Christmas is over?!

Yep, I guess its true, Christmas has come and gone...but man-oh-man was it fun. Tyler and I were able to go down to New Orleans for 9 days and spend time with lots of the family, and it was wonderful! One of the highlights was of course seeing this little love bug, Esther. Her and Billy live in KY and it's just not working out...we are not meant to be this far apart..you hear me BILLY?!?! But it was great to get some good quality time in with her..and trying to convince her (well mostly Billy), that it's time they have a baby:)

We started off the trip with a bang and ate at Spahr's, a quaint little seafood place right on da bayou! Tyler lovveess New Orleans food and couldn't wait to sink his teeth into this shrimp po boy..the first of many on this trip. Yum Yum Yum.

My Dad, Levi, and Ty went to a Hornets basketball game and I love when they light up the dome with festive colors...it just seems so cheery....

We took a day and walked around the French Quarter and Jackson Square.

Then we went to Parkway Bakery, which has my favorite po boys, and this shrimp one right here was absolutely delicious..I want one right now, BAD.

One of our favorite things to do when people come in town is go to Preservation Hall. It is a little place in the middle of the French Quarter where you wait and hour+ and pay to listen and watch some real jazz music...but it's totally worth it. It takes you to another place and you can't help but start to tap your feet and smile with the music. Oh and while waiting, some of the family got caught by the balloon man, insisting on making them fancy hats. Oh the interesting things downtown haha.

This is one of my favorite things, hanging in the kitchen, having girl talk, bakin' cookies..My mom and sisters are my BFFS and I wish we could have a whole week with no husbands and just eat and chat and paint nails...wouldn't that be nice?

There were also a few rounds of ping pong to be had...

And lots of fun with some of our favorite munchkins, Jada, Elle, and Mya.

And Cole got some guy time with all of his uncles..

On Christmas night we reenacted the nativity and Sunnie and I got the lucky role of manger animals..so we just got to sit there and make animal noises. 

My Dad was in charge of the stake Christmas party this year and took a lot of time to make a beautiful manger scene. He ordered life size mannequins and made camels and sheep that were incredibly detailed.He tried very hard to make it a lovely and lifelike scene...A neighbor even came to thank him for bringing the Christmas spirit into the neighborhood.  Good Job Pops!! It was awesome.....

We were all excited for Monday Night Football and had steaks for dinner and a wonderful spread of Zapp's and IBC drinks..Go Saints!

And of course, you can't go home and not get beignets..

It was a wonderful trip and I would say it's good to be back to Utah, but I could have spent another week there easy:) We love any excuse to make it to New Orleans, and there is nothing better then quality family time, We missed you LUKE and MEAGAN! I also got to catch up with a few of my high school girlfriends, Tomilee, Donnell, Ashley, and Ashleigh. I got some precious things for baby girl and it was so fun to catch up with them..I love those girls!It was long long long overdue. I didn't have a camera that night so when I get a hold of some pictures I will put some up..