Saturday after Thanksgiving...

Really running low on titles for my posts if you can't tell by now.  Any who...today we planned on getting our Christmas tree and participating in Shop Local Saturday and then go to see some Christmas lights later tonight. 

We tried a new tree this year...some kind of fir - Frasier I think.  We thought we were getting a tree from a farm in Zachary.  Come to find out, when we got there the guys working told us that they quit raising the trees themselves and had the trees shipped in from Tennessee.  What?! Oh well, we are here now, so we got the tree and a few laughs out of the experience as well.

After we got our not so local Christmas tree, we had lunch at Sammy's in Central to treat Grammy and Papa for the anniversary and then we headed home.  The boys wanted to stay home and watch some football while Grammy, Sarah and I went to the antique district in downtown Denham Springs to do some shopping.  We did make it home in time for the amazing second half of the Alabama/Auburn game.  Way to much to go into detail here - look it up.  Amazing!! Go AUBURN!!

Grammy and Papa with their Jacobsen girls.

And then, after the game we headed to the Messenger's house to see their Christmas display.  This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Messenger's Christmas Land and could possibly be the last due to the fact that they are selling their house and could potentially be retiring the display. Grammy and Papa had never seen the display and we decided that this year we would take them before they left ...just in case it really is the last year.  Ohhhh how we all had high hopes for a magical Christmasy fun evening with the grandparents.  It was so much fun...at first.

Group pic.  Andy is always thrilled to take group pics in public - can't you tell?!

Leah's first Messenger's experience - I'm sure she'll remember it fondly. Sarah has recently become an "eye closer" for most pictures...should be fun times ahead for us in the picture taking department.

And then it all gets a little fuzzy after this point.  We were all having a great time - laughing, in the holiday spirit yadda, yadda, yadda and we stepped up to the photo op set up in the display and.....BAM!  It all went to ....well you know!

I will let you caption this one!

We quickly made our way down the driveway out to the street and back to the car.  Sarah screaming, crying saying something in her ugly cry -can't breath - nice and slobbery- all out 3 year old fit about how she really didn't want to leave and she was mad and who the hell knows what else.  We got in the car and ready....cue 2 month old crying fit.  It got so bad in the car with all of the meltdowns between the two kids that we adults just had to bust out in laughter - what else is there to do at that point! The only thing missing was the Christmas song in the background "It's the holiday spirit..."

 

Needless to say, we are going to try to go back to the Messenger's again for a more pleasant experience...probably won't be as memorable, but hoping for more pleasant!

LSU 31 v Arkansas 27

Well it's here...the last tailgate of the season.  It seems like we just started...oh wait, it did - for me! ;)  The weather was much nicer this weekend.  It was still very cold, but no rain so that was wonderful!  Grammy stayed at home with the girls and Papa came with us to the game.

 

Group pic!

Our friends Michelle and Wayne joined for a little tailgate fun.  Michelle is a big Razorback fan.  We kept the trash talk to a minimum between the two of us...and good thing because LSU almost lost the game to an Arkansas team that hadn't won a conference game!  Oy!

Love tailgating with him!  And love our kid- free time together!

Goofball brother!

Holding the tailgate down with the O'Neals.

OH MY the SUN was SOOOOOO bright!!  We left the stadium with nice little sunburned faces.

Started the morning freezing, got in the stadium and roasted in the sun sweating and then made the walk back to the tailgate in the cold.  We got the whole spectrum of weather today. 

The Tigers pulled off the win and we all had a great time.  Looking forward to next year's season.

Thanksgiving 2013

Mom headed to Oklahoma to spend Thanksgiving with Uncle Eddie and Grammy and Papa traveled from Oklahoma to our house to spend Thanksgiving with us.  We were all very excited to have them back in town so soon (they were just here for Leah's birth), especially Sarah!!

Thanksgiving morning started with Grammy singing and playing the guitar and the girls loving every minute of it.

We of course watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  This year Sarah was all into it - litterally watched the whole thing anxiously waiting for Santa's arrival at the end of the parade.

Time for dinner!  Andy smoked a turkey and it was DELICIOUS!! Mr. Dave even said "best turkey he's ever tasted!" Good job Andy!

Sarah getting involved in the picture taking before dinner.  What a hot mess!!  Yes, she took pictures with "her camera" and then with Grammy's camera too, all the while instructing us where to stand and how to pose.  Really!?!?  Am I that bad??

Nice job Sarah!  Great pic!

And thank you self-timer for this lovely group pic before dinner. Leah was sleeping and I did have a brief moment of weakness where I thought I should go get her for the picture....but then everyone quickly encouraged me to not wake a sleeping baby and to enjoy my dinner - so I did!



After we ate, Sarah, Grammy and I went to the movies to see Disney's Frozen.  It was such a cute movie.  We all enjoyed it.  We then of course had to take a fun photo booth pic!

