Fall at Our Home

Fall around our home is in evidence in a big way. We've embraced the colors of the season and decorated the kitchen, dining room and den. I snapped a few photos highlighting the details and have created a collage in Fotofusion by Lumapix. Click on the image for a larger version of the layout. Have a fabulous Monday!

Erica's First Swim Meet

Papa and Erica talking before she swims.
Erica during practice laps.
Erica's diving in for the 100.

We're so proud of how hard Erica's practiced and how dedicated she is to her team and this sport. After joining the swim team at her school before the end of her freshman year she was determined to be the best she could be. She spent some time training over the summer with her cousins who are on swim team in a nearby city. She had been watching them for quite some time and really wanted get involved in the sport. Its been fun and a great way to stay fit. Her first meet was very successful, fun and also challenging. She went back to training after the meet with a new purpose, to improve her times and hone the skills she has been learning. Great job Erica! We're so proud of you... love, Mama and Papa

Funny Lil Buddies

Playing instead of sleeping huh?
Giggles and Laughs from Eli and Alex!
Alex Scott

Elijah James

Today when the Bubbas came over they were just into everything. I blocked off my office with a few storage tubs thinking that it would keep them out, well I found Eli climbing over them and had to keep a watchful eye out for them. They also got into the cabinets under the sink, we only keep the potato and onion bin there and plastic bowls and storage containers, well Alex found the little new potato bag and took them all out one by one and he and Eli were chasing potatoes around the kitchen floor for a while. They laughed and played with them for at least a half an hour before getting bored with rolling potatoes. I put them into their little pack and plays thinking they were tired, they lay down for a couple of minutes, I tried to edit their pictures I took when they were playing and blog them, well they would have none of that. Before I knew it they were giggling and trading pacifiers across the top of the pack and plays and grabbing at one another. Eli would sit and stand and Alex would just laugh and laugh at him, peek a boo was never so cute! These are the photos I was trying to post earlier. Just my two happy boys being their good natured selves. Enjoy!

Team Player

Kali wasn't too sure about this sport she'd gotten into, she didn't participate much in the game on Saturday, but on Sunday when Pop, Nanny Lexi, Mom, Zach and I went to watch her play she was a trooper. She got into the game and took her turn kicking the ball around. She is, by far, the smallest one on the team, but she's got a big love for the sport of soccer. Its going to be a fun season!

Eli's First Haircut

About a month ago we gave Alex a trim, his hair was longer than Eli's. It was time for Eli to have a cut too. He was such a good boy about it, he didn't fight mama and daddy when they held his hands and kept his head still for Lolli to give him a trim. He's such a handsome boy!! We love his new look, and he and his brother look more alike than ever!

Autum has arrived at Shabby Miss Jenn Designs

Shabby Miss Jenn's Autumn Flea Market Kit
Tabbed Album (www.scenicroutepaper.com)Individual pages for the Tabbed Album

Mini Clipboard featuring Kali

Desk Supply Containers (Target)

And I'm loving it! I used her Autum Flea Market kit to create a few awesome hybrid projects that were so much fun and a couple of layouts too! I'll be uploading the layouts in my Shabby Miss Jenn Designs Gallery ... be sure to check those out too!

Photos from Hurricane Ike 09-13-08

You can see some pics from our area the day of the hurricane here:
Hurricane Ike Photo Album

Heading for Higher Ground

Bayou Petit Anse @ 12:45 today

This little 'coon decided to head for higher ground today when the Bayou Petit Anse near our house started cresting and running into the woods he lives in.

Pop & His Boys

The other day when Pop and the boy's Daddy needed to make a run to Houston they rented a great big truck and the boys got to ride home with Daddy in it. Here they are with Pop before their big trip.

At the Hop

Kali had a wonderful time at the SES Back to School Sock Hop. She wore her little poodle skirt Aunt Debbie made for her for Aimee's birthday party last fall. It was a fun evening filled with yummy snacks and dancing. Kali really got into the dancing with Jack and Ethan, her twin cousins who also started school at SES this year. She and Riley had a great time too. She really loves her school and she's going to have a super school year!

Sweet Little Boys

Elijah and Alex
Alex and Elijah
Elijah and Alex

I love these photos of the sweetest little guys ever. Saturday night they came over for a sleepover and they took a little ride over to Granny's house while Pop cut her grass. They adore their twin umbrella stroller and were too cute holding hands on the ride across the yard. Later they were hanging out in the house and sharing toys like the sweet boys they are, just too cute! They're wearing the little "Saints" football caps I got them just in time for football season.

Corn and Beef Soup in Tomato Gravy

One of our children's favorite dishes is corn and beef soup in tomato gravy, I adore the same but substituting shrimp for the beef. So today a good friend asked for my recipe and I decided it was as good a time as any to type it out and make a recipe card. Give it a try if you're so inclined. I'm including the recipe below. In the coming months I'm going to do the same with lots of their favorite dishes, print them out on 5x7 cards and put into a recipe box for each as a Christmas gift. I'm going to have them make a list of their favorites and spread the happiness around. I hope you enjoy this one!

Corn and Beef Soup in Tomato Gravy

Ingredients:

4 cups fresh chopped corn

1 1/2 pounds cubed soup meat

3 small cans tomato paste

2 large white onions

3 stalks celery

1 large bellpepper

3 quarts beef stock

1/4 cup olive oil

Tony Chacherie's to taste

Directions:Brown soup meat in olive oil in a large soup pot. Add chopped veggies and cook until wilted. Add corn and tomato paste, blend and cook together for about twenty minutes on medium low heat. Add seasoning to taste. Pour beef stock over entire mixture and cook for at least three hours, the longer you let it cook the better it will taste. Left overs are usually divine! I serve mine with potato salad and crusty buttered french bread.

We Have Power!

Not in some crazy sense, but electricty! After four days and being spared the worst of Hurricane Gustav, we've finally gotten our electricty back on and I'm happy to say we've got minimal damage and a whole lotta leaves, branches and limbs to clean up from our property. Thankfully we were spared from a water surge in our area like we had with Rita and the losses were minimal in comparison. The roads of our parish are filled with power workers from around the state and country getting people back on with electricty and people are slowly going back to work. Our kids don't go back to school until Monday, as a whole lot of people don't have power yet in ours and the surrounding parishes. There are people all along the coast, up in Baton Rouge and along corridor 49 who don't have their power back up yet and it will be a while in coming for them. We are hoping and praying that the rest of hurricane season is mild and uneventful. Thanks to everyone who opened their homes to our family during this time and the offers of safe haven. To everyone who thought about us during this time, your love and prayers are truly appreciated.