New Orleans

Last week Neal received a call from his boss with the news that they needed him to fly to Louisiana to help work a trial in New Orleans. Since I'm on summer break from school, we thought it would be fun if I came with him. I've never been to N'Awlins before and have always wanted to see it.  Since Neal was helping the team this afternoon, I ventured out to the French Quarter and played tourist for the day. 

What a fun place to explore! The city is alive with people and music. There are a plethora of great restaurants that boast some of the best creole food in the south, historical buildings and museums on every street, and some sort of live jazz music on every corner. For shoppers there is anything from name brand stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue to locally owned shops where it's possible to find just about any type of Mardis Gras apparel imaginable. With the architecture and the small courtyards and cafes, there is definitely a European feel to the city but with a bit of a southern charm. Here are some pics of my walking tour (historical facts compliments of my tourist guide :-).

Riding the trolley down Canal Street, 

where the annual Mardis Gras parade takes place

These signs are everywhere around town - very

fitting with the jazz theme

The Mississippi River along the "Moonwalk"

(The Crescent City Connection in the background)

This is where the sharp curve in the river gives New Orleans

her nickname - "Crescent City."

The Natchez steamboat

(I overheard from a passing tour that this boat is one of the

things that made New Orleans the "Paris of the south" before

the Civil War because it was the only boat that could go both

upstream as well as downstream.)

Some guys were entertaining a crowd by breakdancing,

among other things

Jackson Square (St. Louis Cathedral in the background)

This square was first established in 1721 as a military

drill field.  The center of the park is dominated by a

statue of General Andrew Jackson on his rearing horse.

A sample of the beautiful architecture with wrought iron

balconies that are common in the city

Inside St. Louis Cathedral

This is the oldest cathedral in the nation!  It was one of 

the many buildings burned in the Good Friday Great Fire of

March 21, 1788 and had to be rebuilt.  Pope Paul VI dedicated 

the present church as a minor basilica in 1964.

The Cabildo

This building served as the seat of government for France,

Spain, France again, the United States, the Confederacy, and

finally the United States.  In 1803 the Louisiana Purchase

was signed here.  The Cabildo was also destroyed in the fire

of 1788 and has since been restored.

Napoleon's House

This building was so named because it was

prepared as a residence for the emperor by

its owner, Mayor Girod.  Girod planned to 

lead an expedition to rescue Napoleon from

St. Helena , where he had been exiled after

the battle of Waterloo.  Napoleon died a few

days before the plan could be carried out.

The infamous Bourbon Street 

 

California

Over the weekend I flew to California for a visit with family and friends. It was so good to be "home" and a great blessing to spend some quality time with everybody.  

Saturday: Lunch in Ventura with good friends Reva, Dave, 

Erin, and baby Kyle

This is my good friend, fellow La Reina alum and faculty

member, Joanna.  Since she taught some of this year's

graduating class as 7th graders, and I worked with some of

them in Campus Ministry during my time at LRHS, we decided 

to attend the graduation.  It was great to meet on our home

turf, since we have both moved away from California.

This year the two co-valedictorians were both Amandas. One of them

(the one who is speaking in this photo) was a great help to me in 

Campus Ministry during my time at LRHS.  She made quite an 

impression on me because she came to La Reina in 9th grade after 

having been homeschooled through the 8th grade.  Not only did she 

quickly make a great group of friends, but she got involved with all 

kinds of clubs and ministries and took full advantage of her 

high school years. It was awesome to see her at the podium 

representing her fellow graduates and speaking words of wisdom

as she prepares for the next chapter of her life. 

Katherine was also one of this year's graduating seniors.  

During her freshman and sophomore year, she was the most

dedicated member of my retreat planning committee. She has

always impressed me with her musical talent, strong work ethic

and conviction in her faith, and I was so proud to watch her receive

her high school diploma.  She has a heart of gold and is off 

to great things in life.

Sr. Lisa was principal at La Reina during my jr. high

and high school years and has since become a good friend.

She has an amazing love for the school and for women's 

education, and has been such an inspiration.

Sunday mass at St. Julie's.  This is Fr. Carroll, the priest

who married Neal and I.  Since it was Father's Day, I 

thought it would be nice to have a picture with my

spiritual Father.  

Back at mom and dad's house for a Father's Day BBQ.

Ana was not able to join us as she was busy preparing for

her finals on Monday and Tuesday, but I got to see my little

brother Andrey, my aunt, and cousin.  

Dad and Gaston enjoying the outdoors on a beautiful

California day

Mom with her sister, Norah

Stacey and Dave happened to be in Newbury Park

visiting Dave's dad today, so they stopped by for a visit.

I was so excited to see them, and to hold my godson

again after last seeing him a year ago when he was only a 

couple months old.  He's gotten so big and so handsome, 

I just couldn't let go of him!    

Isn't he cute?!!

Andrey and his girlfriend, Stacey

Monday:  having a delicious pizza lunch with Peter

Since Brian couldn't join us for lunch on Saturday, he and Erin

came by with the baby for dinner.  It was so great to catch up

and reconnect with him as well before I left.  I couldn't believe 

how big Kyle is either!  At 19 months he's running everywhere 

and talking up a storm.  What a doll!  

Tuesday: Before I left, I was able to meet with my cousin,

Cecilia, who had just returned from Florida with her grand-

daughter Hayley.  It's hard to believe that she will be in 4th

grade this year!  She's turning in to quite the beautiful young lady.

Mom, dad, Cecilia, and Hayley

What would a trip to California be without a meal at Duke's?!

This was the view from our table.  It was a sight for sore eyes to 

see the beautiful California coastline.  Yet, as I arrived back in 

Texas I was greeted by an even better sight when Neal

welcomed me home.

Engagement Party

It's Memorial Day weekend and we have more to celebrate than just the holiday.   A little over a month ago, Tony proposed to Christine and today, we had the chance to get everyone together to congratulate them. Twenty-six people filled our house in support of the newly betrothed couple, and we had a wonderful evening of fun, laughter, and eating 'til our heart's content.  We are so grateful to be able to share this special time with them, and look forward to many more in the future!

Neal prepared a surprise for Christine and Tony, and blew

up several of the photos we had of them.  We put them up

throughout the house in honor of the happy couple.

One of the pictures was left with a white border around

it for guests to sign throughout the evening

Tony and the boys, including his Best Man, Chad (right),

who flew in from Arizona to attend the party

Neal and the twins

Carolyn, Christine, Debbie, and Julie

Christine and Tony with his mom, dad, sister, and cousins

Preparing for cake-cutting on the wedding day!