New Orleans

After a good nap for the girls (and a trip for Ben to the bug museum where he ate a chocolate covered bug!), it was rehearsal time! Abbey was a flower girl with 3 other little girl cousins. 3 of the girls all had a birthday within about a month of each other (so all around the age of 4) and the other little girl was 2.  Abbey became best buddies with Kailey, who is Paul's cousin Kristen's child.  They were adorable all weekend.

Here are all 4 flower girls at the rehearsal. 

At the rehearsal, only these two would walk down the aisle and practice, so we weren't quite sure how it would go on the big day.

Meanwhile, Ben and Juliette were back at the hotel with Paul getting ready for the PJ party.  The bride had organized a kids PJ party in the bridal suite so that the adults could all go to the rehearsal dinner and enjoy themselves!  This was a fantastic idea - loved it!  We got back from the rehearsal, dropped Abbey off at the PJ party, and then went to K-Paul's for the rehearsal dinner to enjoy some amazing New Orleans style food, good atmosphere, and catching up with family we hadn't seen in a while!  After dinner, Mama Kay and Papa offered to go get our kids from the party and put them to bed in our hotel room so that Paul and I could go get a drink with some cousins.  Thank you so much Mama Kay and Papa - we had a great time!

The next morning we got up and headed out to explore the city.  Our hotel was right downtown, so it was an easy walk to the sights, with a few fun stops along the way...

 

It should have been an easy walk, but it was HOT, and we hadn't had breakfast yet, so everyone got a little cranky.

And everyone needed a lift from super dad!

Finally we made it to Cafe du Monde and met up with Mama Kay and Papa.  We got there at a perfect time as we were able to get 2 tables together without waiting.  When we left, the line was around the block!

The kids really enjoyed their beignets!  Abbey was using her hands to get more powdered sugar off the plate to put on hers at the end - yum!

Then we walked around for a bit and gave Mama Kay a chance to work her muscles...

And then we rode the street car (this one was not named Desire unfortunately).

 

What a great way to see the city!

Abbey and I headed back to the hotel for a brunch with the bride while the rest of them rode a bit further.  We all met up for lunch and then the girls went down for a nap while Paul and Uncle Al took Ben to the acquarium (where they met up with the Acuffs).

 

Ben apparently enjoyed holding a bird - he is an animal lover!  Glad I was not there - I am not a fan of birds and would not have enjoyed this!