New Orleans–Day 2

We woke up Saturday morning, had breakfast, caught the trolley and headed straight for the Audubon Zoo.  The kids thought the trolley was great.  It was a very HOT day at the zoo.  I do not recommend going to the zoo in the middle of the summer.  The kids enjoyed it though.

Andrew was sporting his new cap on the trolley ride!

Family picture while we were waiting on the shuttle.

When we were ready to leave the zoo so was everyone else.  The shuttle to take you to the trolley stop was a long wait….so we decided to walk…that 1 mile seemed like 20 in the 100 degree heat!

This is what we all felt like after the walk!  Poor Sophie was worn out!

Since the kids were so tired (and adults too) we decided to grab a quick meal at a wing/burger restaurant. 

We headed back to the hotel and everyone crashed!

New Orleans Day 1

We left Friday morning headed to New Orleans via Amtrak!  The kids have been super excited for weeks to ride the train.  We arrived at the station around 11:00 to depart from Jackson.  It was about a 4 hour ride.  We chose to sit in the observation deck so the kids could move about and look at the scenery. 

Here is the ticket taker telling us which car to get on.

Outside of the train before boarding…

Sophie was not too sure about this at first! 

Once she got on she had a blast!

The boys loved looking out the window!

 

Thank goodness for technology to pass the time!

being silly and sassy!

We arrived in New Orleans around 3:30 and got settled in our hotel.  We went to eat at Café Masparos.  I forgot to take any pictures…Andrew was very tired at this point and Syd and I had to take turns taking him outside.

Here is SB in Jax Brewery…

Random June Pictures

Here are a few random pictures that never made the blog from our June activities.

Scott’s Senior Lunch at Church

 

SB attended Princess Camp for a week in June with Mrs. Lana.  She had a blast.  At the end of the week the girls sang some songs they had learned for us.

Andrew ate a Subway sandwich!

We let balloons go for Pop’s birthday.

SB attended VBS and I helped one day.

I finally went to meet Miss Lynlee Rhodes McMillin.  She is just precious. She is 10 weeks old!!

SB, MeMe and I went to the Miss Mississippi Pageant one night.  SB had so much fun.  She enjoyed seeing all of the pretty girls.

We had a busy month especially SB.  She went to an arts camp last week as well.  Then we were off to New Orleans on the train…stay tuned for lots of pics!

Happy Birthday Pop!

This is by far the toughest post I have ever written.  I guess that is why it has taken me 9 weeks to write it.  I thought today would be perfect because it is the birthday of one of the greatest men we knew…Sydney William Johnston II a.k.a. “Big Syd” or “Pop”.  We lost Big Syd 9 weeks ago to a massive heart attack.  It was the most sad and tragic event that our family has had to endure.  I feel so blessed to have known him the time I did.  He was the greatest father in law.  Syd and I rarely had to call a mechanic, plumber or electrician because we had Big Syd.  He was a jack of all trades.  He could fix anything!  I just wished we could have fixed his heart!

Pop was one proud grandfather!  He was blessed with 3 wonderful grandchildren.  These 2 girls had him wrapped around his little finger…he would do just about anything they asked of him!

He was so proud the day his 1st grandSON was born.  Everytime Andrew saw Pop he would cluck his tongue.

He loved his 3 sons so much.  He was a perfect role model to them.  He was so kind hearted and caring and I can see those things in Syd, Jason and Scott.

He was an awesome husband to Dinnie.  He treated her like a Queen!  He fixed her breakfast/coffee every morning before he left for work and would bring it up to her in bed! 

Here is Big Syd with his 3 brothers.  They are all very close and always help each other when in need.

Big Syd enjoyed learning new instruments.  He loved playing the bagpipes and he had many opportunities to do so.  He came to play for my students one year on St. Patrick’s Day…kilt and all!

Just recently he took up playing the Cello.  He was a member of the Vicksburg Symphony group.  He inspired Sarah Beth to play the violin.

He was also an active member in the Vicksburg Theater Guild especially with Gold in the Hills…a long time family tradition!

He also played a role in the Boy Scouts.  All three boys were involved in the Scouts.  He just recently helped Scott complete his Eagle Project (building picnic tables for the Knights of Columbus).  He was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus.

Big Syd enjoyed being around family and friends.  He and Dinnie never missed a party or wedding or any other social event that they were invited to!

I am so thankful for all of the wonderful memories we have of Big Syd.  We will be sure to share them with our children and his future grandchildren.  One of the hardest things has been trying to explain to Sophie (3) that Pop is in heaven and he is not coming home.  She doesn’t understand but one day she will. 

Although we are sad and selfish that Pop is not here celebrating with us we are so grateful for his life and his influence on all of us. We know he is enjoying his eternal reward with Christ Jesus…how awesome is that!

Happy 62nd Birthday Pop!!