I have the best secret sister ever.

So, if you missed it, here's the original post on my secret sister. She is awesome! I got some wonderful surprises this week from her.

How cute are these? I LOVE them! I found Colin using an one of the towels today and had to bite my tongue. I wanted to say, "Those are for decoration!" but I resisted.

And look how cute this little frame is! And, the chocolates are already gone (hehe).

Okay. Seriously. Look at this mirror she made. MADE! It has the cutest little bird on it, I can't get over it. And, stuff to help my scary looking feet look better! How did she sense that I was in such need??
Thanks so much Bridget, it was so much fun getting all these awesome, thoughtful, creative gifts from you this week. You're incredible!

WHO DAT!

(Be sure to scroll down - I have two posts about the superbowl)

Cooper and Nick - goofing off on the chair.

How cute is Natalie? Seriously.

Cooper - ready for the game. He looks like he could be on the team.

And then, climbing all over the furniture.

Matthew and Julia - enjoying their cupcakes.


I tried to get Jackson to pose for a picture. Instead, he stuck his tongue out and looked the other direction. Oh well, maybe he will be photogenic again in a year or so.

Captain Nick.

Nathan - taking a few steps. He did so good!

Jackson was "building something" at the toolbench. Yes, I cut off all of his hair (sniffle).
He looks like he is four.

At the end of the night, Cooper found a ball, and decided to lay down on the floor. He was exhausted. I was hoping that they would sleep until 8 or 9, since they didn't get into bed until 9 pm. Nope, up at 7 am like always!

We left the Morris' toward the end of the game, and then I put the boys down while Colin went down the street to another party. By the time I got them in their pjs, read them each a book, and cleaned up the peepee (Jackson missed the toilet), I came downstairs to see Brees holding his little baby and celebrating. So, I missed the last 30 minutes. Oh well, I was so happy that they won. And, when I tucked Jackson in and turned off the light, he giggled, and shouted, "who dat!"
When Colin got back he came bringing red beans and rice with deer sausage (YUM) and some festive Saints necklaces for us.

Superbowl Food

I cannot believe the Saints won! How exciting. I am not exactly a "huge" sports fan, but I couldnt wipe the smile off of my face yesterday. We had such a fun day. We went to church early so we could get home and start cooking. We went to our friends, the Morris' house to watch the game. On the way over, I was refreshing Jackson on who we were cheering for. I yelled, "Who dat!" and Jackson laughed, and then Cooper said, "Who dat!" right back. So funny. Of course, he didn't say it again again, but it was pretty darn cute.
The amount of food at Jessica's was bit crazy. Chips and dip, queso, gaucamole, pizza, wings, yummy appetizers, fruit, veggies, peanut butter popcorn (yum), and much more.
Colin made a guacamole that was yummy and our favorite black bean dip. I dont even like beans, but this dip is good. Lots of tomatoes, corn, and red onion. mmmmm....
We tried a new guacamole recipe (thanks Rick Bayless), and I think it turned out great. And, then I sloppily "piped" sourcream on it to look like the lines on a football field. Well, sort of. If you squinted and knew what you were looking for, you could tell it was a football field. I used lollipop sticks for the goal posts. Here was my inspiration I saw earlier in the week, and their version look really good.
I made some oreo truffles. SO good. I totally stole the idea from Bakerella.
Here is how they turned out:

You crush up a package of oreos (minus a few that you have to eat first) and then mix in 8 oz. of cream cheese. This is NOT a low calorie food. But they are small - so they can't be too bad!
Next, you roll them into little balls, and then shape them into little footballs. Pop them in the fridge or the freezer, and then dip them into melted chocolate bark. Dipping them proved to be a little challenging. I ended up putting a lollipop stick on them, dipping them into the chocolate and then tapping off the extra. Then it was easy to move them to the cookie sheet to dry. Then, back in the fridge for a few minutes. And I melted white chocolate bark to pipe the details on. I've made cake pops before - which are similar but you use cake crumbs and icing, but I think these were even better. I can't wait to make them for more occasions.
Here is some of the other yummy food at the party.
I also made some jumbo cupcakes that I decorated with green icing - I used a tip that makes "grass" to pipe it on. Then I put little candy footballs on them that I found at hobby lobby. And for the flags, I used this template from Make Merrry. I made the cakes from Duncan Hines Devil Food - and substituted buttermilk and added an extra egg to make them extra moist. I learned this trick from a book of mine, Hello Cupcake.
I'll post some pictures of the kids in my next entry. Meanwhile, I have to get busy and get everything packed. The boys and I are flying to Lake Charles to visit my family tomorrow. Colin won't be able to make it because he will be working : ( but I hope he at least gets to enjoy the quiet house a little while we are gone. I could have been a good wife and cooked some extra meals for him to have while I am gone, but, I didn't. (I'm sorry babe). At least the house isn't a total wreck and the laundry is all done. That's something.
Anyway, wish me luck as Jackson will have his own seat in the plane, and Cooper will be on my lap (along with baby #3, who by the way is taking up quite a bit of space, too). I'm gaining weight like there is no tomorrow, but I am sure am enjoying all the food!

