GREY

TODAY'S PROJECT IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LETTER "S"

Today was Faucheux Craft Day Two. We were short one attendee due to Taylor having to go get his annual physical for school.

First we took a picture of yesterday's projects. Taylor wins the prize for "Best Turn-Out" (top right corner of photo). The project was to create a bowl out of string by soaking the strings in glue and draping them over a vessel - let dry over night. Aly and Kelsea used plastic balls as their vessels, where Taylor and I chose square glass vases. We all learned that the key to success for this project is using A LOT of string.

Todays' project was to create marbeled paper using shaving cream and food coloring. Another messy project, but a lot of fun. The marbelizing is created by first spreading shaving cream out on a cookie sheet. Then drip food coloring into the shaving cream. Once you've done that, swirl the food coloring around using a toothpick or fork or whatever. After you've perfected your swirl, then place a piece of card stock on top of the shaving cream - press lightly - peel away and squeegee off the excess cream from the paper...presto - marbeled paper.

Here are Kelsea, Luke and Aly proudly showing their beautiful work.

I truly believe the Faucheux Craft Days were a big hit!!!!

FAUCHEUX CRAFT DAY

So, as a way to keep my summer helper entertained, I came up with a couple of simple and inexpensive craft projects we could do.  Along with a couple of other neighborhood kids, we had our first Faucheux Craft Day.

We worked outside, due to today's project being a little messy.  While we all sat at the patio table, I set up Luke's work area with a floor mat, his own table, coloring books and paper, crayons, and his washable markers.  He hasn't ever used his markers, which he got for Christmas, due to him usually trying to eat everything.  He's somewhat outgrown that, but he still likes to draw all over everything.

Here he is re-acquainting himself with the markers.  Note, I dressed him in an old t-shirt and no pants - I figured, easier cleanup.

He got pretty well acquainted.

This is video of him finishing a Marker Masterpiece, which I've proudly displayed on the fridge.

Faucheux Craft Day attendees:  Aly Judy (my summer helper), Kelsea Filter, Luke (with even more artwork on his face), and Taylor Myers.

After the craft projects were completed (as much as they could be today), we all enjoyed a summer treat - Freezee Pops.  This was the first time Luke had one all to himself.

All in all it was a successful day.  Check back later for pictures of our completed projects.  We're trying a different project tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll have more photos to share.

TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS

So this past weekend, Marc and his friend Jim Usas traveled to New Orleans. The trip was for Marc, so he could visit his Mom (and eat great food), but Jim had never been there, so he was looking forward to doing all the touristy things and exploring all that the city had to offer.

The exciting adventures of the trip started early when they both were able to get their pictures taken with Paul Sr. from the TLC show "American Chopper".

They stayed downtown at the Westin where they had an incredible view of the Mighty Mississippi from their room.

Marc showed Jim all around his old stomping grounds.  This is a bar that Marc frequented during his youth.

But most importantly, and the best part of the trip, was Marc getting to see Yvette on Saturday and Sunday.  While Marc was there, we were able to borrow one of our neighbors Mac computer (thanks TJ), allowing us to do a video chat.  The boys got to see Daddy and Nan, but better yet, Nan got to see her two beautiful grandsons.  Luke did all of his tricks for Nan, which really made her smile and laugh.

Here is a GREAT picture of Marc and Yvette.  Yvette you look beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!

Not only did Marc get to visit with his Mom, but Granny was also there.  Here are Granny, Yvette and Marc.  And, Yvette with Granny and Mr. Roland, Granny's beau.

The trip was, of course, too short because Marc would have loved to spend more time with Yvette, but he also couldn't wait to get home to us.  The boys definitely missed their Daddy.

BATH TIME

Luke loves his Shark towel.  If it was yellow, I think it would look like a sunflower.

STILL PLAYING....

This one was taken in "Photo Booth", which is a Mac program.

Pretty Cool!!!!

MY BOYS

Still playing around with that photo editing website.  LOVE IT!!!!!

Took this picture this morning of my two favorite little men.

YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY

I learned something very fun and useful today.  Thank you Taylor Myers for showing me www.picnik.com.  This website is incredible for editing your photographs.  It has the basic everyday editing tools, but it also has a lot of really awesome ones too.

Check out some things I played around with today.

SO STYLISH!!

How Cute...

Is That??

YUMMM........NO PROBABLY, YUCK!!!!!

