Last Day in Louisiana

Our last day, Friday, was a packed day!  We woke up and went to the Shreveport/Bossier City Boardwalk on the Red River.  It is mainly a nice shopping area but it did have a street car that the girls loved, a carousel, and Bass Pro Shop!!!  They had a blast.  After that, we got lunch, came back to the hotel, ate and played and then headed back out to Sarepta (to Big Papa's and Mama's).  We stopped off at the library as they had flags up since Memorial Day.  Also, we had to take a picture of the town's sign (Welcome to Sarepta - Home of Trace Adkins)  For those who don't know, Michael loves country and really likes Trace Adkins' songs and lyrics.    At Big Papa's and Mama's, the girls saw uncles and aunts they hadn't seen since last time they were there (when they were 1 1/2 years old).  They helped Papa rake up dried grass and put it in the wheelbarrow.  You would have thought they were picking up gummy bears how much fun they were having!   

Vacation - Day 6 at Shreveport

Today is Thursday - our plans were: go see Uncle Douglas and his wife, come back to the hotel and have lunch, let Caitlin nap, and then go to the Boardwalk on the Red River.  Well, as we all know, plans don't always go the way we want them to especially with children under 3!  So as we were driving to Uncle Douglas', Caitlin fell asleep!  Well, there goes the nap plan at the hotel.  We visited for a little bit with them and then headed to get some yummy bbq!  Back to the hotel to eat and then because of the heat... we decided to pass on the boardwalk and go swimming instead.  It was a relaxing afternoon/evening at the hotel.

Caitlin and Nana

Just had to take a pic of the sign - too bad we weren't in college anymore with a screwdriver :-)

Caitlin with Uncle Douglas (Nana's brother)

Caitlin with Aunt Mary Sue (Nana's sister-in-law)

Mikayla and Delilah resting on Nana as she holds sleeping Caitlin.

Vacation - Day 5

Wednesday, we said goodbye to Neitra and Terris and headed on out to Louisiana.  The three hour drive was a lot harder than last time because we didn't have a tv in the car (the rental place said that too many people were stealing them - that is just wrong!)  So there was a little fighting, a little whining, a little "are we there yet?" but we made it!!  And it was just as hot as Texas!  We checked into the hotel and then drove another 45 minutes out to the country to Big Papa and Mama's house (Michael's paternal grandparents).  The girls got out and started running around.  Oh yeah - it was hot and it slowed them down a little - but then after a fill up of some drink, they were off and running again.  Papa even let them drive the tractor for a second (check out the video below).  It was wonderful seeing Big Papa and Mama again!

Daddy and his girls at Big Papa's and Mama's

Papa helping the girls pick peas

Mikayla picking some flowers

Delilah, Mikayla, and Mama shelling peas

Daddy and his baby girl

Mikayla, Mama, and Delilah pausing for a pic.

Delilah taking a pic of the family

Taking a dip in the pool back at the hotel (which the water was warmer than the air outside!)

Video of the girls riding the tractor

Vacation - Day 3 - Dallas World Aquarium

This morning we woke up and headed to the Dallas World Aquarium.  Neitra and Terris treated us to a wonderful outing.   It is amazing that as many aquariums you go to, they are all different.  However, I must admit that this aquarium was completely different than others (Long Beach, Atlanta, Monterey).  The theme at this one was a rainforest so you saw so many different type of animals/sea creatures than at other ones.  The girls loved it and Caitlin was so fascinated by the birds.  And for Mikayla - we just need to get her a camera of her own.  She kept telling me to make sure I got pictures of this bird, that fish, this spider, that animal.  Too cute!!  

The slideshow doesn't do the aquarium justice - but you get to see some of the cool things they have.  One of the neatest was the sloth just hanging from a tree, not in any cage.  So cool!!  And they had some of the biggest fish called arapaima.  HUGE!!!

