Playing Cars Outside

After opening presents we headed outside to play with the remote control cars (and so I could play with my new camera). Ben loves this crazy remote control car and the school bus is slightly possessed if you don't remember to turn it off. 

Santa Came!

Santa was very good to the boys this year! Ben got a purple ninja turtle and a Bumblebee transformer and Nick got a Cpt Hook hideout and Jake computer among many other things. They got games and remote control cars and mini cornhole and a play parachute, just to name a few. 

My Little Camera Family

This Christmas saw a new addition to our little family. A new camera!! I got a new Canon 6d, full frame camera. It is the big guy on the far left. Then comes my little t3i, then my G9, then Adam's new SX330 and of course the iphone. I think I pretty much have the full range of camera bodies covered (except a mirrorless 4/3, but the G9 is about the same), but I'm not sure you can ever have enough lenses ;) But don't tell Adam that!

Presents Under The Tree

There were lots of presents under the tree this year. Santa wrapped Ben's presents in Ninja Turtle paper and Nick's presents in Jake & Neverland Pirates paper (both very fitting themes). 

A Christmas Eve Margarita

After church we headed to Superior Grill for dinner. Because margaritas should be a Christmas Eve tradition, if they are not already. And then someone (wearing red) got a little silly on the ride home and it just went epic from there...

Birthday Cards for Baby Jesus

Christmas Eve we went to church that typically isn't crazy crowded. The boys made birthday cards for Baby Jesus. Ben drew this one below all by himself during church. Both boys were very good during church coloring pictures. 

CRAZY Ducks and Geese!!!!

Monday, the boys and I went to lunch and then to feed the ducks at Audubon park. When we walked up, the ducks/geese were far away. As soon as they heard the little bags of cheerios jingle, they came RUNNING. And then swarming. And then attacking! These geese were crazy. Adam feed them out of his hand. I was not a fan, but the boys thought it was awesome. 

Superdome Time!

Last Saturday we headed over to the Superdome to see the New Orleans Bowl, featuring the Tulane Green Wave and the ULaLa Ragin' Cajuns. The game didn't start until 8, so the boys were a little bit tired, but they sat for the first half of the game and had fun. Ben just sat stone-faced for the majority of the game and took it all in, but then was excited about it once we got in the car. As usual...Nick did not like the noise. At all. Good thing we didn't try to take him to a Saints game that is 10 times louder. Though those Ragin' Cajuns can make some noise...We ended up balling up tissues for Nick's ears because he wouldn't take his hands off his ears otherwise. It actually turned into a decent football game, but the Ragin' Cajuns ended up with the win. 

A Mardi Gras-ing Elf

Our elf, George made the trip to New Orleans and found us at Grandma and Grandpa's house. He got festive and put on some Mardi Gras beads to celebrate the warm Christmas. 

Getting There Faster - The Ferry Ride

We got into New Orleans around rush hour, so instead of dealing with traffic, we decided to cut 20 miles out of the trip and take the ferry across the river. We had to wait a few minutes, but the boys enjoyed riding across the river and seeing some of the ships. 

the boys