One Weekend in NOLA

But first, I found some photos from before our trip to Oregon that I'd like to get up here because some of them are pretty sweet. It was a cold and rainy day, but a really happy one.

Doing my heavy lifting at the post office

This guy is super lovable and super crazy

I was out running errands in the rain with just Gavin, and it was such a simply perfect day.

This photo would have been more fun if the camera hadn't found the detail of those saliva strings.

That cookie went right in the trash.

Dylan made it home by early evening, just in time to take G out on the bike and snuggle with G2.

When G is sweet, it's the best thing in my life.

And then here, a few photos from between our Oregon and New Orleans trips.

Student of the week right after we came back from our Thanksgiving trip.

Obsessed with writing Gs for Gavin

Exploring "secret trails"

The Explorer's Co-captain

Taking a rest on his box of toys.

See? Completely crazy!

And now, finally, a little bit about our weekend getaway. Dylan flew in for work on Wednesday, and I stayed back to work a little bit before securing our boys with the grandparents and flying out on Friday. Dylan had already had his fair share of New Orleans fun by the time I showed up, but he saved some energy for me. It was great to actually be like a couple of people who know how to have fun rather than a perpetually tired mom and dad. Dylan is in New Orleans all the time for work because his company has another company based there. I had only been there one other time for just one night when D and I were driving my car from SC to AZ like a decade ago. Steph was living there at the time, and she gave us the whirlwind tour in one night, which was so awesome. But I was ready to see this place again!

I'll tell you the short version. In two nights, we did just about everything. We ate gumbo and seafood and seafood gumbo, beignets, muffalettas and po boys. We drank Pimm's Cups and Cafe au Lait. We drank too much and felt hungover. We hit all the touristy places, strolled down Bourbon St., wore some beads and got yelled at by a drunk girl to get off her boyfriend's bar stool. We got dressed up and went to the company Christmas party where we ate red meat and red wine (and about a million other types of cocktails). We met CEOs and presidents and admins and accountants and a tugboat captain, all of whom were incredibly nice. I was able to put a few faces with names from the Scottsdale office, too. And the best thing of all...a 3-hour bike tour of the city. On the way home, I was able to stow away on the jet with the bigwigs and a couple other non-bigwigs, which was incredibly generous of them. Dylan was able to keep the flight non-turbulent and put down a smooth landing in Scottsdale. Whenever I have the rare chance to fly with him, I totally understand why the top 1% shells out so much money to have a private airplane. It bests commercial a million-fold.

Stopped in for a Pimm's Cup. On two different occasions.

I'm not above taking a selfie in a giant mirror!

Bourbon Street. Maybe?

Buying the best pralines in town from the lady making the rounds at the cemetary

The drinks were flowing by 2pm.

The concierge man who took this photo held the camera waist-high. I don't understand how that's comfortable for people, and I dislike how it elongates our heads.

Home sweet home.

Meanwhile, the boys kept super busy and had a blast with my parents. Here are just some of the photos and videos that my mom sent me. It makes me so happy to see them having such fun and getting so much love.

He's all about spelling his name these days.

Snuggle brothers

Walks to the neighborhood playground

Look at that winning smile from a big guy!

He is really the sweetest thing.

Building a candy tray at Home Depot

Snowball fight in the playroom!

I thought Dylan was sticking around after this trip, but it turns out he had to fly out again for the day. No big deal...he was around to see the boys for breakfast and was home before I put them to bed. Just like a regular job!

Watching Star Wars during breakfast this morning.

Well, we've reached the point I had been waiting for since August. It's not to say that Dylan won't have another busy few months of travel ever again during his career, but aside from another day trip (or possibly two or three), we should be able to kick back and hopefully cram a few Christmas festivities into the next couple of weeks. Okay, off to address those cards that have been sitting here for a week!