Holiday Parades!

Last weekend we went downtown to see the Magnificent Mile Lights Parade. It was cold and packed ... but the kids were thrilled. Both spent the parade up on our shoulders to ensure a good view. At the end of the parade we were both a bit sore, but the smiles on the kids faces was well worth the effort!


We followed up last weekend's parade with another parade - different state ... and MUCH different atmosphere. Here we were one of maybe 40 or so spectators, viewing 5 or so floats, and yet with equally excited kids.

  

This time we brought along Uncle Tim, Aunt Jackie & Cousin Gavin.  While Brooke and Ryan appreciated the blaring of the horns and sirens of each police car and firetruck, Gavin increasingly wondered what cruelty we were subjecting him to.  We walked away with a ton of candy, a Santa sighting, and a little bit of Christmas spirit ... Gavin might not have been quite as moved by the whole event.  Perhaps next year they'll join us again and he will get to give our small town festivities another chance :)