6 on the 6th!

February 6, 2010. Matthew's 6th Birthday. A snowy day outside, but lots of indoor fun to celebrate the day.

We started off at good old GCHS for the second annual alumni basketball game. Andrew and Jonathan participated in the game, and thankfully there were no injuries nor oxygen required.

Matthew ate a bit of lunch in the stands while his daddy and his Uncle Big Jon warmed up.

Josh, Andrew, and Jon share a light moment before getting their game faces on.

Haleigh enjoyed her first basketball game sleeping on her mommy's lap.

Here is Big Jon directing Andrew to face Bryce in the opening tip of the game. Thanks Jon.

Andrew sets up for a free throw.

Half time, thank goodness. This is tough on the old guys!

Home of the Pirates. And many fond memories. The older they get, the better they were.

Big Jon has his own special way of smiling for the camera.

Andrew, Jon, and Josh rallying the team. I love this one.

Big Jon chatting up the ref. Just like old times.

They weren't so good at the free throws, but from the three point line, it's nothin' but net. Not much defense going on.

Matthew and Grandpa concentrate on the game.

After the game, Matthew got to go on the court with his daddy. Right in step.

Reach high for the basket... with a little help from his dad.

Future star?

Home from the basketball game sporting the hat hair. Looks like a mohawk!

Next stop, Parkside Lanes to roll a few games. Darci helps Matthew with his bowling shoes.

Shylah helps with the ball selection and the proper finger placement.

A little help from Dad.

The next three shots show the progression of bowling form.

Matthew.

Andrew.

David.

Puttin' some spin on it.

Haleigh's first game of bowling. I think she was trying to make a phone call.

Uncle David gives some bowling instruction. David was on the AKL "A Team" Intramural Bowling at Purdue you know.

Rollin' a good one.

Ready for the next turn.

This face means, "I'm tired of pictures, Granny!"

Rollin' like a pro.

And he rolled a STRIKE! Too bad we all missed it, but the computer doesn't lie! Way to go Matthew!

Big Jon arrived in time to congratulate Matthew on the good game. Jon is an exceptional bowler. It's written inside the closet door, so it must be true.

Our final stop of the day, Matthew's favorite, El Reparo! Grandpa ordered him a plate of his favorite... limes!

Aunt Jenny got to meet Baby Haleigh.

Ready to eat his taco.

Haleigh continued to enjoy the day snoozing in her car seat. What a good baby!

Happy Birthday to Matthew! Ole!

Look at that yummy fried ice cream!

Grandpa and Matthew after their dinner.

Michael samples the fried ice cream. Matthew was good enough to share.

Two ways to show how old he is.

Some of that first grade math he's been learning.

Smiling with his Daddy.

A great way to celebrate being six! Happy Birthday Matthew! We love you!

Fleur de Lis Friday

A snowy Friday, and time to stay inside and bake a few cupcakes. A certain grandson has a special birthday tomorrow, and I thought it would be fun to have a special treat. Matthew spent the day with us since Rush County had a snow day. It wasn't too bad out this morning, but it has been snowing all day and they are predicting more snow by morning.

We were supposed to celebrate his birthday tonight, but postponed the party due to the weather. We do plan to have some birthday fun tomorrow watching some basketball and doing a little bowling. After all, it's not every day a guy turns 6 on the 6th. I think that's called a golden birthday.

Speaking of gold, we are ready for a black and gold super bowl. So... I made the cupcakes with a fleur de lis in honor of the Saints. Yummmmm....

Gumbo got a custom designed scarf to show his love for the Saints. He is ready to watch his favorite team play football.

Dreaming of a Saints victory.

Andrew came this afternoon to join Darci, Haleigh, and Matthew here, and David, Shylah, and Jonathan all arrived safely for the weekend as well. We enjoyed traditional team dinner spaghetti for supper, and then played a little Yahtzee on the big screen in the basement.
Shylah and Matthew watch David take his turn. Fierce competition going on here.

Gumbo has found a new friend in Big Jon, his protector.

Andrew's turn as Darci watches.

Jim supervises the game while Haleigh dozes. He is helping her with her sleeping skills. Why not learn from the master?

Fun With Haleigh

Haleigh had a very busy day planned, and it started off with a nice warm bath. The princess is squeaky clean!



Next , she picked up lunch at Wendy's, and went to meet Grandma and Grandpa Stewart for the very first time. Grandma got a chance to snuggle a bit.



Then it was Grandpa's turn.



A quick stop back at Granny's to "refuel" and she headed north to Milroy to have her picture taken. Her mommy did a great job with the wardrobe changes, and keeping our little model happy for her photo shoot.



It was fun to have our friend Sarah shoot the pictures in her cozy home studio.

Haleigh handled the session like a pro, which is a good thing. Only a few (thousand) more photos to come. :)

Of course, we had to do some pictures in her Saints gear. Can you say "Who Dat?"

Sarah even got some Haleigh time when we were done with the pictures. You can get a sneak peek at a few of the photos from today on Sarah's blog.

This evening, we ordered pizza and settled in to watch the Purdue game. They were playing that team in Bloomington, and it seems Purdue hasn't won there since 1999. David, Shylah, Andrew, and Jonathan all attended the game, and we were sure hoping we could come away with a win for the Gold and Black. I guess Haleigh didn't find the first half too exciting.

This is as close as she came to a Boiler Up, and we were fortunate to squeak by with a victory. Hail Purdue! Or should I say Haleigh Purdue!

Wednesdays With Matthew (and Carter and Haleigh)

Darci, Haleigh and I picked up Matthew from school in Arlington today, and he was excited to get to spend some time playing with Carter. The feeling was mutual, and they had a great time together. Darci had gotten some Valentine cookies for them to bake, and they got busy placing the dough on cookie sheets, and even tasting a bit in the process.

Haleigh supervised, er, slept through, the whole thing.

Cookies are all ready for the oven.

Time for the second batch.

Hearts in the middle... some thought they looked like bunnies.

Show me the cookies!

Careful placement of the cookies, with Darci's supervision.

Finished cookies, ready for tasting!

Aunt Fer is ready to head back to Z-ville. A kiss for Haleigh and she's on her way.

Haleigh's First Road Trip

Andrew and Darci are having their bathrooms remodeled, and will be without "facilities" for about three weeks. Since Darci and Haleigh really weren't interested in roughing it, they will be visiting the grandparents until the project is finished. Lucky us!

After book club, I headed to Louisville to pick up the girls. It was nice to see the sunshine today, and little traffic made for a smooth trip across the bridge.

I was happy to see that Louisville is supporting the Saints! I think that's a Fleur de Brees on that ambulance.

This is where Andrew, Darci, and Haleigh live.

Haleigh was waiting for me, all snug in her seat.

Andrew and Darci left to run a quick errand, so I got a chance to take a few pictures. Here is a sweet one.

Haleigh needs just a few things for her visit to Granny's.

Andrew gets everything loaded.

She is not crazy about getting in her seat.

Daddy gets her all buckled in, and she's good to go.

She made the trip like a pro, and I hope that all her journeys are as easy as this one. I have a feeling she'll be a seasoned traveler in no time at all.

A clean diaper, a full tummy, and she's ready to be tucked in for her first night in the 'burg. Sweet dreams!