Spring Break 2009 & Easter

Sorry it has taken so long to get these pics up. Jay has been working like crazy to finish the floor (you'll see pics soon) and I've had to clean everything. Anyway, we had a FANTASTIC spring break & Easter. Nola & I flew in Sunday and from the airport we headed to the Strawberry Festival in Pontchatoula. I hadn't been in a few years and boy was it packed.

Always sportin the LSU Tigahs!

Nola picked her prize from her first game..."Pick the Ducky!" Nola was so tired and hot and she just kept wanting to pick another duck. When we left she was screaming, "pick the ducky, pick the ducky!"

Look at her intense concentration!

Party Pic while standing in line for the shuttle to the festival. Poor Nola is in long sleeve clothes...and it was about 85 degrees...poor baby!

Tuesday night we brought back an old tradition of my family. Growing up, every May, as an end of the year party, my Aunt Katie would organize a "Panchos lunch." All of my cousins and Aunts would go and we would always have a blast! This is a Mexican restaurant with the best flautas and sopapillas in town. It got wiped out by the flood and I hadn't been since I moved to New Jersey 7 years ago(the first year I missed..I cried...not because of the food..I love traditions). Anyway, it recently reopened and there is a line every day down the block. So my cousin Elyse got everyone together (not everyone, but 25 of us) and we went.

Nola's first Panchos experience...she LOVED the rice!
I promise I gave her, her vitamin before we left!

Nola with Grammie & Pipaw
(I think Nola had too much rice!)

Partial Family shot
(We had 4 tables there were so many of us!)

McKenzie Anne

Hunter, Riley, & Mac

We had a great time....Sopapillas are still good...but I can wait another 7 years to go again!


Wednesday, Aunt Carrie had off so we met up at the Children's Museum. This was Nola's first time but it was just like I remember as a child. My favorite part was the grocery store....wonder why...so we went there first.

"Oh man! This is awesome...what should I get first? I feel like I'm Supermarket Sweep!"

"I hope Grumps gave me enough money for all my groceries!"

"Nola don't forget the asparagus...I know this great recipe!"

"Where is the double coupong button? I know I saw it here somewhere!"

"I LOVE this place...did y'all know the Imagination Movers filmed their DVD here....I might get to see them...maybe!"

Wednesday night was the monthly Lakeview Market, where a bunch of vendors come out to sell things and they have live music. Connor and Nola were the band's groupies for the night. I got a few videos I'll add below. They were so cute dancing the whole time together!

"Connor, it's time to take a water break. Here, I'll help you. Take a sip and then let's get back to dancing!"

Connor and Graycen

Wednesday night Dave & Tripp made it to town so from that moment on the two were inseperable. They are really at a cute stage. They know each other when they see each other and they play and fight like brother and sister. Dave calls them the "Wonder Twins," because people ask all the time. Aren't they ADORABLE!

Thursday we took the kids for coffee & donuts.

"Can I take some to go, Dad?"

"Coming right up!"


Thursday night Jay & Christy flew in so it was back to the airport before getting some sleep. We all headed to the Audobon Zoo on Friday afternoon! We had perfect weather & saw lots of animals!

Nola & Uncle Mikey

Nola & Daddy on the carousel
(Can you tell how scared she is?)

Family Pic

Tripp & Uncle Jay


Friday night we had catfish and shrimp at the house with Grammie & Pipaw. We all went to bed early because we had the Crescent City Classic the next morning.

Here we are!

"I'm Pumped & Ready! Gotta get my race on!"

Tripp & his hunnie bunnies!

The race was 6.2 miles of fun & torture! The picture across the finish line looks like definitely need an ambulance, but I did it without stopping in 76 min. My only goal was to keep running and we made it! Thanks Christy for running with me. I definitely would have stopped if it weren't for you!

The After Party!

After the race, we headed to Mike's for some beer and crawfish. YUMMY! I had been waiting a whole year! And boy was it GOOD! I can't wait till our crawfish boil next month!

Connor waiting for some grub!

Tripp always finds the bucket of water to swim in!
All boy!

Ne & Dan Michael joined the party!
Isn't he soooo cute!

YUMMY! I stayed in that spot for quite a while soakin up some good home cookin. Nola ate about 20 crawfish too. She even ate a hotdog that was cooked in the water.
She is a true southern belle!

Nanny with Tripp & Nola

Carrie & Connor Man

Party Time!
(Nola & her hot dog)

Saturday night we all hit the hay early because Easter was the next day and we had 1,000 things to get in before we left in the afternoon!

The Easter bunny came for Tripp and Nola!

He definitely got everyone!
Thanks Nana & Grumps for everything!

"Ooh what's this? Mickey bubbles...yeah!"

Tripp and Nola (early Easter morning).
Yes, Tripp is wearing a Britney shirt!
He LOVED the concert!

Nola's basket!

While opening presents we got a text, that Uncle Mikey and "Aunt" Brandi got engaged.
CONGRATULATIONS!
They are planning to get married next May (and we are all in the wedding...YEAH!)

After opening presents and scratching Scratch offs, we headed to mass and then home for a rushed Easter brunch and engagement toast! It was absolutely insane, but that's usually how things go and that's what makes us, us! There is nothing wrong with a little stress!

Our annual Egg Pock Game!
Nola is definitely a pro!


"Okay, who's next?"

"You're going down Uncle Mikey!"



Egg Pock from 2008!
What a difference!

We also squeezed in a quick Easter egg hunt for Tripp & Nola! Then it was off to the airport for our flight home. What a crazy day!

Nana & Grumps, thank you sooooo much for everything!
We love y'all & we'll see y'all soon!

Here are some bonus videos from the week!