And a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Christmas 2008 will be one we won't soon forget! We celebrated an early Christmas before we left with the Brawleys along with a yummy fondue lunch. On Dec. 25th we were in New Orleans; it was Boston's very first one and he seemed slightly overwhelmed with the whole thing but big brother enjoyed the day enough for the two of them! We made our annual gingerbread cookies on Christmas Eve and then headed to St. Catherine's (where I went to elementary school) for the vigil Mass with my parents and in-laws. Towards the end of the Mass, Boston began fussing so I had to take him to the back of church. While I was back there trying to get him to calm down, I saw a familiar face, I swore it was Dave from the Imagination Movers (a Disney channel show filmed in New Orleans with a huge local following one of which is Benz). So I told Matt and he got very star struck and confirmed that it was him and Benz wanted so badly to go talk to him so Grandpa B. took him over to shake hands. We headed off to a party at my aunt's house where my uncle was decked out as Santa and handed out a TON of presents, while my parents and in-laws went out to dinner.

The next morning, we were actually able to hold Benz off from bombarding the tree until we were all ready to gather around, about 9am. What a wonderful age to watch a child open presents! He was excited and thankful for everything and knew just how to tear into them without needing any help! Too bad he's not able to read the tags yet:) He got some wonderful things, such as a garbage truck, computer cool school, I spy books, a Red Sox car, games for his Leapster, a radio control SUV and his most favorite of all, a box of cow figurines from Santa! Boston made off like a bandit too with a play mat, a waterfall crib soother, a melody snail toy and so much more! I was a lucky girl too since I received a Schwinn elliptical glider from Matt, some generous $ from my in-laws, a beautiful fleur de lis necklace and some seeds, etc for my new garden from my parents and the Gone with the Wind DVD from my grandparents. Matt really scored too this year with an Odin jersey, a PSP game, a Seinfeld scene it game, and a Magellan GPS system from his parents. Then we got to peek inside our stockings that were overflowing with goodies from Santa!

Mom & I got a delicious Christmas dinner ready (complete with my dutch apple pie and baked macaroni) while the boys took a nap. My in-laws came over and we all ate together, exchanged some more gifts and just had a wonderfully low key evening. We stayed up late visiting with our neighbors, the Falgouts and headed to bed happy and healthy!

Happy, Happy 5th Birthday, Benzie Boy!

I can't quite put my finger on the reason, but Benz turning 5 is a hard age for me to cope with! I've gotten through 1-4 but 5 just really hit me hard! He's no longer a baby or a toddler but a big boy who will be heading off to Kindergarten this fall! Where has the time gone?? I can account for about 2 years of his life but the rest has gone by so quickly it's almost a blur! Seems just like yesterday I was rocking him in the hospital or holding his hand as he was learning to walk. At least I take comfort in the fact that he asks to snuggle with me and does not yet mind if I kiss him and tell him I love him in public:)

We've been celebrating Benz's 5th birthday for a few weeks now! Starting with the pool party on 12/6, a sing-a-long and candle hat at school and other presents that trickled in in between. On his actual birthday, December 23rd, Gma & Gpa P., Gma & Gpa B., Babe, Mama, Boston and Great Gma M. headed over to play indoor miniature glow golf at Clearview Mall. The boys played while the gals watched and chatted. We followed this up with a yummy lunch at Zea's Rotisserie. It was so nice to have everyone gathered together. Then we went back to Gma & Gpa P.'s house for a mini party, complete with delicious king cake (per Benz's request) and a Haydel's birthday cake. Benz enjoyed blowing out the candles and opening up lots of presents....like a VTech smart book, a Fireman Sam DVD, a Tonka Bounceback Racer, a Leapster game and a chef's apron & hat. And before we knew it, the boys were headed off to the Hornets vs. Lakers game in New Orleans, courtesy of Gpa. P. A week or so later, Great Gma M. took him to have beignets at Lakeside Mall and he got to build a bear! He chose a puppy and names it Popcorn and dressed him in a policeman outfit. What a great end to a wonderful birthday for my Benzie boo-boo!

Welcome to the Catholic family, little Boston!

