Back home in Thibodaux

I guess it's about time for another update.  We're back in Thibodaux for a month.
We got the coach settled in at the campground in Hudson then drove to the airport to fly back.  This was the first time I've flown on American since the nightmare getting back from Madrid last year.  I had a voucher that was about to expire so being the tightwad that I am we flew on American.  I have to say that the experience wasn't bad.  They seem to have their act together since the "strike" last year that stuck us in Dallas.  The only complaint I had was $50 for 1 checked bag?  Really??  Since we used air miles + my voucher we didn't get the free checked bag.

Mike and Jessica picked us up at the airport and brought us to the Carmel Inn in Thibodaux, a locally owned hotel that gave us a 2 room suite with kitchenette for a fantastic price.  The room is working out great.  I've finally gotten over my major sinus attack and feel better.
It's nice to get back to the heat and humidity….not really.  It's just as uncomfortable as I remembered it.  More so now since we've gotten so used to the wonderful weather we've been chasing.

Mike & Jessica picked up Ella from school Wednesday afternoon.  We met them at the ice cream shop.  Ella was very excited to see us.  And the ice cream was good too.
We've been spending a lot of time with Ella.  She has slept over a couple times too.

Mike finally graduated from LSU on Friday morning.  We are so proud of him for sticking with and doing so well with the 5 year program.  And he has a job!  He starts on June 3 with a firm in Baton Rouge.  It's really great to see your children accomplish so much.  Scott and Bevi have been married 6 years this July and Ella will be 5 in a couple weeks!

Saturday we had a grad party at Dave and Rhonda's (Cindy's sister) and enjoyed the day.  Dave bbq'ed his famous burgers and we all enjoyed swimming and a few brews of course.
The following Saturday we had a crawfish boil at Rhonda and Dave's again to celebrate an early birthday for Ella since some family wouldn't be able to make her party.

 Also celebrated Rhonda's retirement from teaching.  Congratulations Rhonda you're gonna love it!
And since the celebrations were going so well we decided to celebrate Ella's new shirt:

I'm going to be a big sister!

GG  (Cindy's mom) just realized what was on Ella's shirt!

Yes Scott and Bevi are expecting around the middle of December!  We're all so excited for them.  Especially since we'll be in from November through March.  Ella is excited to welcome a new sibling.

For those of you that have never been to a crawfish boil this is a great tradition.  It starts around mid morning and goes through the day.  First you have to wash the crawfish since they are mud bugs and can be pretty muddy.

Then start adding the ingredients and start the water boiling.

Then boil for a few minutes and let them soak for 15-20 minutes while sampling them.  You need to make sure they have soaked up enough seasoning without sticking to the shell and becoming hard to peel.  Then when they're perfect you scoop up a tray and start eating.  Sucking the head is optional, I just like to scoop out the head with my finger.  But be sure to not eat the dead ones!

Then after stuffing your belly with crawfish it's time to hit the pool.

What a great day with family!

Since I've been in I had another back procedure for my herniated disc pain and have another scheduled next week.  Hopefully that will allow me to get more mobile again once I recover from the abuse my back took with the move in December.

This Sunday is Ella's dance recital and she is very excited to perform on the stage.  She has been showing us a few moves and is so cute dancing.