Sitting Pretty

Laurel shows off her balance while reaching for her toys.
She loves her Exersaucer, especially when she can watch Maddie run around.

First Green Beans

It's time for Laurel to move on to solid foods. Check out her reaction to her first taste of green beans:

The Cotters Come to Town

Laurel and Wiley had fun getting to see each other again.

Wiley does a great job standing and balancing, while his mom Nicole watches.
Nicole and Trey help Wiley and Laurel play sweetly.
Tummy time!

Our good friends, Jim and Nicole, came to visit us for a weekend. We loved seeing Wiley again, who is growing so fast and almost crawling. He's so much more active than Laurel. She was very interested in what he was up to.

Jim and Nicole invited us to dinner with her parents and some of their friends. The dinner was held at White Oak Plantation and cooked by Chef John Folse. He came out to talk to us and explained every dish on the menu. Everything was delicious, and we had a fabulous time visiting with everyone. Thanks, Jim and Nicole! Come see us again soon!

Peek-a-Boo!

Uncle Michael stopped by to see Laurel, and they played a fun game of Peek-a-Boo.
Laurel loved it when Uncle Michael surprised her!
Laid back Laurel

Emma's Last Home Game

Dad, Momma and I wait for the start of Em's last home basketball game.
As a senior, Emma was recognized before the game, pictured here with Momma and Dad.
Em is a great point guard, and handles the ball really well.
Em sinks this free throw, making us proud!

Emma had her last home basketball game, and so Trey, Laurel and I went to cheer her on. She is a great player, and really hustles on the floor. She had several points, forced lots of turnovers, and assisted most of her teammates' points. She played so hard and eventually fouled out of the game with seconds remaining. The Rams lost, but just barely. It was a fun game to watch, and we were so proud of Em!

Trip to Shreveport

Eloris held Laurel for a long time, and told us stories about raising her own children.
Laurel and Daddy watch the big snowflakes fall to the ground.
Laurel loves when her daddy comes home from work.
Laurel and Daddy cuddle on the couch together.

Laurel plays with Uncle David, who came to see her at Bebe and Poppy's.

Trey had some work in Shreveport, so we made a weekend of it and got to spend a few relaxing days with his family. Betsy, Laurel and I had planned to play on Friday, visiting some of our favorite Shreveport shops. But the weather had something else in mind. It was a cold and wet day, and by the afternoon, it was hailing. Moments later, the hail turned into huge, beautiful snowflakes! It was so pretty to watch, even if it didn't stick. Laurel got to see her first snow!

While we were there, our friend Jess had his first birthday party--the second birthday party Laurel has been to so far. It was snowman-themed, which was perfect with the snow! We got to visit with lots of our friends and loved seeing little Wiley, Ethan, and Jess again. Happy Birthday, Jess!

On Saturday night, Patrick and Leslie came over for dinner. We had a really nice dinner together and got in a great visit. We can't wait for little Caraway to arrive this summer!

Happy the Hippo

Laurel loves this big pink hippo we've named Happy. She gets so excited every time she sees it, and I finally captured her reactions to Happy. It is so funny to watch her as she kicks her legs, swings her arms and giggles when Happy comes near her. She loves to give Happy "kisses" (really, really wet ones)!

National Championship Game!

Heather and Trey are excited about seeing the LSU Tigers play in the National Championship game!
Our friends Jim and Brad get warmed up for the game with Trey.
John and Trey having a good time together.
I ran into my girls, Audrey and Lizzy, in the French Quarter!

The Golden Band for Tigerland kicks off the game.

L-S-U!

John and Heather are all smiles at the end of the game. Tigers win 38 to 24!

Trey and I had a great time cheering our Tigers on to victory!

Trey and I went to New Orleans with our friends Jim, Heather and John, to watch the LSU Tigers play Ohio State in the National Championship game. We had a great time, especially since LSU won! Geaux Tigers!

Family Visits

Aunt Cary holds a happy Laurel.
Laurel loves when Bebe comes to visit. On this visit, Laurel showed off her new trick of reaching! Check out that stretch!

Trey's mom and aunt came down to keep Laurel so we could go to the National Championship game where LSU was playing Ohio State. It was the first 24 hours we were without Laurel, but knowing Betsy and Kiki were with her made it easier to leave. Thanks, Betsy and Kiki, for all your help!

New Year's Day

Little Wiley, Olivia and Laurel play while Lauren and Trey look on.
We loved seeing Olivia, who is such a sweet little girl.
Smiley Wiley!
Trey and Kathryn caught up over those infamous Bloody Marys.
Back at Bebe and Poppy's house, Trey and Laurel relax together.
Laurel loves her sweet Uncle David!

He takes good care of her, and is practicing for when his little one arrives this summer!

Our trip to Shreveport lasted through New Year's, which was really fun. On New Year's Eve, we had a great dinner with the Cotters, the Gahagans and the Ostendorffs. We loved catching up with them. On New Year's Day, we headed over to the Cotters' house for a relaxed afternoon. The boys cooked a fried turkey and Nicole made cabbage and blackeyed peas. While we visited, Laurel, Wiley and Olivia got to play together on the floor. It was a really fun afternoon, and we can't wait to see all our friends again!

When we got back to Besty and Ron's, there was a crowd waiting for us. The Meldrums, the Varnadores, the Caraways and the Akers all came by for dinner. We had "Mile High Pie" to celebrate John's birthday. It was a perfect ending to the first day of the year.