From John Deer Mower to Farm

Papa had promised Jack a ride on the John Deer last time we were in town and it didn't happen. This time we made sure to fit it in. Jack had so much fun riding the lawnmower around the yard. He was even great at steering it.
Since Jack was having so much fun Papa decided that a boy that loved a riding mower this much would LOVE a tractor. We loaded up the car and headed to Jimbo and Noel's farm for the afternoon.

The farm house.

Lunch from Tony's. Jack had his first taste of fried fish...I'm still uneasy about it and mercury levels/allergies so I was a party pooper and wouldn't let him have anymore...but he didn't break out and LOVED it.

Noel led Jack, Bebe, and I over the stile to the pasture with the cows.

"Um Bebe...are you forgetting that I was afraid of Gus and he is much smaller than these mooing, stinky cows. Are you sure about walking out there? What if they stampede?"

Papa and Jimbo took over and of course...Jack forgot his fears and tagged along.

At the lake Jimbo taught Jack to skip rocks...which he remembered so well when visiting the goldfish pond Saturday at the Arboretum (Thanks Jimbo!).

"I'm not sure why everyone is so nervous about me being next to Papa by the lake...I have everything under control. Now Bebe could you give me a hand?"

"Look Mom-I'm touching poo and it was all Papa's idea. Now I'm going to stick my hands in my eye and mouth a few times before we get back to the farm house to wash them...Like Papa said...I'm a boy-deal with it!"

"Sorry Papa but Jimbo's lawn mower is WAY cooler. If only I could get it started and take it for a spin...I'd make those cows moo for sure."

"I'm not sure if this is the best place for you to put my shoe back on...Kinda scary in this giant tire."

"Um OK...this is a bit too far Mom...if I fall off I could be coyote food."

"Is anyone going to get me down?"

"Now this is the life. My two favorite people on the swing with me, fresh air, and great company."

"Now this is nice...just me and my Papa!"
"Now this is nice...just me by myself."
Thanks Noel and Jimbo (and Papa & Bebe) we had a great time at the farm and are looking forward to more trips when we are in town. Now back to the big city life we go.

Melting Pot from Baton Rouge

Blogger is being a pain in my A$% and is taking forever to upload and giving me tons of errors but I am determined to get caught up before school starts back on Monday (sniff! sniff!)

The trip continues and although I promised to keep the number of pics to a minimum it is so hard with the new camera taking such fab pictures of such a PERFECT SUBJECT!

Aunt Godmother Deb came over on Friday to visit with us and of course, brought Jack some cool toys.
"I'm just going to play with this one in the box...it is going to take these amateurs forever to get that John Deer mower out the box."

We all rode to the Best Burger to meet up with Nelly to take Mimee back to Melville. The Best Burger might be the same but time sure does change because 20 years ago this was the exact spot where Mom and Dad would take us to meet Mimee and Poppie to go visit them in Melville. It is hard to believe Poppie has been gone for a year...I know he is in a great place relaxing after such a wonderful life here on Earth and keeping a close eye on us...what else would Angels be doing. We miss you Poppie!

On the way home we decided to let Jack stretch his legs at Mike the Tiger's cage.

"Where's Mike?"

"There he is! Grr!!!!"

"I am the King of LSU! Geaux Mike Geaux!"

EVEN

Then what is a trip to visit Papa and Bebe without a trip to a park. We stopped by City Park (now that it is clean and safe) for a quick slide,

some more sliding,

some swinging,

and not really sure what to call this but it sure was funny to watch Jack's face (then Papa's and even mine when I gave it a try...crazy).

While Bebe fixed dinner we decided to do some construction work with the Tool Set that Aunt JoNel and crew gave Jack.

Then after dinner Jack came up and told me he went potty. He usually does the sign and grabs at his diaper. I asked if he needed a new diaper and he said yes so I sent him to our room for a diaper. When he was gone awhile Nick went back to check and found him in the bathroom pointing to the toilet. Nick screamed for me, ran for the camera, and although he went potty and finally got to flush the toilet...we were all so frantic because it was unexpected that it will probably be awhile before he wants to try it again because I think we overwhelmed him. Regardless we are super proud of him and are here to help him succeed when he tells us he is ready to give it another go. And yes I cleaned up the toilet seat after it was all said and done.

