Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Since I don't foresee much time for blogging in the next few days I'd like to go ahead and wish anyone who stops by a Merry Christmas! I plan to spend the next few days focusing on the fact that "God has taken form" and helping my boys to realize the absolute wonder of it. Who knows I may not be back until next year, that is unless I have sudden inspiration. With the boys home all day it is a real possibility.

The Not So Jolly Diet

BEFORE


Many years have passed since the day that Santa first became aware of his need for a healthier lifestyle. After hundreds of fad diets and starvation techniques he finally found the diet that worked for him. He's able to wear his long johns again without being self conscious of his jiggly belly showing. So this year he is so proud to introduce this new breakthrough diet to so many of you who have bellies that" jiggle like bowls full of jelly". This diet is so easy that even a kid can do it.

Breakfast: 1glass of strawberry milk.

Refuse anything offered by saying, "I don't wike that kind of food".

If that doesn't work simply lie on the couch in your PJ's for so long that you run out
of time and have to eat while running to the car.



Lunch: 1/2 peanut butter & jelly sandwich with the sides cut off, never ever eat the crusts

1 glass strawberry milk



Supper: 2 chicken nuggets, that's all your tummy will hold

1/4 cup pasta

Put some peas on your plate but start convulsing as soon as you taste them.



Snacks: Unlimited amounts of apples, cheese curls, and cookies. The trick is to move
constantly, never stop moving, run, jump, swim, ride bikes, drive your Mom crazy,
just don't stop moving.

If you follow this simple menu and directions you'll be sure to look like this next year.

AFTER

The Two Year Old and The Man

While we were in LA my baby officially hit the Terrible Two's, actually I think he was already there. We had already celebrated in FL on the same night as Landon's birthday, so a huge party was not required. Kimberly suggested a local Mexican restaurant where the birthday boy could where a Sombrero and be sung to in Spanish. A few faithful relatives joined us for the occasion. Unfortunately my camera card was full when he actually had the hat on, but here's a picture of me and Dylan before. As you can see he was very happy about the whole affair.

Later on that evening we had a fish fry with Dylan's cookie cake as the dessert. He had a hard time sharing.

On that same day Harold took Ethan fishing with the "men". My cousin Stevie took Harold, Philip, and Ethan on a grand expedition of a fishing trip.

A few months ago my oldest son had to start wearing deodorant. Very sad, but true. Collin was a little jealous over this milestone in the life of his older brother. I tried to explain to him that it is part of the process of a boy becoming a man. As soon as he heard the word "man" he took of yelling frantically "Ethan, Ethan, you're a man now". Ethan has taken this very seriously, and the fishing trip served to reinforce this notion. On the way home he asked Harold, "So, I'm a man now?". The rest of the evening while the fish were being cleaned and fried he kept telling his poor little brothers, "You have to go inside, I'm only out here cause I'm helping". We're working on bringing his ego down a notch or two. Here he is with one of the many fish he caught that day.

One of the "men". Yes, Harold is barefoot. I guess he was feeling a little Redneck.

Where I Come From

This past week I had the privilege of returning to the "land of my birth". Yes folks, it's true, I'm a Louisiana native. I eat crawfish, gumbo, and shrimp and I am very proud of it. We were there for Thanksgiving and for the 50Th anniversary of the church I grew up in, but I'm getting ahead of myself. The church pictures will come later, this blog will contain the pictures of the first four days. Don't worry Kimberly, I don't plan on posting every picture.
I grew up in the only town I know of that has an alligator in the center of the town. He writes an article every week in the local newspaper. His name is Hardhide. Harold and the boys in front of the cage.

This is for Nellie and Cleo who were amused that my boys took the stuff they found in their yard and made a cannon.

Dylan with his Paw Paw Woodie on Thanksgiving Day.

Stevie carves up the Fried Turkey. Yummy!

Since I have no girls, I enjoyed spending some time with the adorable daughters of my cousins. Me with Kalissa and Katy.

My Mom turned 70 on Thanksgiving Day, so we had two celebrations in one.

On Friday we went into New Orleans for the day. The kids really enjoyed the new Insectarium they just opened. Here's Katy or "Mildred" with the Katydids.

Aunt Kimmy and Collin pose on a giant worm. She's so brave!

Cousins and still the best of friends. Liz, me, and Kimberly.

Ethan's appetite proved to be more hearty than I realized when he ate two worms and eight chocolate covered bugs.

Baby Kyle looks over his Daddy's shoulder with the Mighty Mississippi in the background.

Landon and Katy, two more friendly cousins.

I just realized that I have so many pictures and so little time. Stay tuned cause Sunday's on the way. Dylan's birthday too.