parade lights and snow

The memories of bundling the kids up in snow suits, boots, gloves, hats, and scarves to join all the other freezing people along the streets for the annual Colorado Christmas parade is still fresh in my mind. No bundling this year for the parade. We were able to wear light jackets...Arizona weather that day reached 80 degrees!
We went to the little town of Carefree and joined oodles of people lining the plaza streets. The sundial and soaring saguaro cactus made a great backdrop, along with the swaying beam of light and mountains in the background.
As we waited for the parade to begin and make its way towards us, we were entertained by some rather lively boys and their light saber swords. By the time the parade started, it was apparent that the toy vendor had sold plenty of her light-up goodies.
Rachel was entertained by the lights of the plaza and my camera. She did a great job taking almost all of these photos!
I was rather intrigued by this float. A large wire tree was constructed and then empty water bottles, with the labels removed, were hung with lights. The top was made from more bottles clustered in a star shape. As the float rambled by, the movement of the trailer kept the bottles dancing and shimmering, with their little twinkle lights reflecting off the shiny plastic. I thought this was such a fun idea using recycled material.
And then came this giant paper-mache Santa head. It glided towards us out of the darkness with it lighted hat.
It was pretty cool in kind of a creepy sort of way.
There were many floats all lit up with some elaborate decorated shapes. We were pretty impressed with the detail and amount of lights that some of the floats had on them. And some of the people on the floats were pretty colorful and enthusiastic.
Like this lady. She had green lighted tendrils in her hair. We have seen these light-up hair do's a few times lately. They must be all the rage.
And what an easy, clever addition to a light filled parade. Just load a couple of hot-air balloon baskets into the back of a pick-up and fire 'em up around every corner. It was a crowd pleaser for sure.
We got a kick out of this spastic reindeer "pulling" this Santa sleigh. Every time the guy driving would accelerate, the little reindeer would bobble all around. Of course, we all knew this wasn't the real Santa and his reindeer...
Because, this guy was just around the corner. Even though he held is arms up just like the fake one and had been cutting down on the cookies this past year, we waved back and shouted "Merry Christmas" right back to him.
After the parade we wandered over to where we heard there was snow. Even though it had been 80 that day, there was a big snow slide for the kids to sled down on saucers.
Wheeee! Please notice the kids and parents on the south side of the slide are wearing just their shirts and jeans, whereas those on the north side are wearing coats, hats and gloves. We all know it is colder the farther north you get and the spirit of participation is what makes it all worthwhile!
And...if you live in Arizona...
...you can have a snow slide at your next party. But if you are a little boy, say about 8, just don't try to make a snowball and throw it at the people sledding by. You will get scolded.

Wheeee!