People have their New Year's traditions.....some eat Hoppin' John, others shoot off fireworks....in my family growing up we always watched the Rose Parade and then feasted on family, food, and football all day long. As an adult I've drifted a little from the tradition but it never takes long to rekindle the fire. For several years my venturesome husband has been trying to persuade me to make the trek to California and try and view the parade in person. I have been holding him off with the usual response....."Not until everyone is out of diapers." I can no longer use that excuse so we planned a trip. We are fortunate that his brother lives near Pasadena so we have a nice place to stay. The week we left was a little unnerving as it was freezing cold here and rain was predicted for the day of the parade at first. I began to feel like I would be just fine in my own living room drinking coffee New Year's day as opposed to hauling 4 children out into the winter morning to scope a prime spot. Ah - but he used the normal lure - reminding me of the great pictures I would get and how really what is life without a little adventure?
Grandma and Grandpa Spence decided they needed a little extra risk and thrill in their lives so tagged along. The trip out was great and weather was shaping up to be fine.
The view on the way into California
Have ipod, will travel.....
We had done research beforehand and discovered that most locals camp out the night before to scope a good spot for the parade. Since the temperature was going to be below 40 degrees we chose to bypass freezing cold torture and go out early and try our luck. The official website even stated that people could not stake out sights without being there and staying with their chairs so we figured we'd be fine. My parents had been down near the first 4 miles of the route and it was already packed with people and chairs so our strategy was to head to the end.
5 am of course came early - the kids I don't think knew what hit them before they were latched into their seat belts and we were driving to the parade route. As we wound our way through the neighborhoods to find a place to park, we saw chair after unmanned chair. I was livid - being the rule nazi that I am. "How is this fair? We suffer, they waltz in with their seat?" It is what it is - I didn't have the guts to move another person's chair - nor to argue with the guy that just rose from the dead (a pile of sleeping bags next to us) about where their boundary was!
The view down toward where the parade would come from standing in our claimed spot.....
Freezing kiddies......notice the campers slung out in the background.
It was under 40 degrees when we left our van - and when we got to our "spot" it was about 6am......great.....only 4 more hours until the parade actually gets to us! Now what? Try to find the food......wish we brought more blankets.......be thankful we borrowed REAL winter coats from friends........keep praying for the sun to rise. About 7am Jonathan had reached his limit and began to scream and cry. Everything hurt he said - I am sure it did. I finally decided to take him to the van for awhile......then when Grandma and Grandpa got there and the sun too things began looking up......until I got my (borrowed) camera out to shoot more pictures and the battery blinked that it was going dead! That was it - I was not enjoying this adventure any longer - oh no - I dislike cold, getting up early, etc. but rob me of my opportunity to take pictures? After I'd researched and studied how to get good shots and sacrificed my body for a front row seat? I think at this point Merl realized I was near break down. I have to say I think I handled it well. I took deep breaths (lamaze class was good for something) and tried to remember that I was supposed to be having fun with my family. Besides - I had brought my other camera for back up - things just wouldn't be the way I'd planned.....which is all well and good if you don't like plans!
This was well before the "battery crisis".....I am still smiling...
Sunrise.........the view up the street where the parade ends.....
The sun is up and we are all looking down the street in anticipation of the fun.....over 700,000 people line the route to watch this parade......
8am......fly over means the parade is starting 5 miles down the road and it will get to us in 2 hours!
Bryan's family arrives later - they got to sleep in - but I will let them have it since they provided a place for our weary heads to rest!
Jonathan finally stopped crying and asked for food.....
One of the white coats coming to visit his neighbors and family before the parade
Finally the motorcycles started clearing the road and at 10am sharp the party got to us......I took the camera battery out of my pocket (hoping to warm it back to life) - and lo and behold it had a full charge. Must not like getting up early and cold either. Let the photographing begin!
Last year it seems I baked myself into oblivion during the Christmas season. This year has been much different since I've been struggling with my health a little. Seems survival mode has been the only "mode" here. This weekend I thought to myself: this year there will be no cookies and no Christmas cards going out........disappointing, but reality of the situation. The world wouldn't end I told myself.....but then mom offered to come the other day and bake with the kids - something I just hadn't had the energy to do. 
