New Orleans- Part V

Sunday morning we checked out of our hotel and went to Brennan's for brunch. Unfortunately, everyone else in New Orleans had the same idea. We waited for a table for a while, but then decided we needed to leave if we were going to make it in time for our Swamp Tour. We really didn't mind waiting though. It was lovely sitting on the patio, and we enjoyed good conversation. Plus, everything around us was in bloom.

After swinging by Whole Foods for tasty shrimp po-boys we traveled to Slidell for an official Swamp tour. I'll admit I'm not really a nature girl when it comes to seeing wild animals up close and personal, but I ended up really enjoying it. And of course, everyone else had a blast! Here we are at the dock.

The three of us girls on the boat.

Who thought it was a good idea to let these guys sit near the motor? :)

We saw lots of different parts of the swamp, some sunny and lush with iris, but I thought this part with the Spanish moss was the most mysterious.

We saw quite a few snakes and gators. One was even sunning himself on someone's boat dock. Creepy!

One final group picture!

We had so much fun! It was such a wonderful time together and we can't wait for the next couple's getaway! Wonder where we'll go next?...

New Orleans- Part IV

After relaxing back at the hotel for a bit, we headed back out for a night on the town. First stop, Pat O'Brien's.
While a band played inside, we enjoyed hanging out in the beautiful courtyard. Here are our handsome fellows in front of the fountain.

And of course the ladies, too!

We had really late dinner reservations at Muriel's, so by dinnertime we were really hungry. But I must say, it was definitely worth the wait!

Probably, one of our best tasting meals out EVER! We started with an appetizer of crawfish and goat cheese crepes, then a main course of seafood au gratin for me, Mahi Mahi for Aaron, and finished with melt-in-your-mouth bread pudding. Such a treat!

New Orleans- Part III

We ate a delicious vegetarian lunch at Cafe Bamboo, a vegan-friendly place Shannon had scoped out. I had a grilled vegetable po-boy with sweet potato fries.... yum! Next, we visited the French Market and perused up and down the aisles. There was something for everyone from refrigerator magnets, to jewelry, t-shirts, and food.
Then we decided it was time for a snack and headed to Cafe du Monde! The beignets were fabulous. Since we don't drink coffee, we paired ours with chocolate milk. Delish!

The sidewalks around this place were literally covered in powdered sugar.

We moseyed over to Jackson Square and took this group pic.

Aaron, checking out the statue of Maj. General Andrew Jackson.

Relaxing by the riverside.

Sandee and I on the riverwalk. If you look closely you can see the floodwall behind us. Hard to believe all of this was underwater five years ago when Hurricane Katrina came ashore.

Aaron was really excited that our last stop in the afternoon was the WWII Museum. The place was huge! Even though we didn't have time to take the official tour, the displays in the entrance itself were impressive and worth taking in.

My American hero.

New Orleans- Part II

The weather the entire weekend could not have been better, warm with a nice breeze. We didn't have an itinerary, but everything just seemed to flow perfectly. We started off the morning with breakfast on the hotel patio.

Then we rode the streetcar into the beautiful Garden District.

Beads were still hanging in the trees from Mardi Gras. We enjoyed strolling down the wide sidewalks and looking at the beautiful homes.

We walked down to the famous Lafayette Cemetery. I remember it from the movie Double Jeopardy with Ashley Judd. Anyways, since it's below sea level everyone is buried in crypts that are above ground.

Always goofing off together, here are Aaron and Jason pretending to be mummies.

It was an eerily beautiful setting, and so many fascinating life stories to imagine as we looked at the names, relationships, and dates etched in stone.

After walking around a bit more, we got back on the streetcar and headed over to the French Quarter.

Is this a Streetcar named Desire? Kinda neat since Columbus, MS is actually the birthplace of Tennessee Williams.

More fun at the tracks!

New Orleans- Part I

Just before Easter, Aaron and I had the pleasure of joining up with great friends for a couple's weekend in The Big Easy. None of us had ever been before, so we were excited to say the least...here we are in our matching fleur-de-lis shirts! I went to school with both Shannon and Sandee and we always have so much fun every time we get together. They drove to Columbus, so we could all ride in one vehicle. And of course, Mom, Dad, & Kate made the whole thing possible by coming down to spend the weekend with Will.

All six of us! Jason, Aaron, and Ryan were really good sports the entire weekend. They gladly posed for/took as many pictures as we liked.

We arrived in New Orleans early Friday evening. We stayed at the Avenue Garden Hotel, right next to the Garden District and on the streetcar line. What it lacked in some areas, it made up for in charm.

I was especially excited about the keyring that was attached to our room key. I'm a nerd like that!

After a quick, refreshing Mexican meal (it's all of our favorite genre and we were in a hurry... more New Orleans fare to come later on), we headed over to the French Quarter just in time to make our Haunted History Tour reservations. It was a great way to learn about the history of the city and get our bearings for the rest of our stay.

We ended the evening with a stroll down infamous Bourbon Street. At the end of the street was an amazing Zatarain band, which capped off our first evening quite nicely.

Happy Easter!

I found this sweet little book for Will’s Easter basket this year and thought it pretty much summed up our celebration of the day. So, enjoy our pictures as you read the story. And be sure to notice that our adventurous little boy, all dressed up in his Easter outfit, was sure to find that mud puddle TWICE during our picture time in the park.

What is Easter? by Michelle Medlock Adams

The little bunny hops, hops, hops.
Is this what Easter means?
Is it about the Easter eggs
All filled with jellybeans?

Is Easter about hunting eggs?
I do that every year.
Does it mean eating chocolate stuff?
I ate my bunny’s ear.
Is it about the baby chicks?
They’re fuzzy, and they’re fun!
I saw some Easter chicks for sale.
I really wanted one.

Is it about the Easter toys?
They’re really fun, I think.
One time a bunny came to me.
His little nose was pink.

Is it about my brand-new dress?
And my new Easter hat?
Does it mean wearing shiny shoes?
I really do love that!

Is it about a big parade
With lots of pretty floats?
Is it about the Easter choir?
They sing the highest notes!

No! That’s not what Easter means.
Easter means much more than that.
It’s all about God’s son.
See, God sent Jesus down to earth
To die for everyone.

He had to die upon a tree
To save us from our sin.
But he was only dead three days,
And then he rose again.

Now, that’s what Easter really means!
It’s quite a special day.
Jesus our Savior rose again
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

Today, he sits right next to God
In Heaven up above.
He wants to live inside you too
And fill you up with love!

Okay, now I get it.
The Easter Bunny is okay,
And Easter eggs are fun.
But Easter’s not about that stuff…

It’s all about God’s son.

He is not here; he has risen! Luke 24:6