New Orleans, Swamp, & Mardi Gras

While cousin Lucas, Aunt Kristi, and Uncle Adam were here visiting we did a day trip to New Orleans. We ate outside on a lower level patio for lunch, walked along the river, down Bourbon Street, and played by some fountains. We had it in the back of our minds to possibly visit the aquarium or insectarium, but after a pretty full day, we figured heading home was our bet bet.

Brookston by the paddle boat

As Kristi said, "it takes a real man to push a stroller down Bourbon St."! LOL!

Kaisley, Lucas, and Brookston playing by the fountain

Brookston at the fountain

The kids getting coins from Aunt Kristi

Brookston checking out the "beach"

(the water was SO low there was sand showing along the river)

The boys and Aunt Kristi

Next was the swamp tour. The plan was to have Richard stay with Sutton, since we didn't think it was quite appropriate to have a 2.5 month old out on the swamp to see gators! He came along for the trip out there, JUST IN CASE someone else didn't want to go. Good thing because Kaisley freaked out before even getting on the boat and Brookston freaked out once he got on the boat. So, instead of Richard staying behind with only Sutton, he stayed behind with all 3 kids! Mama got to go, kidless! What? Although I kicked in with my Aunt duties and loved on Lucas a bunch!

Richard and the kids waving bye to us

(see how happy Brookston is to be on LAND!)

-Not sure why both of them freaked, it wasn't long ago that they were on OUR boat!

A view in the swamp

Lucas and Kristi on the boat

These smaller gators were seriously everywhere!

One of the bigger gators we saw!

Yikes!

We also took our Alaskan family to their first Mardi Gras parade! Lucas already seemed to really enjoy the beads we had at home, so I'm pretty sure he was excited to get his very own!

It was also Sutton's first Mardi Gras parade!

Although he passed out before the parade started and slept or nursed all the way through!

The kiddos waiting for the parade to start

Aunt Kristi and the boys

It's almost time to start

(notice Kaisley covering her ears...it must be close!)

And she covers her ears again! :)

"Throw me something Mister!"

Kaisley turns 2!!

We had our family and a few friends join us at The Little Gym to celebrate Kaisley's 2nd birthday party! She loves that place and had a blast!

The party started at noon (not my top choice, but that's what I get for waiting so late to schedule the party), so we immediately had a little pizza!

The cake was ready! Abby Caddaby was my biggest challenge yet! After doing a number of these type cakes, it wasn't that it was hard, but it took a LONG time! Four hours actually! And when starting at 11pm the night before, I was exhausted when I was done. Luckily I had Aunt Kristi in from Alaska to help me with cleaning tips, knifes, and so on, until 1am. And sweet Richard who ran to walmart at midnight, then stayed up til 3am when he took over for Kristi! Thank goodness they helped! This cake switched tips a ridiculous number of times, which ends up taking up so much of the time! So worth it though...especially when you see one of the pictures below!

I went easy on the cupcakes...Elmo toppers. But I didn't want Kaisley to be disappointed without Elmo (since she couldn't decide between Elmo and Abby for her cake)!

I was trying to get a picture of the birthday girl and her ADORABLE Abby shirt. My friend Kim is amazing at making these aplique shirts! Is it not the cutest???

Daddy, Kaisley and cousin Lucas playing inside. Lucas was visiting with his mommy & daddy from Alaska! We were so glad they could be with Kaisley to celebrate!

Kaisley and daddy having fun

Kaisley enjoying the parachute (as long as you don't ask her to get ON it!)

Aunt Niki and Sutton (not sure what that face is all about...lol!)

Trying again to get the shirt!!!

Thanks to my friend Katherine for coming to the rescue...my camera battery was dying maybe halfway through the party! :( So she snapped some amazing picture and sent them my way! Love her shots! Especially the ones of Kaisley and her birthday cake (below)!

Kaisley and Lucas

Big Brother Brookston enjoying the party!

Everyone singing to Kaisley

Blowing out her candles

Daddy showing Kaisley her Abby cake

Then she turns to me and says, "thank you for my Abby cake mommy" and gives me a kiss!

OH MY GOODNESS! Talk about melting a mama's heart!

Kaisley's excited face at present time!

She had a GREAT party followed by a great birthday!

Sweet baby tiger

I tried again...and my sister's coming!

We tried a sibling picture again....

I even promised suckers and candy...

We tried silly positions and silly faces...

But Sutton still wouldn't smile, Kaisley wouldn't look at me, and Brookston usually had a cheesy and totally not into this stuff smile on his face...

Oh well...maybe one day!

On a different note, my sister, her husband, and their 2 1/2 year old (Lucas) are coming for a visit. They live in Alaska, so our visits are few and far between. But still, for the distance, we do get to see each other here and there. I think having kids motivates us because we've been able to have visits every time one of us has had a baby! I'm so excited to see them and I know Brookston is excited to see his cousin. He still talks about seeing them at the beach almost a year and a half ago. I can't wait to make these new memories! Although it will be a little crazy with 4 kids in this house, 2 months, 2 years, 2 1/2 and 3 1/2! I hope we get some sleep! Hahaha!