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Austin turns TWELVE!!!!!

So I took him ROCK CLIMBING!!!! It was SOOOO much fun! I can't even begin to tell you what a blast we had. Truly. It was challenging and exhilirating. I was so proud of those kids (and Chad and myself, too)!!! Next time, Keri's going up! Here we are with very FULL bellies of Thai food - check Chad's blog for details on that adventure - ready to climb?

Birthday boy

Birthday boy ready to GOOOOO!


Nicholas being brave... let me tell you, I was the MOST proud of him that day. He struggled with fears the whole time and kept pushing and challenging himself (with a little competition, of course) until he DID IT!!! He never gave up, which is huge for him. My heart was bursting for that boy!!!

Here I go... Chad, can you really hold me?

Chad zipped up the baby wall. It was my first time to belay and he was at the top of the Level 1 before I pulled the first bit of slack!!! Good thing he didn't slip b/c I totally didn't have him! I got much better after that...

Oh - and check the major wedgie;)

Here goes Maddy...


Still smiling...


Almost there...



Yippee!!! She was so proud of herself!

Sophie's climbing adventure... she did really well actually. I didn't think she'd want to climb, hence the flip-flops - not the best climbing shoes! I don't know what I was thinking, though... she IS a monkey!!!!!

Laney heading up the Level 2 wall

AT THE TOP!

Austin at the top

Coming dooooown

Sophie... just happy to be... and lookin' really cute in that harness;)

The kids climbing to the yellow line without belay (rope)

Austin almost to the top of the Level 3 wall - We all made it to the top of that one, too!! YEA!

Chad at the top!

Me - almost there - I did make it!!!!

Austin and Nick at the top

Maddy going down, Laney going up to the top

Sophie and Lucy

Sophie and her Great-Aunt Lucy playing Barbies

So precious...

Duckie Blankie

Delaney's very special, sleep-with-every-night, sacred "Duckie Blankie" got a major overhaul/upgrade while Aunt Retta, Sue, and Aunt Lucy were here. Thanks to Nana, we found out about fuseable backing that helped strengthen the beloved, torn, ratty blanket. Sue ironed that on and then the girls helped pin it all to pink satin which she sewed on as backing with a super-cool sewing machine. Aunt Retta made the girls each a blanket for their dolls and Sue made them matching pillowcases with their names embroidered on them. (You can check out Aunt Retta's blog to see pics of those.) Also, Delaney worked on some more cross-stitch with Aunt Retta. Aunt Lucy made coasters and crocheted dishrags and trivets for me!!! They also showed me some quilts they have recently completed and are working on. They are amazing! I wish I had inherited some of that talent... I'm not even sure I passed the sewing portion of Home Ec.;) The kids and I were in heaven!!! I can't even begin to say how much I appreciate these wonderful women in my life and all they did for us (especially me) during their visit!! I just love them so, so much...

Visit to Oak Alley

Aunt Retta and Sue in front of Oak Alley Plantation

Me & 2 VERY special ladies

Spring has sprung!!!