Momma's Back to School

OK, I have started my third week of school and I'm starting to get back into our routine. I'm so sorry if I missed a birthday, anniversary, party, or whatever. . . I've been exhausted! Our weekends have been low-key for the most part because I was still working in my classroom and creating lessons. Finally, this past weekend, I relaxed. . . I guess the stress hit me pretty hard! (Not to mention, Chad and I quit SMOKING. . . two weeks and still going, but I don't want to talk about it!) Anyway, to my friends and family, I'm sorry I haven't been in touch. . . the Summer of Fun- Jamie has now left the building!! SEE YA' NEXT SUMMER!

Callie's First Day of Pre K

Callie started her first day at Roseland Park Baptist School last Monday. She loves her teacher and loves learning about Jesus. . .she's still a little confused about when He is going to show up, but we are trying to help her understand. Every day, she comes home with a new story and she spent an entire afternoon praying over a bag of Starbursts (one prayer for each starburst!) We love you, our BIG GIRL! (we're not allowed to call her 'our baby' anymore!)

First Day of School

We just finished our first week of school at PRC Elementary. The boys are enjoying their new school, and I am adjusting to third grade (They don't seem to understand sarcasm too well!) Callie's first day of Pre-K is Monday. . . .we'll let you know how that goes!

We're Back Online!

I have felt soooo out of touch without my computer! I never realized it, but I think I just may be a blog addict! Well, FINALLY, here are our pictures from our visit to Katy, Texas. We had a great time! We spent almost all our time catching up with the Goodnights and Abneys. We went on a few site seeing tours---Chad REALLY loved the grocery store! I really liked eating in real restaurants and shopping! The kids enjoyed the neighborhood pool--which if you ask me, was like a smaller scaled Disney Water Park! The city was beautiful and CLEAN! There was so much to do and I wish we had more time to fit in all in! It was great to see Chris, Tammie, Craig, Kristin, and the girls again. They are getting so big! The Abney Resort was an awesome place to visit as well!! We miss everyone already and every morning, Callie asks if we can "WAKE THE BEAST!"

New Addition Not Off to the Best Start

Well, we did go visit the Goodnights and Abneys in Texas last week and I would LOVE to post pictures. . .but I can't. The day after we returned from Texas, the construction crew showed up to form up the new addition. However, my excitement about the project was short lived. It seems that the guys cut the power line going to our house. The power company came to reconnect power but when we reset the fuses-- all kinds of hell broke loose! My treadmill started smoking, the computer fried out, the refrigerator blew, and the freakin' garage door won't operate. For those of you who know me so well. I'm sure you can just imagine how well I handled these issues---ESPECIALLY the week before school starts! But since this is a family blog, I'll save the #$*@!%# foul language for later. Anyway, the computer parts have been ordered and I am using the Gandy computer right now. Hopefully, my life will return to normal soon---well not NORMAL, we are the Straughans, but you now what I mean!! Hopefully we'll get these *()#$ $@%(@%)#% contractors to get the job done right and I'll be able to use my computer again!

Seeing Progress

Last weekend, Chad rented a Bobcat to clear the area where we are going to build our new addition. Hopefully we will have a slab soon! Chad had a BLAST driving the Bobcat around our yard destroying EVERYTHING in sight! He was like a little kid with a new Tonka Toy!

Our Lil' Audubon Artist

Jake has always had a real love for art. Last school year, Jake drew a wonderful picture of the swamp, and we FINALLY got the scanner to work! We are very proud of him!

Thanks Mammy and PawPaw

Dear ,mammy and pawpaw thank you for letting me sleep over. I really had fun hanging out with both of you. Surfs Up was really funny. I had fun playing tennis, going swimming, going around the lake, and playing golf. Thank you mammy for buying me that transformers voice changer.Thank you for letting me sleep over.I had a lot of fun.


Love,Mason





p.s I can not wait until you take Callie.

Thank You, Mammy and PawPaw

Dear ,mammy and pawpaw thank you for letting me sleep over at your house. Ihad a lot of fun swimming,playing tennis,golfing, and hikeing.Thank you mammy for playing tennis with me,buying me a new mask, and takeing me swimming. thank you pawpaw for takeing me hikeing, briging me to the 19 hole,takeing me fishing, and teaching me how to play golf. And mammy takeing me to see surfs up. I had a lot of fun.



Thank You,
Jacob

Love you!

Mammy Lives Up To Her Reputation

Well, those of you who know my mom know how much she LOVES chicken wings (I have NEVER in my life seen a women eat it bone dry like Mom does!) Anyway, when we were on our boat ride, we stopped in Mandeviile at the Festival and grabbed some food. Mom's request was a MASSIVE TURKEY LEG! It was hilarious!

I really think my mom has some blood other that Italian mixed in her!

(Sorry, Mom, I had to do it!)

Sunday Boat Ride

Since Hurricane Katrina, we really haven't gone out in the boat too much. Yesterday, Mom and Dad asked us to go for a ride with them---I had forgotten how much fun it is! We spent the day riding around the river then we headed to the Lake. The kids had a blast swimming and Callie spent most of the day on Mammy's lap (Thanks so much, Mom---It was a nice break for me!) It was a lot of fun and we hope to do it again soon!

