Langston Family Blog

Gavin II decided to try out new pasta - angel hair. Yes, they make rice angel hair pasta. He loved it. It was just really funny to see him trying to eat it. He had it EVERYWHERE! On his shoes, pants, shirt! He's never eaten this kind of pasta before - a definite learning experience!

Last year, we attended Noon Year's Eve at the zoo as well. Events at the zoo are always fun. Gavin II acts like it's the first time he's going each time we go. He gets so excited - he loves animals - always has! He wore his party hat for about 5 minutes and blatantly REFUSED to go to the countdown at noon. He had fun - that's all that matters!

The orangutans were on top the pole again - with boxes on top of their heads again! If you check our post from 12/31/05 I have the same picture!! Crazy monkeys!!

Aunt Jennifer, Uncle Scott and Jack gave Gavin a drum (with drum sticks), marracas, and some jingle bells. He LOVES them. Last night, he shared with me his "new dance". Enjoy!

Gavin hit his head on the car door on the way in. Bob got Gavin some ice and Mrs. Debbie got him a Capri Sun to drink. Mrs. Debbie and Gavin II realized that he did not have enough hands to hold the ice and drink his drink. Mrs. Debbie was so sweet - she held the ice on his head while he drank his juice. That's the life, huh?

Sheri, Mr. Barry and Gavin playing Boggle Jr.

We always love the holidays because we get to see everyone when they come in town. We were lucky enough to get an hour to visit with Sheri, her husband Bob, their dog Pepper, and her parents and brother. We exchanged gifts and visited. Gavin II got a very cool Boggle Jr. game that he loved and also a speedway cars toy from Angela and Chris. We are always so happy to see them and Sheri's family - they are such nice people - we love them!! We were also fortunate enough to get to meet Pepper Lilly - Sheri and Bob's new puppy. She is so cute! She even tried to jump on Gavin II's back and get a piggy back ride!

Dave - I think he just came to the realization that he is 31!

Last night, we were invited to have dinner with Dave, Megan and some friends at - you guessed it - Superior Grill. Hey, it was Dave's choice and I had absolutely no influence! It was a very nice dinner and a nice night out for Gavin and I. We were going to bring Gavin II but my mom was nice enough to watch him again - so we graciously accepted so we could actually eat dinner and have a real conversation.

After dinner, we walked over to The Columns for another drink before heading home - at 9:45! My how our nights out have changed!!

Shaun fell asleep with his head falling forward. Like father, like son!

Gavin and the small rat-like dog that Michael bought for his girlfriend's children! Gavin loved her!

My Sweet Pea!

This was just a great day. I love Christmas! We got up around 7:15 am and opened ALL of our gifts. Santa was VERY generous to all of us this year. Gavin II got more gifts than he knew what to do with. Throughout the course of the day and evening, he has managed to play with everything at least once!

After we opened gifts, we went over to Juju and Pappy's and opened gifts with Juju, Pappy, Shaun, Scott, Jennifer and Jack. It was really nice to have everyone together on Christmas morning!

Then, all of us headed over to Lacombe to my Aunt Linda's house. It's always so nice to get together with the family. We have soooo many aunts, uncles and cousins! I am glad that we have holidays to keep us all together!

We had such a wonderful Christmas Eve. Gavin's parents are back in their house and held their annual Christmas Eve party. We went over around 2pm. We hung out until we went to 4pm mass. Jimmy and Deacon came over to visit for a while before church. It's always nice to see them when they are in from NYC for Christmas! After church, everyone came over for the party.

Later, we visited Aunt Mary (90 years old) and her family. Scott, Jennifer and Jack came in town on Christmas Eve so they were there, too!

After the Aunt Mary visit, back to Gavin's parents house for gifts. We all got WAY too much stuff and Gavin's parents were very generous - as usual.

To top the night off (around 10:30pm), we stopped at my parent's house for my dad to traditionally read "The Night Before Christmas". Then, we were home and in bed by around 11:30pm! Long but very fun day!

Gavin II had to have these reindeer antlers from Walgreens. I thought they were pretty cute. I also thought he would lose interest after 30 seconds - not so...he wore them or carried them all day! My little Christmas reindeer!

