Happy 75th Birthday

Nick's mamaw is turning 75 this week so we all got together and threw her a surprise party on Saturday. We all met at the Warehouse 1 and I couldn't have been any happier with the staff and waiters. All 34 of us had the best time and they were super nice and fast from our drinks, appetizers and even our food. Dennis worked with us on booking the private room to the waits staff and it was above all of our expectations with that many people. Not to mention every time we are there the food is always on point. Our kids even love it.

 

The older great grandkids table

 

the middle great grandkids table

 

Earlier we took family pictures with the whole family and told her that the lady has not gotten to them yet. We had the picture blown up and framed and she was once again surprised even more.



 

 

We always laugh at mamaw when he asks Maci if she is taking a seffie as she calls them.

 I made her take a seffie with me.

 

Mamaw is such a very important part in this mans life and he wouldn't be the man he is without her.

I couldn't ask for a better role model in his life. I admire her kindness and strength.



 

Daddy and his girls

 

my Boo and I



Maci and Daddy

 

Mauri and Daddy

abecause you couldn't have Valentines weekend without a little reality Valentines picture



Happy 8th Birthday Mauri Laken



I can't even believe that's it been 8 years today that you have entered and changed our lives for the better. You are very soft and kind hearted, shy until someone gets to know you, selfless, and a rule follower. I love your huge and many hugs. You may be small and wonder why your younger brother weighs more than you but I can promise that when this age doubles you will love that your younger brother weighs more than you. So complaining that you weight 57lbs and Rhett weighs 71lbs will no longer be an issue. Now on the tallness I cant help you out, I think you are going to have my lack of height and for that I am sorry. I love that you have the kindest heart and truly care about others. You love to write letters, make cards, or doodle for others. You also have envelopes with everyone's names on them and their birthday and you fill them up and have them ready. By now you have everyone's Christmas letters done, that's how you are...advance, a planner, and OCD. You have really got into art and love all things crafty. You are still into babies and being a Mother hen to any baby that comes near. You are a peace keeper and love to have everyone all together. You're not much on going, you would rather stay at home. You're usually the one Rhett and Maci go to when they need something sibling related. They know you will help them out or get it figured out because you are the Mother hen of the bunch. Watching you with them and how you treat and react to others I know you are going to be a wonderful Mother one day. Reading is another passion of yours and the books you are into are Juney B Jones, Amelia Bedelia , Ivy and Bean, and Hedi Heckelbeck. This year has been a lot for you and you have shown you can handle breaking out of routine every once and a while. You played PeeWee school softball and received a special award for most improved. Second base was your base and you killed it. You also continued to play softball for the city then got picked for all stars. You went away to your first camp. Kings Camp isn't that far and even though I see you everyday while there due to having to pick you up and take to practice and back its still a big deal, its your first camp experience. You also received your first Valentines gift from a boy other than you Daddy and said you had your first date with him to the Angola Rodeo.  As of right now when you grow up your name is going to be Mauri Laken Hogan because you are going to marry Scout.
Your OCD of cleanliness and organization from your Mother and your drive and determination like your Daddy will take you far and as much as I would love to freeze you I know that growing up is part of Gods plan. I pray for you daily that you will be who you are today and carry those traits into the coming years. Happy 8th Birthday Darling we love you so very much.

 

 

Hope you have an awesome 8th birthday runt

Birthday Shopping

Maci was out of school for her birthday and we decided that it would be fun to go to Flowood, MS to do some shopping. She was needing spring and summer clothes and with softball being in full swing (no pun intended) it was the best time to go.

Her first request was Starbuck chocolate chip frap and a birthday cakepop



Papitos is where we love to eat at when we go and its a must that we take a fountain pic



 

She has them sing to her and smash whip cream in her face

It was funny 

 

 

Birthday Selfies



 

While walking around to all the shops we found a cupcake place and it had the best cupcakes

Yes we celebrated again

 

 

Christi and I has a thing with hat selfies

 

Happy 12th Birthday Maci LeighAnn

Your first birthday:

you were bald and had no teeth until you were 16 months old

you loved this little car and enjoyed being pushed around the Zoo in it



You finally got teeth

You were 18 months old and this dress was made from my wedding dress.

The band at the chest is from the band of my waist on my dress and the rest of the dress was made out of my train from the dress. We used the buttons from the back of my dress for the buttons on the back of your dress. It was so hard trying to get you to stay still for these pictures you wanted to walk



 

 

A lot of BIG milestones happened for you this year

You got Baptized

 

You also changed from a girl to a young lady

You got braces

you sometimes wear a little makeup and had your first MAC makeover

 

 

 You have your people... the Fab4

Yall are always together and attached 

 

 You had your first crush//boyfriend

You were also a Cheerleader for PVA and did and excellent job

you loved it and it fit you perfect

you stood out and wasn't afraid to take the lead and be a leader when needed



We can't believe 12 years has flew by. It is bittersweet because We love you little and don't want you to be grown up but I know that in order to fulfill the circle of life you have to get older. I am so very proud of the young lady you have became and cant wait to see the young woman you become. You are our social butterfly and love to hug and say hello and welcome everyone. Your siblings love you so much and look up to everything you do. We love seeing that you don't mind helping with your brother and sister and the closeness yal share. You are the glue and always seeing every side first. Your heart is so tender and you are very caring and care a lot about what others think or feel. We are so blessed that God has chosen us to be your parents. You have shown us that we have more love than we would have ever imagined. We love you so very much and hope you have an awesome 12th Birthday BabyGirl

Birthday Surprise

My Birthday was last Saturday and I had a Bridal Brunch for my cousin and his Fiancée. I woke up to my car filled with tons of balloons. The kids did a great job of surprising me.  

