Our Zoboomafoo

Uncle Barry & Aunt Jenni gave us a membership to the zoo for Christmas and we have been looking forward to taking our monkeys there!  We finally had some nice weather last week, so we went to the zoo with William's friend, Riley.  William was curious and took his time watching all of the animals.  William likes the show "Zoboomafoo" on PBS and I was surprised at how much he knew about the animals.  Lauren wasted no time talking to all of them.  She cackled most of the time and kept me laughing.  

Talking to the monkey.

Alligators

William & Riley

Black Jaguar

Spectacled Bears

Zoo experts...Biology majors...What is this?  There was no sign. 

William said, "I think it's a Pappotamus."

It was about 2/3 the size of a hippo, but definitely not a hippo.

Bison

Dik-Diks

These were my favorites!  William said, "I monkey around like them."

I would most definitely agree.

Riley & William watching the otters.  These were William's favorite.

If you don't like snakes, close your eyes.  William wanted me to take pictures of them. 

He loves to look at the pictures on our blog.  So, here they are. Just reminds me of a hiking trip to Oak Mountain with Uncle Chad.  A snake was between us on the trail.....I. could. not. move. Ugghhhh.......

Nicole & Ian

Giraffe

Baby Black Rhino

Lauren's favorite.  Flamingos.

Thanks Uncle B & Aunt Jenni!  We had fun hanging out with the monkeys!

Moving on up!

We have a climber!  Lauren started climbing in January.  Climbing on the chairs, the fireplace, the couch, the scooter, the steps.  And the pantry.  We had to move the oreos up a few shelves.  She pushes one of the little chairs to where she wants it and climbs on up.  There has been a sunroom project going on this past month at our house and she has been the little "foreman."  The carpenters entertained her for hours.  You would think William would have been right there watching with his tools, but Lauren was very intrigued.  Or nosy...

And not to leave the guys out of all the activity...They were "watching" the Saints beat the Cardinals. 

Lauren's Birthday!

Lauren's 1st birthday was on December 18th.  With all of the Christmas activities, we decided to have a little family party in January.  We had to reschedule once due to icy bridges and freezing rain,  but it was worth it. 

Taking some steps with Meme'. 

Meme' & Poppy

Aunt Jenni & Uncle Barry

William helped Lauren with some of her presents and

opened his present to her.  A sweet & soft baby doll.

Pajama Day

William's school had a "pajama day" last month. William was allowed to bring a "friend" and he was excited to take the bear Miss Margaret gave him for Christmas last year. We picked out some snowmen pj's the night before...but look at the pajamas William decided to keep on when he woke up.

I kept asking him, "Are you sure?" (I mean...I was proud, but I knew his Daddy wouldn't be). His teachers just laughed when he climbed out of the truck at carpool line. It made my day!
Speaking of pajamas...today is Monday. On Mondays, we stay in our pajamas all day long and try our best not to go anywhere. I love it! So, today, I've been catching up on pictures, Snapfish and blogging. Hope to get more pictures up soon!

Our Christmas

Wondering if your Christmas card got lost in the mail? The stomach bug bit our house twice in December. It got the kids right after Barry & Jenni's wedding, then Eric got sick just before Christmas. I was really sad not to send cards this year, but so glad to get our family well! So, please pretend these two pictures arrived in your mailbox this Christmas!

Santa visited the Mall of Louisiana, so we went to see him and check out the 'Naughty & Nice' meter. We stood in line for awhile, and I was cracking up at the lengths parents go to to get their kids to smile with Santa. (One mom was jumping up and down so much...I'm almost certain she did a herkie. Santa had to change suits between kids because her little boy peed on him. From now on, I will always look at Santa's suit before I let my kiddos sit on his lap). Then it was our turn. Lauren gave him one good look and lost it! William hopped right up on his lap and told him the 3 gifts he wanted for Christmas: Gordon the Train, a flashlight and a pair of goldfish named "Larry & Margaret."

William had his school party the next day.

More Christmas card photos

Happy 1st Birthday Lauren!!!

Birthday girl Lauren turned ONE on December 18th. It seems like we blinked, and the whole year went by! We are going to celebrate her birthday in January, since it was such a hectic day.

William had his school program and then we headed to Mobile.

William's school program was sweet. The 3 year old classes

presented the Christmas story. William was in the "Angel Choir!"

With the exception of pretending to "POW" Santa's reindeer

from the 4 year-old class, we were proud of him.

Christmas in Mobile! Lauren & Poppa

Grammie, Sullivan & Lauren

William was so glad to see his cousins!
Harrison helped William open his "Cars" watch.

Working at the new table
This buckethead
is Uncle Tim!
On Papa's front porch

Our sweet friend, Kyle & Uncle Chad
Eric & Lauren
Grammie got Lauren a little cake to help celebrate!

Christmas in Baton Rouge!

PawPaw & MawMaw drove up to celebrate on Christmas Eve. Our church had a family candlelight service & it was the first time William sat in "big church" with us.

We still need a little practice, but it was a special time.

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!
Throwing out the reindeer food.
Christmas Morning




Meme' & Poppy came to eat Christmas lunch with us. This scooter has been a lifesaver with the cold weather we have had. William rides it all over our house!

First bike ride with Dad.

Eric's new boiling pot.

The boys handed down their Batman costume,
which has been worn almost daily since Christmas!