New Orleans

I’m having a hard time remembering what happened the first part of the week.  I know I was feeling like the year was practically over.  Tom and I did some shopping and then spent an evening wrapping presents.  We had not had the opportunity to watch the First Presidency Christmas devotional on Sunday as Tom was doing tithing settlement and other stuff.  So we listened to it for Family Home Evening.  Monday we also awoke to snow!  It had snowed just a bit on Saturday but Monday morning had maybe a 1/2 inch on the ground.  When we walked… it was a bit icy.  And by afternoon the snow had melted except in the shadows.

 Tuesday the Relief Society had their “in to lunch bunch.”  It used to be an out-to-lunch bunch, but then they decided some sisters might not be able to afford to buy lunch, so the in-to-lunch meets at the church and people can bring a sack lunch, buy and bring, or bring a dish to share.  It’s fun to sit and visit with the sisters.

On Wednesday Miranda came to visit.  I spent part of the day figuring out what needed to be done still on the Church street house closing.  I had to sign a form that allowed Equity Trust to sign the closing documents and then get it to Lender’s Title so they could send it when the closing documents.

Thursday Miranda went to visit Sarah Simpson and I went visiting teaching and went to some holiday receptions. The spread put on by Edward Jones at the country club far out shown the cookies and punch at Liberty Bank.  But it was nice that both of them wanted to show customer appreciation. Thursday we packed and got ready to leave on Friday.

Friday Miranda and Camden and I drove to New Orleans.  The drive actually went well.  We had fog at the beginning of the trip and with the winding roads, Miranda decided she was better off without her breakfast.  Camden was very well behaved.  He slept.  He was mostly happy.  We stopped at a Burger King with a playground and he was very pleased with himself going down the slide…over… and over… an over.  About nightfall we made it to New Orleans and the low fuel light came on in the middle of the city.   Yuck!  This is the first time I’ve been truly happy with “Jack” our GPS.  He guided us to a gas station and back onto the freeway with a minimum of delay.  And gas was actually pretty cheap there. It was nice to finally get to Rebecca’s house. 

It’s a lovely house!  It has nice high ceilings and lots of space… although Rebecca might differ.  Rebecca was busy packing and Dan and Joshua were at a camp out.  Saturday morning Dan and Rebecca went to a fun 5 k race.  We got the kids ready and walked to the finish line to cheer them to the end.  It was fun to cheer for the runners—those we knew and those we didn’t know.  It was chilly, but fun to walk over.  Joshua led the way.  The two youngest were in the stroller.  Marian and Delaney rode their scooters.  Dan and Rebecca both got trophies.  

 The kids pulled names for “door prizes” and Rebecca got a carry bag with a water bottle and cap, as well.  Most of the rest of the day we kind of lazed around.  As we walked home, we saw this lovely large bird… that I was only able to get a fuzzy shot of.

Today we found our way to church and then about 1:40 I took Dan and Rebecca to the pier for their cruise.  We’d done mapquest so got there with only a wrong turn or two.  Coming back, Jack was again helpful.  Either he or I made a mistake and got on the 90 going the wrong way, but Jack guided me around and back on the right way within a mile.  The kids are doing well.  I think we’ll survive the week.