Dad's birthday is on April Fools Day - no, this is not a joke! Since we had Monday off for the Easter holiday, Dad wanted to go somewhere different for lunch. He, Mom and I headed south for the day. Why not in Natchitoches?
{After visiting the oldest general store in Louisiana, we appropriately chose Papa's for lunch!}
{where's waldo?}
{does anyone know what this building is that was recently built on front street? Mother was aghast at it's modern shape...it really is an odd placement. Any ideas?}
A couple of weekends ago, my parents along with Tison, and I experienced our first couples date together. A first of many to come I'm sure. We piled in mom's car and hit the road toward East Texas. On the west side of Marshall in Harleton, Texas lies a vineyard named Enoch's Stomp where acres upon acres of rolling hills are covered with grapes on the vine. I'm awfully glad this fifth generation grape grower found his way from South Africa to America. The evening was filled with wine tasting, dinner, grape stomping, and vineyard touring. It was extremely hot, especially after Mom and I completed the grape stomping competition, but the atmosphere reminded me of A Walk in the Clouds. Remember that one?
My coworker and friend Katie and her roommate Britney met us there.
After dinner the grape stomping competition began. My mom and I split the 10 minute stomp in two. I can tell you, it is a real workout stomping for 5 minutes straight. and don't get me started on the pressure! Mom and I are competitive!
I really thought we had it, but alas. Someone out stomped us. Isn't the color of that grape juice disgusting? Who wants a glass?
There was some confusion with the purchasing of our tickets, but when Dad upgraded Mom and I, a perk was getting t-shirts! Thanks, Dad. (even though you called me and Mom a couple of Lucy's)
All in all, it was a wonderful first date with my parents. ;)
Before heading over to my parents house for dinner and b-day cake, we stopped into Oyster Bar to meet Russell and Philip for a margarita - no salt, on the rocks. mmmmmm...
I just couldn't stand that our Shreveport-Bossier Film Tour didn't end on 15 locations on the 15th of July, so I am considering my Dad's birthday song serenade worthy of movie status. Hudson obviously agrees with me.
Mom made a superb meal for the family. Uncle Garry, Aunt Pam, and Stephen joined us and the "special plate" was used, naturally! {wink, wink} We read birthday horoscopes, talked about the Bachelorette, Facebook updates, and how we would like "to go."
Well, I have really strung out this birthday weekend! Check out part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4. It's going to be a great year!
Rumor has it that I have been late on posting pictures. I pretty much got yelled at yesterday by my sister Leslie for not having posted pictures from a pretty big event- Easter. See what happens when I DON'T bring my camera places, David Marshall?! {Who dared me not to take one picture all day} I guess someone I can't go anywhere without her best friend camera. I didn't last an hour before picking one up. Thanks for sending me the pictures I took on your camera, Lauren. haha. xo
Every Easter {since we stopped hunting Easter eggs} Dad comes up with a creative competitive brain teasers involving cash rewards! It is awesome. This year we played "Riddle me this." Tison and I found out quick that riddles are not our strong suit. However, I did enjoy the noise makers Dad gave us to use as buzzers! So, I leave with this:
To celebrate my Dad's birthday, the family got together for a crawfish boil at my parents house. Ryan did the honors of spicing these mudbugs to perfection. Thanks Chef! The day was just good. You know, the kind of day you can't really plan, it just happens.
