Time to PLAY!!!!

One of my favorite people in the whole world called me last month.  My friend Amber.  We became friends in high school.  Then we roomed together for a year at SUU.  And we became friends for life.  Amber and I have done some crazy things together - lived for a week with no power or hot water, slid down stairs in laundry baskets, made awkward conversations with boys for laughs, and pulled practical jokes on our FHE brothers just to name a few.  She is one person that helps me see the lighter side of life and gets me to let all my worries go just for a little bit.  She had some time off and wanted to come see me.  BOO YAH!  I was so excited!  I knew we would have a blast.  And we did.  I didn't get many pictures because we were having too much fun, but I got a few when we went to New Orleans.  I've visited NOLA a few times, but that was by far my funnest visit.  Thanks Amb, for a wonderful few days!

Trying on Mardi Gras Masks

Getting pictures of this awesome band.  Real life Soggy Bottom Boys!

Stopped in at Sucre for their AMAZING gelato.  This is the best bakery ever.  Good thing I have to drive all the way to NOLA for it.  Otherwise, I'd get fat.

Look at that beautiful king cake.  Yes, the frosting is glittery.  YUM.

We also got some video from NOLA.  The street performances are so fun to watch.  The last video was taken at a restaurant in Baton Rouge called Boudins.  They have authentic cajun food and music.  So fun!



Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving

Mark turned the big 3-0 in January.  We celebrated with a trip to the Cheesecake Bistro - Louisiana's version of the Cheesecake Factory.  The food is good, and the cheesecake is to die for.  If you like cheesecake.  Which Mark does.  We went out of the box on our cheesecake selection this year and decided to try the King Cake Cheesecake.  Since we are in Louisiana and all.  It did not disappoint.  DELISH!

The Birthday Boy.  Looking Handsome as ever!

Jamuary Happenings

Just a quick run-down of things we did in January:

Putting together our 3-foot tall George puzzle from Uncle Paul

Attending an LSU basketball game.  Brielle was in heaven.  She loved the free water bottles (in her favorite color, purple), the music, and the cheering.

Climbing at the playground

Grocery Shopping

Cooking.  Do you love her sticker earrings?

Our guilty pleasure:  Chocolate cereal with vanilla yogurt.

Playing in the sandbox with her bestie

Trying on Momma's missionary tag so she could be just like the sisters.

Nature Walk

The morning of Dec. 27, we took Brie's brand new wagon and broke it in on the Bluebonnet Swamp nature trail in Baton Rouge.  The weather was beautiful - just chilly enough for a sweater.  Brielle loved riding in her wagon.  And then she discovered that she loved pulling it even more.

When we got home, the UPS man pulled up with a GINORMOUS box addressed to Brielle.  She watched with interest as Daddy and Momma started unwrapping it.  When she got a glimpse of what was inside, she was tearing off bubble wrap as fast as her little hands could get it off.

At last!  The long-awaited kitchen.  She wasted no time putting her food in the microwave, oven, and fridge.  She was one happy girl!



Boxing Day

We used Boxing Day to its full advantage and took some items to return after Christmas.  Brielle isn't SO much a fan of shopping, but she does love the the rides at the outlet mall.  Thank goodness Daddy was along so she could play while Momma took care of business!

Christmas Day

Christmas Day started out a bit hectic.  I love having Christmas on Sunday because we get to go to church and focus on the reason for the season.  But it doesn't leave much time for present exploration.  It's especially a bummer for toddlers.  We had a quick look at our stockings before church and left the presents for after.

Brielle wanted a kitchen for Christmas.  She talked about it for months.  So, I put in a special order to Santa Clause in Grantsville for a custom-made kitchen.  It's great when you know one of Santa's Elves personally (Go DAD!).  The kitchen was made and shipped and... LOST.  It was scheduled to be delivered on Dec. 23.  On Dec. 24 the online status said it wouldn't be delivered until Dec.27.  WHAT?  I was a pretty big basket case.  So, Santa left a note saying that there wasn't enough room in the sleigh for the kitchen and that he would be sending it in the mail.  Brie was fine with it.  Apparently "kitchen" in her 2-year-old mind meant "all the food that you can play with in the kitchen".  If only I had known that earlier.  I would have been saved from some serious stress.  Sheesh.  Oh well, it all worked out. 

Here's a video of  opening present.  Brielle's favorite part was sticking the bows in her hair.  Silly.

Here's a shot of her cute Christmas dress:

Christmas Eve

We got to enjoy Christmas in Lousiana this year with just our little family.  Mark got the whole week off and we had some great fun.

On Christmas Eve, we made the drive to NOLA and took Brielle on a long-promised trip to the Aquarium.  She LOVED it.

Playing in the Amazon Rainforest

Exploring Frogs

JAWS!

The Sea Otter Tank.  They were one of our favorite exhibits.

What the?  Mosquitoes in the rainforest.

Peek!

We had lunch at Chartresse House.  Home of the most delish Eggplant Parmesean Po' Boy ever!

We wrapped up our evening with our good friends, the Olsons.  We had navajo tacos, played games, and watched some movies.  And Brielle got her traditional Christmas Eve gift of pajamas.  They were my special project, and I made them myself.  My Grandma helped me sew the pants and then I used my silhouette to cut appliques and paint the shirt.  I think they turned out super cute!

Here's a closer look: