Mardi Gras 2011

This post is a loooong time coming, but I had to wait for my camera charger to make it home from Mobile...

Mardi Gras 2011 was a GREAT time & a *MUCH NEEDED* break from the daily grind for me & JD. The Bakers were sweet enough to open up their *fabulous* home to us for the weekend festivities! Did I mention in previous posts that their new house is on. the. parade. route.!?!?! There's simply no better way to enjoy a mardi gras parade than in the comfort of your own yard...
JD's favorite day of Mardi Gras has always been Joe Cain Day {Sunday}, & I think I'd have to agree. The thing I like most about Joe Cain day is the history - check out more info on Joe Cain here
Every year, the "widows" of Joe Cain dress in their best funeral attire & go down to the Church Street Cemetery to mourn their loss. The widows fascinate me, but nobody ever knows who the widows are - they are a *very* exclusive group & one can only become a "widow" if you are invited. Pam & I long to one day be a Joe Cain widow... You'll see a picture of Pam & Johnny's neighbor dressed up as an un-official widow. Also, you'll see a picture of ladies dressed in red dancing in the streets during a parade - these are Joe Cain's "mistresses". The mistresses have to walk in the parade while the widows ride in the floats. As you can imagine, the widows & the mistresses don't get along very well...

Here are a few pictures of the weekend...
{check out those party animals in the last shot}

Upcoming Fun for the Bakers

As per the usual, the Bakers are staying busy in 2011!! Here are some upcoming highlights for the year:

*JD & the Man in Battle of the Bands (acoustic) at Redline Bar in Hoover (Feb 8)
*Suzy to co-host wedding shower for dear friend Leigh Ciarkowski (Feb 12)
*Suzy's 27th birthday - when did this happen?!? (Feb 23)
*Wedding Shower Extravaganza in Grayson, GA in honor of my bestie, Katie Davies (Feb 26 & 27)
*Sarah's 26th birthday (Mar 2)
*MARDI GRAS 2011 IN MOBILE (Mar 4 - 8)
*Katie's Bachelorette Party / Lingerie Shower / Bridesmaids Luncheon in Nashville (Mar 18 - 20)
*Katie Baker turns the big 3-0 (Mar 27)
*DAVIES / KIVETT WEDDING IN NASHVILLE, TN (Apr 1)
*JD's 27th bithday (Apr 13)
*Ciarkowski / Priecko Wedding in Avondale (May 7)
*Natalie's 26th birthday (May 7)
*Lane / Byrd Wedding in Ozark, AL (May 14)
*GIESEN BABY SHOWER (June)
*Katie's 27th birthday (July 14)
*BAKER VACATION TO NYC (August)
*Giesen baby due (Aug 16)
*Christine's 26th birthday (Aug 30)
*Luna's 4th birthday (Sept 10)
*Aja's 5th birthday (Sept 14)
*OUR 4TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!! (Nov 17)

...and LOTS of little things between there! So excited about another great year & all that is in store for us!

Seasons of LOVE

hey out there!


I come to you after a long break from blogging... I want to start this blog post by paying tribute to my late Grandmother who passed away on January 29. Mema was an incredible woman who lived a long life of fulfilment - anyone who lives to celebrate their 91st birthday can certainly say the same. Although Mema will be missed greatly, I know that she is in a much happier place now, dancing with Papa up in Heaven...

I hope that everyone had a great Valentine's Day! I, myself, spent the day of love with my husband & his family and friends on the streets of Mobile - celebrating JD's favorite holiday, Mardi Gras!! Amongst the beads, parades, & Moon pies, we were able to get in a nice sushi dinner to celebrate our love - so nice!! > It's always a treat to spend time with my in-laws & this Mardi Gras was no exception!


In other news, I've got a birthday coming up! Next Tuesday will mark the 26th year of my life & I am looking forward to getting together with friends & family to celebrate! Mom & Dad are coming over from Social Circle this weekend for some pre-birthday fun - Mom has even agreed to bring the 'fixins to make my favorite dinner - her chicken pot pie :) YUM! Then the following weekend JD & I are taking a trip up to Nashville, TN to visit with some of my FAVORITES!! It will also be the weekend before my bestie, Sarah's, birthday - so I'm sure we'll be doing plenty of celebrating there too! Nashville - I hope you're ready!


JD is getting ready to start his first term at Troy University in the middle of next month. I am so proud of him for working so hard to pursue his degree - I know it's been tough for him to balance school, work, a family, & hobbies, but he is doing great!! He is definitely an inspiration for me to go back to school...

I have volunteered to hold an Officer position for the Birmingham Area Phi Mu Alum group for the coming year - tonight is our first Officer meeting & I am looking forward to seeing what's in store for me! I have been looking for ways to be more involved in groups outside of work and home & I think that this will be a great group to work with!


Work continues to be busy for me, so I'm afraid that this is all I have time for...

Until next time...

peace & love