NOLA

Tyson and I had the opportunity to fly to New Orleans and enjoy a few days of Mardi Gras.  We were so happy that Tyson's cousin Skyler and his wife Angie were able to came along for the fun.  It was an all expense paid trip, which made it all the more fun.  A big thank you to Pan America for making this trip possible. 

I had been to New Orleans back when the University of Utah played Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.  It was such an amazing trip and didn't know what to expect this time around.  It turned out being ten times more fun the second time around.  I had a blast introducing Tyson to some of my favorite restaurants and spots.  

Seeing as we arrived right in the middle of Mardi Gras, the streets were packed.  There were people everywhere.  I was surprised how many families and kids were out and about.  Apparently the schools shut down for Mardi Gras.  We luckily stayed in a hotel, right on the parade route.  We definitely felt spoiled not having to wait around all day for a good spot.  

^^^ We were greeted with the yummiest King Cake. ^^^

^^^ Our fist stop was to Cafe Du Monde.  Their beignets are out of this world. ^^^

We spend our fist evening with the Vice President of Pan America.  We met for dinner where Tyson was brave and tried muscles and oysters for the first time.  We then went to his house, which was gorgeous.  He was a previous owner of an art gallery and had some of the paintings hanging throughout his house.  It was seriously beautiful.  Following his house tour he took us to our first Mardi Gras parade.  I had no idea what to expect and boy did it exceed any expectations I had.  There were marching bands from all around entertaining us right and left as well as huge floats with men in white masks, throwing heaping piles of beads.  I can't even begin to describe the amounts of beads we got.  It was quite comical.  Beads were literally flying at my face.  I almost passed out from an enormous bag hitting me strait in the eye.  Things even went blurry for a minute.  We caught the strangest things imaginable, everything from a rubber chicken to light sabers.  And don't worry, there was no flashing necessary.  

^^^ Whoever had to clean our hotel, was left with pounds of beads.  There was no possible way to take them all home with us.^^^

The last time I went to New Orleans, I wasn't very adventurous when it came to trying the food.  I wanted to make sure not to make the same mistake this time around.  Tyson was surprisingly on board.  We ate everything we could get our hands on.  We ate crawfish, oysters, muscles, jambalaya, red beans and rice, collared greens, bread pudding and bananas foster.  Everything was amazing!

The crawfish were actually pretty tasty.  Tyson even enjoyed them.  They were a lot of work for a little amount of meat, but tasted too yummy to pass up.  They were cooked in the best seasonings.  I wish there was a way I could have bottled up all of that southern spice.

^^^ The French Quarters is a must.  We watched the street performers and enjoyed our fare share of people watching.

We decided to only go down Bourbon Street during the day.  It was already crazy enough during daylight, we didn't want to imagine what it would be like during the night.

^^^ The costumes and street performers were awesome.  I love the deep culture down South. ^^^

^^^ I couldn't get over the size of these necklaces. ^^^

We spent Valentine's Day in NOLA.  It was one to remember for sure.  We started out the day with shopping and ended it with a yummy dinner and yet another parade.  We couldn't seem to get enough of the flying beads.

^^^ Angie and I found these matching dresses on sale at Anthropologie.  The sale was too good to pass up. ^^^

^^^ I feel so lucky to have this handsome guy by my side. ^^^

Our last full day in New Orleans was my favorite.  We ate at the most phenomenal restaurant.  The Sunday brunch had some of the best food I have ever tasted.  It's the oldest restaurant in New Orleans and home of the bananas fosters.  It was incredible.

That night we enjoyed a movie almost entirely by ourselves.  The theatre was empty because of another parade going on.  It's crazy how the town shuts down.
The food, company and memories will be ones that I cherish forever.  I am so grateful we were able to getaway and of huge  thanks to Tyson's parents for once again watching our girls.   

Lucy Six Months

Dear Lucy-

Today you turned six months old.  Is this really happening?!?!  You are growing into the cutest baby I have ever seen, of course I am biased, but I'm pretty sure you get more adorable every day.  You are so much fun and are really starting to come to life.  Each day your personality blossoms more and more.  You have the sweetest nature about you.  You beam at the sound of your mama and daddy's voice.  Penelope makes you smile more than anyone around.  You love when she shakes your blabla rattle in front of your face.  This past month you have learned to full on belly laugh.  It's the most darling sound I have ever heard.  Mama finally has you on a good schedule and you are like clock work when it comes to sleeping and eating.  You took your fist bite of cereal a couple days ago.  At first you didn't know what to think, but by the third bite I couldn't get it in your mouth quick enough.  We can't wait to introduce you to other baby foods soon.  If mommy needs to get things done you happily play in your bouncer or sit on the counter in your bumbo, while I do the dishes.  If you are ever upset, the sound of the vacuum calms you right down.  The sound of running water has the same effect.  You still dislike your car seat, but almost always fall asleep as soon as the car turns on.  I have a feeling you are going to be on the move sooner than we know.  You roll all over the place.  You know what you want and make sure to get there by steamrolling all over the floor.  We've tried sitting you up, but you topple right over.  I imagine it's because of all of that extra chub.  Your rolls are so scrumptious.  I swear a new rolls appears every day.  Your chubby feet are still my favorite thing, as well as that chunk of hair on top of your head.  It's the perfect length that allows mama to clip a bow in.  You are a true dreamboat and wouldn't change a thing about you.  We love you to the moon and back ten fold.  

Love,

Mama and Papa

These Are The Days

I just realized I never posted these pics of miss Lucy, that I took awhile back.  I wanted to make sure I posted them before she got any bigger and please believe she is getting bigger by the minute.

Lucy loves being held and walked around all day, however her bouncer is a lifesaver.  If I need to get things done, I just pop her in and she giggles and laughs long enough to allow me to check something off the to-do list. 

I seriously cannot get enough of her rolls!  Since, taking these pics she has formed yet another amazing roll on her forearm.  Stay tuned for her soon to be six month update.  Where has the time gone?!?!  I have a lot of catch up to do here on this little blog.  Our family has been traveling all over the place and I want to make sure to document the latest happenings.