NOLA Trip

We had an awesome time visiting my brother in New Orleans! It was a short trip, but we had truly amazing weather, and it was the perfect way to finish out our summer vacation! 

Saturday - Day 1: 

We flew to NOLA with my parents. This was Ella and Cole's first flight, and Carter's first since he was about 15 months old. So his first memorable flight, really. My older two kiddos could hardly contain their excitement! And Cole did amazing on the plane. Slept the whole time, just like I tried to plan it! I didn't know it then, but that was a perfect indication of how he'd do the rest of the trip. Seriously, awesome! 

Sweet boy playing with Daddy in the airport at the gate. So tired, but still so happy.

On the plane and EXCITED!

All 5 of us

I sat with my boys (and my Mom, who boarded after this pic.)

Way up high and checking it all out!

When we finally landed, got bags, and got to the hotel, we were happy to see Matt and Andrew, and ready to eat! We went across the street to a great pizza place.

Family time!

Did I mention we were all STARVING?! Especially Cole! I had a few squeeze pouches of fruit and veggie baby foods with me, but those just were not cutting it for him. That boy needed to cram his face with some REAL food! So we asked the waitress if she could bring out some chopped up pizza toppings for him to eat - ham, cheese, pineapple, etc. And look what she came up with! I mean, really?! How awesome is that?! all of the above plus bell peppers, bacon, Gouda cheese (yum!), and sliced bread. Basically a smorgasbord! And this pretty much sums up how Cole did food in New Orleans! :)

Matt got a new motorcycle, and when we walked back after lunch and into the parking lot to check it out, this is what we found. HA! His co-workers did this!

The kids swam for a while and Cole napped before we headed out to dinner for some cajun food at Mulates.

Day 2: The Aquarium and IMAX movie and a Riverboat Tour

Daddy walking Cole down the hall.  

So big in his Nikes!

Family shot on the river

Another shot with the aquarium behind us

The boys

 Not sure why Ella's covering her ears, ha!

 

Lots of fun checking out each exhibit

Cole mesmerized

I think he kind of liked looking at the fish, but it also kid of scared him! He seemed pretty nervous.

Penguin up close!

Touching a sting ray

Ha, love this!

The kids loved this vantage point of the fish! 

 

And of course, we had to squeeze all 3 of them in there. Poor Cole was practically asleep in his stroller when I snatched him out and crammed him up that cylinder. But this picture is priceless! Love it! 

Getting ready to get on the river boat

silly faces

We had a rain storm come while we were on board, but it cooled things off, and we stayed mostly dry! Best of all, the rain all passed before we got off again!

so tired! but refusing to sleep.

pretty girl with Nana

Checking out the big paddle

FINALLY asleep! It was so nice and cool, and breezy, and raining for some of the time. Must have been a super relaxing nap for him!

He cracked us up, always propping that foot up on the tray!

After a long day of sightseeing, these kiddos passed out in their bed that night!

So precious.

 Day 3: The Children's Museum, a delicious lunch, and a little sibling time for the adults!

Who knew that New Orleans had such an amazing children's museum! We spent the morning there, and the kids had so much fun! I think even the adults had fun! There was so much to do, and it really wasn't too crowded at all. Great outing!

Fun making shadows

Community helper dress up

Silly mirrors

Fun with huge and interesting shaped blocks

Their little Winn Dixie supermarket was just the cutest!

Look at Ella loading up her basket! That giant turkey!! HAHA!!

See, adults having fun too!

We also had a lot of fun playing in the cafe back there, but didn't get any pictures of that.

Cole loved the toddler area

Playing family with uncle Matt

So big!

He gives out kisses now! Cutest thing ever!

Love this precious boy

So many babies!

Really an awesome museum!

 We walked a block to eat lunch at an awesome spot called Peche. It was so tasty, probably my favorite meal we had there!

We took the kids back to the hotel for some down time, and Eric, Matt and I went to have some beers at a couple of local breweries. Fun adult time away from the kiddies!

My flight. All were tasty

Eric's flight. He liked them all.... and I did too! ;)

That night we went to a nearby deli for dinner called Butcher. It was another great meal! 2nd favorite, for sure!

Eric was proud of Carter for eating boudin!

 We were up and at the airport ready to head home the next morning. Cute shot of the kids all checking out the airplanes.

Trying to stay entertained!

Perfect little traveler sleeping on the flight home

Love him! I'm so happy we didn't let having a baby slow us down this trip -- he was such a trooper and was almost completely unphased by it all!

So sweet!

We loved every minute of our short trip, and can't wait for the next one!!