NO (new orleans for u other folk) christmas Part Un

Damians first meeting with Aunt Renee! Still mucking for the camera though...(he gets that from her! ;o*)

Claires first mardi gras mask! Great day with Aunt Renee, mom and dad while Damian hung with his grandparents. Claire went along the mississippi river and got a small taste of the Quarter.

Beignets! That was Claires only bite..."too messy!" it was after an unfortunate visit to the bathroom there, she was a little grossed out...if you've been to NO you are familiar with the public restrooms in the quarter...ugh.

We went to the Aquarium of the Americas-mom was especially excited to see how its recovered, it was pretty devasted after the hurricane. Claire loved it! "lets go to the show!" was her mantra...

Claire and daddy pretending to be fishes

Darren and Aunt Renee goofing off...

the white alligator!

And Aunt Renee wore her christmas hat the entire trip I think! ;o) in the tube with manta rays swimming overhead Meeting their big cousin Brent! He did a great job entertaining them when we couldn't get into the christmas celebration in the oaks and had to drive all the way home...thanks Brent!

Daddy and Damian ringing up Claires purchases at the kids grocery store in the Childrens Museum-such a great place for the kids!

Claire went to town on her purchases!

of course our little lady couldn't go THROUGH the maze, she had to climb right over! I don't think she went through one of the designed holes...;o)

Damian loved exploring too! No walking though yet! But climbing is high on his list..

ridiculously too many adorable moments for one post, figure I'll spread it out a bit (250+ pictuyres to decide between!)! Great trip, it was so much fun seeing all the DeLaups and related surnames! Claire and Damian did amazingly well meeting many relatives, and being showered with attention ( tough lives poor kids!) ;o)

beginning to seem a lot like christmas!

the tan and red park with the monkey girl

explorer the lower levels showing Dawn how to "dance like a princess-hold your dress out LIKE THIS!"

Making tasty snacks in the new kitchen! Waffles with orange cream sauce and chocolate tea were big hits!

Cooking too! Or tossing food around...same dif

Damians new train

Claire new princesses

Whoa

Introducing the Fairy Grandpa!

Getting Grandpa ready

First xmas was amazing with Grandma and Grandpa coming back for a surprize visit from Vegas-Claire was REALLY into it this year and could hardly go to sleep! Damian did not want to open presents, he much preferred we take care of the messy work and give

him the final toy, ready to go. ;o) And of course, Damian played most with Claires princess figures while Claire went nuts over Damians choo choo train! We are into trying out new parks-we have about 6 playgrounds within walking distance which is nice in this super mild winter we've got! We can't wait for xmas II in New Orleans!

the start of xmas

helping decorate the tree ;o) Claire instructed Damian not to break anything right before she started snapping off giraffe legs...(our tree is critter themed)

did the whole bottom half! glad I didn't do it while she slept! ;o* very, um, generously porportioned santa, kids are sliding off his "lap"

Whoa

are we done yet?

Fam xmas picture-with a timer-couldn't find a "photographer" in time! my babies!

first picture-still having fun! in christmas regalia, for a neighborhood party... of course most other were wearing jeans...;o)

Another fall flew by..

playing in the living room-common place to find us all! Mom's 38th birthday went by quick! Claire sang about 30 times. ;o)

Watch me mommy!

by the climbing rock in the park-is tanbark yummy?

Yeah-Claires room is pretty cool Iguess (D loves the magnet wall! and wondered where his truck had disappeared off too..)

Pa

park princess

swing me higher! dang I'm gorgeous!

Another picture together-geez

Standing up as much as possible-walking soon we think!

too many memories to get them all in one post! we've had a beautiful mild fall, so lots of playground and outside time, with a touch or two of snow here and there. the basement is our santuary in cold weather, so much fun to be had! claire and damian are playing together so much more, damian really is ready to get a move on and and loves interacting with his big sis-as long as she's being gentle! Thanksgiving was quiet-just the four of us-Claire loved her turkey and Damian sobbed, so had pasta and pumpkin pie! A week off together was the best part-playground, museums, hanging out as a foursome was the best start to our holiday season! Next week...santa claus....

Finally Fall!

whoa. I'm not touching that.. Claire and this carapace have a history, thought Damian would like it too!

Thats her "balloon" of course. Great sky of rain coming in-hit us just as we were almost back to the nature center.

super curious explorer!

Raking leaves!

Claire teaching daddy how much fun dress up is! Is he convinced?? ;o)

happy halloween! for the most part!

I'm done now...

i see a candy bowl!!!!

omg-so adorable!
trick or treat!

good friends-the princess and the monkey (sounds like a fairy tale!)

I'll help dee dee!

happy birthday grandpa! (Oct 29) snugs with grandma

at the library-your majesty! kitty cat

Claire absolutely loved halloween ,we trick or treated at the library on sat and in the neighborhood with good friend Zoie halloween night! Since it was Zoie's first time Claire took the lead racing to the "NEXT ONE!" and showing how to knock kvery loud and oeek into all the windows. Damian, on the other hand, was NOT interested in dressing up and after a few failed attempts to get his costume on all gave up and he hit the hay around 5:30 pm. ;o) Grandpa and Grandma were here a lot of the weekend and the kids loved showing off and spending time with them before they leave again for VEGAS!