A long winded update

I guess since it's December 7th, I should tell you about how great our Thanksgiving was, and update you on what's going on in our life now. 

We had such a great time in Texas over Thanksgiving. Andrew and I really do have so much to be thankful for.

We started out the Thanksgiving Festivities at Gran's house on Thursday. We ate a bunch of yummy food, watched football, and the girls made ornaments while the boys went hunting.

Kylie Beth at Gran's house

On Friday we celebrated with the very large and wonderful Crosby family. Ate a lot of yummy food (again), played with kids, sang songs, chatted with family, and held babies. 

Us and Phoebe at Crosby Thanksgiving

Crosby kids riding the train

A few sweet Crosby babies 

Saturday we met up with my grandparents, cousin, aunt, and uncle. We ate a lot of yummy food (yet again), laughed at my crazy family, tried to teach my grandad to attach pictures to emails, and laughed more thinking about my grandad getting kicked out of a mall for taking pictures at a victoria secret for a photography project he's doing.

On Sunday we bought our first Christmas tree after shopping around for what felt like hours. We were determined to get the best deal so we started at Walmart, then went to Target, then to Michael's, then back to Target where we finally decided to not be cheap-os and just splurge for the tree we loved. We brought our tree home, unpacked it, and decorated it while listening to Christmas records. It was so fun to make those memories together. Our little New Orleans abode now has plenty of Christmas cheer.

 

On Friday, only 5 days after we left, we made the journey back to Texas to celebrate Andrew's grandpa Crosby's wonderful life. He passed away on Friday night and we were blessed to be able to go and spend a few days with family. The entire 4 days were truly a celebration and a really special time to worship together. It was the most meaningful service I have ever been to, and made me incredibly grateful to be apart of a family that loves the Lord so much.

When we got back this evening we made a b-line to the hospital to visit the newest member of our New Orleans crew. Nolan was born while we were gone and we couldn't wait to visit him and his mom and dad. He let us hold him, squish his chunky cheeks, kiss his soft little forehead, ooh and aah over how long his fingers and toes are, and he even showed off by sucking his fingers for the first time. He is the first baby of our little friend group, and let me just tell you, this little guy is going to be one spoiled kid.
Check out this adorableness:

Seriously the cutest newborn I have even seen.

 And I'll go ahead and leave you with that because, honestly, what is better than a picture of a sweet newborn baby sucking on his fingers?
The answer to that question is nothing. 

Becca Visits NOLA

 

We had so much fun with Becca. Andrew and I love getting to play tour guide and show people what New Orleans is all about. We stopped by all the normal hot spots-- the quarter, cafe du monde, the levee, and spent every day focusing on what we were going to eat next. 

We listened to lots of good music, most of it being spontaneous (my favorite kind). I loved getting a 3 day weekend. It was much needed. 

Now I'm back to work and counting down the days until we get to go home for Thanksgiving! 

November Update

Well, November is upon us and I just cannot believe how fast time is flying.
I love this time of year. Thanksgiving, Christmas, cardigans, boots. It all makes me feel warm and fuzzy. That is, until my alarm goes off at 6:45 and I have to get out from under my warm bed and step onto our freezing floors in our old, cold house without central heat. The warm and fuzzies leave in the morning.

I'm slowly starting to pick up on my job. I'm encouraged every day that I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing right now. I'm in love with 120 fabulous, needy, sweet senior adults. I got really, really stressed for the first time this week. I had about 5 families with multiple complaints that I couldn't fix right away, hadn't crossed one thing off of my to do list, and didn't eat lunch until 3pm. I shoved some salad down my throat, got some work done, and all was well.

Andrew's work has slowed a little with football season coming to a close. They had a tournament for the boys at the park, where they lost (no surprise here), but still got trophies. It was crazy adorable how excited they were to 'win' the trophies. They were so proud. Basketball season has started but Andrew is just going to help when needed. We'll go to the games and cheer them on, but a break was needed.

We had some friends over for Halloween. I made turkey chili with cornbread and we ate in our backyard dressed like fools. We walked around the quarter and saw a bunch of really crazy people. A good time was had by all. 

My friend Becca from nursing school is visiting this weekend. It's her first time to New Orleans which means Andrew and I get to be tour guides (our favorite!) and show her this great city of ours. I'm excited.

12 days until Andrew and I get to go home for Thanksgiving. I cannot wait. I'm so ready for a short break to relax and spend time with our family.

Exciting times folks!
Well, Andrew just put Hank Williams "Hey Good Lookin'" on the record player. Time to go dance in my slippers.
Love from New Orleans,
Allye