Halloween!.....and New Orleans!

New Orleans, Louisiana November 1-5 2009

Here is JJ the morning that we left on the shuttle bus to the airport. He was already having a good time!

" New Orleans - Starring JJ!"

I love this kid!

Beautiful buildings in the French Quarter!

A wrap around porch on an apartment building that is probably 250+ years old

This was a very amusing moment. This man was playing as we walked by and he stopped and asked JJ to come here and told us to get out the camera. This is the picture John took. JJ's face is priceless. He would not make a good poker player. The man chatted with JJ for a moment and then had him " help" play a quick song for us!

JJ was obviously a bit uncomfortable but it definitely made for a lasting memory!

A little farther down the street we saw this car and then JJ was more than happy to pose!

JJ and his Dad at dinner. Clones!

When we were walking home from dinner on the second night, JJ found this newt on the sidewalk. He kept it for about 36 hours and then let it go in a bush where he had found another one. He was glad it would have a friend!

One day, JJ and I went to an aquarium which was very fun. JJ especially enjoyed the stingray touch pool!

Yes, I realize that everyone else posted their Halloween posts a week or more ago, but the day after Halloween John, JJ and I left to go to New Orleans, LA where John was attending a CME conference. John and I had decided that we don't like to be apart, so that I would try to join him whenever possible on these trips. We then thought that it would present a unique opportunity for one on one bonding time with our children from time to time. So, we started our new tradition with our oldest, JJ. It was a fun time and and there were some really old and beautiful buildings there. The French Quarter was a very cool thing to see (except Bourbon Street((appropriately titled by the way)) which was a very scary place even at 2:30 in the afternoon). For those of you who know JJ, it will make sense to you that he loved the music there! It seemed like no matter where we were there was music playing somewhere, and my JJ was dancing right along to the beat. John told him we probably should just get him a hat so he could join the rest of the entertainers! This is the kid who used to crawl to the dishwasher at 6 months old and bounce to the beat of the swishing! Rhythm is in his blood! The weather was sunshine and between 70 and 74 degrees the four days we were there. Perfect! We are of course very grateful to my wonderful mother-in-law for caring for our other kiddos at our house and for cleaning every edge and corner of my floors and even organizing some of my children's drawers! What a joy to come home to! She is awesome and we love her! So that is the explanation of why my Halloween blog post is happening in the middle of November!

Halloween 2009

I'm not sure why exactly, but once again some of these pics are out of order even though I tried to prevent that. Oh, well! We had a Star Wars theme among our boys this year. Kian was our YODA. I think this is him sending someone away after giving sage advice.

This is a clear expression of what he thinks about having a candy bucket in his hand!

Here is Miss Ashlee as Super-girl. So sweet and innocent!

She must be watching her older sister and picking up some attitude poses!

A classic super-girl pose!

A random moment caught-they love each other!

Something had made him upset, but I can't seem to remember what. I still thought the picture was too cute not to include. Kian has a great "pout face".

My Brax man who was Luke Skywalker along with Cameron.

Here are my skywalkers posing as if they had light sabers, because I wasn't brave enough-or maybe naive is a better word- to actually let them have light sabers to run about with while I was trying to get everyone dressed and ready. They were disappointed, but I was quite sure that would have ended with someone needing stitches. That seems to be the odds at our house.

Cam was really trying to get into character. He cracks me up!

It was fun to watch them bond over being the same thing for Halloween. That's the good stuff! I think Cameron really enjoyed feeling like an equal.

Tori did all of her own posing, I just kept pushing the button. She was enjoying herself and it is always fun to watch her personality. I ended up with at least 15 shots of her but only included a few here.

She was a princess (what else would she be! If the crown fits.....)

And finally my JJ. It seems a little strange for someone so sweet to portray someone who's not, but he was excited to play the part! He was Darth Vader to round out our Star Wars group.

With the mask and and voice box! We can't wait until next year!!