Ray has worked Mardi Gras in Galveston for the past couple of years and this year we were able to accompany him. They call in motorcycle officers from nearby areas to work crowd control. He was able to land us a free condo for the weekend. We arrived Friday evening and after settling into the condo, the kids decided on the location for dinner which was of course, Rain Forest Cafe. Actually we were gonna eat at Landry's but of course the Rain Forest Cafe is right beside it,UGH! Although, we did enjoy our food.(Ray didn't enjoy the bill.) Saturday morning, Ray took us to his fav place for breakfast which is a little Mexican bakery on Broadway. We bought tamales, donuts, and cookies. We may have over did it! He left after breakfast to report to duty. The kids and I were left to navigate around Galveston by ourselves. I was nervous but I did a good job with the kids helping me. I feel like a pro getting around Galveston, now. We made it to the first parade. I learned not to get there early. My poor kids were tired and sunburned before the parade even started. It was so fun, seeing them get excited about catching beads. Tray and Triston were both hit in the head with beads. Did I mention that we have never been to Mardi Gras before?? They left the first parade with lots of beads! We picked up a pizza and headed back to the condo for lunch and a nap. The night parade was alot busier. We didn't show up until Ray called and said the parade had started. And we still had to wait for it to make its way down to where we were at. We enjoyed watching fireworks on our drove to the parade.The kids enjoyed enjoyed getting more beads and became pros at holding their hands up in the air and making lots of noise in order to get beads. After the parade, we went to kroger for groceries & movies. We enjoyed a homemade meal thanks to our kitchette in the condo and movies. Now, I am wondering what we are gonna do with all those mardi gras beads??????
