City Sidewalks

Every year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving the city of Abilene has a parade of lights downtown and many of the downtown businesses have holiday themed activities (handbell choirs, acapella choirs, Santa Clause, hot cocoa, etc.). David was out of town this year but his parents came over and helped me wrangle the boys. Grammy and Granpop got downtown early enough to snag a great parking place in front of the bank's side parking lot. There was room in front of their car for us to set up our chairs - perfect! While Grandpop waited there with our stuff Grammy and I let the boys run around this area for a while then went in to see Santa in the bank foyer before the parade. (Seeing Santa before the parade is an employee only privilege - public has to wait til after the parade to see him).

Here's Benjamin enjoying running around. Both boys liked sitting/crawling/scooting on these planters.

At one point the boys were scooting together on the side of the planter - so cute - but of course when I got ready to video them doing it they decided to do something different.

Here are my attempts to settle down their busyness long enough to get a cute pic of them together. First attempt - still wiggling...

Second attempt - one nice smile and one side ways frown...

Third attempt - one laughing and one pointing...

Fourth and final attempt - close enough! Whew!Grammy and the boys are waiting to get in to see Santa.

Here comes Santa Claus - actually Bill dressed in a Santa suit. (Our boys know that Santa is just a fun story, Saint Nicholas was a real man that lived long ago, and Christmas is Jesus birthday.) I like the fact that his hair and beard are the real deal. He walked out and talked to the kids for a few minutes before getting in his sleigh. Benjamin gave him a sweet hug.
The boys did great sitting in his lap and visiting with him for a few minutes. Nathan mentioned to Santa that Christmas is Jesus birthday and I loved Santa's reply. He said "That's right, I'm just here for comic relief." I like a Santa with the right perspective.

After sitting with Santa the boys stood in front of the Christmas tree for their shutterbug of a mom to snap even more pics. I love this huge tree in the bank lobby... and I love these boys!!

Finally it was time to head back outside for the parade. The weather was great this year. (If it had been very cold we would have watched from the second floor boardroom - another perk of being a bank employee's family.)

Towards the end of the parade Nathan's ears and hands were getting cold so he asked for his toboggan and mittens. Benjamin had to have his too of course.

Here are two rather unsuccessful attempts at taking pics of the parade - it is dark outside after all. The boys liked this little train all lit up...

and the utility truck was very bright all covered in white lights. Everyone sing along now "Strings of street lights, even stop lights, blink a bright red and green..."