I Love a Parade

Saturday was the last day of Bob's vacation week, and we were both glad to attend the annual Halloween Parade in downtown Anoka. Bob thought I was crazy to drop off chairs at the curb outside of the Subway shop at 9 AM in order to hold a place for our family to watch the parade, which started at 1 PM. All of the curb space was taken, so I put our chairs at the edge of the driveway into the parking lot and spread them out when we returned. Bob was glad we had brought chairs earlier and stopped thinking I was crazy! Later I was talking with the folks next to us and learned they had put their chairs out at 8:30 and were about the last to get places on the curb. Next year I'm going to stake my claim at 6 AM!!! People are really good about honoring the spaces others have put their chairs and blankets. We left after dropping off ours and returned about 11. We brought books to read. (I also enjoy people-watching.) I get a deep thrill and feeling of reverence when honor guards carry the first flags in a parade. A hush came among us at the curb; everyone stood at attention. I am so grateful to live in this free country. We are a truly blessed nation.

This year Justin was driving this cart along the parade route. When he was new on the Anoka Police Force, he was assigned to direct traffic around the parade route, through the residential neighborhoods. So he never got to see the parade. Now his seniority is kicking in and here he is waving at us, rather than waving befuddled drivers through the detour. Doesn't he look happy?

Phil met us at the parade wearing this costume. He had been wearing this get-up to his work as a pipe fitter for a few days! Phil really gets into the spirit of Hallowen early and often. We took him, Dan, and Dan's girlfriend Jenny to LeAnn Chin's for dinner after the parade. Sadly, no one kissed the cook that day except me, and I don't think I count because I'm just his mother.

Bob decided to work Friday in order to save one day of his vacation for another time. So I visited Ginger and Janice. Both are doing well. It never ceases to amaze me how much babies change day to day. Now Janice opens her eyes a lot, and I caught her nearly smiling in this picture. Later we surprised Kayla by picking her up after school and going to the grocery store.

This close-up shows how much Janice looks like Ginger through the nose and mouth. Pretty cute, eh? ALL of our grandchildren are exceptionally cute.

Today I stayed with Mason while Andrea went to help with a Halloween party in Janie's kindergarten class. I think everyone should spend some quiet, alone time with a toddler every once in a while if they can. Today I watched Mason as he watched the garbage truck pick up their garbage can. He got excited when he heard the truck noise and ran to the picture window, smiling. There we were, quietly watching the little "show" that plays every week. And for that time, all was well with the world.