Chapter 3

Smoking Wrecker: Glad you think so

As drove down the highway, the Louds looked out at the city. There were the usual tall buildings and skyscrapers, and then they got to the downtown area. The buildings had balconies on them, people played guitars, saxophones, and trombones on the streets.

The city also had many night clubs, bars, and restaurants.

"Wow this place looks awesome." said Lana.

"They have horse drawn carriages." observed Lola.

True enough a white horse pulling a carriage with a couple of people trotted on the street.

"Are there any museums close by?" asked Lisa.

"There's a history and art one in the city. We can go there while you're here." Joseph told her.

"Fish, fish." Lily piped up, pointing out the window.

Lynn Sr. looked out the window, and saw she was pointing at an aquarium.

"Yes, Lily, there are fish in there. Maybe we'll have time to check it out." he told her.

Lily giggled. Then they drove past a cemetery.

"Wow, what kind of cemetery is that?" Lucy wanted to know.

"That's just the way cemeteries look here. The grounds too swampy to dig holes, so we use these tombs to bury the dead." Joseph explained.

"Fascinating."

Then finally they came to a large looking house. The Louds were amazed, it was sort of like the Loud castle back Scotland, but slightly smaller.

"Is this another castle?" Lola wanted to know.

"Actually it's a..." Joseph started say.

"A chateau." Lisa finished.

"That's right, Lisa. Not really a castle, but more of a manor."

They got out of the car, and went inside.

"Everyone, they're here." announced Joseph.

Joseph's family members then came to them, a middle aged woman, a teenage girl, a preteen boy, and young boy.

"Rita, Lynn you remember my wife, Mary."

Mary had dark skin, medium length black hair, and wore a purple blouse, jeans, and white shoes.

"Yeah, how're you Mary?" asked Lynn Sr.

"Hi." added Rita.

"So good to see ya'll again." Mary told them.

And they introduced the Loud kids.

"And these are our kids, Katie, Samuel, and Lucas." introduced Mary.

Katie looked about Luna's age, she had a black ponytail, and wore a pink t-shirt, jean skirt, and black ankle boots. Samuel was around Lincoln's age, had short black hair, and wore a blue shirt, black pants, and brown shoes.

And Lucas was around Lucy's age had puffy black hair, and he wore a white t-shirt, black overalls, and blue sneakers. "And there's also Mary's mother Audrey. Where is she?" Joseph wondered.

"I'm right here." piped up a voice.

Everyone jumped, and looked to the right. There stood an elderly woman with gray hair in a bun, red glasses, gold earrings, and she wore a gray sweater, purple dress, and black slip on shoes.

"Everyone, this is my mother Audrey." Mary introduced.

"Sorry about that, I have a habit of sneaking up on people." Audrey explained.

"So do I." Lucy told her, appearing right next to her.

Audrey smiled at her.

"I think we're going to get along just fine."

After getting their bags, the LeBlancs showed the Louds their rooms. They had a few guest rooms, so the Louds had to share. Lynn Sr., Rita, and Lily shared one, Lori, Leni, and Luna got a room together.

Luan, Lynn, and Lucy shared a room. Lincoln shared a room with Samuel, and Lola, Lana, and Lisa slept in the same room.

"Thanks for letting me share your room Samuel." Lincoln told him.

"No problem, Lincoln." Samuel replied.

"You guys must be pretty rich to love in a place like this."

"Well we're not really that rich."

"Then how can you live in this house?"

"This is my grandma's house, she came from a wealthy family. So when she she dies it goes to my mom." Samuel explained.

"Wow."

So after getting settled in, it was time for dinner.

"Still interested in cooking, Lynn?" asked Joseph.

"You bet, wouldn't have my own restaurant if I wasn't."

"Well you're in for a treat. New Orleans is known for its' cuisine."

Lynn Sr. liked the sound of that. Dinner consisted of rice, gumbo, rolls and lemonade.

"Mmm, this is really good, Mrs. LeBlanc." complimented Lori.

"Thank you, Lori." replied Mary.

"Nothing tastes better than mom's gumbo." mentioned Katie.

"Do you think you could give dad the recipe?" wondered Leni.

"I think I could make this at home." Lynn Sr. added.

"Sure thing."

"Well tomorrow, we've got a full day planned." Joseph announced.

"What are we gonna do?" asked Luna.

"Were going to take a tour of a bayou, see a museum, and explore downtown." explained Samuel.

"Sounds like a hoot." said Luan.

When they finished their dinner, while the adults talked the kids talked among themselves and about Mardi Gras.

"So what exactly happens at Mardi Gras anyway?" asked Lynn.

"It's a big party." answered Lucas.

"Yeah, there's great music, lights, food, costumes, and a big parade." added Katie.

"Sounds like fun." thought Lincoln.

"It is, and every year we create a float for the parade." Samuel mentioned.

"Really, awesome!" cheered Lana.

"Do you get to ride on it?" wondered Lola.

"You know it." Katie said.

"Sounds positively entertaining." replied Lisa.

"All right, you kids." called a voice.

The kids jumped, and saw Audrey standing in the doorway.

"It's time to hit the hay."

"Okay, Grandma." replied Lucas.

"Goodnight, Miss Audrey." added Lincoln.

And all the kids went to their respective rooms to turn in.

That's chapter 3, plz review