Mardi Gras take 1

It's Mardi Gras week in New Orleans and we're living it up! Last Friday we went to a small walking parade right in Slidell with our friends. This parade is called Mona Lisa and Moonpies. they throw moonpies. It was awesome. Did you know that if you put a moonpie in the microwave for about 8 seconds it turns into a delicious gooey, melted chocolatey yummy breakfast dessert? It does! 

This past Friday night it rained. After a week of beautiful weather, it rained most of the day on Friday. However, Selene, the biggest and best parade in Slidell was still rolling! We gathered with our friends, coworkers, and 14 volunteers from New England in town for the parade. We ate shrimp boil, hot dogs, hamburgers, and snacks. We had a wonderful time! I even caught an authentic glass bead necklace! (Check out the picture below of Jarrod and I. Aren't they pretty?!)

Jarrod and I at Selene in Slidell.

Jarrod the Gangsta, me and Courtney at Selene.

On Sunday afternoon Jarrod, some of our friends, and I piled into a 12 passenger van and made the trek to Rayne Memorial UMC in the Garden District of New Orleans. It took 2.5 hours to get into the city but we made it unscathed. Our goal was to eat, have fun, and see two incredible parades: Bacchus and Endymion.

After we arrived, we went outside to check things out. Because Endymion was rescheduled from the night before, crowds were at an all-time high. Things were insane! Soon, Bacchus began and we settled in to catch some beads!

It was chilly, chaotic, but delightful. We spent our time with awesome friends in a safe neighborhood. Emma was there, and we all love Emma. :-)

Endymion was definitely the most incredible parade I've ever seen. They were all lit floats and the throws were incredible.

 

But the best part by far was Anderson Cooper. His float stopped right in front of where we were standing and my life was forever changed. Allow me to tell you a little story.

Once upon a time in a land called the Garden District I was minding my own business watching some gorgeous parades. When all of a sudden I look up and Anderson Cooper is calling my name! 

"Leanne! Leanne!"

You can imagine my surprise. Before I could even respond, he was winking at me! 

Anderson Cooper winking...

My husband was right there, but Anderson Cooper is on my list and it's laminated. Then Anderson Cooper threw me some beautiful blue and silver beads. They got stuck on my husband's fingers, but I yanked really hard and he didn't yell much. These beads went right from Anderson Cooper's hands into my hands...with just a short stop around my husband's fingers.

After the beads, Anderson Cooper threw me a cup with his face on it. Kelly Rippa and Mark Consuelos were on the cup (and the float as well) and as much as I adore Kelly Rippa, she didn't catch my attention like Anderson Cooper.

Once the adhrenaline wore off from Anderson Cooper I realized it was almost 10pm and we had a long trip home. We loaded back in the car and were thankful to be home and in our beds by midnight. Today is Lundi Gras and after working a long, hard day at work, Jarrod and I will head back to Rayne Memorial UMC with our friends to spend the evening catching even more beads and seeing even more celebrities. ;-)