The Big (not so) Easy

Mia and I had an adventure last week and flew to New Orleans to visit my sister and her family for a week. Flying was a nightmare and I thought we would never get there. I have to say New Orleans wasn't what I expected and I LOVED it. My sister actually lives in Metairie, LA which is very close to New Orleans. We had so much fun hanging out and actually ventured out to do a few things. We had 2 toddlers and a 4 and a 7 year old so it was wild to say the least. Working our schedule around the kids,napping, and school was difficult. It all worked out well though. Mia loved playing with her cousins and from the second she woke up until the second I put her to bed she would call for her cousins. The highlight of the trip was just spending time with my family. I love going to a new place and tried to soak up every second of New Orleans. It is so beautiful. I love a place with culture and history. I saw the graveyards that you just have to see to believe. I saw the neighborhood where Brad and Angelina live. I saw the French Quarter. I also saw my new favorite zoo. I saw the beautiful Tulane campus where my bro in law teaches. I ate authentic jambalaya pasta, a muffaletta sandwich, and have a new passion for beignets. Walking the neighborhoods in the French Quarter makes you feel like you have stepped back in time. People say it's not what it used to be before Katrina but I loved it anyway. I would love to go back and see it one more time before they move. Mia came down with a nasty cold the day we flew out. I was worn out when I got home but it was worth it. It wasn't an easy trip but it was WELL worth it. Family, fun, beignets... oh my!!

Embarrassing picture of me eating jambalaya pasta at a funny knock off of The Cheesecake Factory.

Mia loves alligators and of course the zoo had a ton of them and even a couple creepy white ones.

If you are wondering if I ever do my child's hair, I try people, I really try.

To be honest Mia was kind of wary of her Aunt Melissa. She would look at her then point at me and say "Mama". I think she was concerned that we look so much alike.

Mia almost died on this cheetah statue but Aunt Melissa saved her life.

I'm pretty sure this gorilla could have killed us if he wanted too.

The house in the middle is a good Katrina reminder.

Luke eating his beignet from Cafe du Monde. I wanted to steal that from him and pour the powdered sugar down my throat. I personally LOVE beignets.

Mia's first experience with play dough. Hope she liked it because it's not happening again for a LONG time.

New Orleans is not the most politically correct city I've been to in my life.

St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter. This church was amazing. So beautiful inside I almost cried.

Mississippi River at the French Quarter.

These girls and their caramel apples! Mia didn't get one. Grace shared though and yes they got EVERYWHERE! My niece Charlotte (the little one) loved hers best.

I loved the homes in the French Quarter.

Saw lots of voodoo signs.

This picture is my favorite.

One highlight of our trip was picking up my awesome nephew from school.

North Carolina State Fair

I LOVE the fair. Always have and always will. We didn't go that much growing up because I'm not sure it was the safest fair but now I go every chance I get. I don't ride the rides at the fair. I love rides but not ones that are taken down and put back up a hundred times a year. What I love about the fair is people watching, eating, eating, eating and well you get the point. It seems like out west they like to have their fairs in the blazing heat of summer. Even the fair in Louisville was hot, hot, hot. When I was growing up the fair was in the fall. It was cool enough to enjoy it but not freezing. So when I heard the NC State Fair was coming in October I was ready and willing to get my grub on. We had the best time. We were having a cold spell so we had to dress warm and didn't stay as long as I would have liked because we had to go at night. Oh the food we ate! We ate a huge turkey leg, corn on the cob, blooming onion, foot long hot dog, elephant ear, and deep fried Reese's cups. Dave had a stomach ache when we left but I felt great!! I have to say this fair had the most food I have ever seen at any fair anywhere. We took Mia to see the cows and she cried at first because they stunk. She is such a funny kid. She loves to be in her stroller and watch everything going on around her. She really enjoyed the fair. She may look like her daddy but she takes after me with her love of the fair and all things fried.

Dave in line to get our deep fried Reese's cups.

Mia enjoying her first bite of deep fried heaven.

Wish I had some of that corn right now.

Imagination Movers Concert

Just about every morning Mia watches Imagination Movers on Playhouse Disney. I have to admit it is one of the few shows for kids that doesn't make me crazy. The songs are great and the show is somewhat educational. Mia rocks out every morning. When I heard they were coming to town I bought us tickets right away. Dave got off early enough and was able to join us. The pictures aren't that great but Mia had a blast. She seriously danced harder than most of the older kids around her. It was loud, way too loud for a kids concert (that makes me old right?). I wish it wasn't so dark in there and we could have gotten video of Mia rockin out. When they came out she said "Movers!". I know she won't remember this night when she is older but I will remember it when I'm old a gray for sure.

Waiting for the Movers to come out!

This picture was taken after she puked on Dave. Maybe she got a little too excited.

Cheering for our 4 best friends Rich, Dave, Scott, and Smitty!!

Pumpkin Patch Paradise

OK so paradise is an exaggeration. It was no Huber's. Oh, how this time of year makes me miss Huber's Farm in Starlight, IN. We went to Ganyard's Farm in Durham this year and had a great time despite our home sickness for Huber's. There was a hayride, cotton picking (not too sure about that one), slides, and pumpkin picking galore! Mia even fed some goats. She wasn't scared at all. Dave helped her the first few times then she wanted to try it out on her own. She let those goats nibble right out of her hands. She is already an animal lover. I do have to say that it was different to sweat while picking our pumpkins out. I LOVE Fall in the south. Mia loves saying pumpkin over and over again. This has to be my favorite month of the year.

Big slide Mia went down all by herself. She loves sliding.

What can we say, she loves pumpkins!

Diva!!

She loved watching the tractor on our hayride.

HE'S BACK. Dave is finally back in our lives thank goodness for his Anesthesia rotation. Three months of glorious relief before trauma starts again.

Watch Oprah Tomorrow 10/07

I don't usually watch Oprah. But tomorrow I will tune in with my tissues handy. Stephanie Nielson and her hubs are gonna be sharing their story with the world tomorrow. If you don't know who she is do yourself a favor. Go to nieniedialogues.com and make sure you have an hour or two because you are gonna get hooked. Go way back to last year on her blog and read the amazing survival story of her and her husband that were in a horrific plane crash. She just barely posted a picture of herself about a month ago and I am amazed and humbled that she is willing to go on national television to share her story. Her blog gives me perspective and I can't wait to see her tomorrow. Oprah disturbs me on so many levels but she will see a glimpse of heaven when she interviews NieNie.

Happenings At The Rasmussen's

I'll tell you what's been happening around here. Or rather I'll show you.

Mia continues to get in to EVERYTHING!

Sickness has taken over our household.

Ugh.

Despite the sickness I am so excited for FALL!!