Family and Friends

Ready for a night out

Best Friends Forever!

Dave and Nick helping the kids feed the giraffe

GIRAFFE!

Hooray for brothers!

We have been blessed in the past couple of weeks to have family visit us from afar. My Aunt Beverly and her husband were here from Idaho. My cup runneth over to know that family would travel so far just to see us all! Their camper was parked in my parents' driveway. They are making a trek across the states and have stopped to visit us for a while. They arrived on the 15th and left on Monday. They came down here two years ago and we are so very happy that they have returned. Beverly and my mother grew up together, attended school together, got married and had kids together, and at one point even lived next door to each other. Feel the love!

Beverly's son, David (my childhood BFF and cousin), and his partner, Nick, met her here on the 15th. They were only able to stay a few days, but what fun was had during those days! They attended my Zumba class on Thursday and were a huge hit! I was really impressed with their energy and moves, and my class has asked for them to return. On Friday, we all went to the Global Wildlife Center (Sophia was also with us). Beverly, David, and Nick were able to feed and pet a giraffe, which absolutely made their week. The girls, having been on a few trips to the wildlife center, knew just what to do and had so much fun feeding the animals. Ryan even got in on the fun, though he did try to eat the feed from the bucket. On Saturday morning everyone ventured to bowling (I had a Zumba expo and met them all later at bowling). What a great group of people! David, Nick, and Mike taunted each other and there was laughter throughout the morning. After getting home, the crew ventured to a Crawfish Boil in Hammond (about 15 minutes away). There was a plethora of food and drink, and even free helicopter rides! Woohoo! I took my children home for their naps. Us moms know how important those naps are so we can avoid meltdowns later. After the boys got home and changed, my bff Lauren and I picked them up and took them across the lake to Bourbon Street. Luke was able to join us and that was awesome! So the evening was about introducing David and Nick to the French Quarter as well as celebrating Luke's recent freedom. We danced and laughed for hours! We didn't want the night to end. David and Nick left for home that Sunday, but not without all of us promising each other to visit. They are such neat people...smart, successful, good looking, and so generous. They purchased a membership to the wildlife center for me and the kids so we are able to go as many times as we want for an entire year! I didn't know what to say and wonder how I'll be able to repay their kindness. All of the children adored them and called them Uncle Dave and Aunt Nick. LOL!

Aunt Beverly and her husband stayed for another week. They prepared ribs and potato salad one night for supper, and boy howdy! It was awesome!!! I miss them all so much and am in the process of making a movie of their visit so that we all can remember it forever! I look forward to the summer months when we will have even more family and friends visiting us, from Idaho and Kansas and Texas. Feelin' the love!