The Shah-Fricke Family had their very first non-Wisconsin vacation! I had a conference in New Orleans and thought what better than to piggy-back the conference trip (where much would be paid for by work), and make a vacation out of it. I even convinced Mita, Steven, Mom, and Dad to join us, so we were all able to spend time together.
Myrna was pretty good on the flight out to New Orleans. We had to make a connection in Atlanta, and on the short one-hour flight from Atlanta to New Orleans, she caught a few ZZZZZs.Once we got to our hotel, the Hotel Monteleone, we checked in with relatively little hassle. 
Mom and Dad were getting in a few hours after us, and Steven and Mita weren't going to arrive until late in the evening. The hotel was right in the heart of the French Quarter and has been around since the late 1800s. It was gorgeous!
Myrna got to see her very 1st New Orleans jazz parade (which seems to happen at any given time on any given day) and loved it! Who wouldn't love some great jazz?!!
Mom and Dad were getting in a few hours after us, and Steven and Mita weren't going to arrive until late in the evening. The hotel was right in the heart of the French Quarter and has been around since the late 1800s. It was gorgeous!Myrna got to see her very 1st New Orleans jazz parade (which seems to happen at any given time on any given day) and loved it! Who wouldn't love some great jazz?!!
We just enjoyed taking a walk through the French Quarter and snapping some pictures of the architecture and unique beauty.
Our 1st full day there, we walked around the French Quarter. Everyone, except mom, (too much walking), took in a cemetery walking tour of the Saint Louis Cemetery, Number One, which is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans. Owned by the New Orleans Archdiocese, it's been around since the late 1700s. We saw the above ground tombs, and learned that only a year would have to go by in between family burials (just pile one body on top of the next?!).
Later that day, Myrna enjoyed the music of a street band...
On the 2nd day, the entire family piled into a chartered van (driven by cool queen named Randy), and went sightseeing to the Oak Alley Plantation. For the one-hour drive, Myrna never stopped singing at the top of her 
lungs (ABCs, Twinkle Twinkle, etc.) and even forced Randy to stop talking, so that her voice could be heard.The architecture of this plantation was quintessential Southern/French grandeur. Myrna could've cared less about the house, and quite frankly, while seeing it was pretty cool, most of us could've cared less about the history. But, no doubt, seeing the 300 year old oak trees was the coolest!
After our tour we all went to Napolean House for muffalettas--I even had a veggie one. YUMMY!
Later that evening, Jay and I took advantage of the fact that we had the most trustworthy baby-sitters with us...grandparents! We all went to Pat O'Briens for a famous hurricane. Jay even made a few extra bucks by picking up neglected hurricane glasses and turning them in :-)
On Sunday (May 31st), we HAD to go to Cafe Du Monde and enjoy some café au lait & beignets! Myrna tried them, but mostly enjoyed the dish full of powdered sugar.
After all of this fun, Steven and Mita had to head back to Chicago, and I actually had to work (that's right...I was there for a conference...), so Jay and Myrna took in some sights with mom and dad.
On our last night there, Jay and I had one more baby-sitter opportunity, so we went on a New Orleans Ghost Tour--VERY cool! And, contrary to popular belief, there is no real vampire lore or history associated with New Orleans, other than Ann Rice's books.
All in all, it was a fabulous trip! We would highly recommend going to New Orleans!!
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