We felt so blessed to be able to officially welcome Boston into the Catholic family on Sunday, December 21, 2009. Even before he was born, I had planned on having his Christening down in New Orleans so my Grandpa and parents could share in the celebration, as they missed out on Benz's and I know how meaningful of a sacrament this is to my family. So when we decided to head down for Christmas, we thought that this would be the best time to have him baptized. Normally Catholic folks have their newborns baptized (within 3 or so months of their birth) but because of the circumstances, we held out a little longer. We had the Christening specially set up to take place after the 11am Mass at St. Agnes, the church I was baptized at and where my parents & Matt and I were married. The pastor led the sacrament, Father Bac-Hai Viet Tran, who is so down to earth and seemed to really enjoy being around Boston. He joked to Matt and I: "See you same place next year with a little girl this time!" Hah, not quite, Father! Benz even got to participate in the kids' Christmas pageant during Mass. Those in attendance were myself, Matt, Benz, my parents, Grandpa M., Aunt Tuddie, Aunt Bonnie, and Uncle P.J. And to make it even extra special, my in-laws had blown down to join us as well as Boston's godfather, Brandon Maitre (my lifelong childhood friend).

Boston was all decked out in a white cotton longall that had his name embroidered in blue on his collar with a matching hat and Benz's satin cross shoes. First Father had us sit in the pews and recite the Baptismal promises and have us pledge witness as parents and godparents. He then annointed him with the holy oils and had us all gather around the Baptismal font. He poured the water on Boston's head and blessed him; Boston didn't even flinch, he almost seemed to enjoy it! Then we lit the candle and said a few more prayers and it was over before we knew it. My parents threw a wonderful party back at their house. We made some delicious food; it was a small gathering but everyone who was able to join us seemed to have a wonderful time and it was the perfect ending to such an inspiring day!

Back to New Orleans for three weeks of fun and lagniappe!

We have had an absolutely wonderful trip back to our second home! I was so thankful to be down in New Orleans surrounded by my two beautiful boys, my parents, my hubby, my grandparents, my extended family and friends and even my in-laws! It's not often that everyone is in the same room together to celebrate events such as Benz's birthday, Boston's Christening, Christmas and New Year's. We made so many amazing memories, including our super cold ride on the St. Charles streetcar, meeting some real reindeer on Fulton Street, Boston sitting on Santa's lap for the first time, enjoying beignets in the French Quarter while being harassed to buy a jazz CD, Raising Cane's chicken fingers at the Hornets basketball game, riding on the scooter and picking giant lemons, short sleeves in December at Celebration in the Oaks, ants in the pants and the carseat, FOOD FOOD AND MORE FOOD, cheap movie tickets, meeting the LSU tiger and some stuffed animals at Cabela's, Build a Bear, local Papa Murphy's pizza, sparklers, our newest cousin Baby Jack and so much more!

Benz's Splish Splashin' Pool Party!

On Sunday (Dec. 6th), we had an early birthday celebration for Benz's 5th birthday. We decided on a pool party at the Jim Parsley Community Center which is right across the highway from our house. They have an awesome indoor pool with a huge slide, a baby slide, and water basketball. We felt so happy to have so many of our friends and family present with us to celebrate, including Gma & Gpa B., Rylee and her friend, Will, Jenn & Jon, Jonah, Ava, Brynne, Jon & Elisabeth, Regan, Luke, Traci & Jake, Carter, Addisyn, James & Meredith, Tauren & Shannon, Colten, Julia & Ty, Devin, Austin, Shana & Cory, Rosa & Lance, myself, Boston, Matt & Benz. Kids and parents swam from 3-4p and then we moved into the party room from 4-5p. We chowed down on mini turkey, ham & PBJ sandwiches, 7 layer dip, pasta salad, fruit kabobs and a veggie tray. Then we sang Benz the birthday song and passed out my famous strawberry & chocolate cupcakes.

Before we knew it, it was time for Benz to open his presents. He got so many nice toys & games, including a new 20 inch red bike from Gma & Gpa B., a lego set, a game for his Leapster, a fire truck, a Geo Trax barn, Sequence for Kids game, a Hot Wheels race track and a mini cooper remote control car, to name a few! Then we had all of the kids line up to take a swing at our turtle pinata. After we had everyone give it a go (including Jake and myself), it still wouldn't break so I had to rip it open and throw up all of the treats. Not quite what was supposed to happen, but everyone seemed happy with their stash of goodies and treat bags. I felt terrible that we had to rush everyone out so quickly, but there was another group coming in after us. After unloading everything and feeding the baby, I collapsed on the couch. I thought Benz would have too but he was too pumped to rip into all of his newly acquired treasures so we let him stay up a little past his bedtime to enjoy them. So all in all, it was a huge success and a great time spent with awesome people....until next year (or until party #2 rolls around in New Orleans on 12/23)!!!!