Sweet Southern Sunshine

Mom and I before the race - she walked it. 

By way of skipping a class (tisk tisk), I managed to get somewhat of a Spring Break, and made my way down to New Orleans for four days to visit my family and run my favorite race, the Crescent City Classic.  It'd been four years since the last time I did it, seeing as how I always manage to have something to do Easter weekend, but I was thrilled to get to run down some of my favorite streets and take in the city - despite having a pretty cruddy finishing time.

And of course, they give you Jambalaya

Springtime in Louisiana is my favorite, well, that and fall, which I guess are my favorites anywhere, but whatever.... it was a good time to visit.  For four days I got to enjoy catch-up time with good friends, crawfish, strolls through the city, crawfish, live music, crawfish. You get the point.

My College Friends, And CRAWFISH!! 

Being that it's Tuesday, I'm going to join in to a little Too Cute Tuesday action and show you just how adorable my baby cousins are in their Easter garb. These little cuties are pretty much the scale-tipper in my decision as to whether to stay in NYC after I finish grad school, or to go home (but that decision is a whole 'nother story for another day).

My sweet Godchild, Sofia

Clayton, who was apparently really sad I left :( 

These brothers - really 

My cousin Nicole, her husband, and all FOUR of her babies

That's my Paw Paw Charlie

Their NaNa, my Aunt Tina - this makes me laugh

Sweet baby Sy! The newest addition - but we've got another on the way  :) 

(link up HERE!)

Also, side note, on my trip home, I was yet-again blessed enough to share the stage at the Blue Nile with some of the most talented artists in the country - Friday night with Kermit Ruffins, and Sunday night with my dear friend Mykia Jovan.  Kermit has never been able to call me by the right name in the two years I've known, him, but Friday he got it right, so I will always refer to this as the night Kermit finally remembered my name.