Raylyn forgot her bag!

Raylyn her Mom  forgot her beach bag.  So, I do get to show it to you.  Raylyn will be here at the end of May.  She still gets a beach bag for our trip even though she will be just three months old on our trip.

Each bag had a bucket and shovel, sand castle making forms, cute sunglasses and perfect lightweight eyelet fabric sun bonnets.  

Everyone said yes they will join us!  And my baby, Lynley (24) wanted to know where her beach bag was?!  Really! She probably has 2 or 5 already.  Geez!

Beach Babies

Sorry, but when the grands are around I tend to forget to take pictures of the before shots.  But, when the kids came over for dinner on Sunday there were three beach bags waiting.  One for each Layton, Hadley and Raylyn (arriving in May).  There was a cute card attached asking them to go to the beach with Lala and Poppa this summer and to bring along Mom and Dad too!

Why are babies so cute with sun glasses they can't even stay up on their nose?

Each beach bag consisted of a sand bucket and beach castle building toys.  Plus sun glasses and beach hats.  

The same night we worked on tutu's for St. Patrick's day weekend in Baton Rouge.  We are thinking we are just too too (tutu) Irish.  I don't think you can ever be too Irish.  

Baby tutu above and mine below, yes mine, is ready!  

We used ribbon for the waist band and will just tie them around our waist.  We used layers of sheer fabric, netting and then added ribbons galore.  

Hadley says,"thanks Lala and Poppa and we will bring Mom and Daddy along with us to the beach!  Hmmm, what does sand taste like?"

Happy Sunday

Great weekend, I saw the twins three times!

Layton and Lala time.

Hadley and Lala time.

Baby Einstein time.

Layton and her long eyelashes.

Terry, thanks for having your birthday party!

Terry agreed to let us celebrate her birthday with a girl's weekend at the lake.

Thanks Terry!  It was a blast.

We started with lunch and shopping in Natchitoches.

Jill, Terry, me, Mom, Becky and Joanie on Front Street in Natchitoches, LA

Then we headed to the lake.

and started on a craft.  I did say girl's weekend correct?  The below is our prototype.  It is painted burlap, hot glued and stuffed with newpaper to hang on our front doors.  

We took a break for another group shot.  

Then broke out the paint and got creative with a quick dry area.  

We drank a bit more wine and took a few more pictures.  

We ate and toasted Terry a few more times.

and took more pictures.

and painted some more and sang Happy Birthday to Terry and Mom fixed a wonderful cheesecake. 

Jill had the prototype shamrock, so she ventured out on her own and made this cute bunny to stuff.  

Happy Birthday to Terry!  What a great, fun weekend!  Even though my flight home was delayed by five hours! You forget about that part and just remember the fun, right? 

at some point during the night my nose got painted too.  Hmmm, I didn't even feel it. 

Happy Valentine's Day

This little tea pot was a gift at the Senior Center luncheon today.   I hope it made someone happy. 

Fat Tuesday Mantel

I left the pine trees on the mantel from my fall and Christmas mantels since they looked good for winter. Then I added all things purple, gold and green.  Beads, crowns, fleur de lis and a fun jester.

The hand painted ceramic ball is one of my favorite things.

The bright glitter enhanced purple, gold and green floral pics were found at Michael's after Christmas 90 percent off table. 

Pier One had these great mask Christmas ornaments on sale (perfect) and were more perfect for Mardi Gras decorations.

I grabbed anything sparkly and stuck it in anywhere I could find a space.

The large crown is a new purchase from our weekend in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

The Wisteria vintage looking glittery rhinestone garland finished off the trees.

Mr. Jester looks quite content.  This coming Tuesday is Fat Tuesday this year.  Then lent begins the day after on Ash Wednesday.  Lent, a wonderful time for reflection and prayer during the 40 day wait for Easter Sunday! 

Happy Mardi Gras y'all!

More Mardi Gras in Natchitoches, Louisiana

More are extravagant, some are fun, but all are great decorations.

Queen Hernandez

Yes, the very young group at the table next to us got a little rowdy.  Jello shots in syringes y'all.  

Lots of gators and spanish moss everywhere.

Another fresh flower arrangement.  Only three tables had fresh flowers. Splurge.

New Orleans Saints fans I supppose.

Most creative, with the stump as a charger and da bayou booze place cards.  I'm thinking there was some white lightning in those little bottles. 

Before the band started I was able to get a picture of Rhonda and I.

Blurry shot, but best one of Lynn and I.
Lynn's bow tie was a Christmas gift from Mel and Sean.  It is made out of wood.  See Two Guys Bow Ties.