To start off - a big happy Mardi Gras to everyone. For those of you about to embark on Lent - I hope you enjoyed a day/weekend of getting it all out before a focused, forty days ahead. I have grown up participating in the Lenten season, but would say that the season (or rather long weekend) of "Mardi Gras" is a relatively new experience. Three years ago Matt and I went to our first Mardi Gras in New Orleans. I assumed I would be walking into a scene from Girls Gone Wild/College Spring Break...but it was nothing like what they portray on TV. Mardi Gras in New Orleans, as hard as it might be to believe, is actually a family friendly weekend and something quite special and unique that bonds the community of New Orleans. Bourbon street of course is another story - but honestly - Bourbon street has booze, boobs and craziness every day of the year. If you stay off of Bourbon, aren't out wandering around late at night, and understand that you will run into the occassional crazy during the parades - it is an experience I think almost anyone could enjoy. My favorite part of the weekend though is the "ball" (and getting to spend time with my brothers). We are lucky enough to get tickets to the Bacchus ball ever year with a table on the platform. It definitely ups the anty and I am concerned the bar has been set too high to do it any other way :-). This year's trip was a success and worth the trip down. A big thank you to our friends and family for including us in the "VIP" activities associated with Bacchus!
Mardi Gras Highlights:
Starting the weekend off right with begniets at Cafe du Monde!!!
This might be one of my favorite parts of New Orleans. Look at all of that jambalya!!!
Bacchus 2011.
Usually we get to see a day parade, a night parade, and then go to the Bacchus ball. I was so excited to get to wear this dress. I have been in love with it for over a year. Thanks Kelly for letting me borrow it!!!! Matt was pretty excited about his cheesehead bow tie as well! (Go Packers)
With Amy - she did my hair and I loved it!!!
With my boys...so handsome!!!!
With Mrs. Tiffany
Table #9...prime location for watching the parade go through the convention center. Gotta love getting to see the parade finish inside with the krewe unloading their beads to all of their friends and families.
This year's King of Bacchus was Andy Garcia...
Lundi Gras.
A real word - for the Monday before Mardi Gras. We stayed over until Tuesday so we could relax and enjoy the city on Monday. We were in for a special treat meeting General Jack and his amazing wife Cindy for lunch. Jack and Cindy surprised us after lunch with access to a Bourbon street balcony. It was incredible to throw beads from the balcony. Incredible and slightly R-rated at times...haha! But definitely something fun to check off of my bucket list! I still can't believe we got to get on a balcony during Mardi Gras. A big thank you to Jack and Cindy for thinking of us!!! AND for my "special hour walk" around town.
We met Jack and Cindy at our first Bacchus ball and managed to form a lasting friendship. It was really fun to see them and catch up.
To sum up: Mardi Gras was a success - but glad it only comes once a year...because it is exhausting!
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