Vacation - Day 1 & 2

At 4:00 am, we woke up, got the girls dressed and headed to the airport.  I was expecting cranky girls but was pleasantly surprised by excited, smiling girls.  Our plane left on time at 6 am and off to Dallas we went.  Caitlin stayed awake the WHOLE time making for a squirmy little girl.  Mikayla and Delilah slept a little so that was a nice break.  As soon as we arrived to Texas, we were welcomed by the wonderful heat (leaving Sacramento when it was in the low 90's/high 80's).  We got to Neitra and Terris' place and the girls loved that it was three stories - lots of stairs!  Caitlin only had two small falls - so I guess not too bad (but two more than I would prefer).  The first day there, we just hung around their house, went swimming, and Terris and Michael fixed dinner.  That night - the girls were exhausted and went to sleep quite early!

Daddy, Mikayla, Delilah enjoying some Chick-fil-a

Terris letting Caitlin check out his flight simulator set up.

The second day of our vacation was Father's Day.  Neitra took us to check out some new homes being built.  Gorgeous!!  And very reasonably priced for the size and the amenities.  However, I think the price of houses are a little cheaper to give homeowners a cushion to pay for the air conditioning they would have to use during the hot days!!!

Neitra and Caitlin being silly

Okay - the laughing subsided.

Caitlin enjoying herself some corn on the cob

Neitra was so sweet - she went and picked up a bunch of Blue Bell (the best ice cream ever!!) before we got to Texas.  Here, Mikayla is enjoying hers.

Go Rivercats!

Michael being Michael won us tickets to the Rivercats game from a radio station. Finally, we were able to take the girls to a baseball game. The seats were wonderful, the food was overpriced, and the complaining escalated as it got hotter - but overall, the experience was unforgettable. A few foul balls came are way as well as some t-shirts and hot dogs, but we didn't catch any. :-( After we made it through to the 8th inning, we headed home and jumped in the pool! Caitlin joined in the pool fun when we got home (she napped in her cool crib while we were in the hot sun).

We were walking into the game and Mikayla looked up and said - hey there's a rainbow.  The rainbow surround the entire sun.  It was so pretty but also kinda gloomy.

Mikayla got a flower balloon instead of a painting (at first).  Sadly, the balloon popped when we got to the seats - due to the heat.

Delilah getting her first painting - butterflies.

The girls with the mascot, Dinger.

Mikayla showing her patriotism while worrying that the Rivercats aren't going to score

Delilah cheering the Rivercats on.

Delilah and her lady bug; Mikayla with her butterflies

Daddy and his girls at the game

Mommy and her "painted" girls

Girls playing shark and minnows (waiting for me - the shark - to get in)

Having fun in her lil' pool

Look at those dimples.

The big beautiful smile!

Our little fish under the sea

10 Years of Bliss

10 years ago today I married my best friend.  Who would have known that ten years later, we would even be better friends than the day we said "I Do".  Who knew we would have had three beautiful daughters, two of which fought for their lives as soon as they were born.  The one thing I did know back then and still know is how much I love Michael and how I love spending time with him - even if it is sitting at the computer looking for fishing boats.  I can sit here and list the wonderful things that have happened since our marriage first began... but I think the most wonderful thing is that we are each other's best friend... that he is the one I want to talk to when there are problems... or the one I want to call with the best news in the world.  Honestly, ten years sounds long but it seemed to fly by so quickly and I can only pray that the next ten bring as many wonderful memories into our lives.  With God as our focus, our love will continue to grow.

Texas Visitor

Yeah! Neitra came out for the weekend. We hadn't seen her since Christmas so we were very excited to have her come out (even if it meant not having her hubby with her - we missed you Terris!)

Caitlin contemplating what she is going to do with Neitra as she drinks her vanilla bean

Caitlin, Neitra, and Mikayla in the playroom.

Delilah, Neitra, and Mikayla relaxing watching tv.

Neitra - we miss you but we will see you in several days in Texas!!  Hope you feel better!