Louisiana

Sophia completed her two year tour of 19 States and 2 Countries with Louisiana for a very special reason, to meet Benjamin Luis, her new cousin.

In addition to Benjamin, Sophia was meeting her cousin Emilie (directly behind Sophia in photo below) and cousin-in-law Lulu (holding her son). Benjamin's Grandmother is my Mom's sister, and her son Jesse, is Benjamin's Dad.

Since so many of us were together, we decided to have an April Thanksgiving dinner:

The lettuce and rosemary came from the family garden and green beans were picked up at the local St.Roch Market:

The New Orleans French Quarter Fest was also taking place while we were there and Sophia loved hearing all of the different performers:

We went to hear my Aunt Jan where she has been a piano bar singer at Pat O'Briens on Bourbon St. for over twenty five years:

And my cousin Jesse is an organist at St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continuously operating Catholic Cathedral in the country:

We had the opportunity to hear him play during the Saturday Vigil.

Lulu is also a professional Violinist and music teacher.

Sophia and Benjamin are almost exactly the same difference in age as my cousin Emilie and I. 

Despite the fact that they live on opposite ends of the East Coast, we hope that they get to enjoy many cousin adventures together!