Grandparents day

This year Grandad and Reich attended grandparents day with Carter. Carter showed them how well he is reading.

Carter wanted to wear a tie for Reich. Isn't he handsome?

McKenzie asked Grandma Lou to celebrate Grandparents day with her.  McKenzie's teacher had them do a project of "then vs now". Grandma Lou got to share a lot about how life was when she was a little girl. McKenzie was most impressed that Grandma rode a horse to school and they played jacks. 

Valentine Party

February 13th we had our 4th annual Valentine party.  McKenzie did all the planning again this year and as always we had so much fun.  It is great to see everyones creative side.  Some get more stressed about their boxes than others, but I won't mention any names...mom. :)  

  

Mom's Church

John's Deer

McKenzie's Owl

Dad's log cabin

Can you guess who's this one belongs to?

Shelly's combine

Henry's submarine.

And my antique camera. 

Tim has been working long days and 6-7 days a week, so he was unable to attend this year. 

glasses for everyone

I take my kids every year for their annual vision test. This year Dr Studder determined both kiddos needed glasses.  McKenzie only needs hers for farsightedness where Carter it was harder to determine.  Dr Studder sent us to St Louis to Washington University to see a children's Ophthalmologist.  Upon completing the vision test it was determined Carter has amblyopia or lazy eye.  His vision in his right was less than his left causing his brain to stop using his right eye.  

On our way to see the ophthalmologist we stopped for lunch at Fitz's root beer restaurant. That is the biggest root beer float I have ever seen.

Getting his new glasses adjusted and ready to go.

My babies are pretty cute with their new glasses. 

While we were getting everyone else fitted for glasses, Tim had lasik and no longer needs glasses.

At the Farm

Grandad had a new kid (baby goat) so we stopped by the other day to see her.  She was so little and cute.

Carter hanging out in the stables checking out all the animals.

Dad's bull wanted to come into the stable to eat but there was to much commotion, so he stood at the door watching us.

The stare off....Carter watching the bull and the bull watching Carter.

I love going home and being outside around all the animals. 

My little farmer.

One of Carter's favorites when we visit Mom and Dad's is he always drives from the gate to the house.

Bon Voyage

Mom and I went on a cruise with some family friends in January.  Before heading to New Orleans to board the ship we got our nails done.  The kids wanted to go with us.  Carter enjoyed the massaging chairs and McKenzie got a manicure. 

He made himself right at home.

With our cruise leaving out of New Orleans we decided to travel down a couple days early and enjoy some Cajun culture before we boarded.

One evening we drove to the North Shore (Covington LA) to watch a Mardi Gras parade. We listened to a band play Cajun music and talked to some of the locals. 

Sunday morning was embarkation day.  Before boarding we ran by Cafe Du Monde, for one last bit of New Orleans, and enjoyed some beignets.  While waiting inline to get in, we were able to enjoy the music of these two gentlemen.  They were singing Jambalaya (On The Bayou).

yum!

Once on the ship we had lots of time to explore, unpack and settle in for the evening. 

We had 12 in our group. We all went our own way during the day but every night we met up and had dinner together to hear about their day.

Our first port was Cozumel. I went with Joni, Barbie and Wendy snuba diving and mom went with the guys on a submarine.  After our excursions we met for lunch at Senior Frogs.

Mom and Randy on the submarine.

At Senior Frogs - a guy came around and made us all hats.

My lunch came in the kitchen sink. Joni ordered fajitas and the waiter brought hers out with a welding hood on.

These dancers were in the shopping area at port.

Our second port was Rotan Honduras.  Mom and I went on an excursion to Gumbalimba park.

The Iguanas ran free.

Gumbalimba Park is in the rain forest so of course it rained on us. But once it stopped it turned out to be a beautiful day.

I love this picture of mom. These little guys were pretty feisty and would jump person to person as they please.

After the animal sanctuary we stopped by the beach before taking our bus back to the ship.

Our 3rd port was in Belize.  We didn't go on an excursion here but ventured out on our own.  We had a great taxi driver (pictured below) who made the trip so fun.

He took us to Old Belize. It was a man made beach. I spent the day in a tube reading. 

This is from the top of the 90ft slide.

Our fourth and final port was Costa Maya. We spent the day shopping, watching the dolphins and relaxing by the waters edge. 

This beach was made of coral.  It bruised and cut my feet and hurt terribly but I just had to have my feet in the water.

Dinner every night was always a great time getting to hear about every ones day.

While on the ship, mom and I loved finding a spot away from everything to read or just watch the water go by. It was so relaxing.

The last night we celebrated Barbie's birthday with a little cake and singing.

Our entire group

Another favorite of mine was going back to my room every night to find my covers had been turned down and a cute towel animal on our beds. 

We were welcomed back to New Orleans the next Sunday morning by an absolutely beautiful sunrise.