CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS!

Our family's stockings...WOW!

The day after Christmas we headed to the airport for our flight to New Orleans. When we got to the airport Nola took out her pacifier and said "NANA!" I started laughing out loud because she equates Nana with the airport. How cute!

Uncle David, Aunt Christy, Tripp & Nana met us at the airport, and then we met Uncle Mikey and Grumps for breakfast and then headed to Nana & Grumps to wrap all of the gifts I had shipped there and we did Christmas presents that night!

"Nola, I'll trade you two pinks for one white!"

Uncle Mikey drinking from his moose mug from Christmas vacation!

"Aunt Kellie, don't you have enough bath pics?!"

"Yes! They brought our cool hiding spot..come on Nola, no one will find us here!"

Saturday morning we packed up and headed to the French Quarter for coffee and donuts!

Holding Hands!

CHEESE!

"Come on will our donuts ever get here....we're wearing these stinkin hats!"

SMILE!

After the quarter we took the kids to story land. Uncle David took really cute pics with his cool new camera. I will make sure to add them to our site!

Sunday the girls hung out while the guys went to the Saints game!

Of course Jay found the Alabama players in town for the Sugar Bowl!

Uncle Dave & the Alabama player...he doesn't look so big here!

After the game we had a fish fry at Uncle Mikey's and we got to hang out with the Lamberts! Nolan Patrick cheesing!

Drunky Jay! He spent the night talking to my godchild, Taylor, a sophmore in HS who told everyone she wants to go to Alabama for college. Jay was trying to convincer her of all the reasons why she should definitely go to LSU HAHA ...come on Taylor it's family tradition...GEAUX TIGERS!


Monday night we had lots of family over to spend time with the kids...my Aunt Jennie and some of her kids hadn't met the kids so we made sure to get everyone together! I think David took some good pics so stay tuned!

Tuesday night we had our annual Christmas dinner with my BFFs, Lenee & Carrie!

The kids had a fun time playing together and the adults did too!

Thanks Lenee & Dan for a great time!
Can't wait for next year!

CHRISTMAS EVE & CHRISTMAS DAY 2008!

Our local fire department sends the firetruck around blaring sirens and Santa comes for a visit ever year. Last year we missed it because we were in LA so we were so excited to make it this year. It was raining and cold AND by now we all know how much Nola loves Santa so we decided to try for one more visit, hoping this would be the one where she magically goes to Santa!

We all stood outside like idiots waiting in the rain for Santa and sure enough he showed up and all the kids got in line to see Santa while his helpers handed out presents for each kid (individualized by gender and age...very impressive). We definitely need to make sure we donate to them this year!

Of course when it was Nola's turn, she FREAKED...so we were out of luck again...maybe next year!

We came inside and Nola opened her present and it was a very cute puzzle! She really did like it despite the disappointing face!

After that we headed to Uncle Rob's for great food and company....sorry but I forgot the camera!

When we got home I made sure to leave cookies and milk for Santa so he wouldn't forgot to stop!

AFTER SANTA

CHRISTMAS MORNING!

Let me set the stage: I woke up Christmas morning at 6am dying for Nola to wake up and of course the ONE morning I don't want her to sleep in...SHE DOES! I had to wait till 7am....and when she did get up I wanted Jay to video her coming down the stairs. AND anyone who knows Jay knows how fast he moves so needless to say Nola was crying because she thought we were holding her captive upstairs! Jay finally got the camera rolling and Nola cried the whole way downstairs and kept crying even when she saw her presents...then she stopped crying and looked very CONFUSED about why all the stuff was there. Once we helped her open one present she tore into everything! She wanted to play with every present she opened! It was too funny!

She vacuumed the whole house...too bad it didn't really work!

After presents and breakfast we went to mass as a family and then continued on to the Grandma & Grandpa's for more present opening!

"Yeah my own Tupperware! I can't wait to start cooking!"

Nola knew exactly what to do when we got there and she saw all the presents. She looked like a professional opener! Nola even helped Grandpa open all of his presents because he wasn't feeling 100%.

So many presents! Thanks for everything Grandma,Grandpa, Uncle Keith & Aunt Heather!

After hanging out for a while, it was on to Aunt Peppy's for more presents & dinner!

Family Shot!

"Yeah Santa, I want to thank you for going above and beyond this year with everything you left me EVERYWHERE! I know I was good but I didn't know I was that good! I promise I'll try to keep up the good work! Talk to you soon!"

Grandma & Grandpa

" I guess Santa wants me to learn how to cook because he seems to have left me a kitchen at home and pots and pans everywhere else...but he forgot to leave a cookbook...I guess I'll have to wing it!"

"After such a LONG and FUN day I'm ready to go to sleep now, I have to catch an early flight! Thank you & Good Night!"

All Aboard the Christmas Train!

A neighboring town, Whippany, has a train ride with Santa every year as a fundraiser. We made plans with Siobhan and the boys to go today, the last day, but since the weather didn't cooperate, Siobhan couldn't make it down so we sold her tickets to the Atwells. We missed you Hannagans!

Here is Nola, obviously before she saw Santa on the train. She liked looking out of the window and waving at all of the cars!

Sydney had an ear infection so she was stayed with her Grandma while Carlye, Anne Marie & Mike came along! Feel better Sydney!

The Andersens

The Atwells minus Sydney

Santa came when Nola and I were sitting. When she first saw him she said "HOHO" but as he got closer she kept backing into me, and of course Jay thought she would be okay for a picture.
Her face speaks for itself!

Poor Carlye wouldn't even look up. She was screaming the whole time!

We had a great train ride but Carlye was still a little shaken up and
wouldn't take a picture when we got off.

Finally she smiled right before we headed home.
Thanks for coming Atwells!

Fun in the snow!

On Friday we got about 6 inches of snow so it was a definite snow day for Nola & I. We baked ALL day so we didn't make it outside and we didn't take any pics. Today, we got another 2 inches so we took Nola right out this morning when she woke up.

Of course Jay has to torture her. It was raining little ice pellets and she did NOT like it!

She's an expert at climbing down ANYWHERE!

My little snow angel!
Thanks Brandi....we borrowed your hat!

We were trying to get Nola to taste the snow!

Nola pulling her sled
(first time we're using this..it was a present from Keith & Heather last year)

Jay pulling Nola but she didn't like all the ice pellets hitting her!

"Thanks Dad! I could get used to this!"

" Dad I heard you complaining about having to shovel, so I'm here to help. My fee is $20 an hour or some cheerios and apple juice, whatever works for you!"

"Dad what are you complaining for, this seems pretty fun!"

Here are some bonus videos of Nola in the snow! Enjoy!