I didn’t get to New Orleans until late Sunday night (the Sunday before Mardi Gras), but G was already there.

That’s how he met me at the airport…he likes the pink beads the best.  Thankfully, he went to a bunch of parades with his nephew so it saved me from having to go out every night.

G took those pictures before I got there.  Good job, G!!

And this was Bourbon Street:

We headed out to see some parades on Tuesday morning (after I spent all of Monday doing mostly nothing!).  We were completely shocked when we woke up and it was 32 degrees outside.  It was a bit unexpected and I didn’t really pack for that kind of weather.

A ski mask would have been helpful.  We made it to the Zulu parade and there were so many people out (it was only 10:00 am).  We strolled down Bourbon street and headed back home in the early afternoon.  I didn’t really understand the excitement about beads and coconuts so I just did my best to dodge everything.  I know, I’m a horrible Mardi Gras person.

The next day, G and I took a walking tour of the Garden District and I TOTALLY LOVED IT!!  It was gorgeous out and the homes were so beautiful.

That’s G in front of the house where “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” was filmed.  He was pretty excited about it.  The walking tour was one of my favorite parts of the trip.  I think G liked seeing all the boobs his family the most.

Per usual, we spent a lot of time eating and a lot of time with family.  G’s sister lives in New Orleans and his other sister (from LA) flew in for the weekend!

Pretty good looking group of kids, huh?  And here’s most of the rest of the gang:

We also had a chance to have dinner  with our good friends, Meghan and Mayukh, who used to live in Portland!

We had so much fun visiting with everyone and seeing New Orleans.  There’s a lot I didn’t do and see so I’d really like to go back.  It was an incredible first trip!!