A WEE BIT OF LAFAYETTE, LA

By

Gypsy Rhapsody

(a 1979 Airstream feeling blue)

Yes, I was a little bummed that I didn't

get to return to Lafayette with Vannie and Dave

for grandson Cooper's birthday.

Vannie said that they were only going to

be gone a few days, and it just would not

be worth it to haul my big self to South Louisiana.

So... I had to put on my big girl panties and

hang around Hillsboro while they celebrated Cooper's 12 years of life.

I wasn't too too sad.  Minnie G was by my side, 

and she was filling me in on all kinds of stories

about her stay in Louisiana a few months ago.

Vannie and Dave returned with pictures and stories

about good times, good friends, and good food.

The Birthday Boy

12 years old

Last year before a teenager

Vannie said..."How did this happen?"

Cooper hamming it up with grandmother, Adie.

Adie prepared a delicious meal...homemade eggrolls

and fried rice...(The first of 2 birthday meals.)

Dave said..."DELICIOUS."

Gotta love that Cooper...

He knows how to have a good time.

Dave said, "No napping this go round."

A little science experience was in order...

The "old spray paint in a bucket of water" experiment...

Dip in the object...and viola...instant art.!!!!

Next...basketball game...

Hey, Coop...the goal is the other way.!!!

Next Day...

Time to spend the birthday moolah...

Acadiana Mall

Skateboard Store...Zumiez

Ready to skate...in high style

V and D said the mall has something for everyone.

An inflatable boat and/or bed.

Ashley is thinking he might have to have this.

Like Father like Son...

2nd Birthday Meal

Shucks Restaurant in Abbeville, LA

Ashley is enjoying every bite of those raw oysters...

He said, "May doesn't have an "R"?  Nobody told me."

Time for the Birthday Cake...

Blow those candles out, Boy!!!

Make that wish.!!!

V and D said that Mr. Cooper is a great kid...

and, of course, they are not prejudice one bit. 

V and D's good friend, Lois Mills, was also having a birthday

while they were in town.

They treated her to a lunch at La Madeleine's.

Some friends from First Methodist Church in Lafayette

came by our table and sang the birthday song to Lois.

Lois sings in the choir at First Methodist with these guys

for Easter and Christmas.

Right next to La Madeleine's is Dunn's Interior.

Dave used to work for Dunn's, so they popped in to visit with old friends.

Here they are reminiscing with Judy Dunn and Karen Laing.

Judy, Karen, and Dave had gone on a mission trip together

several years ago to Romania.

A bunch of good times packed into just a few days...