The Relle Clan

After starting the Louisiana Summer of 2009 Trip in Baton Rouge we made the drive to New Orleans to spend some time with the Relles. Jack went straight to his favorite toy from Christmas...his bicycle. Water painting with Nana was one of his new favorites. Gramps fired up the grill and the whole family came over to see Jack (I mean for a Summer BBQ AND to see Jack). "Look at all the new faces. A variety of people to spoil me. How to I choose who to start with." "Hi Cousin Leslie. Wanna play basketball?" Good food, good fun, great family! What a great evening. Jack was fascinated with Gramp's fruit trees. TROUBLE So much that Uncle Frank joined Jack in time out. This is the life...pool to cool off and play in, Nana to play with, and Gramps to keep Jack shaded. Must be nice to be royalty! Fun with Gramp's water cooler (notice he didn't make it into his swimming suit before jumping in for the morning). Ummm....the picture says it all! Jack for sure wasn't short for toys to play with...or people to play with him. And that is evident in the pictures. Wrestling with Uncle Blake. Thanks for a great trip and Thanks to Uncle Blake for all the pictures...I took a photographers break because I knew that Blake would do a good job of documenting our New Orleans portion of our trip. So much of a break that Nick and I enjoyed some time laying out at the Garrity's pool, dinner at the Bourbon House, drinks at Pat O's, having our cards read, Cafe du Monde, and loosing some money at Harrah's. It was a great date night-with free babysitters!

Sunday after Gymboree I had an appointment at Apple where they gave me another iPhone since mine was still acting up, had lunch, then hit the road to Baton Rouge. We spent Monday & Tuesday in Baton Rouge, Wednesday-Friday afternoon in New Orleans, then Saturday back in Baton Rouge, and head back to Dallas tomorrow. I'm using my time wisely and Dad's laptop to update the blog from our trip time in Baton Rouge and will do the New Orleans post when we return to Dallas with our laptop that Patrick fixed with a new hard drive (luckily he discovered it was still under warranty). Hopefully it will be back to normal so blog updates aren't so widely spread out.

Baton Rouge...here we go!

Two years ago we tried to buy Papa this shirt/hat combo from Target but it was sold out in his size. This year when we saw it we snagged it up. Cheesy, but true.

Not that it was a celebration of Papa, but we were in town and took advantage of dropping off the Alex Box Stadium seats that Mama Relle won at the LSU Dallas Alumni Crawfish Boil Silent Auction. We're thinking turning it into a bench...Now that the Tigers are National Champs I'm hoping it pays off in the long run and Jack gets some royalties. :)

Jack was sporting his LSU Basketball uniform (which shocked me because he isn't a fan of sleeveless-and he also got a Baseball uniform from Mary Beth) watching Chip and Dale with Papa and Bebe.

Throwing the ball with his Buddy Nina.

Jack had his first trip to Co-Op where he got ironically a LSU Football PJ outfit and he picked out this LSU Basketball (kiddie style). Afterwards we went to visit Mike the Tiger which didn't work out since he wasn't out and about. Jack was super sad and talked about it the rest of the trip. Hoping tomorrow we can try again before getting on the road.

iPhone anonymous anyone?!?

Jack was such a helper Saturday for the Jack gathering round II. Although I have to say I think he ate more than the balled.

The slide on the side of the pool was a HUGE hit with Jack and the concentration while sliding was intense as you can tell by the tongue being out.

"Mom, Watch me!"

Papa says, "No!" to Jack going up the slide.

A ride on the John Deer which Jack not only remembered from previous trips but also from riding on "Papa's Mower" every trip to Lowe's with Nick.

Cousin Gabriella came by on Tuesday to play with Jack.

Jack has always had a fascination with riding on Papa's bike. This trip he added a destination into the fun...Mickey's House. Well guess who also loves to ride on Papa's bike now?!?! It's fun an games for those watching...not sure about Papa with his knees...especially when Jack's ups the resistance.

Pictures a bit out of order. At the party Jack was so excited when "all the people" started to arrive for "his party". He had so much fun playing in the pool with Joseph, Nicholas, and Uncle Joey....he is such a fear less fish....YIKES!

Helping Papa make homemade ice cream although he didn't really know what was going on til it was firm enough to taste....then he really enjoyed helping out.

Mary Beth brought bubbles and the kids had fun trying to make big bubbles...too bad Jack likes to pop them before they are completed.

Papa and his peeps in the pool.

Gab and Aunt Jen (fun being around a lil one....)

Dare Devil (thinking that trial swim lesson is going to result in lessons to teach this fish what to do if he ends up under water because he "thinks" he can walk on water)

Good times!

Thanks for the loud train whistle Aunt Mary Beth...NOT!

Happy Birthday Joseph and Reid (& Craig in spirit).

Jack loved the decorate your own cupcake portion of the pantry...especially since it was at 5:55 which is his dinner time. He made 3 but really only at the icing and toppings...

and of course the ice cream.

Cleaned that cup and asked for MORE, MORE, MORE.

Fun in the bucket.

Nothing really can be said...the picture says it all.

The Antie Children...taking the progression of pictures was a challenge...at least for me....now I know the concept for next time.

Jack helped Corey decorate his cupcake since he missed the first round (there were many rounds throughout the day....actually it was a non stop grazing buffet).