And today is Grammy and Papa's 43rd wedding anniversary!!  WOW!! Andy and I are so lucky to have such great examples set for us and our family.

Ummmm....I somehow managed to not get a picture of Leah and her first Thanksgiving.  So Leah...know this - you were here and we are thankful to share your first Thanksgiving with you!  Again another year with many things to be thankful for and we give thanks to God for all of them!

Gobble, Gobble!

 

Sarah and her turkey she made today at school.

LSU 34 v Texas A&M 10

Ahhhhhh.....back at it and loving it!!  Only two games left in the tailgate football season and I am back!  It was extremely cold, crazy rainy wet oh and a day game but none of that was going to stop me from experiencing the joy I had being back at my happy place!

 

Happy momma with my love!

Woohoo!  We all four made it to a game....first time this season!

Never leave your camera unsupervised with Jeff.

Drew, Cade and Kaitlyn stopped by to hang out with us under the tent while the rain poured down on us.

Ready to head to the game...anyone seen Big Mike??

Tiger Stadium fun!  Don't worry, it never rains in Tiger Stadium!

Smile Y'all!!

Leah has started smiling...and like real smiles - not the "oh she just has gas" kind of smiles.  And not to brag or anything, but I can get her to smile just about anytime I want to see her little face light up!  Love, love, love it!!

Nap Time.

Fritz loves a good nap and he loves his baby Leah!

A day in the life of Leah....

 

Eat.  (photo credit: Sarah)

Sleep...no interest in a pacifier...although mommy tries all the time!

Play.

Ahhhh.....sleep.

a little more sleep. (got cheeks?)

Bath.

Sleep some more.

I missed a few more "eats" but you get the point.  Sweet, sweet, baby girl!!

Tea, Bounce, Pretend, Shower

Recall a couple of weeks ago I mentioned the uneventful, eventful LSU open date we had around our house....well this weekend's open date - complete opposite!!

Saturday started with the Christmas TEA at church.  This is a picture of Mom's table with her china.  This is the only pic I have from the tea because I was a little late...ya know life on time is just not something that's happening for us right now.

I left the tea early to bring Sarah to Kallie's birthday party at the BOUNCE house place here in town.  Happy 4th birthday Kallie Anne!

All of the little friends from their class at school.  Brayden Sterling, Olivia, Presley, Kallie and Sarah.  Sarah was pouting because her friend Emeri wouldn't get in the picture with them...hence the crossed arms. It's tough being 3 1/2!

We left Kallie's party early to head to Abby's party at PRETEND, Play, Party that was happening at overlapping times across town.  Sarah working on her construction skills...or letting out some frustrations - hard to tell.

Happy 4th birthday Abby!!

And then Sunday after church, we attended Sealy's baby SHOWER for baby Gracie!  Super excited for this childhood friend and can't wait to meet Ms. Gracie...YAY for little girls!

Annnnd that my friends is how to spend and "off" football weekend.  Whew! 

Little Turkey

Sarah's class at school had a homework assignment of sorts over the weekend where they had to decorate a feather for their class turkey.  Sarah was super excited about this idea...me - not so much...I mean we are just talking about 3yo pre-K.  We did our best to bedazzle her feather up with glitter and jewels.  We did end up having fun decorating the feather and Sarah was proud of her work.

The finished project.  I only helped with the glue for her name...she did the rest all by herself.

Sarah with their class turkey. Her feather is on the left, fifth from the bottom.

Veterans Day 2013

Today, mom, Leah and I went to the quaint town of Pounchatoula, LA to participate in the honoring of many veterans who have served our great nation.  We were also very proud to be representatives for the recognition of my dad and his service in the US Army.  Today, the city of Ponchatoula was dedicating their "Avenue of Flags" at the local cemetery.  There were a total of 58 flags that would be risen today in honor of American veterans. 

My dad's plaque for his flag pole.

"Uncle" Jimmy  a.k.a. Judge Kuhn the master of ceremonies.

Uncle Dave, my dad's older brother who himself is a member of the US Marines, preparing to raise the flag.

Mom and Uncle Dave.

Waiting for the go ahead signal to raise the flags.

Up it goes...

All of the flags are up and adorned with an Army helicopter fly-over.

Thank you Dad for your service to our great country!

After the ceremony was over, we were interviewed by a New Orleans news channel, WDSU.

Leah, me, Aunt Cookie, Mom and Uncle Dave.

Avenue of Flags.

What a beautiful tribute to all veterans.  And how wonderful is it that communities around the country still realize the importance of recognizing our all voluntary military for their service!!  Thank you city of Ponchatoula, the American Legion Post 47 and the Ancient Order of Hiberians for making all of this possible. 

And of course I must say a big THANK YOU to my other two favorite veterans....my brothers!! Thank YOU Mike for your service in the Air Force and Thank YOU Jeff for your service in the US Army and La National Guard.  Love you both!!