New Year's and Rose Bowl Parade

Our friends Maaike and Paul had a NYE kid-friendly party again this year which was perfect!  The company was great, the kids had fun, and we all went to bed early after ringing in the year East Coast Style at 9 PM.  Grandma and Grandpa came with us too and the girls wore their new dresses Grandma gave them. 

For the 4th time, we again headed up to Pasadena early on Jan 1 to watch the parade.  We left just past 4:30 AM and were parked and seated by 7 AM.  The parade started at 8 AM and we were half way down the course.  It got to us by 9 AM and was FABULOUS!  Our viewing seats were great too - just one person back and that first row had camped over night! 

There were bands from Panama, Texas, Alaska (they were sweating in their polyester - the weather was 77 F!), Pennsylvania, and floats from Trader Joes, Sea World, Women Pilots from WWII, and vineyards.  The horses and costumes were amazing!  The girls loved it as did we all. 

After the parade we drove to Marina Del Rey to Uncle John and Kaitlin's house for lunch.  It was fun to see them, their Europe photos and walk to the beach and playground.  It was a great way to bring in 2014!