Today we dined and smiled and celebrated Mardi Gras at Antoine's Restaurant with Soirée New Orleans. It was a wonderful afternoon and so festive. (at Antoine's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoveLTELerVsumnot-W86aIaNk3t6txPKBvwKo0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Today we dined and smiled and celebrated Mardi Gras at Antoine's Restaurant with Soirée New Orleans. It was a wonderful afternoon and so festive. (at Antoine's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoveFlALuXoSz7WFJ-E3bE-FLclSVtNSTQ8x7w0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Today we dined and smiled and celebrated Mardi Gras at Antoine's Restaurant with Soirée New Orleans. It was a wonderful afternoon and so festive. (at Antoine's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/Covd--1Ll7HVZ_MRJKymaJGV3wLrt-V6gIWK4w0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Krewe of Cleopatra - Pre Party (at River City Venues) https://www.instagram.com/p/CogN_59NslmxnKT2-NSflqzhstBqNUABzTIcCQ0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I have laughed and smiled and laughed some more. Sweetest thing ever. These are service dogs being trained to attend theatrical performances. Since service dogs have to be still and quiet for an entire performance, they are trained by going to the theatre. This is my kind of performance. I would not have given up the stage if this had been my audience. :) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoUlfZ2rvT302dQHO9TE8zQyXTkJQXyXz6TLOM0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

House Floats have bloomed! Here’s a few but certainly not the biggest ones. So much festive fun! (at Garden District) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoHwoQlLH3s0F_qMajBNu7TE4wGcSDvgV76W6U0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Today I tagged along with Parker on his school outing to the Stennis Space Center. Denver wasn’t sure how he felt about going but then he found some fans, all female, and he decided he liked the day. Lol. (at INFINITY Science Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoD9tgSt60rmDgfkDuD06de3PPX2tvAXVZBfug0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The Krewe of Iris Ball. Alyssa and I were part of the Second Line professional in to the Ball to introduce the Queen and the Court. This whole event was simply magnificent. This was done so much like the Mardi Gras Balls of yesteryear that it brought tears to my eyes. (at Hilton New Orleans Riverside) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn_TWh8sVju/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The Krewe of Iris Ball. Alyssa and I were part of the Second Line professional in to the Ball to introduce the Queen and the Court. This whole event was simply magnificent. This was done so much like the Mardi Gras Balls of yesteryear that it brought tears to my eyes. (at Hilton New Orleans Riverside) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn_TTm_saas/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Alyssa and I getting ready for the second line into the Krewe of Iris Ball. What a way to make an entrance. #hailiris (at Hilton New Orleans Riverside) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn_SAVLsSf6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Saints VS Panthers! Last game of a much less than stellar season. Still a WHO DAT, always!! (at Caesars Superdome) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnLI_hKrHbo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Alyssa & her team with their pregame dance Saints vs Panthers (at Caesars Superdome) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnLGXn8LSWB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

My favorite of all traditions. The Christmas Eve bonfires on the levees in the River Parishes. It was cold and it wasn’t as crowded but it was still gorgeous. Lacey, Cameron and Alicia got to experience their first one last night. The Bonfire holiday tradition is older than any local can remember. It is speculated that bonfires on the levee were a celebratory practice brought over by the French-German settlers of Louisiana’s River Parishes in the early 1700s. Some say the enslaved built them at the end of the harvest season to celebrate. Others claim the fires were used to light the way for the faithful to attend the Midnight Mass. but if you ask the local kids they will tell you the bonfires light the way for Papa Nöel (Santa Claus) to find all the good boys and girls of the River Parishes. It is possible that the origin is a combination of all the above. Regardless, it’s a centuries old tradition that has stood the test of time and remains highly popular and highly regarded, a treasured family tradition passed down from generation to generation and still being passed. (at Mississippi River Bonfires) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmmT4z3LNAa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Let the bonfires begin! (at Gramercy Bonfires) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmmR3Phrc0L/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The Inn is all festive and ready to welcome our Christmas guests. (at The Parisian Courtyard Inn) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmg144er1KJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Christmas lights light up the darkest nights in the Garden District (at Garden District) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmgQc-VO2xj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Some pics from our Christmas the other night with Alyssa, Brandon, Parker and Denver. Hearing Denver laugh and watching smiles come across Parker’s face is one of the highlights of our lives. (at New Orleans, Louisiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cme0_iFPTp0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=