Team Carstens

It's been HOT in New Orleans...

and I'm not just talking about the recent weather.  Thanks to Terri Cambise, event planner extraordinaire, who sent me the email about the New Orleans Firefighters 2009 Calendar party at Pat O's, some friends and I were able to go out last night and partake of mojitos, gumbo (cooked by fireman Mike, A.K.A.: Mr. September) and a silent auction to benefit the NOLA fire department.  I mean, who am I to say to no to such a great cause, right?

Thanks to Alesia for being the DD (designated driver).  Although, I think the responsibility fell on her by default since she's about 4 months pregnant (and looking like a hot momma, I must say).

I know Pat O's is known for their hurricanes, but I opted to drink mojitos last night because hurricanes usually knock me on my ass.  Well, I am sad to report, mojitos also knock me on my ass.  Or maybe it's that I am getting older (I will be celebrating my 5th - 29th birthday soon).  Or maybe it's that Pat O's makes their drinks a little stronger than what I am used to.  Yeah, we'll go with that last reason.  So the drinks were strong, I had 3 and I am nursing a hangover this morning.  And a terrible backache.

So here are some snapshots from last night (taken with a P+S for you photo ladies).  

Click on images to enlarge:

Amie, Fireman Greg, Me, Fireman Mike, Alesia, Captain David in the back there, and Tanya.

Fireman Alan and Tanya:

Me and Fireman Percy:

Fireman Greg, Me, Fireman Alan, Alesia, Amie and Fireman Percy:

Me, Fireman Greg and Alesia:

Fireman Gabriel and Tanya.  I'm pretty sure this was Tanya's favorite fireman.

Deal alert for baby + toddler shoes!!! Pediped...

From a site, shoot, I forgot which one:

Pediped rarely go on sale, but they're amazing shoes for babies and kids up to age 5. Take 40% off at Pediped.com with code ff2008. $5 flat-rate shipping or free two-day express shipping with three or more pairs. Ends 9/21.

Go shop for shoes!!

Hurricane Gustav Evacuation

We ended up driving up to Marietta, Ga to visit with Chris + Jen - thanks guys; we had fun!  While there, we ended up going to a lakehouse about an hour or so north of Marietta and we had a fun + relaxing time.  Much wine was consumed; I think Jen said we drank about 5 bottles a night and we were there for 5 nights.  I was able to take some pics, but didn't carry my camera around much because I either didn't want it to get wet or I was too lazy :).  Thanks to Rawson + Fred for inviting us to their Tate lakehouse - the food was awesome (Fred is a chef), the kids were great (total of 7 kids there) and we are so thankful for the invite.  And Jen - your cooking + Chris' bbq'ing was so yummy.  Thanks again!!!

View photos HERE

  

thank you lilah +chris

lilah + chris dropped off a box of gifts on our front porch last week.  they are too sweet!  they gave fletcher some gifts and they were also thoughtful and bought us gifts, too!!!

here is a great, cool gift - photo coasters from crate + barrel.  i just printed out 4 pics of fletcher and they are ready to be used!

 

halloween party #2

we went out to kelly + chris' house in river ridge and had fun trick or treating with the babies. it was nice because all the bebe's were about the same age (1 year).

here's a link to the photo album

here's thomas; he was a monkey:

here's ben; he was a giraffe:

here's mia; she was a cat:

pics of fletcher are in the post below. here's a pic of mia + fletcher and their ride for the night.

new orleans ballet association: MOMIX

alesia + i went to the ballet on saturday night and saw the best of momix. it was opening night for noba and they presented the show at tulane university. the theater wasn't very large and it was sold out. alesia + i are looking forward to the remainder of the noba season. if momix is in your city - go + see it!

creole creamery, mmmm...

nous avons eu un jour très occupé aujourd'hui. we were all over the place! i'm trying to brush up on my french so i don't forget it.

today, fletcher + i...went to the gym, went to buy material for my living room draperies, went to the seamstress' house (i decided not to tackle this sewing project myself because i don't have the time right now), went to creole creamery with amie + her kids and then picked up my glasses from the shop on the way home. we are exhausted. here are some pics from creole creamery.

amie, view more pics here.

amie's kids

not all of them (she has 4).  amie came over on friday before we headed out to mardi gras festivities.  mollie and chloe were in my office and i snapped some pics of them.  mollie was too cute.  i told her i was going to take her pic and she started posing!  check out the poses with the hands crossed.  so funny.