Crowning the Queen

As I previously wrote about, Mr.'s step-mom is going to be Queen of her Mardi Gras krewe this year.  The fun and excitement has started off with a bang...or really fun parties:)

We were in on the surprise for her unveiling, she really had no clue that she was selected to be Queen.  It was so cute and sweet to watch the surprise unfold. Mr.'s daddy was so proud to be able to afford his wife this royalty:)

The next party we attended was her official crowning.  It was a low-key, poolside party at a beautiful home on the river.

We had a fun time sipping wine and cutting up a bit, karaoke style, at the end!

Most recently we were invited to the Rio Sambada, were the krewe selects the rest of the Mardi Gras court.  The Wilson's took a limo bus full of us out for a little pre-party and then we kind of took over the dance floor at the Sambada.  Mr. said he hadn't danced that much since our wedding.  Oh my yes, this is going to be one royally fun year!

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Mardi Gras Mambo x 3

Mardi Gras season has come and gone and despite falling super early in the year, we were able to partake in parade festivities three times! Thank goodness Mattie is game for pretty much anything because her brother was all about the throws and beads and mastered the saying, "Throw me somethin', mister!".

The first parade we took the kiddos to see this season was one that Mr.'s dad and step-mom ride in.  To say we ended up with some loot was a bit of an understatement.  Bags of beads and stuffed animals made their way home with us and Jackson was ready for more!

And more he got!

In keeping with tradition, Stephanie and the girls made their annual trip over for the week of Mardi Gras.  Not only did the girls get to meet the newest princess of our brood, but they got to see two parades this year! The first parade was Saturday morning and the kids had a blast.  The parade was a little smaller, so they were able to hang on the street and catch beads up close. 

On Fat Tuesday we headed to my parent's Mardi Gras krewe headquarters and camped out for the day.  The weather was warm, but dreadfully rainy and gross.  We all wore our rain boots and let's just say by the end of the day the kids had to strip down to their undies before heading home.  Puddles, fun jumps and mud had never been more fun! Of course, Miss Mattie slept through the festivities and didn't even know what fun she was missing.

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Mardi Gras 2012

Since my mom moved down to Louisiana 9 years ago (8 for me), we've always made a big to-do out of Mardi Gras. So this year was no different, and was packed full of Mardi Gras madness! Shh, I think next year we're skipping town and going to find a nice quiet beach somewhere:)

My dad brought his girlfriend down from St. Louis for a long weekend, so we had a very nice visit with them.  Our plan had originally been to go to New Orleans for the day on Saturday, as we've always done in the past.  However, the weather forecast was terrible and we spent the good part of our time last year seeking cover from the monsoons.  Been there, done that, no desire to do it again.  So, we decided at the last minute to go Friday night instead since the weather was clear.

By the time we packed our overnight bags, found hotel rooms, and got Jackson situated with Pop, we didn't get on the road until the early evening.  When we got to the city, we dropped our bags at the hotel and caught the end of a parade on Canal.  Then we ate an amazing dinner at Domenica Restaurant before making the trip down Bourbon for ridiculous people watching.

Herme's Bar

Carousel Bar

After our late night, it was nice to sleep in on Saturday morning and not have Action Jackson's wake-up call, although I missed him terribly.  We took our time getting dressed and drinking our coffee until check-out and headed to Court of Two Sisters for brunch before heading back home.  And unfortunately, our brunch was so delicious that we were basically worthless for the rest of the day!

We were sad to see my dad and Sheree off on Sunday, as there visit quickly came to an end.  The downside of having family live 12 hours away...

There was little time to dwell though because a quick bed change later, Stephanie and her bunch were in from Dallas for actual Mardi Gras.  This has become our little tradition, so maybe we won't be able to skip town next year after all;)

Practicing for bead catchin'

melt.my.heart.

Young love:)

The kids had a great time playing and practicing their bead catching while the adults caught up and enjoyed good food, wine, and company.  It's always such a joy to have your lifelong best friend visit.  Even though we talk everyday, seeing each other in person is irreplaceable!

Best Friends of 20 years!

Mardi Gras day was an absolute blast.  We had our first day of sunshine is what seems like weeks, and we all got our first sunburn of the year! My parents belong to a Mardi Gras krewe, so we spend the day with quite a set-up.  Fun jumps, face painting, dancing, and all the food and beverages you could imagine.  The kids racked up on beads and had an impressive bag of throws by the end of the day!

Throw me something mister!

Loli & Jackson dancing away!

And just like that, the week of house guests and Mardi Gras came to an end.  The guests have left, the diet has started, decorations are back in the attic, and my house is being put back together as I type!

Until next year,  Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez (Let the Good Times Roll)!

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Some time away

Me and my boys spent some time away from home over the weekend and it was heavenly! Sometimes you just need to get away to recharge and reconnect. No phones, no computers, no plans, no laundry, no worries!

The timing worked out so perfectly, it was like God knew that we needed this weekend. Work has been crazy busy for both Mr. and myself. When the pressure is on, it's hard to not turn your spouse into your punching bag!

So when a work meeting in New Orleans came up for me and an event at the Fairground for Mr., we knew it was meant to be! Friday morning we loaded the car and heading East.  We got into the city just in time for Mr. to drop me off to my meeting and find a place for he and Jackson to grab some lunch.  My meeting went well and I was able to walk over to Superior Grill to meet my boys for lunch.

The weather was absolutely amazing so we sat outside and just relaxed until it was time to check into our hotel.  When we checked in we got cleaned up and ready for a night at the racetracks.  Mr. and I aren't into gambling, but we're all about free food and drink:) It was especially nice since Jackson was with his uncle hanging out at the Tulane dorms {the joys of younger brothers, built in babysitters}. We schmoozed and boozed and Jackson ran around flirting with some college girls:) I think it was a win - win!

Saturday morning we woke up and took a stroll around the city and watched it come alive.  With venti coffees in hand and Jackson in his stroller, we walked and walked and walked.  We went through Jackson Square and looked at all of the art.  We watched the fog leave the city.  We listened to a few musicians.  Mr. got his all time favorite Verti Marte.  We watched all of the bars and restaurants clean the streets and prep for the day.  It was four hours of perfectness.

We all love to be outside and Jackson loves to be in his stroller.  At one point in the morning Mr. looked and me and said that he could literally watch me floating on cloud nine.  These little beauties may or may not have been part of that reason;)

With my new shoes in hand {it was way too hot to wear boots with my dress, so I just had to get 'em}, we all got cleaned up for the day and made our way over to Magazine St.   We spent a few more hours strolling around.  When we were hungry we stopped for a bite, and a drink.  No plans, no agenda, no where to be!

Later in the afternoon we went back by Tulane and picked up my brother and his roommate for dinner.  Jackson loves these boys to pieces.  After dinner we decided to take Cameron's roommate to see a parade.  He's from the east coast, so this will be his first Mardi Gras...and he's a little excited:)

I was happy that Jackson enjoyed the parade and the music.  Half of me was worried the floats and bead throwing would scare him.  Silly momma, he loved it! We stayed back from the crowd, but it was perfect.  There were a few girls at the parade that recognized Jackson from the dorms the night before...not even 2 and the girls are yelling down the street at my boy:)

Sunday morning we woke up and did the same as the day before.  Coffees, stroller, and my boys.  We walked for a few hours and grabbed breakfast at a cute little cafe.  I was so sad when it was time to go shower and check-out.  I had the most amazing weekend away with my boys, I didn't want it to end!

My heart is happy and I feel a little recharged and oh so blessed! Happy Wednesday loves:)

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