MDW 2023- Louisiana

Morning!

I hope you had a fun-filled Memorial Day weekend. Being a member of the military community, this holiday is now especially bittersweet as we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and those family members that are left behind.

This holiday is always super exciting as an official/unofficial kick-off to summer, and it definitely brings to mind swimming, barbecues, warm weather, and so many favorite aspects of summer, but I try to center myself on the reason of this much appreciated long weekend as often as possible.

That being said, Shane and I spent the long weekend in Louisiana (outside of New Orleans) visiting his mom, brother, grandparents, and other extended family. We love getting down to Louisiana, but we hadn't been able to get down there since last 4th of July! I was a little skeptical on how the long drive (17 hours one way) there would go this time- especially after we did a long drive (12 hours one way) to and back from Chicago the weekend before- and being 8 months pregnant, but I mostly did well and it was definitely worth it!

We kept saying that was our "last hoorah" before really nesting and settling down here in Virginia while getting ready for the baby. With Shane's crazy work schedule, our previously mentioned recent travels, and with it already being nearly June, we don't think we'll be able to get a babymoon in before this baby like we had hoped, BUT that's all the more reason to go on a babymoon before our next baby- when I'm sure a relaxing vacation will be THAT much more necessary! A tropical cruise has been screaming my name. 

On our first day of driving to Louisiana, my back was starting to hurt, feet were majorly swelling, and I was starting to get too exhausted (even though Shane does all the driving!) by the end, so we called it a night at a random hotel in Alabama. I think this pic just says it all... I was doing my best to hang in there.

The pups were SO happy to travel with us again. They love a hotel! Our last road trip together was in December/January for Christmas, so we were long overdue! Cash even slept on the bed with us all night (only his 2nd time ever in his life doing that), so I can't say I had the most spacious and comfortable sleep...but everyone else on this bed sure did!

My brother-in-law's girlfriend was visiting him from Virginia this weekend too, so Shane, Jon, Reva and I went out to lunch the next day in downtown Terrebonne. Earlier that morning, Shane and Jon went golfing while Reva and I hung back at Shane's mom's house, went for a walk with the dogs, and chatted outside.

Our waitress was so amazing and had the chef make me fried shrimp with corn meal so that it was gluten free. She also had him make me a version of onion rings. YUM! Both of these were foods I hadn't been able to have in so long, so I was in heaven.

Downtown Terrebonne had some NOLA vibes. I absolutely love the Cajun/French/NOLA/Southern culture in this area of Louisiana. It's hard to describe unless you've experienced it for yourself! This trip reminded me (yet again) of how much I miss the south.

After lunch, the 4 of us headed to a nearby plantation for a tour. I have been to quite a few plantations in our southern travels (and near where we’ve lived) the past few years.

 I know they can be a controversial subject, but every single foundation/plantation we have been to spends the majority of the time honoring and respecting the African American culture, paying tribute to those who had to spend time on these plantations, and talking about the past with regret while making positive changes for the present and future. It's always very respectful and sobering. You see people of all cultures there paying respect to the memory of fhe former slaves.

This main house was beautiful- inside and outside. Interestingly, it had the exact same floor plan inside as one that was near our house in North Carolina.

Shane and I love soaking it all in and noticing the historical and simple details of how these people used to live their everyday lives. So interesting. 

As you can see, the bump had lots of photo opps- for better or for worse...

Such a fun way for us to spend time together!

That southern heat made the 3rd trimester symptoms hit just a bit harder, hah. Can ya tell?!

No trip to Louisiana is complete without Papa and Mimi's gumbo! This is TO DIE FOR. Papa and Mimi finally got back into their house a few weeks ago (after the hurricane destroyed their house of 70 years a few years ago), so we headed over there a few times to visit and for dinner. Shane and I always request (demand) their gumbo.

Mimi was so proud to show off her towel- her first great grandchild is incoming!

We could definitely tell a difference in Papa's health since our wedding and since we were down there in Houma last, so we savored every second with him. Caylor did too!

I think I've mentioned this before, but visiting Louisiana is so funny because they all still have that southern hospitality of just dropping by and stopping in at neighbor's/friend's/family member's houses unannounced. They get about 3 or more different groups of visitors unexpectedly stopping by a day...especially since basically this whole subdivision is extended family on both Papa's and Mimi's sides of the family.

Uncle Roy and Aunt Edith (Shane's great-uncle and great-aunt) stopped by one morning and Aunt Edith did the baby gender ring test on me. It said it was going to be a girl! We'll see...

We snapped some family pics before it was time for us to head out on the road again.

Papa and Mimi will be celebrating their 70 year anniversary in a few months!

As always, there was lots of back porch sitting and outside time. 94 year old Papa was still able to chip a few golf balls with Shane.

The dogs love love love Shane's mom's HUGE backyard. 

Well, that was our Memorial Day Weekend for 2023. How was yours?! Hope it was amazing! Thanks for reading along with us today! Now we'll just be here setting up camp until mid-July and for who knows how long after!