New Orleans May 2012

A happy reunion in NOLA.  I love this picture!  Love it and love these two men!

This was the first morning in New Orleans!

I immediately started taking pictures of the area around Steve and Michel's home.  I know that is a huge surprise.  I knew they were moving so I had to record the memories.  This is the bridge where Steve proposed to Michel and where they got married.  It is about a block away from their home.

 Bayou St. John with the kayaks.

 A little row boat too.

 Later that day we had to pick Rivers up at a birthday party.  This was some place.  Tons of fairy tale characters and tons of fun.

 AHHH!

 Michel with her brothers Vinnie and Paul!  Handsome family for sure.

 We had to move Mike out of the first picture but he jumped in this one.  :-)

 Here we go the beautiful new house with lots of space for everyone!!!

 Grandpa and Rivers.  Pretty good lookin' pair!

 Steve with Rivers.   So sweet. He is the happiest baby ever!

 The two of them are taking a walk.  Rivers gets strapped in and off they go.

Michel and Steve got me a beautiful gondola ride through one of the bayous for my birthday.  It was beautiful and relaxing.

 Off we go.

 The frozen people along the way.  :-)

 Spanish moss hanging for the trees.

 Black Swans.

 There were lots of sculptures along the way.  It was a wonderful birthday present.  

 Move Rivers.  Sorry he is just so adorable I can't resist.

This is another view from the area Michel and Steve live.  We are on our way to the Bayou Boogaloo.  A couple of bands, vendors and food.

 Here it is!

Mike and Steve setting up Steve's camera to take a time lapse video of the party. Steve puts these on his website and you can see them.  www.teamgleason.org.

 You can read about these images inspired by Steve at this website... http://www.nola.com/arts/index.ssf/2012/05/new_orleans_saints_former_play.html

Mike and I took a walk through the neighborhood and took pictures.  New Orleans has so much character!

 Love the huge oak trees that line many of the streets.

 Markets and small stores are right in the middle of the neighborhoods.

 No track homes.  They are all different.

Mike being his silly self outside the temple.

 This is the temple in the middle of the neighborhood.

 Wow!

 Beautiful OAKS.

 The corner coffee shop.

We spent an evening with the Variscos. Red beans and rice is a must on Monday nights! This is why.  It is an old custom from the time when ham was a Sunday meal and Monday was washday. A pot of beans could sit on the stove and simmer while the women were busy scrubbing clothes.  

 Back at the Gleason's.

Dave and Janet were so kind to let us stay with them while we were in NOLA.  They live right across the street from Michel and Steve's home (old one). Dave and Janet got Liberty's Kitchen going.  It is a place where young adults can learn skills to be employable.  It is a small cafe!  Very good food.  We had lunch there. 

 Mike and Dave.

 These are the graduates from the 14 week program.

 Of course they are all Saints fans.

Across the street from the kitchen is a school that has not been used since Katrina.  Sad.  There are still signs of Katrina in New Orleans.

The sign for school to start still stands as it did when Katrina hit and the city was flooded. School didn't start that year and hasn't since.

 Packing and moving!

Have you ever seen a baby do this?  Rivers has abs of steel. He can stay this way for a long time!  You should see it in person!  I poked his tummy (softly) while he was doing this and he does have very strong abs.  Mike said he is built just like Steve was as a baby.

We went out to dinner the last night we were there.  Rivers first time in a high chair.  Love the firsts!

I was balancing Rivers as he was standing on the arm of Steve's chair.  He kept leaning over and rubbing his face on Steve's face and putting his head on Steve's chest.  It was the most precious thing ever.  He loves his Daddy!

Steve and Michel are amazing, special people.  They have a crazy schedule and they manage it all.  They both go and go and go.  What a life.  They are helping others and keeping the fires burning at home.  I see God using them for a great purpose.  Keep praying for them please!