2014

Happy new year!

We rang in 2014 at the Rose Parade. It was awesome! I'm so glad we got to go. 

We had amazing front row seats thanks to this guy...

 ...who camped out all night on Colorado Blvd. to stake out our spot. Our friends Elizabeth, Jason, and Asher live in Pasadena in a great ward that has the routine down. They were so nice to let us in on the fun. 

Don't believe Tom was there playing games outside all night? Ask the news!

Tom's in the red jacket, Jason is on the far left.

ABC did a snippet on the brave people who camp out all night and their camera caught the guys' game night. Our friend managed to snap this photo on his own TV during the clip - I'm impressed!

The kids and I left our house shortly before 6am to meet up with Elizabeth and Asher and then to walk over to find the guys. The vibe around Pasadena was so fun.

Cameron did a little parade of his own before the actual parade started. He felt pretty cool.

He was mesmerized by the horse carrying the American flag.

This was Cameron's favorite float. This year there were a ton with animals, especially dogs. The kids loved it.
I didn't use zoom for this photo...we were right in front!

Shelby crossed the blue line for a quick photo op between floats. She was sleepy but had a great time.

This is for mom and dad - we saw the winner of The Voice.

The kids got tired of sitting and Tom made them a little blanket vantage point. They were so cute snuggled in.

Workin' it.

Here's Shelby in the blanket hideout.

Guess who was there? Darryl Hall! Of Hall and Oates!

This is one of the bands we listened to as an oldie but goodie in college. Brooke and Kami have hilariously awesome taste in music. I remember us poking fun and yet having a blast singing "you make my dreams come truuuuue!"

Same thing happened at the parade! After a minute of us chanting "Play! Play!" they played the song and we all sang along. The theme of the parade was "Dreams Come True", so that rounded out the day.

Something went wrong at the end of the parade and things came to a standstill long enough for us to snap photos in front of the band's float.

Cameron even picked a rose for me - it's in his hand. Aw!
PS ~ we put it back, don't worry.

Jason, Elizabeth, and Asher are my heroes. This was so fun. Happy new year!