The Big Easy

To celebrate 4 years of matrimony, Kent and I took a short trip to New Orleans. Neither of us had been there, and since it is only 6 hours away, it seemed like it was worth checking out. We weren't disappointed! Bourbon Street lived up to our expectations as a hub for debaucherers :-), so we walked down it once and decided not to do so again! But the rest of the French Quarter was charming, and it is easy to see why NOLA is called "The City That Care Forgot". The buildings are all OLD and original, most having been built around 1800. The paint is peeling, the shutters are sagging, and at night the gaslights on the homes give off an eerie vibe which made us feel like we were walking around 2oo years ago. Carriages roam the streets under ancient oak and magnolia trees. We ate red beans and rice, jambalaya, and Beignets from Cafe Du Monde.

Typical Style of building in the French Quarter.

Our carriage driver told us that unless owners figure out the original color of the house, they can't paint it. So despite the way the outside looks, the inside of the house is really nice.

Carriage ride in the rain.

Bourbon Street looking uptown

St. Louis Cathedral- The oldest Catholic church in the US. Built late 1700's I guess?

We ate Red Beans and Rice and Jambalaya here.

Look how the old buildings are all crooked and stuff!

The view from our hotel room at the Maison Dupuy.

Here is Kentie eating Cafe Au Lait and Beignets at the Cafe Du Monde.

Kent eyeing a cool old Jeep at the National World War II Museum

More fun at the WWII museum. Kent's victory pose.

Kent on the Natchez Riverboat. We rode it down the Mississippi River.

Can you see my nasty sunburn?

Here lies Marie Laveau, VooDoo Queen of New Orleans!

Mmmm. Breakfast in the Quarter.

The Houston Rodeo

Yesterday Kent and I went with our Friends Joe and Allison to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. If we would have gone last week it would have been nice and sunny and warm, but this is Texas- and the weather shifted to 40 degrees and raining. Despite the icky weather, we had a great time. Thanks to Joe, a Cajun boy from Louisiana, I had my first experience with alligator on a stick. It was like gamey rubbery chicken and I can't say I recommend it.

"Alligator, anyone?"

By the time we arrived the rodeo had already started so after we ate we headed straight for our seats, which is in the Reliant Stadium where the Houston Texans play (yes, they are a real team...) We saw bull riding, wagon races, calf roping, barrel racing, the calf scramble, and my favorite- mutton bustin'. I had never seen this event before but it was hilarious. They put adult sheep (or muttons) into a pen, lower a little 5 or 6 year-old onto it's back, then open the gate. The kid has to stay on as long as he can while the mutton runs- and jumps- around. Think of it as mini-bull riding. It was so cute. When the mutton would jump, those little kiddos would go flying off! It was adorable.

Mutton Bustin

After the rodeo ended, the Brad Paisley concert started. We went on this night just so we could see him, and he does not disappoint! It was such a great show, and he played all of his hits. I am not the kind of fan that knows all of his songs, but I do like many of them, so it was treat. I tried to take pics with my phone, but it was too dark with spotlights and stuff, so here he is via a professional photographer. It was a great time, and we get to go back to the rodeo on the 21st for Brooks and Dunn, and the rodeo finals!

Mr. Paisley

Kids Being Cute

Today I had my little 3rd graders bring slippers and blankets to class for some nice reading time. Though slightly unorthodox, I thought it would be fun to have them sprawl out and attempt to read. They looked so cute, I took a picture with my phone. Here they are.

"I will never be big enug, sow-bed, so-bow-bed, suh-bah-bed Huffy."

(Anyone remember this part of Dennis the Menace?)

George and Sophie on a Wednesday Afternoon

We LOVE these dumb dogs.

New Orleans in 2 Weeks!

Our 4th wedding anniversary is coming up in 2 weeks, so we decided to take a short trip to New Orleans to celebrate! Neither of us have ever been there, so finding a hotel was hard. There are tons of cute boutique hotels, but we needed to find a good deal, because every hotel in the French Quarter has$30+ per-day valet fees. Anyway, we booked a room at the Maison Dupuy and it looks super cute. We are excited.

The Maison Dupuy