New Orleans

It's so easy to get wrapped up in our kids and summer and activities going on.
As a couple, Scott and I do date nights quite often, spend lots of time with our friends and make time for each other.  But, getting away for longer than a night out or dinner is something we hadn't done in a long time...

We got away for a long weekend this past weekend.  We have friends in New Orleans, wanted to visit them, I wanted to see New Orleans and we needed some time away with just the two of us.  We realized we hadn't even flown together since our honeymoon over five years ago.  As soon as we got to the airport, we enjoyed our first cocktails...

Thursday night when we arrived, Jeremy and Ashley picked us up at the airport, we had a yummy New Orleans dinner and we stayed at their house.

Friday morning, we got up to start touring New Orleans.  First, we had breakfast at a cool little place on the lake known for their Bloody Mary's.  Of course, we had to try them.  It also just so happened that they were doing a news story on restaurants on the lakefront post Katrina.  So, we made the news that night...  

 After breakfast, Jeremy and Ashley showed us around New Orleans before we checked into our hotel.  Lake Pontchartrain was beautiful and HUGE!

Pier destroyed during Katrina

We then headed to a local park.  So pretty!

Our hotel views were awesome.

I was excited to see the French Quarter, tour the markets and see Bourbon Street. 

St. Louis Cathedral 

Beignets

Hurricanes by the river

Jeremy works at the WWII National Museum.  We were excited to see it.  We went to the Tom Hanks 4D movie that was so cool.  At one point it snowed in the theater!!  It was really neat to learn about WWII and see a quick movie about everything people went through.  It was humbling.  

And then there's the people of New Orleans...

Scott and I, each day, took some time to ourselves to enjoy a drink (or a few).  We loved to people watch.  Night time on Bourbon Street was so interesting...

Saturday morning, I wanted to see the 9th Ward where Katrina hit the hardest.  Again, I was humbled.  Hearing stories and seeing the news didn't do this place justice.  8 years later and this place is still like this.  There were boarded up houses, overgrown houses, entire neighborhoods that were overgrown and places where just the foundation was left.  It made me so thankful for all that I have.  

And then there is the section where Brad Pitt's foundation has started to rebuild with purpose.  Each house has a design purpose, a quick exit to the roof, is energy efficient and more.  

I was also excited to ride a street car.  We sat at a cool little local bar, waited for the street car, went for a ride, got a drink, played some shuffle board, got some yummy ice cream (that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives-- Scott's favorite show), and rode the street car back.

We had an AMAZING time.  Jeremy and Ashley were wonderful hosts.  It was so good seeing them, hanging out and catching up.  Thank you Jeremy and Ashley!  We can't wait to do it again!

But... we sure did miss our babies at home.  We are so thankful for Nanny and Papa H watching our kids.  Cohan and Ireland had an awesome time too.  We got pictures every day, face timed daily and talked to them regularly.  Here are some pictures they sent us of their fun times!!

 

Thank you so much Jane and Hiram for loving our babies while we got away!!