"Quick Snaps"

We always have a great time visiting DeeDee and Papa in New Orleans. Even when we're just hanging out at their condo, it's never dull. These are just a few miscellaneous pictures of us doing just that.

Landon laughing hysterically at something

Big smooch for DeeDee

Wheeeee!!

Another smooch for DeeDee

An evening on the balcony

"Surrey With No Fringe On Top"

Landon, you've been wanting to take a carriage ride through the French Quarter for quite some time now. Everytime we go to DeeDee and Papa's we hear the "donkeys" (we know they're mules, but you call them donkeys) click clacking and jingling through the neighborhood. So this trip, Papa decided to treat us to a carriage ride. Our mule's name was Milky Way, and he led us on a delightful ride through the Quarter for us to check out all the haunted spots and stars' homes. When we were finished with our "tour," Milky Way dropped us off right at the front door of the condo. Now that's service!

"Don't Bug Me"

One member of the Audubon family of attractions is the Insectarium. Now that you're a little older Landon, you were able to really enjoy it. Shelby, you were a little crazy running around, once we unleashed you. Landon, you got to pet Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, come face to face with baby white alligators, and watch leafcutter ants in amazement. That was one of my favorite exhibits too. We were mesmerized watching these little tiny workers carry things that were four times their size! We watched scorpions strike and termites munch on wood. Another amazing attraction was the butterfly garden. It's a big arboretum, tropically temperatured, with hundreds of butterflies floating around. There were so many different, beautifully colored ones flying and lighting on the flowers. One even landed on Mommy and on DeeDee. It was awesome to check out all kinds of different species of insects. Bugs rule!

"Cut & Coiffed Cutie"

Shelby, your hair was finally in need of a professional shape-up, and as particular as I am about my babies' hair, the only person who could touch it was Miss Leslie. I had managed to keep your bangs trimmed and bobbed the back, but you really needed some stacking. So Miss Leslie worked her magic, as you sucked water through her spray bottle and ate yogurt melts. You did really great being still, and the finished 'doo' is just precious!

"Pillows of Heaven"

One quintessential New Orleans outing, is enjoying beignets at the original Cafe Du Monde. The airy pillows of powdered sugar goodness just melt in your mouth. And although we're sort of New Orleanian, we have never taken y'all to enjoy this crowded, hot, sticky experience. So Mommy and DeeDee strolled you two down to Decatur, where we found a corner table with a great vantage of passersby, other diners, and our "personal" tuba player. We were sticky from the start. The table was sticky to begin with, and if you've ever been to Cafe Du Monde, you know that everything has a film of powdery sweetness on it. Landon, we know that you can't stand to be sticky, so you were grouchy from the get go. Shelby was ready to indulge, as were Mommy and DeeDee. When our waitress delivered our lattes, chocolate milk, and beignets, we did just that! Fortunately, none of us wore black, so after a wet wipe or twelve, we were cleaned up and filled up on plenty of fried dough and sugar. What could be better?

"Broccoli Woccoli"

Today for lunch, you and Landon ate al fresco on DeeDee and Papa's balcony. Deedee set a cute little table and served dinosaur chicken nuggets, homemade mac and cheese and broccoli. Now, Shelby- the only dealings with broccoli that you have ever had was a baby food mash that you would have nothing to do with. So when DeeDee gave you your plate, I promptly said, "She won't eat the broccoli. She doesn't like it at all." Well, guess who was wrong! You devoured it, scooping it up with your little fingers and shoving it into your mouth. What do I know!

Hmm..where has this been all my life?!

Finger lickin' good!

Broccoli Face!

"Yankee Doodle Neighbors"

When we moved from Mandeville, we thought we would never find a neighborhood as great as the one we left, with girlfriends for me, and little friends for you two. And then we moved into Stockwell Place Estates. We have been so fortunate to meet three wonderful families, with mommies I adore, children you both love to play with, and even daddies, our Daddy likes to hang with. This fourth of July, Michelle and Danny had a gathering for all of us. Dolly and her family, Jodie and hers, and our clan strolled down the street to enjoy the festivities. Danny grilled burgers and dogs, while you kiddos played in the jumpy and on the waterslide. Landon, you never stopped running and jumping; you had an awesome time. And Shelby, you were hard to stop, too. You really wanted to be big enough for the waterslide, but had to settle for splashing in the runoff. You also liked playing with chalk and bubbles with Emma. After lots of good food and hanging out, the fireworks began. We had quite an arsenal between the four families. Landon, you couldn't get enough of helping Daddy with the "big ones" in the street along with Dalton and Chloe, although it made me a bit nervous. Shelby and I enjoyed doing sparklers with Emma, Grace, and Bella. After a full day of fun, Shelby, you actually fell asleep in my lap while the barrage of blackcats, bottle rockets, and fireworks boomed in the background. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon celebrating our independence and America's birthday. Too bad the Hayes are moving in August and the Imperials in December.

"Sweetest Thing"

Shelby, you absolutely adore your brother, and he loves you too. He can sometimes be a little intolerant, but you are is little sister, after all. After you two had had your baths tonight, we watched "Coraline," a very strange movie, to say the least. But Landon was engrossed, and all you wanted to do was hug and kiss him! It was so cute; I've never seen you do this before. You wrapped your little arms around him and patted him, like I pat you. Then you went in for some big wet kisses. It was just so sweet! I could have just melted. Landon, seemed underimpressed, as you were totally in his way of seeing the TV.
Tolerating your snuggles..

Really just wants to watch his stupid movie...

Rejected...