JoAnne had a bonus day off this year at school (a snow day that was not used) so we decided to turn it into a four-day weekend trip to Mississippi. We both worked on Thursday, 19 May, but as soon as we got off work we headed out (by way of the kennel in McConnells for the dogs.) We went as far as Opilika, Alabama where we spent the night at the Hampton Inn. Next morning we were on the road by 5am local time and were at Matt and Vanessa's house by 10am. We picked up Joshua at noon from his last day of school, then went to do a little shopping. Nanni bought Joshua a Star Wars video game, and a PAWS helmet for Nathan. We had lunch at Osaka Japanese Hibachi in D'Iberville (pronouced DEE IBERVIL - apologies to any French speakers out there!)
After lunch, we went back to the house. JoAnne and Matt had a light saber battle in the front yard. Matt decided to wash his new car, and I figured I may as well do the CR-V while we were at it.
 |
| Those are light sabers - just ask Joshua |
 |
| Notice the use of the human shield! |
 |
Nanni bought Nathan this PAWS
bike helmet |
Of course, if the water is turned on, the boys want in on the water action, too.
Friday night, the grownups (aka the Grumps) went to see Captain America: Civil War and ate too much popcorn. Movie was fun.
 |
| Keelser Exchange |
Saturday, we all went down to Keesler AFB. Matt was on call, but he hoped he would not be called in, but took two cars just in case. Sure enough, just as we pulled into the Exchange parking lot, he was called in. Fortunately he was only there for a couple of hours. Nanni and Vanessa found some things they liked at the BX.
Afterwards, we went to the base marina where they were having a military family appreciation day sponsored by the ELKS. Free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips (crisps for Jessi and Peter in England) and a drink. The boys got to go fishing, and they had a paleontologist do a dinosaur dig in the plastic swimming pool filled with sand. Matt joined back up with us while we were there.
 |
There was a British sports car club showing off their cars.
None of them were right-hand drive :-) |
 |
| Sittin' on the dock of the bay... |
 |
| Watching the kids "dig" for fossils |
 |
| Nice looking airplane parked out beyond the trees |
It was getting pretty warm, and it was too early for supper, so we went to a local mall to hang out in the air conditioning. The boy rode a carousel and then we did some shopping for books.
After an hour or so, it was time to eat, so we went to a seafood place call The Reef. Most of us had the Royal Red shrimp. It was really good.
That evening we watched Ant-Man, since he was in the Captain America movie the night before and we didn't know anything about him. Movie was actually pretty good.
Sunday was church, and since Matt is bishop we kind of felt obligated to go. After church, we came home for left overs for lunch and taco salad for dinner. We mainly just hung out waiting for Matt to come home (it was kind of a long wait.) Vanessa and I got on the computer and did some family history work. She found names to take to the temple on Tuesday (24 May).
 |
| Nathan (aka Taz) enjoying quiet Sunday afternoon |
Monday morning, came, like it always does. JoAnne and I got up and went for a walk, had breakfast, then packed up for the trip home. We finally got home a little before 9 pm. Now if we can just get motivated to go to work!
