Say hello, say goodbye...

Just as we were about settled into the new apt., I saw something unbelievable. No, it wasn't a huge bug. No, not a crocodile emerging from the bayou. No, not even the vast amounts of mold in our fenced-in "backyard." Worse. It was a drug exchange across th street from us. I couldn't stop staring in shock. Unfortunately for me, the guy stared right back. Needless to say, it's time for us to get outta Dodge!

We will be moving at the end of the month. But until then, this is Brooklyn's room. Other pictures to come as I clean each room and get it picture worthy!
Brooklyn's bookshelf. Displayed on the second shelf is one of her favorite books - the children's Bible from her cousin Caden and auntie Carol.
The closet in her room. It's usually open, this is why Brooklyn is opening it up as if to say "don't try hiding my toys from me, Mom!" Here she is selecting a coat, more for dress-up than the weather. My stuff has to hang above Brooklyn's, as Stephen has claimed both hanging racks in our room! Thanks for that.
We've still got the Little People Nativity Scene going on top of the flower table.


Brooklyn's trundle bed. I check on her several times each night because usually her head is right by the cold window.


The dresser, pictures, and stuff.

Louisianna's Next Top Model

As I was in the dressing room at one of my favorite stores, Brooklyn, unbeknown to me, displayed her own fashion favorites for her dad. Our favorite of her self-selected season essentials was this colorful cap! Her next move: the look of persuasion upon finding some ugg-type boots. Her word (and mine, obviously) for these boots and most other things in clothing stores: "cute."

The Bayou Badgers

This visual is to aid those of you who, like myself up until a couple of weeks ago, can't fathome the look of real Bayou! I am still verifying with Stephen various depictions of Louisiana from the movie "Water Boy." I still don't know if people really live ON the bayou or not! Fact or fairytale, you decide! (That is not us in the canoe.) Here's a picture of the downtown Shreveport/Bossier area. This bridge crosses over the Red River which divides Shreveport from Bossier City. Since I'm still new here, I won't pretend that I know if its really Shreveport or Bossier in that picture below! We live in what seems to be out of town, but it's not. To give you an idea, when we told people at church where we live, we had to use the landmark of McDonalds on the road that leads out of town. (As opposed to some other roads that loop around the town in a huge circle. Stephen tells me that land marks are big here. I'm figuring that one out quickly, since the street signs are not huge and are not placed next to the stop lights, like they are California. Here most stoplights are dangling on huge cables above the intersections. The street signs, even at main intersections are way off to the side on the corners of the street, like all other residential neighborhoods. The river front is the main place for shopping, dining, and apparantly gambling too!

One last thing about the weather here - it's really wet. I'm not used to warm-weather rain yet. As the apartment manager mentioned when I was signing my contract, "Leesiana has a lotta mowd." I asked her to repeat what she had said. The word I missed was MOLD. Talk about lost in translation! I am quickly learning how to turn on the accent, and love showing off my skills to Stephen. (I don't ever use the accent in public - it would feel weird even though I would fit right in!)

A Day at the DeRidder Park

At DeRidder's very own grand central park was where we spent our New Year's Eve day. Stephen, Rosalia, David, and Kimberly took turns playing tennis with the extra challenge of a strong wind to contend with. Those who weren't playing tried to keep the little ones like Brooklyn, who acted as though she was really competing, away from the line of fire. "Cheeeeeese!"

We got some great action shots on the slides. Brooklyn is preparing for a sharp turn and Stephen playing it oh-so-cool.

The best part of the park experience was getting Stephen's Kim (Stephen's older sister) and Ted (Stephen's dad) to go down this blue slide. They were a little more hesitant than the rest of us. For a video of Ted, see the Louisianna Badgers blog.

Sunday Best

This was just another one of those super-successful attempts at a family picture. Not so great, but it's all we got of our little family; the other group ones are better. These were taken in front of Ted and Evelyn Badger's house in DeRidder, Louisianna, after church on Sunday, December 30th.
It's not our scheduled year for a Badger Christmas, but we came anyway since we now live only 2 1/2 hours away, in Shreveport. Stephen will begin his 6-month residency at Willis-Knighton Health Systems on January 2nd. We're all settled into our little Shreveport apartment thanks to the help of many family members on both ends of the move.

Pictured here are three Fowler kids (Paige, Tanner, and Brinley) and Brooklyn and Breyton Badger. They love the swing in front of Grammy's house. Here are the three brothers Eric, Stephen, and David.
The big group... in the mix are a whole lot of Badgers and Fowlers.

Breyton, Jana, and David Badger

Christmas Morning

Christmas was spent in DeRidder, Louisiana this year with the Badger family. Here's Brooklyn trying on her mom's new Crocs. She highly approved of the slip-on style. Here she is saying "cheese" for the camera.
Mom and Brooklyn sporting some retro aprons.
One of the many toys Brooklyn received.

Fun times had by all. More info. to come!

Check This Out! Merry Christmas

Here's a fun little Christmas Card...

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1150439725