Backyard Fun

We like to play outside in the earlier morning or later afternoon. The way Landry is growing up, in a pretty big city, is different from the way Brad and I grew up, in a small town. This doesn't keep Landry from experiencing some our favorite past times like climbing trees and making a swing in the backyard.

Early morning

Brad planted this tree when Landry was born. Now they're big enough to play with each other. Landry thought being in the tree was really fun.

Landry the tree fairy.

Late afternoon

Landry and Brad made swing; drilled holed in a board, threw the rope over the branches and everything. It has been a hit ever since.

Landry says to Brad: "Let's make Mommy nervous" which means push me really high so that the branches sway back and forth and it looks like my feet are going to touch the fence. Brad is happy to oblige (because he knows she's holding on tightly and won't fall). Landry succeeds in making Mommy nervous.

They tire each other out.

I love this picture.

Conserving Water

When there are over 20 days with temperatures above 100 (anywhere from 103 to 109) combined without even a drop of rain in 6 weeks conserving water is a must. We conserved water in a unconventional way. Landry thought it was so funny.

It started off with washing the cars. To justify using the water on cars...

Landry decided to take a bath!

Conserving and multitasking.

In the end...

the cars and Landry were clean, we conserved water and did 2 things at once. Not bad.

Independence Day (and some extra videos)

We had a blast this 4th of July! It was hot we managed to stay cool. The food was good and being in New Orleans with family was even better.

Landry was all about looking underwater.

Searching for coins.

---Slip sliding---

Ready to squirt someone...

Uncle Dustin was ready too.

Pops was shooting too...with his camera!

Liz ended up getting squirted with someone's water gun. She was a good sport about it.

Then Brad got in on the action...

and Kyle followed. It's a good thing this camera is waterproof (which is why there are 2 different posts about July 4th).

Brad...about to come off of the board so he doesn't fall down. Uncle Dustin headed to...

jump in the pool! Right behind him...

Landry jumped in.

Stylin' and profilin'.

Cooper hanging out in her pool, staying cool and shaded.

It's not the 4th of July without cooking on the grill. Landry ate all of those beans, all of the corn and all of her chicken.

The food was finger lickin' good!

Happy Independence Day!

Here are some videos (in no order) from our trip:

A Big Easy Fourth of July

This year for the Fourth we headed to New Orleans. For the first time in, oh, 5 1/2 years it felt like we had a vacation. Even with something to do every day our visit was laid back and relaxing, just like a vacation should be.

Sunday

Sunday morning, when Landry woke up, Cooper was at Granma's. She had been anticipating Uncle Dustin, Aunt Bug and Cooper coming in.

Granpa

Each morning Aunt Gail's bedroom became Landry's beauty parlor.

Monday

Aunt Catherine, Uncle Guy and family gave Landry a happy: her very own bead set. She had a blast making jewelry to wear.

Aunt Gail and Landry seeing Uncle Dustin, Aunt Bug and Cooper off. They had to leave Monday afternoon. Before they left...

Landry and Cooper took some pictures together. Earlier that day we went to the mall and Landry picked out matching dresses for Cooper and her to wear. Landry telling Cooper all about picking out the dresses and taking pictures.

Cooper enjoyed all of us singing The Itsy Bitsy Spider so that she would look at the cameras.

Awww, sweet cousins.

Landry loves her little Coop Coop (what Landry calls Cooper).

Tuesday

Before it got too hot we took a trip to Lafreniere Park to feed ducks, turtles, a rabbit, nutra, squirrels, geese and chickens. We were glad Meme could come with us.

Family pic!

Landry and Meme feeding animals.

The squirrels weren't scared of us. I wish I had been recording when Landry walked right up to one squirrel and handed it a crackers.

A mother goose was sitting on her eggs. They were big eggs!

Not just any white rabbit, oh no, according to Landry this is the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.

Landry and Meme admiring the crepe murtles. After the park we made a much needed trip to...

Chuck E. Cheese's. Landry acquired alot of tickets...we were all playing games.

Big buddies.

Wednesday

We decided to leave Wednesday and drive as far as Mr. Curt's (which is Natchidoches). Before leaving we spent the day walking around dowtown at the Riverwalk with Meme, Granma, Aunt Gail, Austin and Kyle. It was tons of fun!

Can you tell we're in New Orleans?

Gators and...

crawfish.

The Mighty Mississippi River.

Beignets from Cafe Du Monde.

Attempting a group picture.

Family pic!

On to the Aquarium.

Landry has wanted a bird on her finger for so long. Every princess, even Mary Poppins, has a bird land on their finger. Well, I think this is as close to having a bird on her finger as she's going to get for now.

It was a pretty neat experience.

A frog prince?

Petting a sting ray. They are so soft and smooth.

An albino alligator.

What does this fish look like to you?

Now this fish has pretty colors.

A summer school of fish.

Pearly whites.

We named this shark Brokeback.

A tortoise.

Little jellyfish.

Aunt Gail and Landry watching a giant sting ray.

Check out how long his dreads are! Wonder when he last washed his hair...

Good bye Riverwalk.

Thursday

Thursday morning at Pops' place.

We are so glad we were able to see everyone in New Orleans. It was a great visit. A huge thanks to the courageous men and women who fight to ensure our freedom.