Christmas Traditions

Like many Minnesota families, we've adopted the tradition of visiting the 8th floor display at the downtown Macy's and watching the Holidazzle parade. Because now, the Macy's display never actually changes (or it hasn't in about 4 years...) and the parade stays the same, this is kind of boring for adults - but Annie LOVED it. We went last year, and she definitely enjoyed it more than she did then - when she just kind of stared in awe but that was it.

It's possible that us matching was NOT a coincidence...

Ben left work a little early, picked up Annie, and they met me in my office. Annie loved all the long hallways and put a smile on everyone's face that she passed in the halls - it was very cute to watch her run around my office!

Best part of Annie's night, I think, was just running through the skyways - she was in love! It's gotten to the point where she's actually going faster than we prefer to walk... yikes :)

Ben trying to direct her - ha

Once we got to Macy's, it was actually pretty busy, for being a weekday afternoon. Last year it was pretty quiet. We were halfway through when I got a text that Becca and Joe were coming as well, with Grace and Sam, so when we finished we met them at the beginning and went through again! Annie seemed to really like it this year, and pointed out quite a few things, but it was pretty busy to really sit and inspect anything for too long. 

She really liked this one - the woman was "catching" a mouse

After the 8th floor, we headed up to Skyroom for dinner - it's open until 6pm on days the Holidazzle is open (I believe - at least I know it's open on Saturdays until 6 too because I know someone else who went then). The options surrounding Macy's are not so hot for toddler dining, but a big salad bar is perfect. 

Trying to teach Grace to cheers!

Hi Sam!

Annie was REALLY excited to ride in the double stroller

After a trip back to my office to pick up our coats, and then a stop in Caribou to get drinks and warm up, we watched the Holidazzle! It may be just me, but this parade gets lamer and lamer. I'd never even gone until 3 years ago, and now ..... well, Annie loves it. So I'll continue going. We had to leave after about 20 minutes because I had to get to my car by 7pm and I wasn't too sad :) Annie got her first sips of hot chocolate and was DEFINITELY a fan! It was an action packed and festive evening for us all.

This is how Ben gets Annie to put on her hat/mittens. Worked only for about a minute with the mittens before those were off, but at least we got her to keep her hands in her pockets.