With my Scouts

Graveyard Adventure

Okay, probably not the first family friendly idea that comes to mind on a nice day when you want to get the kids out of the house. But my friend, Malia, suggested we check out The Saluda Hill Cemetary for the view alone. So we did.

And, I have to admit, the view was actually pretty darn amazing for South Alabama!

Tori took the majority of these photos. Good job, girl.

Happy Birthday, e!

Jimmy is in town, even. So they celebrated e’s bday early by having lunch out at Jesse’s Restaurant in Magnolia Springs on Saturday. (Lucky!)

Krewe of Mullet Mates Parade- 2012

This was our very first time at the KOMM Parade. A friend invited us down to check it out. We plan to return. The company and view is WELL worth it.

Oh, did I mention Don, Susan and the girls came in town for Mardi Gras?! YAY!!

Last year I got those cups for all the kids. They were a crazy straw kinda hit.

Tori and Maggie enjoyed taking pictures while we snacked and waited for the parade to roll.

TJ got the baby in the King Cake (recipe posted another day — it was a most excellent King Cake) but he gave it to Tommy. I thought he was being sweet, but now I think he’s trying to get out of buying/making the next King Cake.

And my favorite ending to a parade EVER… there is a older lady passing floats on her personal scooter. ZOOMING past them.

Maids of Jubilee Parade — 2012

Meeting our new puppy, Hondo, for the first time

Hondo is a chunky yellow lab puppy. He was three weeks and two days old when we met him today.

 

We plan to bring him home at 7 weeks.

 

Yes, the name is Hondo. Inspiration from here:

and partly here:

 

Mystics Mutts of Revelry Parade — 2012

First Moonpie of the Season!

It’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s TACO DOG!

And my favorite of the court, Prince Henry

Knights of Ecor Rouge Parade –2012

In case you’d ever wondered… if they REALLY have to go…

This was Tori’s first Mardi Gras Parade to march with the FHS band. We might have heckled with love a little bit.

Tim stopped by for a quick picture before running off to hang with his friends.

MAGGIE!

One from The Press Register:

Overnight on the USS Alabama

Dragon Mardi Gras Float Project

I think it turned out awesome.

Tommy decided to name him ‘Dean’ in homage to his great-grandfather’s years of rolling with the Mystics of Time.

Dean is one of the baby dragons in the parade each year.

His sibling is Verna. The momma dragon is Vernadean.

Check old old Vernadean from 1950:

And the modern Vernadean *pic from Mobile Press Register:

I wonder if we have have any photos stored away of my Pop all dressed up for a parade?* I asked Momma today and she thinks she DOES have some pics of Pop in costume. Can anyone say fun Mardi Gras pic to put out? Cannot wait to see it. (Yes, it’s a mystical society and he’ll be masked, but still. Work with me.)

It’s funny remembering the boxes that would arrive in Charleston from Pop when I was child. Candy, beads, MoonPies and a costume. I never knew just what the heck Mardi Gras was until we finally moved to Fairhope and I experienced my first parade. As a funny side note, e took me to my very first Mardi Gras parade.

Tommy will complete his float at school in the next few days. Parents will get to see the completed project on Valentine’s Day. Can’t wait to see it!