Mardi Gras 2011

Another New Orleans Mardi Gras is in the books and this one certainly had a special feel to it. I truly cannot think of anything to compare to the ride in the Bacchus parade Sunday night. It was well worth the sleepless nights that preceded the parade!

It was no surprise that young Patrick did not sleep well on any night, waking up numerous times in the middle of the night Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights and about 5:30 every morning. It was also no surprise that he woke Jacob up early every morning. However, every (or most) second was worth it. Jacob had an absolute blast to the point where he said he'd like to make the hotel his "new home" at one point! And little P is developing quite his own personality which will be shown in some of the pictures below.

Patrick and Pawpaw getting ready for dinner Friday night

A stroll across the Riverfront Saturday morning. I love Patrick's hat!

Jacob in front of the place where it all began almost ten year ago

Patrick with some rare sleep

Hebert girls; Peggy, KK, Suzanne just before lunch Saturday

Patrick is a mama's boy-BIG TIME

One of P's first personality traits; the head cock to the side; he'll do it on cue

J&P watching Barney Saturday night; daddy babysat so the others could eat in peace!

My float

The annual family Mardi Gras picture

Jacob was quite impressed with daddy's costume; the hat and mask would've scared him to death, though

Assuming the position

For those who don't know, the reason there are no pictures of us actually riding the float is that this ordeal is a day long process, quite literally. Ron and I went to the convention center at 7AM to load our beads. We returned at 12:30Pm to get dressed and convene at the float and meet with the family. This last picture was taken around 2:30 as we got ready to ride toward the beginning of the parade. After an hour and a half, we stopped for a "pre-game" dinner of steak and lobster. We re-entered the float for the ride which began for our float around 7:15. The route starts on St. Charles and again, I can't think of anything to compare to it. The only hint I could give is to imagine any major concert you've been to when the band comes out and the crowd cheers...that's what it sounded like...for nearly five hours. We went down St. Charles to Canal and eventually back into the convention center for the ball. I would officially like to say thank you to those who made this happen and to Suzanne for dealing with the children on minimal rest for me to have this memory. I will truly never forget it!!! And I think it's the start of great Mardi Gras memories for our children.