The Grand Illumination Parade!

After a lovely, and relaxing afternoon in Williamsburg, we headed back home to get downtown for the annual Grand Illumination Parade. They do this parade every year the weekend before Thanksgiving to officially kick-off the season. They have all of the buildings downtown outlined with lights, and at the start of the parade, there is a countdown, the lights are turned on, and the parade begins. They have a bunch of marching bands, some floats - it's just always so much fun! This year was definitely one of the coldest, but that didn't keep us away!!! We just came very bundled up and it was wonderful! We had the perfect spot to watch from - we had an empty street behind us that was closed to traffic, so the kids all played and run around for the hour before the parade started. That kept everybody warm and happy!!! The Ratz family and the Jackson family met us there, and it was a very fun tradition that I love doing every year!!! We didn't really feel cold until the walk back to the car - and then I couldn't warm up my toes fast enough! :)

Believe it or not, the boys weren't cranky because of the cold....they were mad that I made them stop running around so I could take a picture of them!!!
Callie LOVED the parade. She was only a baby last year, so this was her first REAL experience - and boy did she love it!

Chris and Jessica Jackson. Cody was so happy playing in the dirt that I didn't have the heart to bother him for a picture!!! :)

Dave & Sue Ratz (she's holding Madeline, and Alexander & Hamilton are in the stroller).