After K-State won the Big XII Championship in early December, we decided to make the trip down to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl - a perfect way to spend part of our Christmas break! On Dec. 28, we headed down south, stopping in Dallas for the night. Since our hotel was near a Top Golf, we tried it out for the first time. You can tell how it went by the score...but we all had a great time! And, we met a former KSU football player in the bay beside us - Cre Moore (we found out later that he actually played with Weston)! He was pretty certain that K-State could beat Alabama - too bad that prediction didn't come true!
The next day we made our way down to Louisiana-a 7 hour drive from Dallas. We stopped at Whataburger - hey, why not? When on vacation, eat like the locals, right? As we snaked our way down, we actually saw some sugarcane harvesting going on. It's always interesting to see how different crops are harvested. We also caught up to the K-State Marching Band's NINE busses!
After we finally arrived in Covington (north of New Orleans), we had been told that we should try The Chimes restaurant. It did not disappoint! We ate on the patio overlooking a cypress-filled swamp, and we had our first taste of Louisiana's food - jambalaya, red beans and rice, hush puppies, boudin (boo-DAN) balls, shrimp po' boy, and blackened alligator. It was all so delicious!
first bite of alligator coming...
red beans and rice
jambalaya
As we became more acquainted with Louisiana, we noticed an abundance of bridges crossing rivers, bayous, and just wet land in general. So. Many. Bridges.
The 25-mile bridge connecting New Orleans to the other side of Lake Pontchartrain
Our first full day in LA included severe thunderstorms, a tour of the Oak Alley Plantation, the Sugar Bowl Parade downtown, and the K-State pep rally. A full day!
The plantation was both beautiful and difficult.
The Big House
Rebuilt slave quarters
A fascinating story
gut-wrenching history (above and below)
This guide was pure Louisiana!
More slave quarters (many houses in LA are up on blocks like this)
Then it was on to downtown New Orleans for the parade - Mardi Gras style. You wouldn't believe what all they threw out from the floats: beads, beads, beads, cups, stuffed animals, COFFEE! This was a crazy scene!
Then, this purple wave of about 10,000 people headed to the convention center for the KSU Pep Rally.
New Year's Eve: The Main Event - Once we made it to the parking garage, we were happy to make our way to the SuperDome for the big game against Alabama. Some positives - the whole atmosphere, winning the first quarter, winning the half time band battle, eating jambalaya, meeting new people. Some negatives - we lost 20-45. That means every game we saw in-person this year was a loss. I guess we should have stayed home!
whistle lessons
Thought we would score here, but it was the beginning of the end...
SuperDome jambalaya - it was actually pretty amazing!
After the game, we explored the French Quarter, walked on Bourbon Street, ate beignets (finally), and just took in the weird chaos of the whole area!
Lots of powdered sugar!
Loved all these gas lights
KSU fans on the top floor
Musicians everywhere
I think this was a hotel that caught my eye
And New Years Eve Night? We hung out at the hotel, ordered pizza, watched football, and played Catan. I think we were all asleep before midnight (except me, of course, who did not sleep well on vacation...again)! We traveled back home on New Years Day - 14 hours in one shot.
I am so happy we made this trip work - it was a blast!
On Dec. 22, I woke up to Caiden not feeling well. In fact, he said he hadn't ever felt the kind of pain he was experiencing that morning. Reluctantly, I made an appointment. Long story, short - it was good he complained because he ended up having his appendix out that afternoon! It must have been at the very beginning stages and thankfully hadn't burst. So, we were in and out of the hospital by midnight that night. Maybe the worst part about the whole thing is that his wisdom teeth surgery had to be postponed since it was supposed to be the very next week. He'll go back to school minus an appendix, but still having his wisdom teeth until February 16! Pre-op Post-op
While Mrs. Schmidt was away on maternity leave during the spring, Mr. Novak (from Hesston) filled in for her. Since Cambry has her first 3 class periods in the art room, she got to know him very well and he mentioned several times how he appreciated Cambry's artistic style and way of thinking. He even let her paint a little bit on his own pieces! Cambry took several pieces to the WSL art festival in April. She came home with a first place finish in the graphic design category and an honorable mention in the computer design category. We are so thankful for the instruction she has received over the last 4 years in Goessel. Now, on to Hesston College with Professor Cross!
July was a slow, meandering stroll through mid-summer. Slow as it was, there were some highlights: Lots of raspberries to pick - what a delight! Kenya continues to grow and learn how to take walks: Delaney loved her week at Camp Menno! Delaney and Jenna attended the KSU Volleyball camp: All 5 of us were in the SAME place at the SAME time to attend a beautiful wedding! Cambry found success at the Marion Co. Fair one last time with 4 purples and 1 red on her photos. Two of those purples turned into a Reserve Grand Champion and Grand Champion in her respective classes. Fun fact, as an assistant, she sat with her future art professor as he judged photos! Delaney and I were "guest readers" at the little kids' Splish Splash Party at church: Last but not least - the Paris Olympics started! We watched the opening ceremony at Vanessa's. I took an olympic flag fruit pizza to share with everyone: Next up: a busy month of transitions!
Then, this purple wave of about 10,000 people headed to the convention center for the KSU Pep Rally.
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