Halloween in the Hood!

Halloween is far from my favorite holiday but it's still fun to celebrate and be festive.

This year we knew there was no way we were going to roll Shelby around the neighborhood and try to trick-or-treat.

She's too young and has no clue.

Plus, she goes to bed between 7 and 7:30pm.

That's generally when all the festivities are in high gear.

So, I mentioned to a few neighbors who have kids the same age, about getting together and getting into costume to have a semi-Halloween party.

Semi - in meaning - starting at 5pm and ending at 7pm aka babies bedtimes.

They were game and we all met at our neighbor's Shawn and Lauren's house.

Shelby was a crawfish once again.

(She actually gets to wear her costume for a 3rd time tomorrow for a parade at her school)

 She got a nap right before we went so that was a big win!

Here she is with Lauren and Shawn's dog Bacon.

 Shawn and Lauren's daughter Dylan.

She turned one in September.

 Seth and Ashley with Parker who is the same age as Shelby.

 Shelby and Stella.

Stella is 8-months old while Shelby is almost 11-months.

 Chris and Angela with Ella.

 Joanna, Vernon with Stella.

 It was a good time even though it was short.

 Raleigh and Daddy Jon.

 All the Mommies and babies.

Of course, there were a few people missing that we hope to see next year.

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Trick or Treating on LSU Sorority Row

Since it is Halloween Eve I decided to post about LSU Homecoming and my sorority reunion later this week and move straight to one of the highlights of the weekend in Baton Rouge.

Trick or Treating on LSU Sorority Row.

It was Sunday after Homecoming and the fraternities and sororities at LSU always deck out for the game so I guess it makes sense to host a trick or treat event.

It was 3pm to 5pm, but beforehand my best friend's sister Rachel hosted a group of friends and their kids at her Bleaux Blow Dry Bar near campus.

Food and wine for the moms and treats for the kiddos.

 Crafts too.

They have a playroom at the salon/dry bar.

Shelby spent 2 days in a row there and loved being with all the other kids.

Check this out!

 Tons of fun stuff for the kids!

 I waited to change Shelby into her costume until right before we left.

 Then it was ON!!!

Sorority Row at Louisiana State University at its FINEST!

Every sorority 'pomps' decorations for the Homecoming Contest.

 It was light rain but it didn't seem to bother anyone.

Especially not us! 

My Mom and brother joined in on the fun!

I'm sooo glad they did! 

I think they had as much as me and Shelbs did!

A little girl only 3-weeks older than Shelby.

Incredible.

She was pushing this cart everywhere!

 A spaghetti and meatballs.

 Then Shelby the crawfish!

This was in front of my sorority house.

Delta Gamma.

They even had a jump house for all the kids!

 The decorations all along the row were pretty amazing!

 

Shelby's first time trick or treating.

So fun and special!!!

I really wish Brad had been there.

He would have loved it!

 My best friend and her girls and a friend and her girls in front of the DG house.

 I ran into so many people from college it wasn't even funny.

My best friend said I would.

This is Christine, a sorority sister I haven't seen since we were in a wedding 10-years ago together.

 Ironically, Claire was in that same wedding!

 And, then we saw a few other crawfish costumes.

I don't know these people at all but thought it was funny.

Her son is 6-days older than Shelby.

BTW.. Shelby had her first Tootsie Roll Pop and literally went BONKERS!!

 It started raining more and we decided to head back to the DG House to take cover.

My brother was running with the stroller and Shelby was literally hanging out waving to people!

SUGAR HIGH!!!

 Back at the DG House we checked out some old composites.

 Then got changed.

She was a TOTAL riot!!

All the members in there were laughing their butts off!

Such fun and I really believe I'm going to make Homecoming an annual trip for me!!!

Especially if the trick or treating is involved!

After trick or treating I went to dinner with my best friend, her sister and their girls.

They continued to be enamored with Shelbs and even won her a stuffed animal in the arcade.

Best trip in a LONG time!

I seriously can't wait to go back!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Baton Rouge Part 1 - Shelby Meets Family and Friends

I have over 240 pictures from my trip to Baton Rouge so I'm going to break it out in posts so I have it all documented.

After flying in we went to lunch and met my brother.

This was his first time to meet Shelby.

It was such a beautiful day so we sat outside at Sammy's Grill off Highland Road near LSU.

Shelby enjoyed shrimp for the first time and loved it!

Shelby got to meet my childhood best friend Rebekah too.

She took right to Bek and is ready for some more babies to play with because Rebekah is due with twins in May!

I enjoyed a few Abita beers that we can't get here in Charlotte.

My new favorite is Canebrake.

I'm not even a huge beer fan but this is delish!

Back to the point of this post.

Shelby meeting her Uncle, cousins and close friends.

I love the oak trees in Louisiana.

Perfect day and weather for picture taking that Friday we arrived.

Shelby, my Mom and I stayed with my best friend at her home.

Her husband was in China on a graduate school trip but her girls 11 and 6 were there.

She had the place decked out for Halloween.

Miss Brooke was enamored with Shelby.

They were instant friends!

The same for their 6-year old daughter Bella.

The entire weekend they were the biggest help with her.

It was so cute and fun!

We can't wait to go back!

Then Shelby met her cousin Preston(23-years old) for the first time.

He was a little apprehensive at first because he hasn't been around a baby in years but they quickly were bffs.

Then he met his other cousin Holly(21).

Unfortunately, her other cousin, Hannah(19), didn't make it over.

The weekend of meeting all sorts of family and friends ended with a few tunes from my nephew and his talented girlfriend.

They perform at bars across BR and South Louisiana.

Such fun times and we're excited that we'll see Preston and his girlfriend again for Thanksgiving!

My brother would join too but Holly has to work so they're coming after the first of the year to visit.

Tomorrow my post on LSU Homecoming and my sorority reunion.