December 1 - Pre- Parade Activities and Rogers Santa Claus Parade (tons of pics and a formatting nightmare)

Sunday, December 1, we hopped on the sky train and headed to Vancouver for some Christmas celebrations and the Rogers Santa Claus parade.
























 First it was a visit to the children's Christmas square, set up in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Frosty was waiting for us there. He had a pretty guilty look on his face - I wonder what he was up to the night before?

 

 Of course the kids were more attracted to the water than the snowmen ..

 I think we probably sneaked in the line-up to the cookie decorating tent, but no one yelled at us. According to the lines at the other activity tents we had no wait at this one. Which is why they got gingerbread men but no balloon animals or face paintings.

 The look on his face changed drastically when this cookie went upside down in the mucky ground. So back to the icing board for another go.

 Both kids thought the decorating was more fun than the eating.

 Two little Santas sitting in the sleigh. Going nowhere ... just like the 410 bus during rush hour.

 Then, after a farewell to the styrofoam reindeer, it was a search for a good viewing point for the parade.

Even though the forecast called for showers, we were lucky. Just a wee bit of turbulence from the two-legged creature on the left. Waiting is very hard though, especially when mom is way deep in a line-up at McDonald's across the road.
 























And there's always a solution to every problem ....

When Nikkie came back, I ran into the Starbucks behind us for a hot chocolate. After all, I had 15 minutes before the parade started. How long does it take to make a hot chocolate?

20 minutes. I missed the Vancouver Police Motorcycle Drill Team, which was definitely a highlight of the parade. Just got them waving a blurry bye-bye. Next year I'll bring a thermos.

It was great to hear the swirl of bagpipes as the band came into view. Unfortunately though thearea we were viewing from was obviously a No Bagpipes Allowed area.
 

Giddyap go!

 Of course these guys always show up, just clowning around.

 I love the horses - there were lots in the parade.

 I told the kids I hope to never see this vehicle in front of our house, although .....

 .... it would probably be preferable to this one ...

 Oh oh - the Grinch is back. At least the Police have him in handcuffs - our presents are safe once again.

This is sufficient snow for me, thank you.

The Vancouver Aquarium was highlighting Luminescence, showcasing some strange creatures from the deep.

Makes you want to go on a sleigh ride ... only probably not with them. With you.

 Oh oh ... seems like Nikkie caught some kind of disease from Rudolph ...

 Yes. Probably my favourite float. These purple Santa helpers passed out chocolate. Mmmmm. Chocolate.

The onlookers behind me, who were so trying to push me out of the way so they could get in my spot, kept complaining about the aroma of the poop pick-up vehicles following the horses throughout the parade.

Big Island Farms mascots ... see how tiny their feet look?

Shetland Ponies! Aren't they the cutest? According to the behind-me-people they were still very stinky, though.

Aha! a bit of the true meaning of Christmas. Sorta reminds me of another camel ...

Yes, Miss Howse's camel from the musical she did at Bishop White School many years ago. It was our sort-of staffroom mascot for a while.

A bit too slow to get the Irish music on video ... but they were singing The Black Velvet Band

New Westminster's float ...guns and cannons to celebrate the season.

And here comes The Man himself .... Merry Christmas, Everyone!