Mardi Gras!

I feel like I keep posting my “out of Nebraska” experiences/desires. I guess winter in Nebraska can be a little bit stagnant or maybe it’s just an excuse to be lazy. I will admit that I have enjoyed the few snow days that we have had this winter. It’s such a cozy feeling…at least until the clausterphobia sets in. Anyways, to get a break from the winter doldrums, we went to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. We arrived on the Sunday before and it was nice and balmy. It felt good to be surrounded by humidity after coming from the dryness. We arrived in the early afternoon and headed for the parades soon after.

Let the germs begin!

I caught this spear one handed while protecting Edith. I am a warrior, but Brent is taking the credit.

We were so lucky to not only get a vacation, but also get to see so many good friends and new babies. A special thank you to Kent and Leslie for giving us a place to crash. It was definitely a different Mardi Gras experience with the babes running around like wild things and the parents struggling to keep track of them. It was still great to see the kids getting all the beads and just be in this crazy city for a while. Kent and Leslie also hosted a craw-fish boil, my first time eating craw-fish. It was disgusting and delicious at the same time. I would have to take breaks from eating the little things because the fishy smell would get so intense.

Look at this face! Yay Julian!

King of Mardi Gras (I think)

These things still have poop inside of them.

We stayed in town for a couple of days after Mardi Gras and got to hang out with people a bit more and do some touristy things. We went to the Aquarium on a really cold rainy day. It was pretty cool but very expensive. It reminded me a lot of the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo actually.

Shark tamers?

Fish Tamer?

The last day we were in town we really hit it hard. Brent, Leslie, Edith, Julian, and I went to the zoo first thing in the morning. The sun was shining and the animals were out! It was great. Their zoo kicks ass. All of the displays are weathered which makes them look authentic.

This beast was very friendly!

Gorgeous old trees at the zoo

And of course, you cannot go to New Orleans without stopping at Cafe DuMonde for beignets and cafe au laits. Edith needed no initiation and immediately got powdered sugar all over herself. We sat next to a Nebraskan from Friend and knew it was time to go home.

Yum

Here are some more random photos. I took most of these with my iphone and it was incredibly humid (hence the foggy look in many of them).

Our lovely hosts!

Handsome soldiers

Beads!

Love

Hey Mister!

What kind of face is that?

Girls Girls Girls!

Bead tree

“Edith’s first plane ride” outfit

Night parade