New Orleans

In the patch to adulthood I hit a milestone in July, shortly after my 30th birthday. I got to take my first business trip for work. Because we only had to pay for Cass' plane ticket and some meals I let him tag along because, come on New Orleans is awesome (at least we found that out after we went there). It was a very quick trip, but we were incredibly blessed to have family crazy and willing enough to come watch our kids so we could go. Jamie brought her three kids, my dad, and LaWayne to help with 5 kids three and under. 

The view from our hotel room.

I spent the day in conferences while Cass went to play. He spent the entire first day at the National World War II Museum. I wasn't there so there are no photos because I don't have them and I wouldn't even know what to say about them. But in the evenings we got to play together. We wandered the French Quarter quite a bit because our hotel was right on the edge of it, hit an authentic Jazz club, walked miles to check out a cemetery, touched the Mississippi River, and in general just enjoyed being together and being able to sleep all night uninterrupted.

Bourbon Street, this specifically leaves out the dirty part

We loved Jackson Square and getting to listen to the street bands that popped up.

Proof we were at the Mississippi River

Our pediatrician actually told us about this place. Preservation Hall is an authentic jazz club. We had to get in line about an hour before the show in order to make it in to this one room place with no air conditioning and incredibly limited seating (this means we stood for another hour), but in the end we got to have an amazing jazz band entertain us. This was one of the highlights of the trip.

And while we waited to get in Preservation Hall we stood in front of Pat O'Brien's where the famous Hurricane drink originated. 

Not pictured is our trip to Cafe Du Monde, the Hard Rock Cafe, the cemetery,  and the French Market. But while we were away the kids were also having a good time. Here are some pictures we got while away from home.

The hospital did a teddy bear clinic one day. Apparently about a bajillion kids showed up, but Jamie stuck it out with these two and they both walked away with a free stuffed animal and a lot of other stuff they gathered along the way to help take care of those stuffed animals. Jonathan was little tired and done for the day by the time this picture was taken, which makes it a little cuter.

The next day brought a McDonalds trip though and you can see the energy difference on their faces.

Finally, check our this cutie! Missed these kiddos so much and am so thankful we didn't have to worry about them at all while we were away because they were in great hands.