was funny to reminisce about last year when we went and I was waddling around! Anyway, there was a huge crowd for the parade but the children still had a good time. Afterwards we went around to the booths enjoying strawberry EVERYTHING......daiquiris, lemonade,beneights (forgive my lack of French spelling!)...etc. Name it, and it was there!
Crowds waiting for the parade to begin

Paul and I enjoy some cuddle time with the girls while waiting for the festivities to begin

Emma stuffs her mouth with candy thrown from the parade.

The Marines carrying the colors

Throw me something Mister!!

The Strawberry King and Queen

Even the water in the fountains are dyed for the occasion!

Certainly you can't leave the festival without enjoying strawberry shortcake (my personal favorite!) Jake and Paul look like it's good stuff!

Crawfish Boil

Last weekend we

went to a crawfish boil at some friends' house. We really had a great time. Paul got to work on some crawfish and showed us how it's done!

I've lost count on which number plate he is on!
I think this one is done!

Jake experienced a wide variety of Louisiana cuisine at his first crawfish boil. First he tried a sweet gum tree ball that he picked up off the ground........
Next, he tries out a crawfish claw.......
























After literally months of trying to get Jake off the pureed baby food with no success, I decided to give jambalya a try. I have no idea what possessed me (except maybe the margarita I had been drinking) but to my suprise and delight he absolutely loved it! In fact, he yelled at me when I wasn't getting it into his mouth fast enough.



After "tearing up" the jambalaya, Jake got up the next morning and REFUSED any baby food that we gave him. He slapped our hands at anything that resembled baby food to him. It was the funniest thing, especially since I had worried that something was wrong. He truly is my little Cajun baby!!














Emma helped herself to the desserts after "accidentally" dropping her pizza on the ground. I think she chose wisely!
















Emma had fun riding the tire horse and jammin' to the live Cajun music on her badminton guitar.



Hannah chooses a winner for the crawfish race! Yes, I really did "say" crawfish race!!


And they're off.....sort of


Go Beaudreax, Go!!!


Hannah and a friend from church pose with a crawfish.