Magnificent Lights Festival

For months we've been hearing about the Magnificent Lights Festival and Parade and couldn't wait for the holidays so we could get in on the fun.  On the 20th, the day of the parade, there was a festival in front of the big NBC building with loads of tents to make stuff and giveaways.  So we did this in the morning and then went to the parade that night.  Mickey Mouse is the grand marshall, there are loads of Disney characters and as the parade marches down Michigan Ave, all of the trees lining the street light up.  I know it may sound cheesy, but it really was one of those magical moments for our family.  What made it even better was having our dear friends from DC, the Arcaras, here for a short visit.  It was the best weekend in a very long time!

Baker with his best bud, Santa.  This is the same Santa from the elf contest so he remembered Baker which made it even more amazing for him!

It's pretty amazing how much Baker loves Santa.  Not a fear to be had.  He just wants his toys.  :)

I took this one with my iPhone and loved how well it turned out!  We have so many pics to choose from this year for our Christmas card...how will we ever decide?

Making a marshmallow snowman at the Whole Foods booth.

Enjoying his creation

Another iPhone pic that I just LOVE!

Decorating a cheesecake from Eli's...yummo!

He loves anyone or thing in a character suit!

Enjoying his cheesecake creation now!  Can you say "sugar"?

 

A look at many of the booths at the festival. 

Listening to the Justin Roberts band sing "Yellow Bus", one of Baker's favorite songs!

Before the parade, the Arcaras arrived from DC.  Baker was beside himself to see Sam, his hero!  You know how it is with older kids...the younger ones want to be like them.  They have a funny relationship.

Brad, Baker, Jamey and Sam hanging out before the parade.

Sara Beth, Eloise, Sam and me, wearing me duvet coat!  :)

Family pic!

Baker was driving Sam nuts running after him and trying to wrestle.  It was like watching two brothers play fight.  So funny!  And he wouldn't give up!

The crazy crowds

Wearing his glasses for the parade - When you looked through them at the lights, you could see dolphins and reindeer!

Mickey and Minnie!!

So excited to be there!

With a big giant snowman balloon behind us!

Chip and Dale

Phineas and Ferb

Sara Beth and Eloise

Rudolph

Pluto and Goofy

 

Cleveland High School band from TN was playing...all of schools!  Brad used to play in this band!

Donald and Daffy

Of course the man of the hour!  Hearing Baker cheer for him was heartwarming.

After the parade, Sam and Baker finally got to stand at the front of the sideline and watched the fireworks.

Holding his tender little ears

 
After the parade, we walked home and had dinner.  What a fun night!

Video of Baker trying to wrestle with Sam for fun, very much the way that a little brother would drive an older brother crazy.  I can't believe how tough he's getting!

Video montage of the parade and fireworks. I didn't realize at one point that they would be doing fireworksThe part of the video when Santa appears, you'll hear a constant squealing.  That would be Baker.  :)  I told him he needed to cheer when Santa got there and boy did he!  So, so cute.

Oh Christmas Tree!

Words can't describe how much I love the holidays!!  I absolutely LOVE it!  Thankfully Brad does too and Baker has learned very quickly that he loves it too.  :)  We're definitely the people that want it to last as long as possible and don't complain that each year it seems to start earlier.  So, I turned on the Christmas music and we put our tree up last Friday and it made me so very happy!  Baker was elated and was bouncing around the house with a big giant smile on his face saying "I wuv Christmas!  Oh yay, I want put ornament on chee.  I help."  He was the eager beaver that's for sure.  And when we pulled out his little tree for him to decorate, you would have thought we bought him the world.  Not to mention the colored vintage lights we put around his bedroom door...he wants them on ALL the time.  So, the Christmas cheer has definitely entered the Blackmon home and we're loving it!

Showing of his little tree

Putting the tinsel on his tree.

Hanging one of the first ornaments, his handprint ornament he made his first Christmas, on the family tree.

Holding up his Santa pic ornaments from the past two years.

Putting the topper on the tree.  Every time Brad lifted him up to do it, he would get scared so I didn't think it would ever happen.  But we finally convinced him he would be okay.

The final product, well, with the exception of a few finishing touches!

So excited!

The door to his room

His little tree

Thought I would take pics of his bedroom since I haven't posted any of it since we rearranged his big boy room.

His sweet big boy bed

Playing with New Friends

Baker and I are slowly but surely feeling a little more connected here in Chicago.  It's taking some time but we're getting there.  I'll never be able to replace the special friendships I built in DC but I've met some amazing people here too.  So, one week a few weeks ago, we had two playdates...at the museum and the zoo.  What fun we had!

Baker and his new friend, Parker, from preschool play at the Museum of Science and Industry.  This is an amazing place!!

Unaccompanied Minors flying in a 727.

That's his mom Shelly...she is so nice!

Watching chicks hatch...that is something else!

So sweet holding hands

A indoor tornado

Of course he would stop to stare in awe at the tractor.  This child loves a tractor or construction vehicle of any kind!

Watching the largest pinball machine in the world.

1896 Benz - Crazy how far we've come, and boy am I thankful for that!

All aboard!

The next day we spent the morning/afternoon with Max and Amy at the Brookfield Zoo.  Max is a year younger but Baker is so good with him.  It was mine and B's first time going here and it was fantastic!  The weather was beautiful and absolutely perfect for the zoo!

Monkey see, monkey do

Posing witht he grizzly bear but you can't see it for the shadow.

I definitely never want to encounter one of these.  That is one large animal.

Primate house

Love his foot  :)

One little monkey running free.