NOLA

July has been very busy last two weeks. We have been on the boat almost every day the July 4th weekend and on a vacation to NOLA. Chris and I decided to invite our good friends, Christine and Brent. They have never been, so I jump on the opportunity to invite them to some good Cajun food and fun.

Friday was an eventful day on a swamp tour just 20 min. from my grandparents home. Bruits, the alligator, ate some marshmallows and a hot dog. He was the only gator that gave us some excitement on the swamp. That night some of the family ate dinner at the Eden Isle Marina during sunset, it was gorgeous. It was hard to think that my parents had a lot over there and were going to eventually build a home. I think we need to reconvenes my parents to not sell the lot and build a summer home, at least for me. Brent and Christine had a bite of every ones dish, soft shell crab, stuffed crab, eggplant something, crab au gratin, gumbo, crawfish and crab bisque, and a seafood platter. The eating sure didn't stop there!

Sally took us to Bourbon for a fun night at Pat O's dueling piano bar and Razoo's dance club. This sure was a late night for me since high school! Christine and I tried on Mardi Gras mask to take a picture...well it cost $5 to take a picture. We ended up buying them and wearing them around the streets. We got a lot of compliments and disturbing looks from guys of all ages. I guess it was the mysterious look that captured them.

Saturday we ate "breakfast" at Cafe du Monde and walked around the French Quarter. Brent wanted some delicious oysters at Acme Oyster Bar for lunch only about 1.5 hours later (this is what we do when we visit home...EAT and EAT). We walked what seemed like 20 blocks in the great NOLA heat and humidity! I think we could have challenged ourselves to the 15 dozen oyster eating contest, it was that good! About three hours later we ventured back to Nana and Paw's house for a huge shrimp boil with the entire family. This is one thing I love about my home... the food and the family boils. I was so excited to share my amazing family with some dear friends and I am glad they enjoyed their company as well that night.

Sunday we left for Lake Charles to play at the Casino L'Auberge du Lac to meet up with Chris' family. No luck on the slots for the Falls, but Chris did pull through at poker and at craps.