National Zoo.

Shawn's parents were in DC for a convention, so we drove up to see them (roughly an hour and a half away) and to see Mike, Shawn's super awesome first cousin- and on my list of favorite people- that lives there.

The agenda? Go to the National Zoo.

It was awesome and the kids had a blast. We ate with everyone and then walked to the zoo, which entailed more walking. Shawn's parents had to leave for the conference and after finishing up at the zoo we went with Mike to a super awesome cafe.

And as a bonus, when I ended up having to vacate said cafe with my little hooligan, I saw 3 out of 19 (?) Duggars crossing the street. I will state, for the record, that despite the fact that their house is crawling with kids- Jenna, John David, and Jinger totes thought that Liam was super cute and smiled at him.

FYI: They walked back by a few minutes later, each with a McFlurry.

Oh hai.

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. So much has changed since my last entry- some good, some bad. For this post I'm going to focus on the good.

Liam has grown so much. I currently refer to him as my little hooligan. I know I've said before that he and Abbi Kate have totally different personalities, but it's just crazy. First of all, he could care less if you tell him no. It doesn't hurt his feelings one bit and he stares you down and does whatever you've told him not to do again. Except he's so darn cute, and gives me that mini-shawn mischievous smile and it takes everything I have in me not to laugh.

As for Abbi Kate, she started pre-school at St. Matthews Episcopal and is in a class of 7 "young" 4 year olds. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it here, but in VA the cut off for kindergarten is that you need to be 5 by September 30th. Everywhere else we've lived, it's been September 1st. So, we're holding her back, but that seems strange to say considering she'd be like me in terms of age compared to her classmates (my birthday is September 30th). Plus, I won't lie- the thought of her going to College and being there for almost a month before turning 18 freaks me out. But I digress....

She LOVES school. Most mornings she wakes me up long before it's actually time to go to said preschool, just to let me know. She could've cared less about me leaving her the first day. All she saw was other little kiddos and toys and it was bye bye mommy. It was really hard to be sad with her so happy about it all. Her new BFF is Sophia... or, as AK says, "So-FEE-ah." Her teacher? Ms. "EAN-Sehl".. It's hilarious that she says her "A"s like someone from Indiana or Illinois (or my one time Disney roomie from Gary, IN) and then says "Belle" ... "BAY-YULL" all MS style. At this rate she should fit right in when we move back to New Orleans.

I'd just like to add, very quickly, that you should not, under any circumstances lay down in front of Liam. He uses this as an opportunity to jump on you and attack. All of this complete with an evil laugh, that is both terrifying and adorable at the same time. I often find myself thinking about all the parent teacher conferences that are in my future. It's okay though, because both Abbi Kate and Liam are awesome and make me laugh on a daily basis.

And now, Pictures....


Abbi Kate with Liam on his first birthday- he is unimpressed.


Abbi Kate just before going to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We bought a 2 year pass and it's fun, but also very VERY exhausting. Still, she's rockin' her tinkerbell shades and you can see our fabulous granite countertops in place behind her. Now all we need is to get the backsplash finished and we will FINALLY be finished with the kitchen.


Too funny not to post- this was one of Liam's bday presents- from our friend Nikki.


And this is Miss Thang rockin' her Pink Floyd T-shirt and posing in front of her artwork.


Abbi Kate is 4!?!?!? She has a band-aid under her chin because she takes after her clumsy mom (to make a long story short).