mutually adoring brothers

Nina's Christmas program

Reminded me a lot of last year's, which made me sad because mom and dad were here, and it was their last trip down here together.
Nina was cute, shy, sweet. She really, really, really wanted to be in the back row with her idols Ari and Kaelynn, and her head was turned back to watch them most of the time!
She looked like a candy cane. So cute, so sweet.

Just before, I went to Kai's school for the Mexican Posada. The first-graders went room-to-room, to all of the 2nd and 3rd grade classes, singing a song and asking if there was room at the inn (they drew spoons to determine who would dress up as Joseph and Mary.. can't imagine if Kai had "won" that one). I told Kai I thought it was fun; he said, "No, it was embarrassing!"
But at the end they got hot chocolate with marshmallows, chips and salsa, and big cinnamon rolls. Then they got to bash in a pinata. So...kind of strange.

Julian hung out the entire morning. This is when I set him free on the grass....til he couldn't stop eating rocks and acorns.

christmas tree

It's a great little tree, I love the Dr. Seuss-like top. And here is funny baby again.

picnic

Nina really wanted to go for a picnic at bogue falaya, so here we are.  (Subway, of all things...there is absolutely no room for cooking in my life these days, not even slapping together sandwiches...but Nate installed a gate last night so maybe, just maybe, I'll get back there.)

Following our picnic lunch, I let Julian loose in the park where he proceeded to eat lots of Louisiana sand and leaves.
Too l

Mandeville parade

Nina got all gussied up in cousin (kind of) Breann's hand-me-down dress to go to the Mandeville Santa parade. Took us so long to get out the door that we missed the Santa parade, but we got to see a gorgeous sunset followed by a boat parade on lake pontchartrain. Kai found some kids to play football with. Nina hopped on the swings for awhile and steered clear of the nutcracker actors that were parading around (the second picture is Nina telling me no way did she want to say hi to the nutcracker).

Kai's english tea party

 Last week Kai had an english tea party as part of their "christmas around the world" unit. The school requested that the children wear their "Sunday best!"...this is what Kai would wear. He is not a picky dresser but he hates khaki pants for some unknown reason! He also hates long-sleeved, button-down shirts. But he looked pretty good and it appears that he had a good time. The boys above from left to right: Kai, Conner (one of the quads), Chance, Jeb, and Patrick. The sweet little girl is Maggie. I don't know her but want to! :)

funny baby

juju walks

Julian loves to be outside.

juju talks

This one is kind of old but so cute...I think he was getting sick, just chillin' on Nate. He doesn't chill anywhere anymore!

watching Tinkerbell

Julian was mesmerized.

mutually adoring brothers

We're back

Computer is virus-free and I found the camera charger! Juju is toddling, Kai and Nina are getting so big so fast. Weather is beautiful, 45 in the morning up to 70 in the afternoon. Heavenly. Kids are getting filthy playing in the dusty, dirty yard and working their upper arms on our rope swing. We finally made it out of Covington and into New Orleans on Sunday, it had been months and months. Getting the three of them ready for a daylong outing is daunting. But we did it, went to the art museum, frolicked in the grass, played on the playground, climbed oak trees, visited storyland, and ended the day with ice cream at Angelo Brocatos. It was great to get out.

tender media moment

orange belt and self-portrait

Busy boy in the kitchen

soccer!

 The kids had their first soccer game yesterday. Nina was awesome, she ran up and down the field for almost an hour and played whenever the team needed her. Kai's team (purple Sharks) played after Nina. Kai did a great job, he was aggressive and even scored 2 goals. He and Lainey were a great team, and Nina and Adam had a ball playing iphone games to pass the time. Jujubee was a superstar spectator.

Orange Crush takes the field

Nina rocks her neon uniform

Nina and Emma Cate

It was hard to watch Nina's game first.

Juju was a happy spectator

Girls taking a break

Kai and his (best) friend, Lainey taking a rest.

Lainey's little brother and Nina

bracing for the storm

Tied shutters down, everything that can fly in the garage, 2x4 over the french doors. We all slept in Kai & Nina's room for 2 nights. Lots of family time. We were relieved that the Ancars joined us on days 4&5  of our hibernation (even after Isaac passed, power lines and tree limbs prevented us from getting out)

ju ju bee, 8 months, 5.5 teeth, speed skater-strength thighs