Independence Day 2013- Creole style

This was the second time, since being married, we weren't able to spend the forth of July with Jeff.  He was recently relocated to a job that is ten hours away some where in Texas. =( The kids and I embarked on my first ever "road trip" or at least half way we were alone. I had the privilege of taking my uncle Russ to the "Big Easy" aka "NOLA" and we stayed with our dear friends a few days before we came back home.

Here is a little snap shot of my patriotic duo before we left on our trip!

Uncle Russ and I always have fun on our trips. There is good conversation and good laughs. The last trip we took together, we made plenty of funny memories as we whipped our heads and "caught" the person driving next to us looking at us. This time- we had Ruth. Baby Ruth. Layla's beloved "baby."  She looks so real when we take her places that people actually think I am irresponsibly lugging a child around. So I held her as I drove and Uncle Russ bounced her on his knee." It's OK Ruth. We got cha!"  Yes, we looked like the worse parents ever. And No. It wasn't responsible. But hey, life is short. Laugh a little. =)

 

(Hey, don't judge)

                                                             
We got to New Orleans with little time to enjoy the quarter.  So Uncle Russ, the kids, and I took a quick stroll through down town and then he caught the Mega Bus home. Pretty cool ride back home to Mobile for $17.00, I say! I sure hate to see him go. He is SO much fun and it was nice to have family here for a while. Much love to ya, Uncle!

(Can you see Uncle Russ riding shot gun, top level?!)

 

 

Dwayne and Annette treated me to Drago's Seafood while their girls kept the kids (I only had to bribe Layla with candy).  And let me just say- the charbroiled oysters were a buttery, charbroiled delight! Can we say YUM!!?!!

(LOVE this couple)

We also made a trip to uptown NOLA and got to visit with (Jeff's) Aunt Carol. She is so much fun and such a pleasure to be around. I am blessed to know her and get to be a part of her life. The kids adore her as well. Gavin caught lizards (imagine that) at her house. Then, we had a quick, sit down lunch at her house and then made a trip to Sucre' with Melissa and Charles. A little scoop of heaven in a small, flower shaped bowl! I will have to say that while the ice cream and melted Smores cake was a delight, one of my favorite things was people watching and the culture. Everything in NOLA is unique. From the shops, to the people, to the sidewalks, to the bus benches, to the trolley, to the electrical poles. Yes, electrical poles. Check this out.

(In case you can't tell what this is- that is LAYERS of old signs, staples, and nails)

 

 ("You are in Saints Country" says the sign behind me

and Gavin- well, enough said)

("Red Beans, Pinball Machines, Chicory Coffee, and Hoodoo Queens.

File Gumbo and Pralines. Everything's Hot Down in New Orleans")

(Even the stop signs have character!)

 I didn't get a chance to snap a picture of Layla stuffing beads up her shorts at Sucre. But hey, we were in the "Big Easy" after all.

 

We ended our trip with a crawfish boil! Such a Cajun way to say good bye. Gavin even ate a few handfuls of them. He peeled them and everything! * Proud moment * Dwayne and Annette are so good  great to us. I feel like I am living like a Cajun queen while I am there.

(Davin and Gavin- best buds-grubbing down. And Pie in the middle)

I could go on and on about how much fun we had. Such as how much joy I had in watching Gavin catch all the tree frogs suctioned to the Burke house. Or how he spent his days scooping out whatever he could catch in a net from the canal. Or the kids playing at the neighborhood park... and visiting with extended family (bc the good Lord allowed us to cross paths), or walking up and down Magazine Street with family, and snapping pictures of Café Du Monde coffee and Mardi Gras masks in a souvenir shop with a great Uncle, or enjoying family (where nothing has to be said to laugh). God has blessed me with the best friends and family- both near and far- and my life is so rich because of it!

 

We missed you, Jeff! Love you!