Christmas In Shreveport

Laurel, Gracie and Christopher sit in front of the Christmas tree at Bebe and Poppy's house.
Christopher gets a turn to hold Laurel for a picture too.
Bebe and Laurel smile for the camera.

We went to Shreveport to celebrate Christmas with Trey's family. We had such a great time seeing everyone. We also celebrated Betsy and Ron's 35th wedding anniversary. Congratulations!

Our friend Ethan had his first birthday party, and Jenny and I took Laurel, Gracie and Christopher. It was a really fun party with a cute monkey theme. Ethan's mom, Jennifer, was very creative. The front door was surrounded by bamboo with a monkey hanging in it, and the cake was a monkey's face. Everyone enjoyed the banana splits, too! Happy Birthday, Ethan!

Apparently we were too busy having fun and catching up with everyone that we didn't take too many pictures! It was a fun trip and we can't wait to go back to visit!

Patrick's Christening

Sweet Patrick was all smiles at his christening, pictured here with his sweet mom, Alyson.
Jason, Alyson, a sleeping Patrick, Jackson, and godparents Cary (standing in for Ann) and Will after the service.

On December 27, at the Feast of St. John service, little Patrick was christened. It was an intimate service held at St. John's at Laurel Hill. Patrick was just as precious as could be, didn't mind the water on his head too much, and quietly slept through the rest of the service. It was a really special evening!

The Cousins at Christmas

We finally got some photos of the little cousins in their Christmas outfits! It was difficult to capture these wiggly ones all smiling at the camera. Jackson is such a ham! They were so precious together, and Jackson made sure both babies got several kisses before it was all over. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Christmas in St. Francisville

Laurel, Aunt Cary and Uncle Michael are ready for the Christmas Eve service at Grace Church.

Laurel loved wearing her Christmas outfit!

Will and Cary cut up after the service, but paused long enough for a photo.

The whole gang (almost)...we really missed Ann and Andrew!

On Christmas morning, Aunt Em helped Laurel open her presents.
Uncle Will read the classic What Do You Say, Dear to Jackson.
Laurel tried out Patrick's new drums.

Aunt Cary and Laurel watch the action from a safe distance.
Uncle Michael holds Patrick up to see everyone.
Jason, Alyson and Jackson are all smiles on Christmas morning!
Pappy and Gran (aka Dad and Momma) cuddle up together to open presents.
Uncle Will takes a risk and sees what's under Laurel's pacifier!
Jackson loves on Laurel. So sweet!

We spent Christmas in St. Francisville with my family. The Currys came in town, and we had a great visit with them. Jackson is so fun to watch and is really sweet with Laurel and Patrick. Laurel loved watching him-he's much more interesting and active than her mom and dad!

When we got to Pappy and Gran's, Jackson, Aunt Aly, Nathaniel and Aunt Ellen were busy making gingerbread cookies. Nathaniel had grown so much since we last saw him, and is a real cutie! On Christmas Eve, we went to the service at Grace and then headed over to the Vinci's for their annual Christmas party. Some of the gang also stopped by the Smart's party, but Trey, Laurel and I headed home with the Currys.

We had a great time opening presents with everyone on Christmas morning, and then went down to Papa and Granny's for Christmas dinner. Em, Big Joe, Robin and Bruce joined us. It was such a fun day and a full house, and we loved being with everyone!

Gracie's Christmas Program

Gracie's hard to spot, but she's on the front row, third from the right. If you look closely, you can spot her boyfriend, Henry, who's sitting next to her on the left.
Gracie lifts her candle in the air while keeping a keen eye on the teacher.
Gracie was one of four students to sing "solos" during her class's performance. Way to go, Gracie!
A wiggly and happy Christopher sat on my lap for the program, where we both had great views of Gracie!

Trey, Laurel and I made a trip over to see Gracie in her school's Christmas program. We had fun watching Gracie perform, especially when she sang her solo. She did great! Aunt Jenny held Laurel for the entire program. After the program, Gracie and Christopher hopped in our car for the ride back to their house. It's so funny to watch them interact with Laurel. They just can't get enough of her! It is now a rule in our car that no one can touch Laurel unless she's crying, and only then can Gracie put Laurel's pacifier back in her mouth! On the way home, Trey found a place to stop for ice cream for everyone! It was a great day with the Piersons!

Rolling Over

Laurel starts her roll by swinging her legs to the left.
To get over the elbow she's laying on, she throws her whole body into it....quite an effort!
She did it!
Now that's she's here, she's not quite sure what to do now! But she looks satisfied.

Laurel rolled over for the first time today! She has been trying to for a few weeks now, but could only get on her side. Then she lost interest for awhile. This morning, she was playing on her activity mat while I was talking to my sister Alyson on the phone and putting away laundry. One minute she was on her back, playing with her toys, and the next she was on her stomach! Way to go, Laurel!

Rice Cereal

Laurel had her first rice cereal today, and loved it! It was a little confusing for her at first, but once she understood what the spoon did, she couldn't get enough. Although it's hard to see in the photos, she has cereal running down her face. Oh, the fun we're going to have with food...

The Baton Rouge Assembly Ball

The day after Thanksgiving, my sister Cary was presented by the Baton Rouge Assembly.

She looked gorgeous that night, here with my parents.

Cary and Will had a great time dancing together.

Of course, Michael showed his moves on the dance floor too!

Will took a turn dancing with Momma.

Trey and I were glad for a fun night out. Emma helped us out by keeping Laurel.

My grandparents, Granny and Papa, had a great time too.

Dad and Momma danced a few songs.

Papa and Cary showed everyone how it's done!

We loved meeting Neha, who held her own with Will!

Big Joe and Em pose for a picture with the pretty deb.

The Baton Rouge Assembly held its annual ball the night after Thanksgiving. My sister, Cary, was presented this year, and so we came back from Shreveport early to see her. She looked amazing in the dress made by my talented grandmother, Granny. (Granny made all of our dresses when we were presented, which is really very special) Many of Cary's friends were there, and we all had a great time dancing. It was a really fun night, and Cary looked beautiful!

Thanksgiving

Gracie and Christopher wanted to hold Laurel in their Thanksgiving photo together.

Later, and in their PJ's, Gracie and Christopher help introduce Laurel to her Exersaucer.

Laurel wasn't too sure what to think about it.

Aunt Jenny and Laurel had a good visit over Thanksgiving.

We had a great time in Shreveport over Thanksgiving. It was a busy week with the Sip 'n See, family portraits and Thanksgiving Day, but we loved being with Trey's family. I don't know how Betsy does it, entertaining everyone with a house full of family, and helping us so much with Laurel! Thanks so much, Betsy, for making our Thanksgiving fun and wonderful!

Sip 'n See

All dressed up for the Sip 'n See, Gracie and Laurel wait for our friends to arrive.

Little Wiley Cotter came with his grandmother and Bebe's friend, Roz.

He loved seeing Laurel-check out his sweet smile!

Our friend Dori cuddled with Laurel for awhile, and Laurel loved her.

When the boys got back from playing, Christopher was the first to hold Laurel.

Just before Thanksgiving, Trey's mom, Betsy, hosted a Sip 'n See for her friends in Shreveport to meet Laurel. We had a great time seeing everyone and catching up with friends we hadn't seen since before Laurel arrived. Laurel was a great sport for the party, and held up well as she got passed around. Thanks, Betsy, for a great party!