We took a trip to Shreveport over Labor day weekend. It had actually been over 2 years since I had been "home" and over a year for almost everybody else in the house. It was way past time to see our friends and family.
 |
| The headphones lasted for about 5 seconds but Elmo did put him right to sleep even if we all had to listen to the movie in order for him to nap in the car!! |
We arrived late Friday evening thanks to a hour and a half delay in Dallas traffic.
 |
| My brother cruising David around on Chase's bike. |
 |
| James Henry and his cousin Chase became instant buddies and slept in the playroom Friday night. |
 |
| David's morning hair!! |
Saturday morning my mom made breakfast and we played with the kids for a bit.
 |
| James found a box of wrestlers from when my brothers were little!! |
Shreveport now has a Jiu Jitsu school and James trained on Saturday morning. He had a great time with some great people.
James and I went and picked up pizza for lunch from the same place we had our wedding rehearsal dinner over 14 years ago. We love Smitty's pizza!!
Saturday afternoon was spent at James' grandparents house. We had lunch, homemade ice cream and dessert and just enjoyed an afternoon together as a family.
We celebrated Pop's birthday too!
 |
| David & David! |
 |
| David loved this toy! |
 |
| James Henry and Sarah drawing at the table. |
They had a cookie cake with the grandkids names on it. Why? Because that is what grandparents do!
That evening we meet James' Aunt Darlene and Uncle Jeff at Applebee's.
The heads on a stick are James' mom and John and their friend Sonya. We were teasing them for not being there! We had a great time catching up!
On the way back to my mom's that night we stopped at the store for some LSU gear and purchased a deer feeder to put on James' family's land in hopes of getting Christopher a deer this season.
Saturday night we had a cousin sleepover. We are only missing two, Makayla said no way was she hanging out with all those boys and poor Collin was sick.
It was a crazy, eventful and late night! It was full of fun though.
Saturday morning we had Shreveport's best donuts...Southern Maid!
David had his first donut hole and loved it! In fact, he had a second.
My mom had everyone over to her house that day. My aunts and uncle, brothers and our best friends joined us.
We had a little party for Chase's birthday too.
 |
| My mom forgot candles so Dara improvised with her lighter. |
Chase loved his present from Aunt Allison and Cool Uncle James. Yes, my husband teaches them to call him that.
We absolutely loved spending time with everyone. I can't explain how it makes me feel to see our friends love our children.
 |
| Makayla, Krystal and Hailey |
I fully understand how rare it is to still be great friends with the same person since first grade and that is what Ashley is to me. Our friendship spans almost 30 years.
Dara and James were friends first in high school and Jeremy and I lucked into the equation when we started dating and married our spouses. They are amazing and genuine people. We have a wonderful friendship that knows no bounds. They know us and where we come from. That is hard to find!
You could call Kris and Kelly James' cousins but I think they are more like siblings! He loves them deeply and really has known them his entire life!!
We had Christmas in September with my brothers and nephews.
I was able to bring my brothers teddy bears made from my dad's favorite blanket.
and my nephews pillows all made from his t-shirts
Sunday night my brother, Dara, Jeremy, and Ashley went with us to another hometown favorite to have dinner. It was an awesome night together without kids!!
Monday we drove home and upon discovering the best gas station ever over Spring Break we were thrilled to learn they built one just two hours from Shreveport and right in our path!!!
We had a fabulous Labor Day weekend. Sometimes there is nothing better than going back to your hometown, your beginnings, your roots and the people there that helped shape you and love you.
