Iowa, very very very cold!

This past weekend we went to Iowa to visit some friends that we lived with in Turkey. Angie and Thad made the trip up with us. It was one fun road trip especially with Angie's "yo Mama..." jokes! We laughed til we cried. Anyway back to Iowa. It was so nice to see friends who became family during our time in Turkey.

Lubinus kids and McRae kid. they really aren't kids anymore! They've grown up!

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Sweet Callen

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some of the gang

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Bailey and Klaire. It's been a long time since they were together

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He's walking!

Well Jesse finally decided that yesterday was the day he was going to walk without any assistance. Bailey was the first one to see him as he walked across the living room. I was trying to find Bailey a cartoon when she yelled, "mommy look!" And there he went. He's still a little wobbly but he is using his legs to walk and not scoot across the floor more and more! People keep asking why I am so excited to see him walk because this usually means they are into everything. Well he was already into everything. And he weighs over 27lbs! Carrying him is not easy! And he's 15 1/2 months old so it's about time he walked. I was having my doubts but then remembered that I haven't seen to many 18 year olds scooting across the stage to receive their diploma! And it's a milestone that every parent wants to see. It's so fun to see him toddle across the floor and keep his balance. He's getting better about turning but yesterday if he was headed in one direction that was the only direction he would go even though we might be telling him to come over here or there. So our little boy is getting bigger. What a blessing!


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and this is just a fun picture of our little monkey. It's classic because he has just drank some milk and has milk running down his chin. For some reason EVERY time he takes a sip of milk, with a straw, he spits milk out as he finishes. And if your holding him then you will have milk all over you! yes this happens EVERY TIME!!!!

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Mardi Gras & Crawfish

Well it's not Mardi Gras yet but it is Mardi Gras season and it's crawfish season. Most of you know that I love Mardi Gras. I love king cake and parades! I made two king cakes this year. They were yummy. They sure are good but take a lot of work to make. We also made a trip down to New Orleans for a parade on Sunday. We have one of our youth, who was in Turkey (actually his dad married us), in town and so we thought it would be fun to expose him to some Louisiana culture. So me, Billy, Bailey, Thad and KB headed down to the Crescent City and got us some beads! It was fun to be down there again. KB loves parades as much or more than I do so we had a great time. For a while Bailey wanted all the purple beads so we were yelling "throw us some purple beads!" Which if you've ever been to a parade is ridiculous. We had a great day and I can't wait til next year!

Another first for Thad was eating crawfish. Billy's parents bought 30 lbs. of crawfish on Friday. So we ate about 5 lbs. of crawfish a piece! It was so good! Eating crawfish does take work and it's a little messy. I am usually not into eating messy foods with my hands for example I don't eat wings because of this. Anyway, they were yummy and I'm looking forward to more this season!

King Cake. Bailey help me put the sprinkles on.

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This is for you John Morgan!

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this boy is serious about catching beads! He has turned his umbrella upside down!

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KB excited about the parade starting

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people also make seats for their children on ladders so they can easily be seen and get more beads

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Bailey with her purple beads

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KB giving a thumbs down to this parade. This float stopped in front of us for a long time and we didn't get anything!

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Funny float...this is a Catholic holiday

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showing off our goods

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Billy and Thad at Cafe du Monde

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Happy Valentines Day

We aren't doing much today for Valentines but we are going to eat crawfish tonight! I did make a cake for Billy's office and made some chocolate covered strawberries for them too. The goodies were a hit! And my husband sent me some beautiful roses to celebrate. It was a sweet surprise!


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Fun with Friends

Wednesday our friends the Byrd's came over for a visit. Bailey and Landon loved playing together. Jesse loved trying to figure out baby Patrick. He had never been around a baby before. We had a fun day and are going to miss them when they leave.


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You can see Landon had chalk all over him! and even rubbed it on his face

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Bailey decided she needed to rub it on her face to as you can see

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Patrick

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