Cici

Saturday we went to Morgan's 9th birthday party. It was at the Mandeville Sports Complex. It was a great party and the kids had so much fun! Gavin II was worn out. Morgan is a beautiful young lady. She is just precious! I love that she was wearing MCA shorts but I couldn't believe my eyes either - she'll be at MCA before we know it!

There is a place in Metairie that has these model trains on display. The trains run and actually have schedules! It is put on by a club that has been doing this for 50 years. Gavin and Gavin II were amazed at the set-up. It was really neat! It was $6 admission and Gavin II was free. This is the link to their site: http://www.ccmrc.com/ - check it out!

Today is my 28th birthday! Where has the time gone? I cannot fathom that it has been 10 years since my 18th birthday. I'll be 38 before I know it. My dad nicely reminds me of my "half birthday" every year - i.e. "you're half way to 56!".

Last night, myself, my parents, Gavin's parents, Shaun, Gavin and Gavin II all had a wonderful dinner at - you guessed it - Superior Grill. I had a few too many beers but it was great! My parents took home Gavin II and Shaun, Gavin and I walked over to the Columns and had one more drink. I couldn't keep my eyes open after that one last one. We were home by 10:30 pm! Crazy, huh?

Gavin surprised me this morning by making my favorite breakfast in the shape of "28". He's so sweet! Gavin II then opened all of my presents for me this morning. It was a great morning. Today, I am going shopping! That's all I wanted - to go shopping and have Gavin II stay with the grandparents. I love having him with us but I want to do some serious shopping - and it's easier to do that without a little one begging to go to the Disney Store the whole time :)

Mommy-to-be Megan

Saturday was Megan's baby shower for Joseph. It was really nice. Her family decorated her house with facts, and colors about Guatamala. There were lots of pictures of Joseph! He is adorable. We, along with Dave and Megan, are hoping that he arrives by the new year. He is 7 months old now. Congrats to the parents-to-be!

Gavin II lounging in my bed watching "Handy Manny" waiting for his pancakes to be ready. Tough life!

Gavin, Kelly (in red), April (9 months pregnant) and Kerri (Kelly's husband)

I know that I don't work on the peds unit all the time but I do still work a shift here and there. We went to the Peds Christmas party last night at Superior Grill. I know that Gavin and I go to S.G. frequently but I did not choose this time! It was a yummy sit down dinner of fajitas! It was really nice to see everyone again.

Juju got the all clear this afternoon. My mom and I were basically stalking the breast center with all of our phone calls. We all wanted to get the news before the weekend. The surgeon himself called after 5pm! He told her that the margins were clear (good news) and that the lymph nodes were NEGATIVE!!! Yay!! We are all so relieved. This is truly a Christmas miracle this year. We have had so many people praying for all of us. The power of prayer is great! Thank you to everyone for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

So, now she starts radiation around the first of the year and that's it! Hopefully, remission will last forever!

Today was my mom's surgery. If you haven't heard already, she was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ - which is a form of breast cancer. She had her surgery today (lumpectomy) and everything went very,very well - we all really like the surgeon. She had a tremendous cheering section in the waiting room. Besides her sisters, brothers, me, my dad and Shaun - Scott drove in from Mobile and surprised her - he told her that he could not be there. She was really glad to have everyone there. Anyway, thanks to everyone for all the prayers and thoughts!

By the way, I know she is not going to be happy about me posting these pictures but she looked great! Before surgery, she could not wear perfume, deodorant, hairspray, etc. However, she could wear light make-up and she, of course, did! My mom always looks fabulous - do you think surgery is going to change that?! She even did her hair like usual! I use any excuse to NOT wear make-up!

Well, kind-of! Some of you may recognize this as my bed from my apartment in college. Gavin (daddy) made this bed and it's beautiful. We love it. Gavin told us the other day that he needed a bigger bed - we had to agree. He had been in the fire engine bed since 18 months old. It served us well but it was time to move on. However, the bed rails is most definitely needed - he is NOT a calm sleeper!!!

He was so excited to get in - he could not wait for all the sheets to be ready!