Halloween Fun 2011

We had a fun Halloween. Here in Louisiana, we have a great bunch of neighbors and live in a subdivision full of young families so trick-or-treating is always a great experience. This year was awesome because both kids - Noah and Ellyotte - were excited. Well, Noah was over the moon to wear his Power Ranger costume and Ellyotte was just excited because he was so happy. We had a great time. And Dan didn't disappoint with his costume at all, either!

Fun in the Bayou

Yesterday we went to visit Natchitoches, Louisiana which is about an hour from here. It is the CUTEST Bayou town that was founded in 1714 and was where the movie "Steel Magnolias" was filmed. We had an incredible time.

I had been several times before throughout the '90s when Troy University used to play Northwestern State University there in football. But I don't remember a ton about those trips... It was great to go back and experience it with Dan and Noah.

We started in the historic district and had some fun on the banks of the river and then went to lunch at a famous, Creole restaurant there on the riverfront. After lunch, we went to the Alligator Farm - SOOO much fun! Noah fell asleep on the way to it and we thought about just driving on home but had already told him we were going to see the animals so we knew if we didn't take him and he woke up asking about it that we would pay! So, he only got a 10 minute nap but it was extremely worth it.

We fed the gators, goats, deer, ducks, turtles... and got really dirty and hot in the process. We learned that Louisiana has about 2.4 million wild alligators - not something that I am entirely comfortable with knowing!

It was a great day and one of the last fun field trips with just the 3 of us. Next time, Ellyotte will be in tow


!

Here are the links to some of the video footage I took of the boys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFCbqx95Ook - Watching the snakes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unNZQbcaNpA - Feeding the goats

Hard Workers

How hilarious is this!?

Noah is obsessed with his daddy. So everything Dan does, Noah has to mimic. I am not complaining: Noah is turning into one masculine little boy! He is ALL BOY. From football, to baseball and even golf, he wants to play it. And when his daddy's not available to play catch all day, then that duty falls to me.

Today the masculine event was mowing the grass. The boys did the front yard and the back yard. By the end of it, Noah was a sweaty mess - just like his Dad! But he definitely loved being out there with Dan. They are so cute together. I just can't wait to have Ellyotte arrive now so that I will actually have a playmate :)

Our Fun Boy

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Messy Boy

This boy loves chocolate pudding! Can you tell?

Happy Hump Day

I never watch You Tube videos unless they feature my child/family or my friends' children or families. However, someone sent this video to me a couple of years back and when I am having a bad day or just need a good laugh, I watch this clip. It can bring me to tears I laugh so hard. Have a Happy Hump Day and watch this clip! Hope it makes you smile ;)

A Place to Sit

Everyone needs a place to rest their "weary bones" (as my Mom-Mom used to say). Noah Beall is no exception. Now, he's got his milk, his snack, his "Backyardigans" or "Jack's Big Music Show," his ukulele (Hawaiian guitar), his books and... his very own lounge chair. He's at an age now where everything that is even remotely his size, he tries to sit on or in it. We had been looking at the 'anywhere chairs' at Pottery Barn Kids and finally decided to go for it and bought him his very own. He's in hog-heaven!

His best bud, David (my girl friend, Stacie's 13 month old) has also really enjoyed playing in it. They were caught curled up together yesterday several times ;) But of course, they split before we could catch them in a photo together. Typical boys.

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New Camera

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A new camera is so much fun! It seems to provide a fresh pair of eyes to see the beauty and brilliance right in front of you all over again. I went ahead today and splurged on a new camera. As you all know, we take a TON of photos and the point-and-shoot Sony 7.1 megapixels had done a semi-decent job these past 2 years. But twice we have had the tracking come off within the lens so the camera has jammed and the only way to get it to work again is to send it back to the company. Yuck.

So I did some research and polled some of my mommy-photographer friends and decided to go for it. Normally, researching is not my job; Dan loves to research and research... and research a product and then after several months, he will get around to buying it. But I don't operate like that when it comes to cameras.

After Noah's 1st nap of the day, we loaded up and went to the massive Navy Exchange mall here on Island. It is like a Macy's for military members only - and it is tax free. I strolled into the camera section and right into a demonstration of Sony's newest and coolest camera. The Sony rep was there and was showing it to another elderly gentleman when I walked up. Then another man came over and within 5 minutes of telling us about this camera (coupled with the incredible price and it being tax free), we were all in line to purchase our own. There were 3 left in stock in the store so we all lucked out.

I thought Dan would be upset with me for being impulsive, but surprisingly, he was really excited to see that I had done my homework and had bought the best that was out there in our price range. So, if you haven't been innundated with Noah and Family photos yet, get ready! It will be a photography session like none other this next month and a half that we live in Hawaii.

These are a few of the photos I took within the first few hours of trying to figure out how to work the new addition. The flowers (plumbago, hibiscus, and Birds of Paradise) are all on our back patio and all of which I planted. I am very proud of the vibrant, brilliant colors that have come from my not-so-usually-green-thumb!