Our New FAVORITE City...

What thoughts come to mind when you think of New Orleans?  For me, it's Red Light District and drinking in the French Quarter.  Having no interest in either of those, New Orleans hasn't ever held much interest for me...until we actually went there.  Now, it's shot to the top of my Favorite Cities list!  We were leaving for a cruise from the port there, so we decided to go a couple of days early to check it out.  What a fabulous surprise it turned out to be.

We started out our New Orleans adventure with a ride on Swamp Thing.
Our tour guide had very few teeth, but a lot of great stories!

Yep, them are gators right there!

The tour guides pet gator he passed around for us all to have
a chance to hold.  We were all surprised to see Dad willing to hold it.

Mardi Gras celebration supplies to be had everywhere!

In each of the stores were many items not suitable for young
eyes. We would try to avoid it as much as we could, but if
Asher would see a t-shirt or another item with inappropriate
pictures or words, he would say, "Oh, this is just disturbing!"

Our cool hotel right in the French Quarter

Cabanas by the pool.

The trolley ride through town.  It's the oldest operating
trolley in the world.

We took a walking tour of the city.  When we
met up with our tour guide (in the orange shirt)
we were a bit concerned, he seriously looked like
he was homeless.  But he ended up being incredibly
knowledgeable and gave a great tour.

Street performers everywhere!

The architecture is so interesting and unique.
The history of the city is unbelievable.

It has piqued our interest and we can't wait to get back!

After a few fabulous days in New Orleans, we went on a cruise with Grandpa and Grandma Fotheringham that was super fun.  Unfortunately, the memories will have to live on in our minds because we had a camera malfunction and have no pictures.  I am so sad because we went to some really interesting Mayan ruins and of course all the usual fun cruise activities.  I guess we'll just have to go again so we can take the pictures again.

The Last Year Starting With A Three...

I had no problem turning 30.  I've had anxiety about turning 40 since about my 36th birthday.  So when I celebrated my 39th birthday this year, realizing it was the last year I'd spend with my age starting with a 3, the anxiety has kicked into high gear.  As always, Scott's gift was a complete surprise and I absolutely LOVED it- an iPad.  Each of the boys decorated a side of the wrapping paper with a loving message. Scott and I went to dinner and brought back a chocolate cake.  Each of the boys had a candle in their piece and said what they loved about Mom when they blew out their candle.  A perfectly wonderful birthday!

Tricky Leprechaun...

We thought this would be the year!  We had a great leprechaun trap... or so we thought.  We baked a cake with a hole in the middle.  We put the gold coins over the hole, thinking the leprechaun would climb up the ladder and would fall in the hole when he tried to get the gold.  But that sneaky guy was able to get the gold coin and get away, leaving a trail of little green frosting footprints. Maybe next year...

The Church's Newest Member...

Eli turned EIGHT...

...so he made the decision to be baptized!

The Cool Guys

Eli's Special Great Grandma Moore

Two Grandma's
Great Grandma Moore and Grandma Fotheringham

Crazy Cousins
Oakley does not approve of this behavior in the church building

Grandma Lee Ann Winters

Happy and Proud Mamma

The Whole Gang
showing their support for Eli

Eli's best friend, Alex Routh.

This is Mrs. Deanna Bingham, his second grade teacher.  She has
taught second grade for 12 years and has tried to attend all of her
students baptisms. She amazes me!  What a blessing she has been
to Eli- an incredible teacher and especially loving and kind.

Eli's Devotional...

Each grade does a devotional once a year at American Heritage School.  Eli's devotional was about the pre-existance, how America was prepared for the Restoration, and Joseph Smith.  Each of the children had a speaking part and there were many musical numbers.  Eli was part of the pre-existance group.  We just love this school!  We love that the religious and secular can be taught together.  We are thankful every day for American Heritage.

Orem Owlz...

 I've been to a few baseball games in my day, but not until we got passes to the Orem Owlz did I realize how much I really enjoyed going.  My enjoyment, honestly, has much less to do with the game itself but with the fact that my children are entertained by someone other than me.  I usually spend my time reading, which I'm sure those around who are not the mother of young children find odd that I come to a baseball game to read, but I could care less what those around me are thinking and revel in the fact that I have a chance to actually get some reading done.  The boys are not necessarily watching the game either.  They are usually rolling down the grassy hill with the myriad of other children or playing on the playground located just behind the seating area of the field (whoever put the playground into the plans definitely knew the Utah County population!).  So we go to the baseball game so that I can read and the boys can roll down the hills and play on the playground- we're all happy!  Take me out to the ball game...

Ski Bunny...

Cutest Ski Bunny in the World

Seattle Lids...

Grandpa and Grandma Fotheringham returned from a trip to Seattle with hats for all of the grandkids.  They all loved them, Asher so much that he wanted to wear them all at once!

A Rear View...

For so many reasons we've always thought Asher was part animal.  Well, here's another.  The boy will have his head hanging out the window if given even the slightest opportunity.  This is the view as a driver we've had for years, our boy-dog enjoying the wind in his face.

Friday Nights at Grandma Moore's...

There have been many wonderful things about Grandma Moore moving to American Fork, just a few house up from Grandma Fotheringham.  At the top of Eli's list would be his chance to sleepover on Friday nights.  He packs up his pajamas, a favorite stuffed animal, and he's off!  He's one lucky boy to have the undivided attention of his Grandma who willingly plays any game or helps him with any craft project he's interested in.  When Mom shows up to pick him up, he's often set up an unbelievable miniature golf course with wooden blocks and all kinds of plastic bowls and all kinds of household items that Grandma has no problem with him strewing all through the house.  Or a post office set up where they've written letters to each other, which they've mailed to each other at their post office and delivered to their individual mail boxes.  What a blessing Grandma Moore is to each of us.  What special memories Eli will have of his Great Grandma Moore for the rest of his life.

Future Pals...

We all love our spirited little Lucas.  He wants so much to play with the big kids, but like we all do, he's trying to figure out all the social rules of playing and Asher has been one of his guinea pigs.  Asher is two years older, so old enough he knows he just has to "take it" as Lucas is learning it's not okay to hit, take toys away, etc.  Since we eat every Sunday dinner together every week at Grandma Fotheringham's, in addition to all of the other family get togethers, Asher gets overwhelmed sometimes.  One Sunday when we pulled into Grandma's drive way, he asked, "Is Lucas going to be here?"  When I answered he would, Asher let out a long sigh and said, "I know I just have to be nice."  I'm proud of Asher for taking all he has and look forward to when the boys are older and mature enough to play as friends.  Who couldn't love that adorable Lucas?  Once he gets over the hitting and toy stealing, he's going to be tons of fun!

Pause...

Let's all take a moment, pause, and reflect for a moment on the scene before us.  All three boys, sitting next to each other, by choice, getting along, and enjoying the same activity TOGETHER.  Sigh... it's beautiful... truly beautiful.