St Patricks Day Parade 2014

It's been at least two years since we have been to the St Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Denver and this was the first year that we did it with 100% dedication.

The St Patties Day parade is an absolute blast whether you are celebrating adult style or family style.  Yes, there are different styles and ways to celebrate in this parade.  I can tell you, adult style does not include anything before noon.  Family style includes everything before noon.

We were up at 5:45 AM on a Saturday (UGH!) and out the door before 7 AM to meet the Heineman's for our drive downtown.  It was a cloudy and windy day with a high around 40.  40 degrees on a calm and sunny day is fantastic in March.  Cloudy and windy can prove to be much different.

We arrived around 7:30 and had prime spots near the front of the parade.  This left ample opportunity for the boys to have their own parade down the middle of Blake Street.

We set up camp, complete with a cooler of Santiagos burritos and french toast sticks for breakfast.

We had our green on and were ready to rock the parade, even if many of us had to cover up with our winter ski jackets.

Oliver was helping to get our crew in the holiday spirit with some extra lucky charms on the street in front of us.

Kellan was perfectly happy staying snug as a bug.

As parade time approached, so did the crowds and the clowns.

A force to be reckon with.

These street vendors are festive and frustrating all at the same time.  Yes, we paid $4 for a sword that probably cost $ .10 to make.  I'll ask the plastic guy to get an accurate quote, but I'm sure that there was some serious mark up.  Regardless, they boys were thrilled and it made their parade experience complete.

All snuggled up in our St Patrick's Green, covered by unintentionally coordinating ski jackets.

As the parade was about to begin, we had a treat of two fly overs.  With security changes and budget cuts, fly overs become more and more uncommon.  We loved that the boys go to see this pair fly over twice.

As the parade started, it was escorted by the oldest police car in the fleet.

Yes, he stalled right in front of us and had to give it a knock with a screw driver.

As he got back in the car he said "Hey, it's old" and the crowd let out a laugh.

It is always great to see the color guard leading the way.

My favorite part of St Patties Day is always the bag pipes.

Always.

Having fun and trying to stay warm.

Kristi was a single parent for the weekend (don't fret, Patrick was back on Monday) so they were a little delayed in their arrival, but they arrived, which is the point.

It was great to have all five boys together.

Kellan kept a close eye on the action from the comfort of his chair.

The clown giving out High 5's.

Still watching...

Cole has the best expressions when he's excited.

The parade came complete with lots of chachki, including a whistle necklace.

Who knew that we had a star amongst us.

Yes, this is the Chanel 9 news camera with a close eye on Cole.

Cole getting new beads.

Cole's first news interview.

Nice Job, Super Star!

Owen getting a High 5 from a St Patties Show Girl.

The Marine's always make me think of Uncle Joe, so I took some photos.

It's official, that's one tough marine.  Check out those legs in this COLD weather.

Oliver and his flair.

Early on in the parade he was sad that he only had 2 necklaces.

Proof that things can change quickly if you just put yourself in the face of opportunity.

As the parade went on, the boys were losing their steam and body heat.

This donkey wasn't losing any body heat with those leg warmers.

I swear this donkey had an eye on me like, "really lady?  Must you take a close up of this?"

Jenny was feeling festive with Erin Go Bragh.

Yes, this party mobile struck up quite the conversation that we need to partake in this adventure this summer.

After some time, Kellan was starting to perk up again.

Jenny had been talking about the storm troopers all day and about how creepy they are.  She conquered that creepiness by asking for a photo op.

Meanwhile, the necklaces kept a coming.

GO IRSISH!!

Kristi's alma mater showing up in style.

Uh oh... he's back under cover.

How often do you get to high 5 a green lady?

Hands down, the best float in the parade.

We were SO fired up that Tommy Knockers brewery was giving out samples.

Root Beer samples!

Eventually, we lost the littlest parade goers to the iPhone.

The Air Force gets the award for the best chachki.  They didn't have necklaces, but they had everything else.

Eventually, after HOURS of a parade that goes on forever, our crowd was starting to get cold and tired.  Plus, the parade was changing from family crowd to adult crowd.  It as time to roll out.

We rolled on out to have lunch with our friends a bit closer to home.  We loved the morning and the awesome afternoon naps that followed.

Happy St Pats!!