N'awlins!

James and I got back yesterday from spending a few days with our best friends from college in New Orleans! It was Amanda's Spring Break, so Amanda, Harry, James, and I all flew to stay at Kim and Adam's house. We had a wonderful time, doing many fun things throughout the week. Here's a rundown of the trip.

Day 1: Saturday
Josh, James, and I went up to Dallas a little early, hung out with Michael and Jilinda, went shopping with them and ate at a great Mexican restaurant. We went to the airport around 5 to fly out at 7pm, but found out the flight was 2 hours delayed. Josh got permission to come back with me. While at the gate, they asked if anyone would be willing to go the next day and get a travel voucher. We accepted (since James would have been going to bed around midnight if we'd flown that night), and drove back to Waco to spend the night. Funny thing that happened: James got attached to a girl waiting at the gate who was really sweet to him (15 years old and going on a mission trip with her mom). He threw a tantrum when we were leaving her and was clinging to her for dear life. Everyone around us laughed so hard.

Day 2: Sunday
Got up early, drove to Dallas, flew out with no problems. Active toddler who never stopped on the plane, but thankful that we made it with no major hiccups. Thoroughly enjoyed hugging the necks of two of my best friends, seeing them enjoy James, getting to see their kids as they woke up from naps and completely melting at how adorable they were. So neat to see the offspring of friends you've had since young college days!













St. Patrick's Day Parade. This was so cool, and we all got really into catching as much stuff being thrown off of the floats as possible! Very neat experience!
































































Stayed up late (1am) talking at the kitchen table with Kim and Amanda like the good ol' days!

Day 3: Monday
Adam made breakfast, hung out with the kids, went to the Park.



















Loved the uniqueness of New Orleans...cool trees, neat/different people, etc. The two young ones took naps while James and I laid in bed talking (still no naps). Went out to the Kupcake Factory for the best cupcake I've ever had. Kim made delicious shrimp for dinner. Enjoyed watching American Idol with them and sharing all of our comments! Earlier to bed this day since we were tired from the night before!


























Day 4: Tuesday
New Orleans Aquarium. We enjoyed seeing the kids soak in all of the neat things. Harry and James were really funny to watch (Adalie was sleeping) at the playpart of the Aquarium. They are 150% boys!! Went back for naps, woke up and got some awesome gelato and canoli. Drove around and looked at pretty New Orleans houses. Got more good cajun food, watched more American Idol and just enjoyed hanging out.
































Days 5: Wednesday
Craziness!:) Amanda and I running trying to get showered and repacked with our toddlers running around, James in a terrible two mood...it was almost comical! I'll tell ya what was really comical was at the airport. Amanda and I were on the same flight home, which was really nice. Amanda said she'd watch James and Harry while I got food. I came back and she was running trying to chase James and had me run and get Harry. She died laughing and said they (not in her words, but took advantage) and kept making a run for it (I'm laughing out loud as I type this). EVERYONE was staring at us. It was nuts...but fun! :)

The flight was an hour and a half delayed and James was even more active during that time. The wonderful thing is that he fell asleep immediately as we took off and slept the entire flight. Amanda missed her connecting flight, but got the next one. Josh picked me up (yea for Daddies!!!!) and the whole way home, James would only stop crying when we'd sing songs that he liked. I was slightly horse last night because of it, but that was better than crying! He had just had it from traveling! These are the funny toddler memories that we'll laugh at later, I'm sure!

That's it! Thanks again to Kim and Adam for keeping us! It was a blessing getting to be with these wonderful women I get to call friends, see them as mothers, love on their precious babies, and just have fun girl time! I hope we get to do this again soon!