New Orleans

The Tuesday after Mother's Day we flew to New Orleans. It was such a nice visit. We pretty much caught up with each other and hung out...and caught up on some rest and relaxation. Our outings were the usual: Lafreniere Park, Chuck E. Cheese, the mall to see Gail and getting snocones. This time we even went to the Mardi Gras store.

I'm not sure we've ever made a trip to New Orleans without giong to Chuck E. Cheese. There has always been someone young enough so that we could get in. There may have been a short time period between Kyle and Landry that we didn't go, maybe. Now with Landry, Rylan, Audrey and Cooper the Chuck E. Cheese "tradition" will continue. Even the kids at heart enjoy going. Gail and Landry on the simulated roller coaster at Chuck E. Cheese. Can you tell who's really into it?

Like I said, we relaxed...

 

and caught up with each other.

Kyle and Austin were good sports about playing with Landry. Kyle just needed a little break.

One night when everyone came over Landry made Austin a police officer and she and Kyle were trying to escape. We couldn't figure out why she thought Austin was a policeman. We did laugh about it though. When he went back to being Austin they were buddies.

One day we went to the Mardi Gras store. There were so much more than beads. We saw so much stuff for any party with any theme. Some stuff made us say O-kay, hmmm and wow. One thing that caught Landry's eye was an Alice in Wonderland dress. Given that she love, love, loves to dress up and knew exactly who to go to, she left out of there with the dress.

She wasted no time getting into her new dress, or character, when we got back. She asked if we had seen a  White Rabbit and gave everryone a part from Alice in Wonderland. She sat down at the desk and made everyone a scroll of Wonderland.



Alice in Wonderland with her basket of scrolls. The dress even came with a matching headband.
Thank you so much Granma, Granpa and Gail!

One morning, before it got hot, we went to Lafreniere Park. We fed the ducks, turtles and nutra rats. We walked around the whole park ending at a playground. Landry had a blast feeding the animals and making a friend at the playground. Everytime we go to the park we take a picture in the same spot. Here is our picture from this year.

Granma and Landry.

After the park we were all pretty hungry. We had lunch at a little place around the corner from the house named Cafe Fresca. It was delicious! We wondered why we had never eaten there before because it was so yummy!

It wasn't long after our tasty lunch that Gail was home from work. Landry had been waiting to get in the pool to splash and play. Having the cover to block the sun's rays was really nice.

This is the bathing suit Landry had to have. She loves the hot pink skirt that came with it (there are matching bottome under the skirt).

Our little mermaid searching for treasure.

After Aunt Gail had gotten used to the water a little she and Landry had the best time splashing and playing!



Gail having a good time.



Landry having a good time.

Saturday afternoon the fun came to an end: it was time for us to go back home.  We had such a great time in New Orleans and can't wait to go back in January!

Maybe I'm a dork but I couldn't resist taking a couple of pictures of the clouds while in the air. They were so pretty.

Landry said these clouds looked like they had a castle in them.

Graduation

I have been in school ever since we moved to Texas, literally, I have. It finally came to an end May 12 at 2 o'clock that afternoon. I graduated! I'm posting this a little over a week later and I'm still not sure I realize there is no more school.

 All of the graduates. There were 5 different graduation ceremonies which meant no long drawn out ordeal. Graduation started at 2:00 and was over at 3:30, short and oh so sweet.

I'm almost directly in the center of this picture looking at the camera. As I was walking up to get my diploma all I could think was "don't trip, don't cry, don't trip, don't cry".

My TWU gpa: 3.897. I worked my hiney off! I couldn't have done it without the love, support and never-ending patience from Brad and Landry.

Landry wanted a picture in front of the fountain.

She's happy...

he's happy. We're all happy!

Good bye Texas Woman's University!!!

Landry wanted to run around. We didn't mind letting her get some energy out. She was quiet and still for the ceremony.

Landry enjoyed running around. She kept asking for just one more time.

Kicking up her heels.



Sally

Landry has been asking for another dog. Well, the timing isn't quite right to get another dog right now. We asked Landry if there was another pet she might like and she said she would like to pick out a fish. Perfect, let's go get a fish! Saturday April 13 we went to PetSmart and came home with everything to set up the fish tank.

Brad and Landry setting up the fish tank.

The tank is ready for a fish. We went back Sunday so Landry could pick out her very first fish!

Landry picked out a halfmoon beta and named him Sally. Yes, him.

Sally.

Mary Poppins

Easter Sunday, after church and lunch at MiCocina, we were set to watch the broadway production of Mary Poppins. Landry was so excited!

Family pic: Easter 2012

Landry all dressed up and ready for the show.

Happy girl.

Patiently waiting for the show to start.

How can we help the time pass? Let's take another family picture!

 Once the orchestra started warming up Landry wanted to see all of the instruments. She was so intrigued. The show started and was so good. Landry sat still and watched the whole show. Intermission couldn't have come at a better time.

She took a little nap on the way home. All of the excitement tired her out.



Hello baby

 

The 2 pictures above are the first ones taken of Baby Johnston.

These are the latest pictures taken February 1. We find out this month if the baby is a boy or girl! My due date is August 5.

Brad and I have given alot of thought to having another baby. We wanted to be absolutely positive I would graduate before another one came along. The joke is that I don't care if I waddle across the stage, get my diploma and Brad and Landry drive me straight to the hospital to deliver, just let me graduate. We also wanted to make sure Landry was open to the idea of another baby given that she's old enough to know what it means.

Our prayers were heard. Right as the first trimester came to an end, student teaching began. The third trimester will begin right after graduation. Seeing and hearing Landry's reaction to being told she'd be getting a brother or sister was priceless.