New Orleans

For the recent long weekend (Presidents Day) we decided to head over to New Orleans for our first ever visit. Come to find out, we are only 3 1/2 hours from New Orleans and since it was such an easy drive, we are already looking forward to the next time we can visit. We called and met up with Tootsie while we were in town and I'm so glad we did. Nothing like having a guide that lives there! We arrived Saturday just before lunch and went to a place called Frankie & Johnnies for lunch, it was wonderful! Tucker and Hank were thrilled to have alligator nuggets, they enjoy trying new things.

For those that have never been, this is Tootsie's house, it is adorable!

I could have spent hours on end driving and admiring the houses, absolutely beautiful.

I had hoped to get to visit some of the local cemeteries but the one we stopped at happened to be closed on Sundays. Oh well, guess I put that on the agenda for the next trip.

Sidewalk Art

We love sidewalk chalk at our house. And not just the girls, the boys seem to enjoy drawing just as much as the girls do. The kids got new chalk for Christmas, and not just the regular colors, these are bright, wonderful colors. On one of our nicer days recently that we were able to get out and play, the kids were excited to try out the new colors. Sailor did such a great job with her dog, I was very impressed.

The finished picture!

As you can see, Hank even did a little art of his own.

Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center

This Saturday we got up and made a trip to Mobile, Alabama. We are located a little over 60 miles from Mobile but this is the first time we've been since we moved here. And I can tell you, we will definitely be going again. I had heard and read about the science center so we were excited about taking the kids. We didn't tell them where we were going until we got there and even then they were still unsure what to think, until we got inside. Right now they have an insect exhibit going on, featuring several extremely larger than life robotic insects.

This photo gives you an idea of the size of the robotic bugs.

In addition to the bugs on display, they have a biolab that teaches you the importance of bugs, including their nutritional value. They had fried crickets for everyone to sample. Here is Tucker eating his 2nd cricket. Not only did he try one, he went back for more! Sailor and Cutter were the only two that wouldn't try them. I was brave enough to try it although just knowing it was a cricket I was eating made it slightly awful.

Madagascar hissing cockroach, just plain disgusting!

One of the sections at the center is a blue screen to teach you how the news and weather are broadcast. Tucker had on a blue jacket so he didn't show up on screen too good. He is providing the weather forecast for our area.

Now time for the evening news.

They have an entire section devoted to health and nutrition. One of the things we enjoyed was a computerized heart surgery. Tucker is repairing a clogged artery and performing a bypass.

Everything in the center is hands on which is great for keeping everyone entertained and busy, all while learning.

A little tug of war with Hank.

Unique is good, right?

Sailor has always been a little unique. She doesn't feel the need to color within the lines, she manages to turn everything into a rainbow and her sense of style is definitely all her own. All I can say is to expect the unexpected with her, she is certainly one of a kind! It's hard to tell, but in addition to everything else, she has butterfly wings on.

Geo-Bee

Tucker's school recently participated in a nationwide competition put on by National Geographic. The geo-bee, as it's referred to, is a geography competition. The winner from each school will complete at a higher level until they reach the national competition. Tucker didn't really prepare or study for this so we were quite surprised to see him win for his class. After the class competitions, it went to a school wide competition where they narrowed it down to the top 10 finalists. Tucker not only made it to the top 10, but ended up finishing 5th for the entire school. We are quite proud of him and he was thrilled when the local paper came for interviews and a photograph. Tucker is located on the bottom right (wearing the NC State shirt).

Heavenly Birthday

Twelve years have come and gone and although some days it feels like a lifetime ago, other days it seems like yesterday. They say time heals all wounds, I think we just learn to deal with the pain and sorrow that we feel. Hank and I feel very special to not only be parents, but to also be the parents of an angel. We love and miss Troy so much but know he is in a better place and certainly with some very special people. I can only hope his day is half as special as he is. Happy Birthday my sweet boy, we love you!

I never got to hear you laugh
you never saw me cry
didnt get a chance to say "Hello"
you never said "Goodbye"
I didn't think that I could feel
so sad, lost and forlorn.
I never knew God chose his Angels
before some of them were born.
Your life was short yet special
I shared it all exclusively
I felt you breathe, I felt you kick.
You were alive inside of me.
Every baby is an Angel
and every angel is divine
God needed one in heaven
He came down and took mine
And although we are not together
we're not really apart
for you'll always occupy a space
deep within my heart.
Time has begun to ease my pain
It's only some days now I cry.
When I wish I could have said "Hello"
and heard you say "Goodbye"
~Author Unknown

Yep, that's really Jim Cantore

Just before Christmas mom and I managed to get over to Destin one day to get in a little last minute shopping. While in Wal-Mart, of all places, we saw a man that looked like Jim Cantore. I kept yelling "excuse me" but he either didn't hear me or chose to avoid me all together. I continued to follow him to the back of the store but he managed to get to the restrooms before I could catch him. I stopped and talked to a young girl that was with him, turned out to be his daughter. She confirmed it was Jim Cantore, and that they were down from Atlanta on vacation. After waiting for him to emerge from the restroom, he happily agreed to a photo with me only to have my mom not know how to take a picture with my phone! So thankful his daughter was able to get the picture for me. For all you Weather Channel fans, not only is he super nice, but he's a little guy as well, not much taller than me. And should he ever mention a crazy Wal-Mart stalker in Florida, that would be me! :)