BUZZ CUT

Marc took Luke for his third haircut today. Due to his natural curl and the fact that his hair grows like a weed (when it gets long, it looks like he's wearing a hair-piece), we decided to give him a buzz cut. I think next time, we'll go even a little shorter.

He looks so handsome. Definitely no longer my little baby.

COONASS IN THE MAKING

Marc is so proud of his little CoonAss in the Making. Mr. Roland (Granny's boyfriend) treated us to a seafood feast tonight for dinner. We had crabs, shrimp and crawfish. After watching his Daddy, Luke attempted to suck the head of a crawfish (supposedly, that's were all the flavoring is located). The only problem was that the crawfish that Luke was trying to suck, still had it's head intact. He definitely gets an "A" for effort.

PLAYING OUTSIDE

The day after we arrived last Friday, the weather was SOOO nice. Granny has the perfect little back yard for Luke to play in, so he spent most of the day out there, and absolutely loved it. After Grey got up from his nap, he also enjoyed it. It was the first time as a Mom that I had to worry about getting grass stains out of their clothes.

Granny came out to enjoy the day with us and had fun picking flowers with Luke, and then later showed him how to use the watering can.

We're hoping for more beautiful weather before we leave so Luke and Grey can spend another day getting tons of fresh air and dirty knees and butts.

MEETING FAMILY

Yesterday, we took the boys to meet family. Marc's Dad, Clyde, is staying with his brother, Ray, so we went to visit and the boys got to meet Uncle Ray, Aunt Heather, and Grey got to meet his PaPa Faucheux.

Aunt Heather was the Bomb. She whipped out all these toys and got down on the floor and played with Luke and Grey. But the biggest hit was when things got "Musical". Aunt Heather showed Luke how to play the piano. He sat right up there, with perfect posture, and placed his tiny hands upon the keys.

Grey was not to be left out. He chimed in with rythm on the bongo drums.

After a yummy lunch of boiled crawfish (which Luke could not get enough of) and shrimp po'boys, Uncle Ray headed out to the shed and brought out a riding Fire Truck that he had made. Aunt Heather pushed Luke up and back on the back porch.

But most importantly, PaPa Faucheux got to see his two grandsons. Luke and Grey did really well showing Clyde all their "Tricks". I think Clyde really enjoyed seeing them. Here he is with his newest grandson, Grey.

We hope to go back later this week to see them again. We are here in New Orleans for a sad reason, but it is so nice to see family and for the boys to get to know all of them.

NEW ORLEANS AUDUBON PARK ZOO

This past Sunday, the weather here in New Orleans was absolutely beautiful. We decided to take full advantage, and headed out to explore the Auduon Park Zoo. Aunt Brigitte and Uncle Jason met us at the gate, and then we all made our way inside to see all there was to see.

One of the first things we saw were the Elephants, who were a BIG hit with Luke.

Here are some of the other animals we saw.

Aunt Brigitte was very excited to see the Turtles.

Grey really wasn't into looking at any animals. He was totally content to hang out in the stroller and chew on the strap.

Aunt Brigitte and her little buddy Luke had a GREAT time.

At the Petting Zoo, she helped him pet all the little creatures.

Once he got in the actual "Petting" zone, all he wanted to do was climb on this structure. We learned that day that he really likes climbing around on stuff.

Uncle Jason also made sure he could see everyting. The funny thing, however, was that rather than being interested in the animal in any given exhibit, Luke would be completely fascinated by a stick or rock on the ground.

Marc, Brigitte and Jason were all three very excited when they saw the Roman Candy Stand. According to them, the best part of Roman Candy (or Taffee to us Northerners) is pulling it out till it's "stringy". After doing the stretching, they gave Luke his first taste. He seemed to enjoy it.

Luke also enjoyed seeing the sights from high up on Daddy's shoulders.

In the "Louisiana Swamp" exhibit, Luke got to see an Albino Alligator with Aunt Brigitte and Uncle Jason.

Like I said above, Luke likes to climb.

Marc got to do some reminiscing, when we visited his childhood home...

and a little dreaming, when we scoped out our Louisiana Retirment Home.

All in all, the visit to the Zoo was a big hit. We got the boys a couple of souvenirs... an Elephant for Luke and a Camel for Grey.

We're also hoping to maybe make it to the Children's Museum while we're here. Hopefully, it will be as big a hit as the Zoo.

YVETTE

Yvette with Marc 1977

Today, we here on Earth lost...

but the Heavens gained a Sweet and Beautiful Soul.

Yvette will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

p.s. Yvette, please give Max a Big Hug and Kiss for us.

AS A WAY OF THANKS

Last Thursday, we had an unexpected need for a baby-sitter, and one of our dear neighbors stepped up to the challenge. Dee Riser came over for the afternoon and watched the boys, so Marc could be with me during a minor out-patient surgery I had to have. When we got home that evening, Dee had prepared dinner for us, which was completely unexpected, but greatly appreciated. She had fixed a Beef Stew with Carrots and Noodles, and a Cherry Cobbler. I hadn't eaten in 24 hours, so I gobbled it all up as fast as I could. It was so YUMMY!!!!!

As a way of saying Thank You, the boys and I went to see her and her husband, Von, today and took them some Homemade (from Scratch) Double Chocolate Pecan Brownies. I also revved up my Cricut, and made her this adorable box to hold the brownies.

She has promised to pass along the recipes for the meal she made for us, and as soon as she does, I will be sure to share them with all of you.

Thank You again to Dee and Von for helping us out, and to Arlinda for your help. Also, Thank You to all of our friends and family who prayed for us and sent us kind words. You ALL mean the world to us.

MARCH 1ST

FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY, we got out of the house for something other than going to a doctor's appointment or running to the grocery store. Yesterday, was March 1st, and it looked like Spring was right around the corner. If it hadn't been windy, it would have been absolutely perfect, but we took what we got. I bundled up the boys, loaded them up in the stroller, and away we went for a nice brisk walk... and of course a pit-stop at the beach and play-ground.

We were hoping to go again today, but Winter seems to have snuck back.