Mardi Gras Recap: Part 2

Now on to Mardi Gras day (Fat Tuesday)... Jeff was up at 3:30 am to secure our spot with his brother, Uncles Glen, Barry & Eric, and a few others. The rest of us headed into town around 8:00 to catch Rex and the truck parades, which last through late afternoon.

There were multiple grills going with hamburgers & hot dogs, snacks, and King Cake under a couple tents... Along with speakers for music and a platform for catching beads. It is seriously the most deluxe set-up!

{grills going}

{platform dancing}

Everyone dresses in costume for the Fat Tuesday parades, and we were 'Boeuf Gras' (a float in Rex). It was so fun to see our crowd of 30+ dresses as cows!

{cows up close}

{Jeff giving a little cousin a lift to catch beads}

{full view of the platform}

There is something that is so much more than the good time to be had at Mardi Gras... There is so much love in the Whittaker family, for each other and for their city. I don't think I could ever do the feeling justice in a post, but New Orleans is so alive and the pride that New Orleanians (including our family) have for it is palpable.

I am truly blessed to be part of it all.

Mardi Gras Recap: Part I

We're back from our Mardi Gras trip to New Orleans!  Here is a recap of the fun and festivities... Stick with me, because this is a two part-er...

After arriving in the city about 3 am our time, we slept a few hours before the girls headed to a bridal shower for Jeff's cousin.  The shower was in an old house (turned restaurant).  The food was delicious, and it was so great to have a chance to see the bride-to-be before her wedding in May!

{opening gifts}

{Jeff's mom, me, Jeff's sister Laura}

{we were under a tornado watch during the shower & the rain flooded the street in front of the restaurant}

Due to the rain, Endymion was postponed to Sunday evening.  We spent the night visiting with family and cheering on the Tarheels to victory over Duke!

The weather cleared overnight, and Sunday morning we were up early to head to Uncle Bruce's house for their annual party.  Their home is in a beautiful neighborhood with historic homes and tons of cute shops and restaurants within walking distance (aka my dream).

They are also right off the parade routes for Mid-City and Thoth.  We took in both parades and enjoyed one of my favorites, Aunt Laura's red beans & rice.

From there, we headed uptown to see Bacchus and Endymion (two of the largest parades).  The crowd was packed!  Fortunately, Jeff's cousin scored a prime condo rental right on St. Charles Avenue, which is part of both the parades' routes.  We were so lucky to have that set-up, since they didn't ended until around midnight.

{crowd at Endymion, extending all the way to the opposite side of the street}

Monday (Lundi Gras) was spent taking in the sights of the French Quarter... And there was much to be seen that cannot be shared on this blog!  We went to Pat O'Brien's, Johnny White's (a bar that has never closed it's doors, even during Katrina), and the Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone.

{Pat O'Brien's}

{French Quarter balconies decorated for Mardi Gras}

Up next... Mardi Gras day!

Small Request

So, for today, I am lobbying to pack up all of our friends, moms, dads, sisters, brothers, nephews & my grandparents... and move. To New Orleans.

And live here:

{Garden District via CocoCozy}

Which would probably look something like this inside, obvs...

Or here would work too...

Or just insert me & the hubby's faces here...

{images above via}

Whether or not you decide to move with us, be sure to check out the incredible design of New Orleans at The Bayou Contessa blog... It will pack your bag for you.