Holy mackerel

During the week of spring break, dad and Tucker made sure to get in plenty of fishing time. Apparently it paid off, Tucker caught his first spanish mackerel. He came home one proud fisherman!



I wasn't sure of the date they caught these until I looked at the photos, everyone is wearing green, obviously it was St Patrick's Day!

Hank's Address

For all those that are interested I have an address for Hank. He is scheduled to leave Wisconsin later this afternoon. It's the military, so I have no idea when or where he will be going from there, but his ultimate destination is southern Afghanistan. After today I'm not sure when I will hear from him again, but I know he will let me know he's safe as soon as he's able too. I am still not sure what kind of facilities he will have or internet access, all we can do is pray for a safe base with tons of amenities!

Msgt Hank Reynolds
FOB Dwyer
Red Horse
FPO AE 09373

CST in Wisconsin

Prior to his deployment to Afghanistan, Hank has to go through some training in Wisconsin. This is about a 3 week session and although I'm glad to have him up to date on his training, it's 3 weeks that could have been spent at home, especially since he's done this multiple times! As you can see, they are having drastically different weather than we are having here. While we've been enjoying the warmth and sunshine, Hank has been breaking out his cold weather gear and training in the snow. I think he's about decided he doesn't want to retire to a cold and snowy state!

Hank assured me he wasn't responsible for the snowman.

Doesn't he look like he's enjoying it?!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Wishing my dad a very Happy 75th Birthday!

The terrible twos!

Cutter celebrated his second birthday last week. Where oh where have the past two years gone?! And although they are known as the terrible twos, Cutter has been practicing and mastering this stage for quite some time now. He should have no problems at all! We are looking forward to so many more birthdays (hopefully some with Hank here) and all the challenges that lie ahead with our energetic, never tiring and often difficult little man. Happy Birthday Cutter, you are one very loved little boy!

Trying to figure out how to hold up two fingers.

Gave up on it and just held up one on each hand.

My handsome little monkey!

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Backyard fun

The kids were out of school last week for Spring Break. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful and perfect week. The weather and temps were ideal, sunny and mid 70's. My parents were also able to come down and spend the week which made for a good time all around. We all got outside one day for some backyard fun.

Cutter loves the slide.

One of the rare times he landed on his feet.

Granddaddy checking out all the bluebird boxes and showing the kids the nests.

She's usually upside down with her underwear showing!

Getting a little tune up before mowing.

Lots of loving for Daisy.

Early Birthday Celebration

Since Hank was going to miss Cutter's birthday again this year, we decided to have a small little party for him before Hank left. We had some friends over for a shrimp boil, some cupcakes and what ended up being a night time game of hide and seek. The kids had such a good time (the big boys did too).

The excitement over cupcakes and presents.

Cutter doesn't like his hands getting messy while eating, I guess he thought this was the easier way. He actually didn't end up eating the cupcake, was too excited about presents.

Cutter is obsessed with Toy Story, so everything is Toy Story related, cupcakes, wrapping paper, right down to the presents.

He quickly got a lesson in pointing the gun the right way. Immediately after I took this picture he shot himself in the face!

The end of a long, fun filled evening!

Shrimp boil

The weekend before Hank left we had the Marquis family over for a pre-deployment/early birthday shrimp boil. You can't beat a night filled with good friends and good food!

The kids got to help with the adding of the crawfish.

Of course Cutter had no fear, even though they were still alive when added to the pot.

Yummy! And you can't even see all the shrimp that are in there.

Audubon Zoo, New Orleans part II

These are some of the most beautiful creatures I've ever seen. Like the alligator, they are not albino, just lacking the gene that gives them their color.

What kid doesn't enjoy the petting zoo.

A replica of the legendary swamp monster all ready for mardi gras.

Audubon Zoo, New Orleans

Sunday after a fabulous breakfast at The Camellia Grill, we headed over to the Audubon Zoo to hopefully walk off all the food we just consumed. I have been to a couple of different zoos, the NC zoo included, and I honestly think this was by far the most beautiful zoo I've ever been too! Tootsie, who has lived in New Orleans for 10 years, had never been to the zoo as a tourist so I am thrilled that she went and spent the day with us. We had such a great time!

The black bears who apparently were enjoying the beautiful weather with a nap!

I love raccoons, they are so cute and playful.

No it isn't fake, and no he isn't dead. He was honestly napping like this.

The two cutest little boys in the entire zoo!

Cheese!

I know it's probably the nastiest thing in the entire zoo but Cutter thought the trash cans were a lot of fun.

The gorillas were all in full posing mode.

This one sat like this and watched all the people taking his picture.