Rose Parade

So, I'm still trying to play catch up. This is one of my busiest times, so I guess that's why I'm so behind.

Anyways, my group was invited to the rose parade this year. We left on December 28th and didn't get home until the 3rd of January. Since the 1st was a Sunday, the actual parade wasn't until the 2nd.

Anyways, I was able to take Bree with me. Pam went with John, so she had her grandma there to help! We had a great time. I loved having Bree there - and I had a great time with my girls. We were able to go to Disneyland for 2 days. It was so busy!! But, I would never give up the chance to go to Disneyland. I had to take Bree home early every night because she was exhausted!

I also was able to go to a few Rose Parade breakfasts with John. They were pretty amazing. They sure know how to take care of people.

The actual parade was crazy. There were so many people! There was one point where I didn't think I would make it because we were running for about a mile. But then things slowed down and it was great. The girls did amazing! 6 miles - crazy!!

Anyways, below are some pictures. We really did have a great time - but, I was ready to get home to my family!

Bree and I mostly hung out with Elizabeth and Brielle at Disneyland - as well as Sabrina, Sam, Will & Taylor. They took good care of us.

 Bri, Elizabeth & Bree

 Bri & Elizabeth

 Taylie, Heather, Bri & Elizabeth. We were going on Tower of Tower

 Will, Sam, Taylor, Bri, Sabrina, Elizabeth & Bri - Arielle Ride

This day we had band fest (performed our field show) and went and toured some floats getting ready for the parade. The cars were super pretty with all the roses on them.

 All my girls getting ready for band fest

 Weapons

 Bri, Bree & Elizabeth

Elizabeth, Sabrina, Bri & Bree (Terelyn in the background - lol)

 

The next day we went to the beach and to Hollywood. 

 Me, Melissa, Gabi, Alyssa, Mariah & Bree

And here we are heading to the Rose Parade bright and early...

 Sam - planking on the bus

 Here we are at the beginning of the parade

 And at the end - 6 miles down

 Elizabeth being helpful and caring one of the drummers drum back to the bus for him

The girls were pretty wiped out on the way home. When we got there, they enjoyed some down time.

 Erin, Hannah, Bree & Rachel

Madison & Katey

Continued...

December
Of course, December was a busy month. Dusty and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on the 4th. I love that guy more than anything!!
Myles has found a new love - the Dinosaur Museum. Or, as he says it - dinsor seam. I took him twice this month - once for his birthday. He just loves it!

We also were able to spend time with our good friend Pancho. He came the week before Christmas. We always love spending time with him and wished he was closer!

We had our 2nd annual Miller Family Progressive Dinner on the 18th. It was fun - and Pancho was able to be here again for it. We had the main course at our house - lasagna, yummy!

We were able to spend time with our dearest friends the Smith's a few days before Christmas. We went over and had pizza at their house and played games. Dusty and I are both so thankful for this family who has done so much for our family! This is Dusty and Kelsey playing air hockey.

And of course we celebrated Myles 3rd birthday. He turned 3 on the 23rd, but we celebrated on the 22nd. Anything we can do to make it not so close to Christmas! I sure love my little guy. He is such a smart, loving boy.

We spent Christmas Eve over at our house with my sisters family and my mom. We had a great time eating yummy food and making sugar cookies for Santa. The kids got to open a present from Grandma (and Grandpa) Rupp.

And Christmas was also wonderful. The kids got pretty much what they wanted and needed. I got a lot of stuff for the kitchen, and Dusty got a lot of clothes. We had lunch with Miller's and saw my mom that night. It was a fun day with family!

And, to end the year, Bree and I went to California (I'll post later) and Dusty took the boys to his friends cabin and had a great time.