A Weekend In New Orleans

My husband and I spent the weekend in New Orleans with plenty of fun times to share! I even made a vlog because yes, we had THAT much fun!! Don’t believe me? Watch and see!!

For starters, we had tickets to see Wicked and it did NOT disappoint! We loved every single moment of it! Unfortunately, our usual 3 1/2 hour trip to New Orleans took almost 5 hours – which means we were SUPER rushed for Wicked! As soon as we arrived at our hotel, we RAN to our room to change, then RAN back to our car – we sat down in our seats in the theatre with only moments to spare. We were so scared we wouldn’t make it but thankfully, we did!! Whew! 

Since we saw Wicked on Broadway in NYC, we weren’t sure what to expect. I can honestly tell you that Wicked off Broadway is VERY very good!! I definitely noticed the difference in caliber (which…hello…comparing on and off Broadway is like comparing apples and oranges), but it was still amazing and definitely worth the time if you have the chance to go!

On Saturday, we met up with friends and visited one of our favorite places ever (and a Mandeville tradition), the original Broken Egg Café! SO yum!



This is how the “boys” spent the remainder of their weekend…



They didn’t even move to take a potty break. Not joking (I wish I was)!



Heather and I spent our weekend talking and catching up since we haven’t seen each other since Goofy’s Challenge! It was great to see our friends again! We really have a great time when we are together – lots of laughter and of course, lots yummy treats!

Speaking of yummy treats, I made Liberty Tree Tavern’s version of an Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake! (It just so happens to be Heather's favorite Disney dessert!) Served with Homemade Vanilla Blue Bell ice cream…delicious!



After leaving New Orleans on Sunday morning, we visited with Jason’s family and mine for Mother’s Day!

All in all, we had a FABULOUS weekend and really enjoyed every moment! It was nice to sit, relax, talk, and not have to worry about doing a million things at one time. A much needed break, for sure!

How did you spend your weekend?

Fitness Friday–May 10

Happy Friday, friends! I’m especially happy today, as my grandfather was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon! THANK YOU ALL so much for the prayers! He appreciates them and so does my family. Over the past few weeks, I told him several times how many friends were praying for him and he was so grateful, he asked me to thank you guys! He’s now in a Skilled Nursing facility (we found one that is not connected to a nursing home…which seemed to satisfy him) while he regains his strength. The adjustment will be hard for him as he could be in this facility up to a few months. He’s not thrilled about it and was having a hard time yesterday afternoon, but I know he will make the adjustment in time.

A recap of my week:

Saturday – 6.5 mile bike ride with a few running friends – they ran, I biked. Still taking it easy on my ITBand
Sunday – Rest Day – Saturday night, I woke up at 11 p.m. with the stomach bug. It was awful. I was awakened again at 2 a.m. with severe nausea and dry heaving. YUCK. Needless to say, I stayed home from church and attempted to rest all day.
Monday – Rest Day, recuperating from the bug! Ugh.
Tuesday – No Workout, still didn’t feel 100%.
Wednesday – Jillian Michaels Shred it with Weights – Kettlebell Level 2
Thursday – No Workout
Friday – Biggest Loser Power X-Train and Ab Blast x 35 minutes before work

This past week, I changed up my breakfast routine a bit. Instead of my usual egg whites and turkey bacon, I decided to drink green smoothies instead!



Yesterday, my smoothie consisted of pineapple, mango, banana, almond milk, and spinach. I also had a strawberry, blueberry, almond, almond milk, and spinach smoothie earlier in the week. Smoothies are definitely a favorite of mine, especially as the temperature outside is heating up for summer! I see a lot of green smoothies in my future!



Last night, I met up with my running pals for sushi night! It was long overdue and we had a great time catching up!



On Tuesday, I enjoyed a little frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf…for free! They were so nice and gave nurses a free 8 oz cup of froyo! Yum!

I’m SO excited for a fun weekend ahead! We have tickets to see Wicked in New Orleans on Friday night. Jason surprised me with Wicked tickets for our anniversary and I cannot wait! We also get to hang out with these guys for the weekend! I see lots of laughter, yummy food, and fun stories ahead!

What do you have planned for the weekend? Hope you have a great one!

Quite the Adventurous Weekend!

It’s Boston Marathon Monday!!

Last night, I had a very odd dream about Kara Goucher. Apparently, I was in Boston to cheer for her and only her during the race…you know, since Kara and I are big buds and all. After all, I was there to cheer her on in Houston at the Olympic Trials, then I stopped during the Rock N Roll NOLA Marathon to scream for her as she ran by…yep, I’d consider our friendship quite solid. Right.

I know she’s going to run an awesome race in Boston and I’m so excited for everyone participating!

On top of my crazy dream, I had quite the eventful weekend, let me tell you!

It began on Friday afternoon and the end of our team’s Relay for Life Silent Auction! We raised over $8,000 which is awesome compared to what we raised last year…AND I came home with a few great items at that! Score!

First item I won - this beautiful new wreath made by a cancer survivor (even better)! The blue/pink reminded me of my wedding colors (I know, a bit ridiculous but what can I say?) so I bid on it. I might have had to fight a few people off in the last few moments of the auction, but I won it! Yay!

I also won this basket, full of smell good items…Diva scent, of course! I’m excited to use the wash and the candle, not sure yet what I’ll do with the shawl. I’ll admit – I bid on this basket mainly because I love Tyler candles and Glamorous Wash. Ok glad to have that off my chest! :0)

Friday night, Jason and I had a belated Anniversary dinner at a local fancy restaurant.

Side note: Here I go talking about weddings again, but this one was super exciting for me! I haven’t been able to get these capris to fit in a long time. This outfit was my rehearsal dinner outfit and since then, I purchased brown capris to wear with the jacket/top because the actual outfit capris no longer fit. Guess what?! Friday night, the capris buttoned AND fit (as opposed to buttoning but still being too tight)!!! YAY!

Ok back to dinner! Remember that surprise I told you about last week? Well, dinner was only 1/2 of the surprise!

Jason surprised me with tickets to Wicked in New Orleans!!! Eeep! We saw Wicked on Broadway in New York and were instantly in love! We are both SO excited to see this again we can hardly contain ourselves! Only a few more weeks and we’ll be there! Yay!

Back to dinner again…

This is their famous fried asparagus appetizer. It’s amazing, seriously! 
(And it reminded me of a Twitter hash tag. Social media, much? Yep.)

 

He had the Surf-N-Turf and I had the Duck! Everything was delicious!

Dessert was incredible as well – simply called “Bananas Foster”. If you know me, you know my absolutely all time hands down favorite dessert ever is Ohana Bread Pudding with Ice Cream and Bananas Foster Sauce. This dessert wasn’t quite as dreamy, but came awful close. One thing missing, bread pudding. Maybe I should suggest that next time?

On Saturday morning, I ran a mud run!

I can honestly say I’ve never been THAT muddy in my entire life. More on the mud run tomorrow (complete with video thanks to my amazing waterproof camera)!

Saturday night was Relay for Life Colleges Against Cancer at a local college campus.

For it’s first year, they put on a great event! I can’t wait to see how this event grows in the future!

Finally on Sunday afternoon (after much drama with my grandfather’s medications…thankfully we got it all straight), Jason and I put the finishing touches on our flower beds! I’m sure the neighbors loved my frantic dancing and flailing of arms every time I saw a wasp. Yep, I despise those things!!

It’s hard to work with such a large area, but after several years of replanting and moving things around, I think we finally have it the way we like it. That is, until next year, of course! 

How did you spend your weekend? Anyone race, do anything exciting, or spend your weekend relaxing? Please share!! :0)