Mardi Gras

After living in Southern Mississippi for 1 1/2 years, we finally made it to our first, and only, Mardi Gras parade. Last year, with Jake being deployed, I avoided all Mardi Gras celebrations because I had no desire to take 4 children to a parade solo. Around here, every city has a separate parade, on a different day... so feasibly, we could have easily attended 5+ parades within 40 minutes driving distance from our house. With this being our last Mardi Gras season in Mississippi, we decided that we should at least go to one parade before we move. So on a Sunday morning (yes, we skipped church that day... shhh) we loaded up the cooler with goodies, the van with kids, and headed out with some friends to tailgate before the parade. 

Around here, Mardi Gras is a BIG DEAL. You have to head out early before the city blocks off the streets, and you basically set up camp somewhere along the parade route and hang out for a couple hours before the parade. I was informed that a location near a restroom is key. We were fortunate to be invited to hang out in an empty lot owned by a friend-of-a-friend, that was next door to a house with a functioning restroom (score!). The lot used to have a house upon it, but that was destroyed by Katrina. We got to hear some stories from those who lived through the hurricane and tried to imagine how the house we were standing next to was completely underwater. It is hard to fathom. 

After a lunch of delicious tailgating foods we walked over to the parade route. Will spent most of the time with prime seating on his daddy's shoulders:

The parade consisted of typical marching bands, dancers, etc.... but the main attractions were trucks and floats with people throwing out tons of beaded necklaces, stuffed animals, and trinkets.

The girls with their friend, Haley:

Addie got to sit on Jake's shoulders for a little bit. Pretty amazing that our 6-year-old is still light enough for a shoulder ride!

Will was showing a little plumbers crack and I just had to take a shot. Don't worry, Jake covered it up afterward.

Jacob was dancing to the music and having a blast. Just a few days ago, nearly a month later, Jacob was still singing the refrain, "Let's have a party!" 

 Beautiful Bella:

Addie enjoyed singing and shouting to the music as the floats went by...

By this point Will had nearly fallen asleep on Jake's shoulders, but he gave one last shout out for some more beads.

We did enjoy our Mardi Gras experience. Thankfully, we went to a 'family friendly' parade. There were only a few offensive sights here and there, but it seems that the kids were oblivious. They just had a great time trying to catch the trinkets and add to their bounty. They made out quite nicely. I suppose if we ever end up back in this part of the states we might have to go to another Mardi Gras parade... but for now, this one will have to do for the next 3+ years!