You know a toy is a hit when the tongue is out while playing with it. Thanks for the Tub Tunes toy Aunt Kathy...Jack (& Nick & I) love it. So much fun!

"Step back Mommy-This is my Buddy!"

Christmas Day in Baton Rouge

Around lunch we packed up, said our good-byes in New Orleans, and headed to Baton Rouge.

Jack passed out on the drive there but Bebe was there to greet him when he woke up.
And then there was Papa!

Uncle Brian had his hands full of sweetness with Gabriella but was able to reach down for a high five from Jack.

HEAVEN!

HEAVEN!!

For Bebe-Her little poser!

Before the crew got to the house for the traditional family steak dinner we opened our presents. Jack was into it at first...

but it didn't last long and became the observer....guess he had already opened so many presents for himself and others that he was worn out. I think he wasn't feeling very well either (which we found out on the way home-another post)-I didn't mind opening his presents for him though...made me feel like I was getting more.

He did however leave his perch to serenade us with some piano...after playing a tune he would turn cheering himself on. Notice he is looking in Mimee's direction because she was his biggest fan!

Since I had seen before we left that "Jack" had bought me a present, I called on Elf Bebe to pick up a book that Joey had suggested for Nick from "Jack". Little did I know that the book was small potatoes compared to my gift...but it is the thought that counts and a cool book-Thanks Joey & Mom!

"Papa are you sure that Santa stuffed this stocking? The one in New Orleans seemed legit but this one is filled with medical supplies so it makes me think Mom might have had something to do with it."

"Oh don't worry Papa if you can't read it without your glasses...I know what it is...this is alcohol free germ X which is safe for kids and better for your skin...Santa must be neurotic like Mom."

"Cool, watered down bubbles and mosquitoes...this is a true Louisiana Christmas after all. Mom...how long did you live here? Why did you only pack Winter clothes for us...I'm HOT!"

"Aunt Mary Beth you are the best! Bore, Bore, Bore!"

"I sure wish you guys lived closer...you are the coolest ever."

Joseph and Nicholas were GREAT with Jack! I felt comfortable leaving them to entertain and watch after him-which they did all night...wish they lived here because Nicholas said he would babysit for $3 an hour...that is a bargain!

" I mean really...how white trash are we Mom and Dad? You know this is going to be on the blog for the world to see, it is Christmas Day steak dinner, and I am without shirt and wearing a bib that says-lil diva. How embarrassing!"

"Hush little baby...I know this paci doesn't have a frog or duck attached but it will have to do. You just finished your bottle and now it is time to go to bed so I can stay up late and watch Nimo."

"I don't even really like Tag but I'm not sure about Gabriella sitting on my DeDes lap so here I am playing with a frog that doesn't have a pacifier attached...desperate times..."

"There is something seriously wrong here...what can I do to get their attention...why am I having to get there attention...what is going on? Guess I can be the big cousin and share...but I don't have to like it."

Christmas Morning

Finally able to upload from the new camera...so I'm going to try to do short and sweet entries to get caught up so hang on...here we go...

Jack slept in later than we expected on Christmas monring (no complaints here) and once everyone was rounded to the living room he headed straight to the shopping cart with goodies from Nana and Gramps.
A bit out of order but this was one of his favorites from Nana and Gramps...a baby doll and bottle. He would rock it, feed it, and hold it so gently. Who knew...guess it is instincts because he's never been around babies much less bottles. Too cute!

Gramps helped to open a present by cutting the ribbon with scissors. From that point on Jack opened all his presents with his fake mustard.

Jack would take breaks from opening and playing with his gifts to help others out.

"Thanks for the cool outfit Uncle Blake...I'll get all the ladies wearing this!"

"Love you GG...thanks for driving all the way to New Orleans JUST TO SEE ME!"

"You're the best Grandpa Mac...when are ya'll making the drive to Dallas again TO SEE ME? Jenn and Nick who?!?!"

The extended Relle Clan