I got a speeding ticket

 

Finally made it to the Bridal Brunch and since I met my mom and insisted on her driving for the day I indulged in some much needed Mimosas.

 1. Its my Birthday

2. I got a ticket on my Birthday

 3. its 5oclok somewhere 

 

After the Brunch we headed to my favorite lunch spot in Ruston The Dawg House 

They have the best burgers I have ever stuck into my mouth and the Jalapeno bun I get instead of regular bun is out of this world.  

 

And to finish off the Birthday food crawl we stopped in Social Bites of Ruston to get a Red Velvet Cupcake. It wasn't good and I was upset it was so dry. But I didn't need it anyway

 

 Once the Farmer got in the kids rushed to my side with a gift they all wrapped and I just knew it was going to be my camera bag that I have been wanting and sending him email hints. But to my surprise it wasn't ....It was a 50mm camera lens I have wanted that lens for a while now. I have talked about it a lot but didn't know he was listening. I love it and he listened and got the perfect gift and surprised me. 

He then grilled me steaks and had gotten me Red Velvet cake from my favorite cake shop and Chocolate Covered Strawberries from Bayou Chocolate. It was perfect!!!

Good golly alive my Baby is 5

I cant believe that is has been a whole 5 years since my lil Rhett man was born. Where has the time gone I thought since he was the baby I would take in every moment and savor it and make it pass by slower than the other two but sadly it went faster or thats how it seemed. I can remember the wild crazy day he was brought into this world. My premie has turned into a hoss and this Momma just dont like it. I love little babies I dont like kids!

He made it very clear for his birthday he wanted to go to a Saints came and Texas Stockyards. When I looked at the football schedule what would be the odds that the Saints would be playin the Cowboys at Cowboys stadium 3 days after his birthday? I knew it was meant to be.

We had a little family party and went out to eat to celebrate.

 

We are headed to Texas.....Peace Out

 

Since it was Rhetts birthday he loves Cattlemans so thats where we went for dinner to celebrate

Prairie Light in Grand Prairie had a drive through lights and we thought it would be so fun to take the kids. In Louisiana we dont have anything close to this. It brought back so many memories as my Moms borhter lived there before he passed away with cancer and we would love coming out to see him and doing so much becuase Texas is where its at!

 

You cant come to Texas and not eat any BBQ so we hit up this little jiont in the Stockyards

 

Everyday at 11:30am and 4pm they have a Cattledrive where all the cows walk down the Stockyards and Cowboys on horses with whips guide them as everyone stands on the sides and watch

 

I love my crew! I noticed that the Farmer looks like he is fixing to pitch a baseball or he knew I was taking picture so he thought he would give me a good ole view of the goods.

Either way I like it I love it I want some more of it! Well lets just be honest sometimes I do

 

We even found Cowboy Santa

 

You must not know about me ...... This is how we roll

They have a Rodeo kids town and I thought since Im fun size I would give it a try and let me tell ya its not easy. I need handlebars not reins. I thought I was going to flip. 

 

Our rodeo clown for the day

Rhett taking Bevo for a spin 

 

We even got locked up

 

We took the kids into BillyBobs {judge away}

They had so much fun and got so buck wild we have this picture to prove it

They will always remember this was there first bar to play pool in and their parents took them there and taught them how to play or tried to teach them how to play. 

 

Being I live no where close to the Heavenly place I have to stop its a must.

I was dying to get my hands on a red velvet one. As soon as I saw it my heart got all happy and I could already taste that hot piece of heaven but when I was handed my order I knew it went all kinds of wrong as I could feel my order wasnt even close to warm much less hot so I grabbed my red velvet doughnut and took a bite ive been dreaming about and I spit that mess out...This whole KK experience was Whack Jack and thats a Fact! I have never been so disappointed you just dont mess with a fat girl and her food thats a sin!

 

I dont know what it is but there is always something sexy about a man on a horse holding a rope.

Forgot to mention the day before we left I had to take Rhett to doctor and they said he has chicken pox but since he has had his vaccine he is not contagious due to the fact that his few bumps will not fester. I was in disbelief but reassured me and told me it was safe to go on with out trip. Wi9th that being said I didn't get very close to anyone except people that I didn't like or was rude I would push Rhett right on over to them. Whoops!