Weekend in New Orleans...

Anna Lauren has been asking to spend the night in a hotel so we decided to ask mom to go to New Orleans with us this past weekend so the kids could go. Now don't think she is deprived...the child has traveled...we just always stay with someone we know or in a condo...for some reason, she has never stayed in a hotel. Anyway, we played in New Orleans Saturday and Sunday and mom kept this kids while we went to a wedding Saturday night. Thanks Nanna! I guess I just wasn't in the picture taking mood because I got home with very few pictures from the weekend. I must do better next time... Just getting to New Orleans and all loaded up to go have some fun! Thanks for letting us borrow the stroller John and Catherine!

Cooper just loving life...doesn't really matter to him where he is...he will smile with the best of them!

First things first...on the horse and buggy...front seat by the driver. All she wanted to do in New Orleans was ride the horse and buggy and trolley!

Cooper likes the horse and buggy too...

On the trolley...Cooper thought this was the PERFECT opportunity to take a nap...

All smiles on the trolley...and yes, we rode it like 3 hours Saturday afternoon...crazy, but she loved every minute of the ride...

She didn't get enough trolley Saturday so here she is at the trolley stop again Sunday morning. Aunt Kate, notice her shirt...that is a post for another day!

Mommy waiting on the trolley and no one (Anna Lauren) would take their picture with me...poor Mommy!

Mr. and Mrs. Tim Biven...

This past Saturday, we celebrated the marriage of Tim and Beth at a beautiful ceremony and reception in New Orleans. Tim is a Matt's college buddy, and he and Beth have been dating since before we got married. We are approaching our 8th anniversary so it was definitely time for this wedding to take place! It was a fun night to celebrate their marriage and hang out with some college friends that we don't get to see as often as we would like. Mr. and Mrs. Tim Biven...

Matt and Tim...

These guys all played college football together...such fun to listen to their stories...

And yes, they all still act 18 when they get together...

I think all of us brides have this same wedding picture of our "groom" and the "boys"...

More Birthday Party Pictures...

For those of you that read the blog often, I'm sure you are tired of looking at Anna Lauren's birthday party pictures. But...these pictures are my favorites from the pictures my photographer friend, Christy, took at the party. And I have to post because they are a MUST for my 2011 book...this was for sure a day our family will never forget!

One Last Birthday Celebration...

We celebrated Anna Lauren's birthday one last time today...she had a birthday party this afternoon with her friends at school. I typically just send cupcakes to school, but she asked Matt and I to come so we left work early so we could join in on the one last celebration.

She chose a "princess" theme for her school party...

I thought the boys would complain, but they never skipped a beat and ate the cupcakes up and put on the rings just like the girls...too funny! Matt said they were probably just excited to not be eating their normal snack, which was water and banana today.

Making silly faces in their room before party time...

Putting her candles where she wants them...

Singing Happy Birthday...

Licking the icing off the candles...that is about all she touched of the cupcake...she wants them but will not eat them. No worries...Holli Grace ate her cupcake and Anna Lauren's cupcake...

Anna Lauren's teachers ~ Mrs. Joyce and Miss Sara

Mommy and her birthday girl...

The attempt to take a "class" picture...yeah right...good idea though Mr. Matt!

Anna Lauren pouting because she doen't want to take a picture...she wants us to come and then she acts up when we get there...so frustrating...

Holli Grace showing off her rings...

Silly girls...

And the PERFECT end to the day...Rachel dropped by the daycare to say "hey", and we spotted her on our way out. Rachel practically raised Anna Lauren...she was her teacher for several years and then left to go to nursing school. We are so proud of her for going to school, but we miss her so much and Anna Lauren LOVES her to pieces!