Pre-K camp out...

I now have 24 witnesses that Jared snores! Ya'll might think we're crazy, but in order to register Katy for Pre-K we had to camp out in front of the elementary school for 17 hours. Yes, you read that correctly...17 hours. Down here in the great state of Louisiana each elementary school has one or two pre-school classes that accepts 18 kids each year. The bad news is that that it's open enrollment for the whole city. We are zoned for one of the best schools in Baton Rouge, but since it's such a great school you have people from across the city who camp out overnight to get their kids into our pre-K. Therefore, in order for Katy to get into the pre-k at the school we are zoned for Jared and I had to camp out in front of the elementary school for 17 hours. Let's be honest, Jared did most of the camping. I got in line at 3:30 pm on Monday afternoon and was the 14th person in line - meaning there were only 4 spots left and registration didn't even start until 7:30 am the next morning! I only stayed until 7:00 pm and then Jared took over and actually camped outside in line like he was a groupie waiting for concert tickets. I relieved him at 6:30 Tuesday morning to finish waiting. As soon as he left I was informed by many others that Jared slept better than anybody else and that he snores profusely. I'm so glad I finally have 24 witnesses that my husband snores, because he is in denial and always says (and I quote) "I don't snore, I just breathe loudly".

Anyway, there was a news team covering the little pre-school camp out so I thought you might want to get a glimpse of Jared and me. You can't see either of us very well, but we're in the background in a couple of shots. Jared is wearing his blue rugby warm-ups and I'm wearing a brown and creme striped sweater. I'm so glad it's over and that our little girl got in!

Click here for the video

Trip to New Orleans...

Well I've never been to New Orleans and I'll just be completely honest - I've never really had a desire to go. However, since we had family in town and they came all this way, we thought it would be fun to make the one hour drive down there. It ended up being a lot of fun, but I think I'll only go back if I can leave the kids at home. It is a fun city, but it is definitely a dirty city and there are a lot of things in plain sight that I don't want my children to see, smell or hear!

It's creepy enough walking through a normal graveyard. Imagine walking through one where all the bodies are buried above ground...

We took a carriage ride through town. It was the perfect way to see a lot without having to walk with the kids.

This is a beautiful Catholic church in Jackson square

The architecture was amazing

Lastly, we went to Cafe Du Monde for their world famous biegnets (it's a fancy doughnut covered in powdered sugar).

Christmas...

This year we celebrated Christmas Hickman style! We were lucky enough to enjoy a visit from all of the Hickman clan. This was quite a big production as people traveled from Utah, Virginia and Connecticut to visit us here in Baton Rouge. Here are some pictures from the festivities.

All of the cousins decorated Christmas cookies

The cousins re-enacted the nativity. You can tell by the picture how well that went =)

Keeping with the Hickman family tradition, Santa came to visit. Just a little traumatic for Lex!

Katy enjoyed the snow white doll that Santa brought her. Notice how I'm still soothing Lexie in the background.

Lulu loved her cozy coupe!

All Katy asked Santa for was a "dolly castle". I think he pulled through.

I love when my girls will take 2 seconds to smile for a picture with me!

I had to include this picture because Lex is such a momma's girl and the little stinker would not let anyone hold her for very long without crying. Thanks for not giving up Nana!

The other night I finally got out of the house by myself. I was only running a quick errand, but the excitement of being alone, out of the house, without any kids was pulsing in my veins. I turned on the car stereo to rock out. I immediately start singing to whatever came on. About 10 minutes later I realized I was rocking out by myself to my daughter's favorite cd - The Laurie Berkner band. How embarrassing. Enough said.

Fun in California...

We had so much fun in California over Thanksgiving break. It's beautiful here in Baton Rouge - really green and...swampy? J/K it really is beautiful, but California is a whole other kind of beautiful. It was fun being with family and watching my girls play with their cousins.

My cute prego sister Kendra and my other sister Nicole (who made me breakfast every day for the 10 days I was there!)

Katy and Uncle Matt. He was such a good sport with the kids and will be a great daddy in April!

As you can see from the number of pictures, Katy and Jacquie were inseparable.

Katy, Jacquie and Evan at Fairytale Town. Really cool place for younger kids.

Jacquie and Katy enjoying some hot chocolate on a rainy day


My "Sac Town girls". All AMAZING women and great friends.

Lexie turns 1!!!

Our sweet little Lulu turned one during Thanksgiving break! We were in California visiting my family and were able to celebrate with cousins, aunties, uncles, grandma and grandpa. We headed to the Saxton family favorite pizza joint - Round Table. Since we were on vacation I opted to buy a cake for the birthday girl instead of making one. She had fun digging her hands into it, but then didn't really know what to do with the frosting after that! I had to help her take a couple of bites before she realized what the yumminess allover her hands was. It's fun to have two little girls. Jared and I have noticed that they are so different in many ways. While Katy is very bright, peticular, organized, and a little uncoordinated, Lexie is the opposite. Lulu is very sneaky, very quick, and very loud! She is also the biggest momma's girl I have ever seen in my life! While I'm very glad she is growing out of the baby stage and becoming a lot more fun, I can't help myself from snuggling with her - she's just too stinkin cute!

Our little trick or treaters...

We had a wonderful Halloween this year (last year Katy barfed all over someone's trunk or treat set up)! On Friday we went to Katy's Halloween party at her preschool where we decorated cookies and ate snacks. Saturday we had one of Katy's best friends over to trick or treat at our house. We weren't sure if there would be many people handing out candy in our neighborhood because it was just built in the last year and there aren't too many children that live here. However, it ended up being great because there were only about 12 trick or treaters in the whole neighborhood, but most of the houses were handing out candy. Every house we went to ended up filling their baskets with treats! Actually, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing! I've definitely eaten my fair share of candy since Kaitlyn's too young to realize that all of her chocolate has mysteriously disappeared.

Here's our crazy monster pumpkin that Jared carved

Cutest bumblebee ever!

Sweet little "princess Dorthy"

The three little trick or treaters enjoying their loot!

Yay, our little bumblebee is walking!