The Dennis Diary: Celebrating Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras has always been a big holiday for my family. Both of my parents were born and raised in Louisiana, most of my extended relatives still live there, and I was born in New Orleans. We moved to Georgia when I was a little girl, but we still go back multiple times a year and almost always visit during the Mardi Gras season. I had so much fun going to the parades growing up and I want my children to be able to experience them each year as well. Plus, you just can't get real King Cake in Atlanta!

Last weekend, Rob, the kids, and I headed down to Louisiana for the festivities. We stayed with my cousins, but also spent time at our family farm with my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had such a blast. Tripp loved getting to run around Glendale. The Plantation is definitely tractor heaven for a little boy his age.

Tripp sitting on one of the John Deere tractors.

This boy couldn't have been more excited to see the tractors.

My Dad, Uncle Tim, and Tripp (you can't see him in this picture) are on the tractor. That's Uncle AJ and my parents dog, Bosco, to the right.

Make a Wish.

Silly Uncle AJ

Standing in the tractor wheel is so fun!

Another tractor. The child could have done this for days.

We drove out to our part of the land that touches the river...The Mississippi River that is.

Tripp and Uncle Donald

Tripp, Pepere, and Rob checking out the Mississippi.

Tripp LOVES his Grandfather.

I absolutely LOVE this picture. There's just something so sweet about it. Grandson and Grandfather exploring.

Aunt Alli and Camille.

Tiffany (my cousin) and Camille.

Reese, Matthew, Matt, and Rob most likely talking about when they could go shoot the guns.

I heart this face.

Lots of room to run around.

Camille and Ms. Chris

Hello Double Chins!

Memere and Camille

We have pictures of me as an infant, toddler, child, teen, etc. on this porch. It's awesome to see my little man enjoying this wonderful home just as I always have.

Checking out the sugar cane fields and some rocks and sticks (of course).

A Daddy and his son.

Chris (Alli's boyfriend) and Tripp. We were setting up the board and paper targets to shoot at. Don't worry, Tripp wasn't outside during the target practice. He was just hanging out while we set up.

Don't mind if I do.

Rob giving me some pointers.

Me, Almie (our cousin), and Alli

What a group!

Amy (my cousin) and Camille at the Endymion Parade the next night. Amy was nice enough to wear Camille in the Baby Bjorn so my parents, Rob, and I could help Tripp catch beads. I didn't have my good camera with me at this point so some of the pictures are blurry. Atleast I remembered to take a few with my iPhone.