Family Trip to Gulfport

Recently we traveled to Gulfport, Mississippi to visit our friends, Yvonne and Michael McCabe (and their precious little Louise (age 2+) and bun in the oven (due June)). I met Yvonne at college when we joined the same sorority and we have been close friends ever since. Yvonne and Michael were with us when Brian proposed to me in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and we have shared so many fun memories together since then, so we knew our trip down to the Gulf coast would be a blast!

Here we are right before our hike in the Tetons when Brian proposed to me. Funny story behind that...we learned later that Michael was also considering proposing to Yvonne at the same time and carried her family's beautiful diamond ring along with him just in case he felt the timing was right. But Brian beat him to the punch when he announced his plans to them...and Michael was in the doghouse for a few days! Oh well, it all worked out in the end!Right after the proposal! (June 2006)

One of the reasons I fell in love with Brian was because he gets along with everyone and is always happy to make new friends. That weekend we got engaged we were going to a friend's wedding and Brian immediately started up a friendship with Michael. He loves all of my friends' husbands and therefore always looks forward to hanging out with my friends because of that! I actually figured that out shortly after we met, which happened to be during a weekend (New Year's Eve - Y2K4)) in Snowshoe with all of our friends. He joined me at the last minute (how's that for a 3rd date?) and meshed so well with my friends and all the guys that he barely knew. I knew he was a keeper!

Here we are at Snowshoe (2003-2004), dancing the night away!Some of the crazy boys (DC) he made friends with at Snowshoe:

Now for our trip to Gulfport! It was Isabelle's first plane ride and she did great! She loved crawling around at the airport. When we arrived we were greeted by adorable Louise who immediately took to Brian (as all little girls do) and dressed him up with Mardi Gras beads.

Our big activity was a trip to the zoo in New Orleans!

We saw baboons...And elephants...

Isabelle was fascinated. We saw beautiful white tigers......and flamingos! The animals were cool, but the carousel was probably the most fun for the girls. Louise loved riding the Alligator with her daddy. Izzie loved watching them!

The whole gang! Yvonne took us to the property where her family's beautiful house (where she and her father grew up!) used to be before Hurricane Katrina destroyed it. All that's left is the patio, and of course a wonderful view of the coast. It was a perfect family trip...we look forward to many more with the McCabes!

I have to throw in a few pictures taken in our backyard. Isabelle loves playing peek-a-boo with her dress, showing off that precious round belly. I think she must know how I felt when I was pregnant with her! HAPPY SPRING!