This past weekend Ryker and I had the wonderful opportunity of going down to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras with Nana & Papa and my brother Pete and his family. It was fun going back to a place that I have many childhood memories and seeing if my memories match up with the actual places. Good thing is they did!
We had so much fun I had to post all of the great pictures to prove it and share it with ya'll.
Ryker and Nana were having fun reading stories while chillin naked. Three thing Ryker baby loves: Nana, being naked {that does not happen often}, and reading books.
Breakfast at Cafe du monde. Delicious hot beignet's and hot coco. We were covered in powder sugar after wards.
Ryker thought they were tasty also.... OK he liked the powder sugar more than the actual beignet.
Jackson square on the river walk. The weather was perfect. We had such a wonderful time just walking through the French Quarter and talking about all of our favorite places when we lived here.
One of my favorite parts of walking through the French Quarter is listening/ watching the street performers. These guys looked like a bunch of hobo's from the boondocks.
At Mardi Gras it is always fun to see all of the balconies in the Quarter decked out in the purple, green, and gold. It is very festive.
Nana and Papa at Laura's. The best praline's and candy shop. I love walking into a candy shop the smell is AMAZING! They make the best Mississippi Mud bar. I think it is my new favorite chocolate treat. Yes it was that good!
As a child going to the Audubon Zoo was one of my most fond memories. We would go weekly. I was pleased to know that my memories of this happy place were real. Hey and Ryker and I even got to pet this big elephant. That was neat.
Ryker loved the zoo. I can't wait to get a zoo pass in Atlanta. I think his favorite part was the petting zoo and petting the goats. He laughed and laughed at petting them. It made my day.
Papa had fun helping these little ones climb our favorite climbing tree. My memory of the tree was a bit off but that is to be expected I was 7 when we moved so of course it seemed bigger to me back then.
Pete being a stud in the swamp.Where I have "fond" but not really memories of Pete and Ben swinging me over the swamp filled with alligators. Yes my big brothers love me!
Let the parades begin! Friday night we headed to our first parade right after we stopped at our favorite snowball stand - Van's. They were just as good as we remembered and Joey's teeth are proof of a good snowball. YUMMY!!!
We made out with all kinds of great beads and toys. They were very generous with their throwings and having the kids is a great bonus for getting all of the goods.
Showing off some of great toys. This was before Ryker threw up all over me and himself. What an adventure. Good thing we had our bag with clothes for me to change in the car.
Oh Jonny boy you crack me up and are always good for a great laugh.
Papa and Jon caught this amazing little hat for Tiny. He loved it.
Saturday morning we got to take the ferry across the river like the old days.
Bell's and Nana got some sweet masks.
Pappy was a champ and got these super big white beads for me. I'm not sure how but he worked his charm and got them. Love it. I wish I would have taken a picture of the piles of beads and stuffed animals we got before we packed it all up. It was unreal how much we ended up with. Pete and Shellie had a great idea of what to do with the beads - give them out for Halloween instead of candy. I think it is a brilliant idea.
We had such a wonderful trip. It was fun to go back almost 20 years later and see where I grew up. I loved eating the wonderful Cajun food for every meal while we were there. I think that is one of the best parts of vacations is eating the traditional food of where you are.
It was a great place to visit but I am glad we do not still live in that stinky city. I am so glad that Atlanta does not smell like New Orleans.
