Houston 2014: It was December, but it was Texas...

The pick up spot for Megabus  was at a convenience store in downtown Baton Rouge. The only seats left were on the second level of the bus. I was glad for view and the free WiFi as I made the 5 hour trip back to Houston. We even had a 30 minute stop in Lafayette, enough time for an early lunch at Whataburger - I found out later, this was THE fast food restaurant of choice for many a Texan. Texans like their beef.




I never expected to have the chance to ice skate two days in a row... Tuesday was Ailene's birthday and she announced we were heading to the outdoor rink for a few quick turns on the ice. I have know her since college so I wanted her to have her birthday wish. We strapped on the skates and enjoyed the sunny breaks in the clouds. It was December, but it was Texas, so the outside temperature was hovering around 55 degrees. It felt like we were skating on a frozen outdoor lake that was slowly turning back to water. As shown on my knees, I fell once. Hard. Luckily Ailene has a very strong husband and a hockey playing son who helped get me back on my feet for a few more turns around the rink.

Satisfied with our attempt at physical activity, we headed on to The Woodlands for amazing BBQ ribs and Shane's chocolate on chocolate birthday cake. Good times in Houston. Even better times seeing good friends again.

Baton Rouge 2014: Great to be 8!

My last day in Baton Rouge was spent on the ice. Kate wanted to go skating for her 8th birthday. Luckily, the River Center had ice skating available the week of her birthday. I had a few birthday ice skating parties myself - quite a treat in the Arizona desert. With an actual "birth date" to circle on the calendar only once every 4 years, I tend to remember those early birthdays the best. 8th birthday: costume party (I think I dressed up as Betsy Ross???) - 12th birthday: ice skating at Metro Center; 16th birthday: cake delivered to dress rehearsal for the school play. I think this one will be a favorite of Kate's for a long time. Brennan was a natural on the ice. He whizzed by us as he practiced his "ice shaving" stops.

 

 
Joined by friends and family, we indulged in an Olive Garden dinner (special thanks to the waiter who brought the "manager banned" birthday cake with candles and a personalized 'Kate' plate) and a trip to Toys 'R Us for Kate to spend her birthday $$. She opted for the mini "Kitchen Aid" so she could mix batter and bake like her mom.

Its great to be 8!

New Orleans 2014: Geaux Fish!

For this trip to New Orleans, we decided to divide and conquer. The boys went to the National WWII Museum - ships and medals and lots of reading. The girls opted for soft, squishy and even feathery things at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. I had been once before when the kids smaller and the hot July humidity felt like molasses. The breezy winter weather was a welcome change. Once inside the aquarium, the humidity returned, but this time it was just Kate and Mom to keep an eye on.
 

Sword fighting crustaceans, elaborate puffy fish and adorable hungry parakeets were some of our favorites. We also got to pet the stingrays. Pretty high on the "cool" meter. Couldn't leave without our tacky, touristy photo.

Tuckered out and hungry we met up at Jackson Square. The grounds surrounding St Louis Cathedral, the oldest Cathedral in North America, are a welcome haven from the spray painted human "statues" and break dancers lining the main road through town. 

For several weeks I had been obsessing about the Muffaletta sandwich*, originating at the Central Grocery. What are the chances... the moment we got in line, they ran out of the sandwiches. Luckily, there was an Italian restaurant a few doors down and Muffalettas were on the menu. The balcony was a bit chilly, but the views and the food was great. Nothing like dinner in the Big Easy.

*A traditional style muffuletta sandwich consists of a muffuletta loaf split horizontally and covered with layers of marinated olive salad, mortadella, salami, mozzarella, ham, and provolone. 

 

So why, "geaux" fish? A French play on the word "go"... Derives from areas highly populated with Cajun Americans, Louisiana State University Tigers fans, or more commonly both. "G-e-a-u-x, Geaux Tigers, Geaux!" "Here we geaux Tigers, here we geaux!"

Yes. Visiting Southern Louisiana is really like going to another country: new language, new food, new customs. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

 

Baton Rouge 2014: Christmas Sprinkles and Cajun Turkey

Christmas Eve Kate was in charge of sprinkles. Chocolate cupcakes with peppermint sprinkles were topped with the infamous Elf on a Shelf (not my idea), loaded onto a plate and taken to the neighbors. Only one family we tried that night was actually home. Kate decided she was the "director" for the caroling but lost her nerve when it was time for her solo. We all joined in and passed along the Elf and a bit of joy.

Christmas morning, Santa did not disappoint. Star Wars action figures, Legos galore and a larger than life doll house filled the living room. Kate was all smiles and Brennan was eagerly engaged in inter-galactic scenarios that included barbie dolls and fluffy animals. 

Still under the influence of sinus medicine, Dad settled down for a long winters nap. The rest of us worked on Christmas Dinner. Jim was in charge of the turkey, which was deliciously infused with Cajun goodness and cooked in some kind of oil diffuser-deep fryer.

True to Barnett tradition, we headed to the movies that evening to watch A Night at the Museum 3. Hard to find a movie, mom, dad and the kids could all enjoy, but I think we nailed it.

Houston 2014: Everything is Bigger (and Brighter) in Texas

Three days before Christmas, I packed up my gifts (unwrapped since I was flying) and headed to Houston, Texas. My sister and her family were already there and were staying with my cousin just outside of Houston. As far as airports go, Houston is pretty easy to navigate. However the real test begins when you step outside Terminal A and try to pick someone up curbside. The highly attentive,whistle blowing traffic attendants will not let a car stop more than 15 seconds if the intended "pick up" is not ready, bags in hand, to make a flying leap into the car. Houston traffic and no Toll Road access meant I would have almost an hour to observe the ritual. Eventually, my sister arrived and I made a run for the minivan. All was well.

Being so close to the Mexican border, we thought it only fitting we seek out a Mexican Food Truck for lunch. We pulled up to the first one with tables. Between my 7th grade Spanish and our childhood spent eating Mexican food, Janel and I ordered up a feast...careful to avoid the tongue and tripe on the menu. It was some of the best tasting Mexican food I have had in a very long time - not a shred of orange cheddar cheese in sight. Jim was even pleased with the Barbacoa tacos he ordered. I was happy to indulge in the spicy Horchata - a creamy rice milk drink, perfect to cool down the hot sauce. The kids were lulled into submission with a very large, very cheesy quesadilla - Joel's daughter Bailey came along for the ride.


My mom was waiting for us at Joel's place with LeighAnn and little Miles - a precocious toddler who repeated everything said to him with remarkable accuracy. After dinner, we piled into the car to look at the neighborhood Christmas lights. The three littlest carolers dangled their legs out the back as we drove around at a snail's pace. As with most things in Texas, the Christmas light displays were the biggest and brightest that I have ever seen. Streets adopted themes like "The 12 Days of Christmas" - Texas style and Rudolph. With "Best Street" honors at stake, the home owners went all out and covered their yards from roof to mailbox with lights and life size cut-outs. Amazing!

Once back inside, I convinced the children to watch A Muppet's Christmas Carol again and they slowly nodded off to sleep. It was great to see my cousin and his family and to feel so at home - away from home. The next morning we were bid farewell by two 'reindeers'. After five or six hours on a very rainy road we made it to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dad was schedule to arrive that afternoon from Arizona, but ended up being rerouted via Nashville to avoid horrendous storms that swept across the entire south that night. He was about 4 hours late and miserably sick when he finally made it off the plane. Finally, all visitors had arrived. The Christmas Holiday had begun.