THANKSGIVING 2009

We headed to The Farm in Virginia to hang out with some family we hadn't seen in a while. Of course as soon as Nola saw Tripp it was like they were never apart. They are so cute together!

We heard this often: "Nola! Come here I need you! What Tripp! I'm coming!"

And they LOVE their Gator...as long as Tripp drives and Nola is the co-pilot.
Tripp cries if he doesn't drive and when Nola drives she looks backwards as she hits the gas. Watch out!

G-Momma, Nola & Honey playing Hungry Hungry Hippo

One of the big parts of Thanksgiving this year was tagging, cutting, and bailing all the trees going home to New Orleans. I only had to pick out my tree and then I got to take pictures.

Nola & Tripp were in the peanut gallery, bossing everybody!

Our tree!

Nola trying to help!

Jay giving it his best!
Pull Jay Pull!

Everyone helping...I was giving words of encouragement from behind the camera!

Thanksgiving day the kids had special plates!
Tripp was sleeping during dinner and Nola sat for 5 minutes, but it looked cute!

Their placemats!
I had fun coloring it! Hee-Hee

After dinner the kids got the wishbone to break and make a wish.

"Tripp, I got it...I got it!"

"Nana, we can't do it. Can you help us please?"

On Friday we headed to a winery near the house. I was so excited I had never been before. Chateau Morrissette was the name of the winery.

We started with a tour of the place.

More vats of wine!

"Cool tour, but can we get to the tasting?"

All they got a taste of was some chips and some coloring pages which sort of kept them occupied while we did our tasting.

Jay & I

Nice ambiance!

Group shot!

Mike & Brandi

The Clays

Elizabest, G-Momma & I

On our last day we rolled out some sugar cookie mix to make Christmas cookies. The process was pretty fun but the product was a little crazy!

Nana & Grumps with their two favorite grandkids!

Thanks for a fun time at the farm!
We can't wait till next time!

Boston Vacation

Sunday after the wedding we headed into the city with Uncle Mike & Aunt Brandi to do some sight seeing!

The first place we went was Quincy Market.
We had lunch at Cheers and did some shopping!

"Hurry Up...Let's Keep SHOPPING!"

That night after dinner we walked to the Commons Grounds, and then headed over to the other Cheers...where everyone is welcome & they know your name!

Jay & Mike

CHEERS!

"I'll take another please!"

Sunday morning we woke up early and went on the Duck Tour.
We had a lot of fun!

Mike & Brandi

SMILE!

Family Pic

"Can you find our tour boat?"

After the duck tour we headed back to the park to walk around and play! Here are Jay and Nola. Nola is taking in all the sights... but what about Jay?

One of the famous children's books from Boston is Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCluskey. There are duckling statues based on the book so of course we took a ride.

Way to go Uncle Mike!

Nola took about 10 turns!

Family!

We couldn't leave Boston without stopping at the famous Mike's Pastries. DELICIOUS! We actually went there twice and Mike & Brandi brought cannolis back to New Orleans!

Thanks for a great time! It was great getting to hang out with y'all!

Matt & Kate's Wedding in Boston!

Our friends Matt Ferriola (who introduced Jay & I) and Kate McGovern got married right outside of Boston, MA. Jay was a co-best man with his brother Keith and Nola was a flower girl! We had a great time!

Friday night was the rehearsal. Nola & Will (the ringbearer) did a great job! Matt & Kate gave the kids presents for being in the wedding. Nola got a wedding bunny from Build-a-Bear.

"Oh yay! There are lots of clothes for me to pull off!"

Nola & Mommy

SMILE!

Uncle Keith & Aunt Heather

"Look at my trick Aunt Heather!"

"Luke, I am your father!"

Nola getting tired! We packed it up and headed back to the hotel.
We had a BIG day ahead of us tomorrow!

Saturday morning we woke up early and headed to Kate's house for pictures.

Nola was amazed by all the rooms and had a fun time exploring!

Kate got a special surprise...her wedding present from Matt. He made, that's right MADE her a memory/jewelry box and put a picture of the bridge where they got engaged on the front and a picture of them on the inside. It was awesome! Not a dry eye in the house. Great job Matt!

Okay LET ME JUST TELL YOU A NOLA STORY before we keep going. I pulled Nola's dress out to put it on her and she started screaming. "I don't want to wear this dress! I want to wear jeans!" I kept trying to explain how beautiful she would be while I was fighting to get her in the dress....starting to sweat from the struggle. 2 year olds are strong! After I finally got the dress on she was screaming, "TAKE THIS OFF!" as she proceeded to try to make herself throw up. By this point I was drenched with sweat due to embarrassment at the fact that my kid was going to ruin the whole wedding. I could not calm her down. I was walking around the whole house trying everything...food, looking for cows outside...finally I found a closet to hide in to try to calm her down, nothing was working, and then it just came out, "Do you want to go to the toy store?" An immediate.."OKAY! Let's go right now!" Tears stop and she had a big smile! SUCKER! I would have bought her a car at that point but thank God the toy store worked.
After that is was all good!
Another I'll never be that Mom! Yeah right! Whatever works!

Nola & Kate

Unhappy Nola!

Happy Nola!

Playing

"I'm sorry Mom! I didn't mean to make you upset! It will never happen again!"

Uncle Mikey and Aunt Brandi took pics while I stood at the back of the church and helped push Will and Nola up the aisle!

Beautiful Nola

"Come on Nola, we're late!"

Nola digging in!

Uncle Mikey & Aunt Brandi

Uncle Keith feeling good!

"I'm enjoying this!"

SMILE!

Nola & her daddy!

My two birds!

Kisses!

"Can't leave without a second dessert!"

CONGRATS MATT & KATE!
THANKS FOR A GREAT TIME!