BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN....

Well, where Taylor began, that is. Last weekend we went down to New Orleans for a wedding and took Taylor with us.


We stayed at the beautiful Omni Royal Orleans, giving us the opportunity to stroll Taylor through the French Quarter.

 We also took a little walk down by the river on our way to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

Taylor LOVED the 'fishes'. She loved looking at all of them and making fishy faces through the glass...

She even got a smile from a sting ray...

Taylor tried so hard to touch a fish, those durn glass walls...

And, of course, we had to check out the shark's smile...

Taylor had a great time at the Aquarium. We hope to take her back to New Orleans. When we do, the Audubon Insectarium will be top of our list!


Ray and I had a great time taking Taylor to try some of our favorite munchies, many of which I CRAVED when I was pregnant with Taylor!!!


Of course, we had to introduce her to the New Orleans tradition of Beignets. I wish I could say that Taylor LOVED them,

But she touched...

She tasted....

She was ready to wash her hands...

She DID enjoy eating the chunks of powdered sugar, but the yummy goodness of a deep fried mound of dough wasn't as appealing to this 22 month old. I'm sure she will grow out of it :)

Ray, Taylor and I had lunch at our absolute favorite Uptown shop, St. James Cheese Company. Here, Taylor had the hands-down, best grilled cheese sandwich in the history of sandwich making. Our sandwiches were every bit as wonderful as we remembered.

Ray and I are always telling friends to try it out whenever they are in NOLA. I know, I know, a sandwich shop?!?! When you are in New Orleans, you want fried seafood, oysters, creole, red beans, pralines, beignets, roman candy, lucky dog (anyone's stomach growling yet), but St. James is a must. Best sandwiches and an AMAZING selections of cheeses, pates, cured meats, perfect for lunch and a nice bottle of wine.  And if you DO venture out of the Quarter and over to Prytania for this tiny gem, you will be a few doors down from our other absolute favorite...


THE CREOLE CREAMERY...and, of course, we took Taylor here for a scoop of the best ice cream EVER. Caramel Chicory Chocolate, Chocolate Amaretto Cheesecake, Black & Gold, Cookie Monster, Creme Fraiche & Raspberry, Egg Nog, Ginger Peach, Turtlemisu, oh my gosh, I have to stop, my mouth is watering. Homemade in the shop, flavors changing weekly, a true neighborhood favorite! Needless to say, Taylor LOVED her scoop of chocolate AND her Daddy's cone of Chocolate Cheesecake...

What a great weekend. The wedding was beautiful, but we will forever cherish the memories of reintroducing Taylor to her birthplace. We can hardly wait to take her back...maybe when its a little cooler :)