Secret Sister

Have I mentioned how much I love my mom's group? It's such a wonderful ministry. When I first had Jackson, I felt a little lonely. None of the friends I had made since we moved to Texas had kids yet, and I had spent the majority of my time at work before he was born. Now I was at home all day with a little baby. And, on top of that, my dad had just passed away.
So, as Jackson got close to one year old, I started really wishing I knew some other moms who stayed home with their kids. I ended up meeting some great friends through our church's mom group. Jackson and Cooper love seeing their buddies, and I love being able to have friends who are in the same boat that we are. We can vent and relate about almost anything.
Anyway. Our president, Shelley, thought it would be fun if we did a "secret sister" exchange for the first two weeks of February. (She's so great). So, we switched names and will be doing sweet things for our secret sister. I am taking pictures of all the goodies I make this week, and will post them later after my secret sister knows it is me! It's fun to be able to bake and make cute things for someone else. Of course, I have to do it after the kids go to sleep. But what else would I be doing? Watching the biggest loser or the bachelor? This is way more fun.
Meanwhile, I am trying to figure out who has me! I got the cutest package this morning on my doorstep.
How cute is that card? Oh yeah, it's handmade. Adorable. And CHOCOLATE! She must know me well! And, this adorable little tin - it has the cutest paper covering the top. Here's the best part ...

The tin is filled with little handmade magnets!!!! And I LOVE the colors. They are totally ME! I can't wait to find out who is making all this adorableness.
I'll keep posting this week with all the goodies. And, I'm taking pictures of all the stuff I make too, so I'll post that at a later date.

Visit from the Landrys

I think we are finally getting better. We all have a lingering cough, but everyone seems to be feeling happier. Today, our friends JP and Carmen came over with their baby, Joseph. And oh, my, is he ever cute. We just hung around the house, since it was 28 degrees outside.
It was so great to have them over and catch up. They live a little less than an hour away, but we don't see them nearly enough.

It seems Cooper has a little nervous habit of putting his fingers in his mouth.

Jackson was showing off his new room and decided to plop down on the chair next to Joseph. I put Cooper over there for a picture. Don't my boys look like giants?

Jackson "read" some books to Joseph (just not out loud),
while Cooper wondered, "who is this baby?)

Love how they both have their tongues out.

Then we had to check out Cooper's new room.

JP had fun building something on the workbench.

Once our boys went to sleep, Joseph rolled around on a blanket.
He is so sweet and happy.

We can't wait to see them again!
It won't be long, and all of the boys will be running around together.

Today

I just had to share this video. Someone sent it to me many years ago, and it still makes me laugh everytime I see it. Hope it brings a smile to your face, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFHMbVzxJiA

15 Month "Well" Visit

Cooper went in to the doctor today for a "well" visit, even though he wasn't well at all. We had taken the boys in on Thursday because they both had developed horrible coughs. IT looked like RSV - or some similar virus. So, no medicine (except tylenol/motrin) and just wait it out. Well, the coughs were just as bad when we went today - and what do you know - now they both have ear infections from all the drainage. Cooper's had a TON of drainage in his throat, and it wasn't looking so pretty. I swear, we have had sick kids since September. What's up with that? I mean, hello? I breastfed them each for an entire year - shouldn't that make them the perfectly healthy little geniuses that La Leche League told me they were sure to be? (ha)
Anyway, our doctor said unless they develop another infection, the cough should clear up in about two weeks. TWO WEEKS!! Doesn't she have a magic pill that will get rid of this snot and congestion. I love my children dearly, but this is just so gross. Oh, and Colin and I are sick too, which definitely adds to the fun of fussiness, sleeplessness, crying, etc.
Well, even though we passed on the vaccinations, Cooper still got checked out, and here are his stats:

weight: 25.7 (61%)
height: 31.5 (59%)
Head Circ: 18 3/4 (62%)

So, we're just a little above average! I do believe his was in the 95th percentile maybe higher, around his 2 mo. check. So, he is slowing down now.
I'll post some pictures once they don't have snot on their faces. What I should do is take and post a video of me trying to hold Cooper down while I suction stuff out of his nose with the battery-operated, music- playing aspirator. The music is supposed to be distracting and keep him calm. Hmm.