Trip to the South

Matt was going to Mississippi for a work trip, so Savannah and I decided to go with him since we had both served our missions there. It was so fun to go through some of our old mission areas! A lot has changed since the hurricane. It was pretty sad to see how much it affected everyone. We flew into New Orleans, so we got to drive around there too. Most of it all looks good, but there were definately a lot of ruins still from Katrina. We took a ton of pictures, so sorry I put on so many.
Savannah deserves the "Baby of the Year" award for how well she did on the trip. Our flights were all messed up because of weather so they were extra long. Then on the way home our flight was cancelled and we had to stay an extra day to catch a different flight. Needless to say, there was a lot of driving around, waiting in lines, and missed naps. She surprised both of us by how well she did the whole time! Even on the plane!! Anyway...here are lots of pictures:


The Superdome in New Orleans.


This home is right along one of the main drives in Mississippi. I thought it was cool because if you look real close, you can see they have hung an american flag inside the home.


There always have been a lot of homes up on stilts like this, but it seems like there are a lot more now. I think they look cool.


We thought it was funny how high up this trailer was. They are not about to be flooded again.


So sad. 2 1/2 years later this house is still just laying in a pile. You can see the brick chimney and if you look close there is a metal spiral staircase.


The coast line. The trees look like there was a fire, but all the branches have just been ripped off.


We thought we would stop by an old souvenier shop on the coast that we used to go to to buy some stuff. This is what we found.


I don't know if you can read it in the picture. They spray painted "We will rebuilt. Keep Out". A lot of people sprayed messages right on their house.


All over there were damaged homes, where the people were living in a tiny FEMA trailer parked in the yard.


A lot of the homes still had huge piles of trash out in the yard. You could see in the windows that the house was completely gutted out.


This was one of the saddest things for me to see. The greatest older lady lived here. She loved missionaries and would buy us groceries even though she probally couldn't afford it. Her house used to be here. It was completely wiped out in the storm. Now there are only a few trailers parked on the slabs where homes used to be.


The Sissens--A family I taught. He is the only one that joined, but it was so good to see they were doing so well. He works in the Temple on weekends and is the ward clerk. I've lost track of so many people I taught, so it was nice to see some doing so well.

Down South!!

Matt took me to see these great houses in one of his areas! It's just what you picture when you think of Mississippi!


The bayou!


We are thinking of doing our fence like this. Let us know if you have any extra hub-caps around.


Baby of the Year!!


We went to visit the greatest couple in one of Matt's old areas. He raises all sorts of animals, but a TON of chickens! Savannah loved walking around the farm!


This definately shows how the water line has changed. We just thought this tree looked really cool with the roots showing.


Savannah and Daddy on the pier. We used to come catch crabs here all of the time!


My missionary apartment in my first area! The missionaries still live there!


We stayed with the greatest family- The Hills- She cooked up a crawfish boil for everyone. There was so much food! I can't believe how many crawfish those boys ate!


THE SHED!! This is a little run down restaurant that serves some good ol' southern barbeque. It's a really cool place!

I know I know...

It has been a while since I put a new post on. We went to Mississippi this week and it was fabulous. I will post pictures soon. We are headed to THE PRICE IS RIGHT tomorrow, well actually Tuesday so wish us luck! Im going to win a PT Cruiser and a juke box!!!

ITS A BOY!!!

Well, we found out we are having a boy! We are pretty excited about it! (By the way...this is not actually a picture of our baby. I just found the picture on Google. Our baby is way cuter!!!)

Just Rambling

It has been a little bit since we posted, but that is because there hadn't been much to post....I have been sick and now I think Matt is getting it...oopsie.
We found out today that Matt does have to have knee surgery AGAIN...just different knee. Oh well! On a better note- we find out what baby #2 is tomorrow, so check back and we will let you know.
What do you think of American Idol this year? I haven't picked a favorite yet, but we of course are routing for the Mormons. I do like the girl that sang last with the big hair. Mostly because I like her big hair!
So, we saw on the news this neighborhood where there is a dead deer. It apparently just died there and has been sitting there on the curb for two weeks. They are waiting for the wildlife people to come and get it. Two Weeks??? Are you kidding me? I mean...You wouldn't get me to move a dead deer, but I am a girl and it is okay to be a ninny sometimes. Surley there is someone in the neighborhood that is a boy, and therefore does not have an excuse to be a ninny. Even if you are a ninny, I would think two weeks of having a dead deer in your yard would outweigh the ninnyness. Maybe I should send my husband up there. Or my brother. Or a number of other non-ninnies around here.
Sorry about the random-ness of this post. Also, sorry if there is a dead deer in your yard and I offended you.

BUNCO Champion of the World!!!

Just incase you were wondering..... I completly rock at BUNCO!!! I took home the top prize for the most buncos once again last night! And despite my joking about it...I really don't cheat, so Neener Neener Neener. See you next month ladies!!!

Valentine Surprises!

Matt and I are not really known for being creative or for being good at surprises...but I thought this Valentines was a big hit!
First...
I sent Matt a singing Valentine to work, because I knew it would embarrass him. It turned out better than I thought because it ended up being a group of old ladies that call themselves "The Hot Mamas". All of his co-workers saw it and thought it was pretty funny! Luckily one of them took some pictures.






But Matt's surprise out-did mine. He is in big trouble for spending money, but I was so excited....We are going to "The Price is Right" in March! Don't make fun of me, but I am completly obsessed with the show. I know it is for old people (that's clear by the amount of adds for Colonial Penn or 'The Scooter store' that come on during it) but I am getting pretty good at all of the games. Watch out Drew! Here we come!!!