Summer in Louisiana

The boys and I needed a change of scenery, and a change of pace so we loaded up and drove to Louisiana to see their cousins and grandparents.  Chris is still under COVID restrictions from the Navy so he can't travel, but since I did the drive by myself in November, I felt pretty confident. They have become wonderful travelers. We stop at the rest stops to run off some energy, we pass around snacks and everyone gets a chance to pick out a movie.  We almost don't mind our time in the car.  We usually split up the ride into two days. We stop in Mobile for some dinner and a swim at the hotel pool and then we drive the rest of the way the next morning.  It works out pretty well. 

We  just had to stop and sit in the gigantic watermelon!

Taking a quick swim at the hotel.

I can sum up our time in Louisiana with one word... WATER! Our boys become little fish when summer comes.  We were either in the pool at my sister's house, at a water park or in the lake at my cousin's house. They had a blast!!

We enjoyed my sister's pool probably every other day. So fun and so easy!

One weekend, my mom and grandma (the boys' great grandma) surprised all the cousins with an inflatable water slide, popsicles, pizza and watermelon. What a fun afternoon!!

We did take one break from the water one morning... we went blueberry picking with my mom.  It was the perfect morning and the boys had fun searching for blueberries and birds' nest.  

One of the highlights of our trip every time we go to Shreveport is to visit my cousin's house at the lake.  The boys remember it so fondly and they love going back every summer.  The jump off the deck (every one did it this year and they were so proud), ride the jet ski with Jared, and play on the turtle trampoline.  I love seeing all of them play together.  This year they even got to fish- they loved it! 

Abram

Jack 

Luke 

Also, this year my sister and I ventured out and took the boys to the local waterpark.  Jack and Luke have gotten so brave and they kept right up with Abram, going down every slide he did! They had the best time and talked about it for days. 

A really neat part of our trip this year was watching Abram bond with my dad.  Abram doesn't make connections easily with people- especially adults. He is careful who he gives his heart to. But this trip he spent endless hours with my dad from running errands with him, to helping him in the yard, to building legos and playing Monopoly. It was so sweet to watch. We knew Abram enjoyed the time he spent with my dad, but we didn't know exactly how much until Abram had to tell my dad goodbye. After their goodbyes, Abram just sat and cried. This is a first for Abram.  It was so touching to see and it just melted my heart. 

I am so glad we decided to venture out, even in the middle of COVID, to go see my family. It was such an exciting, busy, fun, and sweet time.  Memories were made and we came home with lots of stories for Chris!