Adventures in Skating

The boys have been asking me FOREVER to take them to the skating rink. I've put it off because, let's be honest, the people who regularly visit skating rinks SCARE ME! Anyway since it was a Friday afternoon, I thought it would be safe. The boys had me cracking up---they were hugging the walls all the way around the rink! I thought for sure I was heading to the emergency room. Callie even skated for a little while. She held my hands as I guided her around. I think my favorite part was watching the boys and Callie do "The Chicken Dance" on skates--it was priceless!

I'm Such a SUCKER!

Yes, I can't believe it either, but we have a new addition to our crew. This is basically how the story goes:

Chad saw a sign reading "FREE DOGS!",

I reply, "Oh, that would be nice to get Callie her own dog since she loves them so much!"
Chad swears he heard, "Go find Callie a dog A.S.A.P!"
TWO DAYS LATER. . .
Chad contacts a friend who is getting rid of a one year old Bichon Frise.

Chad comes home with Max!

Dinner Date

Last night, Julie and Tory watched the kids so Chad and I could have a night out. We went to dinner at The Melting Pot in New Orleans and it was incredible! It really was a cool experience, and we had so much fun cooking in our fondue pot and sipping wine (OK. . a little more than a sip!) After dinner, we met up with some friends who were celebrating yet another birthday! We didn't get home until 2 a.m. (I'm definitely getting too old for that) and enjoyed sleeping in today.

Thanks Julie and Tory for the restaurant recommendation and watching the gang---we had a great night out!

A Day at the Movies

Yesterday, I took my crew and Nathan and Sadie to see Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer. I hadn't been to the Grand in Slidell yet and it was very nice. The reclining seats were awesome and it was great that I didn't have to worry about people sitting in front of us. We all had a clear view of the screen. It ended up being a nice afternoon for us.

Happy Father's Day!

We spent Father's Day at Mom and Dad's. All the Dad's enjoyed a nice round AND A HALF of golf at Money Hill and the mom's lounged around the pool with the kids. Later, we enjoyed one of Mom's finest meals--shrimp and sausage linguine with Italian broccoli--so yummy! After lunch, we sang "Happy Birthday" to Uncle Tory who is celebrating his 33rd birthday!

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's and especially my dad, PAW PAW (LUCKY)--I hope you enjoyed your day with your crazy family!

A very special Father's Day greeting goes out to our BIG DADDY! We all love you very much and appreciate everything you do for our family.

Gulfshores Vacation

We just returned from an awesome vacation in Gulfshores. Before we left, we had a mini-celebration of Chad's 33rd birthday at the house, then the next morning we left for the beach! Our first night there, we grilled steaks by the pool and sang "Happy Birthday" to Chad. The next day we played at the beach--the water was beautiful and the boys had a great time riding their boogie boards! Then on Saturday, we celebrated my mom's birthday with an incredible brisket that Lindsey made. Sunday and Monday were again spent at the beach and pool. All of the kids had a blast collecting seashells, riding waves, playing in the sand and IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT --No Nintendos or Playstations were needed for entertainment! It was a great trip and now that my kids are finally older and more independent, I'm ready for a longer stay at the beach!

Some Things Never Change

Due to all the wet weather we had this week, Mace and Jake asked me to set up a fort in their room. It reminded me of the days when me and my sisters would set up forts on rainy summer days. And yes, the procedure is just the same:

Mom spends an hour setting up the fort,

Kids play in fort for 15 minutes,

Kids start fighting,

Fort comes crashing down!

Party Crasher

Today we celebrated my niece, Jalyn's 6th birthday. I'm pretty sure the kids had fun but the best part of the day was my sister Michele's participation in the party events. (Personally, I think she was still drunk from the night before see McCarthy Blog!) Anyway, you will notice in the pictures that Michele was in line for Pin the Tail on the Donkey, knocked a few kids over when the pinata busted and strolled down the street for wagon rides. And of course she did all this in style---wearing a princess hat!

Visit with Friends

Last night we traveled to Lacombe to visit with my friends and their families. It was so good to see everyone again. Here's a little update on our gang-
The Lairds (Christy): The Lairds have moved back to Slidell and are living above the Old Slidell Cleaners next to the Soda Shop. Reagan looks (and acts) like Christy and Tatum is a little Daddy's girl.
The Weavers (Bridget): The Weavers still live in Lacombe but are looking to build in Abita Springs. Drew is playing TBall and little Charley is ADORABLE--I can't believe she is already 7 months old!
The Trainors (Natalie): The Trainors still live in Mandeville and Anna is beautiful. She looks just like Natalie but unfortunately acts just like her daddy! They are expecting their second child in 8 weeks.
The Rieckes (Tracy): Well, I guess we'll have to change the family name because Tracy and Kevin announced they are engaged. They are living together in Covington with all 5 kids! Katherine and Lauren are still dancing and very active (especially Lauren!) Congrats to Tracy!
The Mitts (Andy): Andy and Janette visited shortly with their new baby boy, Patrick. He is battling colic right now, but the new parents seem to be handling it well.

It was a great night filled with swimming and food. I always like to hang out with the ol' crew and see how much everyone has grown.