New Orleans: Part Two

Buzz on the Streets:


The following photos were taken in random locations like the Woldenberg Riverfront Park and inside the French Quarter (Jackson Square and Canal & Bourbon Street). I was so glad Deb was able make this trip with us! Thank you Deb! I give her credit for taking some of these photos too ;)

They l.o.v.e. grandma!

Here is what Bryan ordered at one of the many places we ate:

Crawfish.................. brace yourself for this....................

G.A.G!! (thanks for this photo Deb)............

LOL

I did try alligator though................

A bite ;)




View from our "other" hotel.......................

Saint Patrick's Day...............................

Super Dome :)

Street cars (the brochure said "Don't call them Trolleys!") ....... lol

It was hard not too.

We utilized this city transportation a lot :)

The famous Canal / Bourbon Street



One of the many cemetaries.............................




With days of 70 degrees.............. why not play in the water ;)



One of the many performers........................



Tour mules hauled carts filled with tourist around the streets...................

This local artist drew a sketch of Ava & Isaac. Ava was crabby and wouldn't look at him most of the time. Isaac, however, was a willing participant and didn't mind "sitting still."

Final product :)

We did get quite the collection of beads! Isaac ended up with more because I stolled him around......

It was Saint Patrick's night. Isaac's red hair made him look Irish, I guess....... Ha ha.

Or maybe the kids got more beads because they are cute :)

We had Isaac one of the nights that we walked down Bourbon Street and he was in a deep sleep in the stoller. Some guy made the comment "When your son grows up you can tell him that he was once in New Orleans passed out on Bourbon Street." ........... lol

My next posts will include the ferry ride and Insectarium .................... check back soon!

New Orleans: Part One

After checking into the Sheraton Hotel (where Bryan would attend the conference) we checked out our g.r.e.a.t. view of New Orleans from the window of our room.





Isaac loved the view.......... and guess what he said?
"LIGHTS!!!"........ LOL
Of course ;)







There's the swimming pool below that we took advantage of a couple of times............

The Big Easy after dark....................

It's a good thing we were here for a week because there was a lot to see and do just around the hotel! You know there is going to be a lot of activity during Spring Break and Saint Patrick's Day..............and Mardi Gras celebrations had just ended.

There will be more from the streets on my next posts.........

Louisiana here we come!

The Hamilton family is getting packed for another adventure! This time to New Orleans!

Bryan is one of the presenters at a conference and the kids and I are happy to go along. We are meeting my mother-in-law (Grandma Hamilton). Can't wait to see you Deb! I don't know what to expect besides: surrounding myself with great company, eating good food, seeing new things, enjoying 70 degree Spring weather, and listening to some good Jazz :)
Maybe perhaps bringing back some Mardi Gras Madness beads.............. just kiddin' (I'm not that confident)...... LOL

I probably won't post any details until we get back. Hope everyone has a great week! I know we plan on it!

P.S. Audrey, thank you for house-sitting and taking care of my critters!

Ava & Isaac Photos

Bryan had my "quality" camera in Florida - but I decided to spontaneously take some photos of Ava and Isaac anyway using my old camera. These were taken last week. They turned out OK. I want to get an updated family photo this Spring........

This mini-shoot did not go as "smoothly" as it looks. Ava stumbled and fell at one time getting her hands, dress, and shoes all muddy. I had to take her back into the house and clean her up. Isaac was so tired and cranky. I also had to clean him off because he too fell in the mud - on one side of his face. I took him inside and cleaned him up too. There were many tears shed by both kids; I was about to give up. Then, I did what any mother would - I bribed them with snacks. Making memories is easy. The challenge is "preserving memories."

lol

Oh BOY :)

Isaac is getting so big! It's hard to believe he is 15 months old today. He's still a momma's boy and my love bug :)

It's funny to see Isaac and Ava interact sometimes - they often make each other laugh. They totally amuse each other. Isaac often times walks around the house looking for Ava. It's really cute. When he walks, he's usually carrying or dragging his blue (patched) pillow. Or he's got it over his face - when he's sleeping.







I don't understand how kids can sleep sometimes in these weird positions. This is how it usually is - his posterior facing the ceiling. Haha :D

I forgot to mention in my previous posts: Bryan nicknamed Isaac " Zag" (I thought it was cute).
Once in a while Ava will call him Zag too. lol





Look how long his curly locks are getting.................. lol

His favorite words are still: light and that

He stumbles across uneven, rocky ground outside - but he's a walking pro indoors. I'm waiting for him to run anyday now......

People tell you how fast kids grow - but I didn't really "realize" it myself until we became parents. It's unbelievable. One stage to the next :)

He's much more good-natured since his molar has come in through his gum. Both Ava and him have been trying to get rid of this "gunk" that's been going around.......... ((Sigh))



Well, here are a few videos of Isaac that I took in February (hopefully all three post):

Marvelous March!

This is the time of year I get that itch for Spring! Knowing that in a few weeks I can start my tomatoe and pepper seeds (indoor of course). I'm going to be more p.r.e.p.a.r.e.d this summer when it comes to my garden! I know, I know the leaves haven't even sprouted on the trees yet - but I know it's around the corner. And that lifts my spirits :)
The brown ground is looking greener and my hyacinths are poking their heads out of the soil! They do this every year this early! They always end up getting snowed on after they pop up. Speaking of snow - we just had another 4-5 inches last weekend. So, after complaining about it - Ava and I went and played in it.........
This first photo is pretty cool because I just noticed the snow blowing off MT. Wheeler in the background.


That's our little tool shed that Ava turned into her personal art space using chalk :)
Ok, I added to it too...............lol



I hope Ava has minimal damage to her teeth after chomping ice cycles all winter long......

Most of this snow has already melted. I hope these are the last "snow photos" I'll be posting this winter.......... Uh hum. I can dream can't I?

In my head, it's not truely Spring until the barn swallows arrive :P

I'll let you know when I see them - you can count on that!