Like any masochistic parent would do, we started the trip by giving the kids chocolate cake at about 8pm on our first night. But hey, it's New Orleans. They can't drink yet, so we had to improvise on their gluttony:
Later that evening, I told Critter to "come drink ... and bring the baby monitor." It's a special friend who will not only not judge that kind of statement, but willingly comply. So we caught up on the balcony of the hotel while the kids slept in the next room (with the baby monitor, of course). Awesome.
Day 2 -- took the kids to the Audubon Zoo with Brandy and her oldest son, Walker, and Amanda and her new baby boy, Charlie. I don't have pictures to prove their presence, but here's one of Dylan dangerously close to assaulting a peacock:
I also missed getting a picture of the jaguar rape. (Seriously -- a horny male jaguar and a female who was NOT into him. She won, but it wasn't for his lack of trying. Thankfully, the kids didn't ask questions.) We also saw a bird show, which was pretty cool if you could get past the guy's appearance. Doesn't he look like he should be an alcoholic character in an Adam Sandler movie?
That night was the rehearsal dinner, which was really a crawfish boil. So fun. Here's what happens when we try to get Dylan to hold still (and you can also catch a glimpse of his bruised cheek and black eye):
Notice my grip on him here and how hard he's trying to escape:
Day 3 -- the St. Patrick's Day parade. It was raining. That's all I have to say about our appearances:
And the wedding! On the front porch of the Columns Hotel ...
Brian kept Dylan quiet during the ceremony by agreeing to be force fed Goldfish:
Kelsie somehow weaseled her way into being a flower girl at the last minute. So we told her she had a very important job of taking care of Betsy's bouquet during the ring exchange. Look how hard she's working:
And my personal favorite -- the bride changed into cowboy boots for the post-reception outing to Tipitinas:
The next day was a very painful and foggy drive to Shreveport, where despite hanging out with much loved and much missed friends, we only managed to get pictures of the kids soaking themselves at the playground water fountain. The other moms there were not amused, especially when Kelsie started shouting, "TAKE MY SHIRT OFF! I WANT TO TAKE MY SHIRT OFF!" We're a real class act.
My big men:
Then it was off to Dallas, where we got a real chance to relax thanks to my sister and my wonderful niece and nephew, Rachel and Chris, who were under strict orders to entertain the kids while we put our feet up. They took them to the playground, played for hours on end on the trampoline, bathed them, read to them, put them to sleep, and tolerated their piano "playing."
And we also got to reconnect with our old dog, Cali. She is so well behaved now and thriving with my sister and family. Awwwww:
Anyway, it was such a fun trip. We're still recovering, so I'm off to bed.
No comments:
Post a Comment