Yogurt covered Ham Sandwich anyone - compli-ments of Chef Lucien?

SWEET BABY GREY

OH LUKE, HOW CUTE YOU ARE!!

I took this of Luke this morning.  He was looking out the window for daddy. I thought it would look cool in black and white.

This was also taken this morning.  He rides this bulldozer every-where.  I liked the effect of the photo with the sun coming in from the skylight above.

The buckets are supposed to be in his room and used for toy storage.  He prefers to walk around with them on his head.  He lifted them up so I could snap this shot, but usually he leaves them down so he can't see and bumps into everything. He thinks it's hilarious.

Now that Grey is starting to take a bottle, Luke is being very helpful.

Pretty much every evening, Luke and Daddy play with his blocks.  Luke loves to see how high he can stack them.  He's very good at this.

Luke and Daddy doing Luke's most favorite thing in the water.  Needless to say, Daddy gets pretty worn out.

This past Saturday, Luke made himself quite at home in the tent next to ours.

I never get tired of pictures of Luke with food all over his face.  Here he is enjoying some yogurt.

...AND NOW MORE FROM NEW TALKER, LUKE

GREY'S 2MO. DOCTOR'S VISIT

Grey went to the doctor this morning for his 2 month check-up.  I am happy to report that he is chubby and tall.  He weighs 11lbs. 5oz., which is in the 40 percentile, and is 24.5" long, which is in the 94 percentile.

FLASHBACK.............

Mom and Dad, does this remind you of anyone?

PICTURE TIME

This was Marc's Father's Day present from the boys. It was supposed to have been a surprise, but he found out about it ahead of time.

FINALLY...VIDEO OF GREY

Finally, Finally, Finally......  We have a video of sweet baby Grey.

DOUBLE STROLLER

Thank you SOOOO much to Grandma and Grandpa Charles for providing us with a very much needed Double Stroller. It came yesterday and the four of us went for our first walk with it last night.  I am looking forward to using it every day to help lose the baby weight (from both pregnancies).

LUKE'S FIRST SENTENCE

The video says it all!!!!

4TH OF JULY '09

4th of July weekend, 2009, was sun and fun filled.  It basically started on Thursday and went through Saturday...unfortunately, Sunday was cold and rainy...good day to decompress from all the weekend festivities.

Thursday and Friday were basically spent at the beach.  Then on Saturday, we had our annual neighborhood Patriotic Golf-Cart parade.  Here we are at the beginning of the parade.

Before we left for the parade, Luke had to practice driving the cart, so he would be ready. However, during the parade, Daddy drove the entire route, and Luke and Mommy sat in the back.  Even though it was a hot bumpy ride, Luke fell fast asleep sitting in my lap.  Grey slept the entire time in his car seat next to Marc.

We all agreed, that this holiday weekend was one of the busiest ever. The canopies, that we all set up for shade were three canopies deep. Our canopy is the green one in the front row on the far right. Everyone to the left and behind us, are our group of friends. Needless to say, we always have fun when we are all together.

Here is Grey, working on his beach body...under the shade of the canopy of course.  The weather was absolutely perfect with no humidity and a slight breeze, so both days he was very comfortable. He just hung out - alternating between being awake and sleeping.

Luke is definitely a re-incarnated fish.  He LOVES the water.  He hates to get out of the water. The entire time that he is in the water, his lips are blue and he is shivering...but he doesn't care.

He absolutely wore Daddy out wanting to be thrown up in the air and spun around, all the while splashing.  Here he is with Mommy - we're panning for gold.  He liked to get a collection of small rocks in the pan, and then throw each pebble, individually, back into the water. He worked on this particular project for almost an hour.

Next year, we look forward to entering both boys in the annual Kids Fishing Tournament.  Luke was going to be in it this year, but someone, who shall remain nameless (Uncle Keith), broke his fishing pole.  This year's tournament was won by Lilly Nolan, who hooked a big turtle.  Not sure Luke could have beaten that.

BIG BOY LUKE

Here are some pics of our Number #1 son, Luke.

While eating lunch at Cracker Barrel last week, Luke exhibited his excellent utensil maneuvering skills.

Luke with Aly, our summer helper.

I LOVE this picture.  

Luke trying to fill Daddy's shoes.

Luke sporting his life jacket.  Yes, this is the same one he wore last year.  Give the kid a break. He can't help that he's little.