New Orleans!!

 We took the kids on a little weekend trip to New Orleans. Most people don't think of New Orleans as a kid-friendly place to visit, but there is actually a ton of fun things for kids to do there.... and it's only five hours away!!

We stayed in the Garden District which is adjacent to the French Quarter. The kids liked the hotel room!

Getting ready to start the day!

We ate breakfast at the Camellia Grill. It is a old-fashioned, sit at the counter type place. YUM!

Then we rode the street car down to Audubon Park, across from Tulane and Loyola. 

Dad's in trouble already!! HA!!

Beautiful houses around the park.

On the other side of the park was the zoo. It was great! Our favorites were the elephants and the gorillas.

Later that evening on top of the hotel before dinner. NOLA lights!

The next morning at Cafe Du Monde. Famous for beignets and cafe au laits.

Jackson Square in the French Quarter.

Hanging out with the "weird jester guy".

A stroll along the might Mississippi watching the freighters.

silly at the Aquarium

Sitting under a 200 year old live oak at the zoo.

Fun at the Insectarium... yes it's all about insects!! Alex was in heaven!

Caroline diving into her beignet!

Photo by Alex!

Lunch of po'boys at Mothers! 

At the Mardi Gras museum! 

They are already asking when we can go back!  I think it will be the swamp tour and steam boat cruise next time!!

I Haven't Forgotten!!

 Yes, I am still updating the blog! Life got busy! But I am so thankful to be busy with my family... before I know it, the kids will be grown and out of the house. I am trying to remember to enjoy every moment! 

Alex and Dad-- rooftop dinner

Caroline and I went for a girls walk on the beach a few weeks ago.  We had so much fun!!

Running between the tire tracks....

Silly mommy!!

before church.... can they please stop growing?:)

One of my favorite houses on the beach

We took a road trip up to Nashville to visit my sister Jennifer and her family.  My sister Lori and her family came down from Indiana, too.  We all had so much fun!

Jason and his new friend Chewie

The kids before our 2.5 mile hike! Beautiful!!

Alex and his friend Chewie... Chewie loved all the attention!!

the beach looked like a lake last weekend!!

More Birthday!!!

 My big 4-0 birthday fell on a Sunday-- it was a beautiful day!  Bright blue skies, not a cloud, perfectly clear ocean.  So we went to church and then spent the afternoon at the beach.  Jason and I want out for a nice dinner that evening where I ordered one of my favorite dishes-- sea scallops!!  It was a perfect birthday!

 I love this picture... you can hardly tell where the ocean ends and the sky begins!!

It was pretty flat, but there were a few small waves to surf!

 Finally caught a wave!!! Wahoo!

Where did the wave go?

Caroline's Birthday!

 Caroline had her friend Lauren Grace over for a sleep over on her birthday!!

 On Saturday, we had her party at Fired Up Pottery in Seaside.

Her friends got to pick out a piece of pottery to paint and decorate. 

 They all did a great job on their projects!!

 Caroline's cookie cake.

 On the steps in Seaside.....

 Followed up by a hotdog at Wild Bill's Beach Dogs! It was a super fun day!