Saturday, December 12, 2009

Tempe Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade

I decided to do something Christmas-like every weekend and this weekend I heard about a boat parade in Tempe on the lake. I decided it could be fun. I used to go to the Santa Claus parade every year at home in Canada with my family, and thus far have not found a parade here in AZ to attend as a tradition with my family.

We got a little bit of a late start on going, so we missed the 10 Year Birthday Celebrations during the afternoon, but we made it in time for the parade. It was chilly but we had fun. Our favorites this year were the "UP" boat (with hot air balloons, a house and a whole bunch of balloons on top), pirate ship (they were totally in character and CUTE), the rudolph the red nosed boat (J thought it looked like a dragon head), and the cool rocker band on a boat playing their rendition of some christmas carols! (We heard them play jingle bells. It was RAD)!


My family watching along the parade route (love J's grumpy face)

We liked this entry complete with a fish and a christmas tree! Very fun! I was impressed with how festive everyone in the parade was with singing, and shouting Merry Christmas to the people along the parade route!


E couldn't resist looking at the boat again, even for two seconds to take the picture. J was tired (he fell asleep on the way there) and was sad he could not go on the boats.

The funniest kid memories were:
1) J really wanted to ride on the boats and asked where we had to go to get on them and was sad when we told him we just got to watch them.
2) E told us that this was not how to celebrate Hanukkah (she had seen earlier on the calendar it said it started) -- she was quite upset that everyone was saying "Merry Christmas" and not "Happy Hanukkah." Too funny!

Afterwards we stopped at Dunkin Donuts for hot chocolate (for everyone) and a donut (for the kids). In hind site, I would make that stop before we went next year, to keep us warm while we were there. The cocoa was SUPER HOT for like 30 minutes before we could let the kids drink it. Oh well, I guess you live and learn right? All in all, a fun night with my family!

My favorite pictures from the night are the three I took when I got home . . . my little tuckered out babies:

2 comments:

Nisa said...

That is so cool! I've never heard of a boat parade before. What a neat experience and great pictures too. :)

Summerthyme Studio said...

Sweet! Love the pictures of your sweet babes! Can't believe that the baby looks like a big boy now.......if I don't get by again before Christmas, wishing you and your family a joyous holiday

Love and Hugs

Vicki