Home again, and staying busy!

We headed home from New Orleans last Friday. We had a good time, the city wasn't amazing especially with children, but we loved having away time without a house to clean or a yard to rake or anything else. We just got to be together and do whatever we wanted to! On Thursday afternoon as we were coming back to our hotel we realized that our stroller had broken.  A rivet piece lost it's top so one side wasn't staying open very well. Good thing Savanna is small and didn't mind being a little squished by the stroller. We considered just ditching it, but decided to take it home and maybe use it as a trade in next time Babies R Us does a 25% off deal for used baby equipment.

Our little miracle on our flight was that the kids BOTH fell asleep before we had leveled out in the air on the airplane. Especially for Savanna, this was a blessing. She NEVER sleeps ANYWHERE except her bed. But she cuddled up, nursed a little and then dozed right off. Alex in the seat next to me told me that he was "so tired" as soon as we got on the plane. He pulled up his blanket and promptly fell asleep too. We had a very quiet flight. It was bliss. I was in total awe. And it was SO nice holding a peaceful baby girl. It is a rare occasion but one that I LOVE.

Since getting home we've been quite busy. Friday night we had dinner at the Branch President's house along with another couple about our age and with a little girl who is 2. There are few people with young children and most others their young ones are the last of 6 or last of 10, so in a little bit different of a part of life. We're excited to have a couple that is bound to be our friends. The husband, Dan, works at the plant as an engineer. His wife, Rachel is a pharmacist but right now staying at home. They just moved from Idaho in January so they are pretty new to the area. Dan has enlisted Keith's help already for a few things. He is having him help co-teach the youth Sunday School class, doing exchanges with the missionaries, and service projects. I think we'll continue to be really busy around here. We went over to their house for dinner tonight (also with the missionaries).

We had the missionaries over for dinner on Sunday and then they came over this afternoon to help Keith rake and bag up leaves. We had 10 bags of yard refuse this morning. And after their work today there are already 9, with at least one more if not more to go before the next trash pick up. Maybe we should have signed up for 2x/wk garbage service. :)

Our biggest downer is that we caught a nasty cold as we left New Orleans. Savanna had it as we left (maybe that's why she slept), then I got hit Saturday afternoon, Alex has it and Keith is feeling it coming on too. It hits hard but is easing up a bit.

One of our funny quotes from Alex on the trip were, "just open your wallet and give me your card" and "my eyeballs are angry". The first was him wanting the key card to open the hotel door but is one of those things that we can just imagine coming back when he's a teenager. He and Savanna LOVED playing in the pool. We need to find some swim lessons for them this summer.

 At the zoo, they had a Mississippi River Bayou area, complete with rockers on the porch.

 Alex wanted to give the alligator a High 5

The Jaguar Jungle exhibit was complete with Mayan sculptures and gods. It was an awesome and beautiful zoo!

We're all discombobulated with our days. Next week will be an adjustment when Keith returns to work. We'll be so sad to have him go. I think Alex will especially be sad. Savanna has been so cuddly with Keith too lately which is adorable and heart melting. I will be sad. Keith will be sad. Keith's manager could not be happier!! :) She has his first 2 weeks packed full and the next two mostly packed. He'll definitely hit the ground running.