Mackay Madness: NEW ORLEANS

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

NEW ORLEANS

Brandon and I went to New Orleans last week for a few days. He had to work, and I got to play!

This was our hotel. Right smack in the middle of the French Quarter and within walking distance of everything.

Everytime Brandon goes to these "Board Functions" they always leave a really nice bottle of wine or champagne in his room when he arrives. He spends most of his time trying to give it away to someone that drinks. So this time, they sent him cookies and milk. We laughed so hard.

The first night we were there, we went out on the town and found a cute little beignet stand and listened to Jazz music. It was a blast. I love the energy in New Orleans at night. I wouldn't want to live there, but it's fun to visit. (If you don't know what a beignet is, it is like a little scone smothered in powdered sugar.)

On the second night, we went with the whole group to this cooking school. We were split into groups and each had to make a different course. My group had the bread pudding with rum sauce. And Brandon's had shrimp and artichoke soup. It was so fun.

They gave us our own aprons to take home.

We had to serve what we prepared for the whole group. Brandon was the spokesperson.

This is his "sophomore" class. He has two more years after this of serving on the PPAI board.

On the last day, Brandon got out of meetings early and we walked to "Cafe Du Monde" for more beignets. I can't imagine why I just keep gaining weight...its a mystery.

This was the guy making the beignets. He would cut them on the machine and then just throw them over his shoulder into the hot grease. It was crazy.

This was a homeless girl that was selling her art on the street.

As I walked away after talking to her, my heart told me to go back and buy one. I chose the one with the owls. It was $35 and totally worth it. She was excited, and I will frame it and put it somewhere. They are literally made from paper bags and magazines....and I really do think they are neat!

Most important photo of all: BRAD PITT AND ANGELINA JOLIES PLACE. HOLLA!

6 comments:

Goddard Family said...: Looks like fun! I hope you are doing well and that you are enjoying living in BFE!; March 31, 2009 at 6:35 PM
Bell Family said...: Welcome back home!!! Welcome back to blogging!! Looks like a fun trip. Did you get some Jumbalya? It's all about the food!! YUMMO!!; March 31, 2009 at 8:38 PM
THE WILLIAMS FAMILY said...: I LOVE THE PICTURE OF YOU (IN THE CUTE RED SHIRT) AND BRANDON. YOU BOTH LOOK SO RELAXED, AND LIKE YOUR HAVING SO MUCH FUN TOGETHER!!!

ROSS WENT TO NEW ORLEANS A FEW YEARS BACK ON BUSINESS, BUT I COULDN'T COME WITH, FOR SOME REASON OR ANOTHER. NEW ORLEANS IS DEFINITELY ON MY "TOP PLACES TO VISIT" LIST!

GLAD YOUR BACK SAFELY... ALLINA LOOKS FORWARD TO HER VISIT ON MONDAY! LOVE YA BOTH!!!!!; April 1, 2009 at 8:33 AM
Rogers Family Blog said...: I am so jealous! And so happy you took a pic of Brad and Angelina's place. Now I don't have to get my "US" magazine for the week.

Looks like you guys had so much fun. Hope all is well in your new place!; April 1, 2009 at 10:15 AM
jenn said...: What fun! It looks so quaint and inviting. Maybe some day Chris and I can plan on tagging along on the trip with you guys {do you like how I am inviting myself?}- it looks very relaxing.

Love the cooking class and delicious looking scones.

You and Brandon are such a cute couple!!!

PS- love your cute festive blog background.; April 1, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Lisa Erskine said...: I like your new blog look...so springy!! New Orleans looks fun! I love how they left you cookies and milk...yum! That scone thing sounds sooooo good about right now, too!! (I'm writing this as I 'cleanse'...can you tell?) Thanks a lot for the torture!!; April 1, 2009 at 6:39 PM

From the mouths of "our babes":

*Our doorbell rang. Chance ran to get it. No one was there. He said, "oh darn,it must have been a knocker-ditcher." (Otherwise known as a doorbell ditcher.)

*Chance climbed in the back of the car this afternoon, and said "ewww mom, the back of your car smells gross...it smells like fries and poo all mixed together."

There was a little boy acting very naughty in Chances primary class...he turned and told the boy that he was an "ANGRY ELF." The teacher told me that it made her whole day and she nearly peed her pants laughing. (We were visiting at a different ward, which makes it even funnier because he didn't even know the boy.)

*Chance's kindergarten teacher's name is Mrs. Rasband, he came home and told Brandon that her name is Mrs. Wristband! Close enough

*As we were driving through the farmlands, Addie blurts out from the backseat, "it's cool how HAY grows, it just randomly pops up in perfect little blocks!" (She was DEAD serious)

*We came home from camping and Addie turns to me and says, "Mom, it feels so good to be home and walk on the grass and have a cup of milk!"

*We ate at a "Thai" restaurant tonight. Addie was so sick of peanuts on all of the food. She finally looked at me and said, "what the heck, do they have a peanut tree in that kitchen or what?"

*Chance asked me, "Mom, why Jesus make me so fast?" (Basically asking why he is such a fast runner)

*Chance was looking through the neighbors fence at their dog and he came running back across the street and said " oh sick, that dog just bless you'd all over my face!" Apparently, that means the dog sneezed on him!

*Chance calls "Walkie Talkies"... "Hickey Tickies"

*Hannah told me that we are going to give her "arthritis" because we are making her camp in a tent this year. (We sold our big fifth wheel last year.) Poor kids!

*We went thru the drive-up at Wendy's and they were out of Frosty's. As we pulled away, Chance murmurs to himself: "damn, damn, damn!" (I will take full responsibility for that one!) Needless to say, we had a little chat!

*Chance says that "chocolate milk" is his favorite taste!

*Chance was picking the seat of his pants today, and I said "what's wrong son, do you have a snuggy?" And he said, "no mom, I don't have a snuggly, my bums are just stuck together.

*Tonight at dinner, Addie told us that her favorite solid food is BUTTER and her favorite liquid food is SPRAY BUTTER!

*Chance told me today that his brain was making him scared to go to school. (He just kept holding his head in his hands)

*We had a "chick" die this weekend. Of course the kids made us do a burial. Apparently it freaked Chance out, and he wouldn't sleep in his bed because he just knew there were dead chicks in the sheets, and his feet could feel the feathers!

Easton "Such a Big Miracle, in such a Little Boy"

For those that don't know, our little boy nearly drowned in a bathtub accident when he was just 7 months old. I had run a bath for myself and left Easton (who could barely crawl) in his room on the floor. I ran out to the kitchen to clean up a glass my daughter had broken. When I returned to the bath... Easton had pulled himself into the bathroom and was floating face down in the water. He had his feet pajama's on which helped him slip over the side. He was under for about two - four minutes and it took four minutes of CPR from his daddy before he took his first breath. He was taken by ambulance to "Primary's" where he stayed in the ICU overnight. He had a full recovery. We are so, so lucky! He is ONE YEAR OLD now and we're so happy that our heavenly father decided that we could keep him!!! He brings so much SUNSHINE into our lives. "We love you Eastie". I put this on my blog for my own journal, but also for people to always be aware of your kids around water...they are capable of sooo much more than you may think!