New Orleans

So ever since we had Ethan we dreamed of the day we would take him back to New Orleans to see where we grew up, our house, Mardi Gras, the whole thing. So we drove down in our very fuel efficient cramped car and had a blast!

My old house... I was shocked! It looks so so different!!

Eliza loved the marching bands. She would smile and dance every time they passed.

This was my favorite day of all, Mardi Gras day. We went to the uptown chapel and saw tons of old friends. The parade route is directly in front of the chapel so we had a good home base when we got tired. Anyways, we told Ethan to put his hands up and scream when the floats went by. He was shy about it first and didn't scream very much or very loud. By the end, goodness, he was screaming so loud that we had to cover our ears. Screaming, mind you, even before the floats where anywhere neat us. He was having SO much fun.

Daddy son time at the fire station with Uncle Michael

One of the days we spent time with Mark's bro and his family and went to this way fun park. We all went down this slide over and over for about 30 minutes. So fun!

Here is where Mark's house was (Katrina destroyed it and then it was bulldozed). It was a shock to see Chalmette with so many houses empty and others just torn down like his.

Love the old architecture. Just LOVED bringing Ethan and Eliza to all the places that are memorable to us.

Sword fighting in pirates alley.

This was the thing I was most excited about, seriously. Is that pathetic? Beignets. Mmm. I have been craving these little puppies ever since we left NO which was what 5,10 years ago?