#219 - Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The city of Savannah really knows how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  One part of the city's festivities was a meet and greet with the Clydesdale horses that were in the parade.  The horses were at Memorial Hospital (where Lou works), so we met up with friends and got an up close experience with the beautiful horses.  We even got to ride in the buggy behand the horses.  

Today was the big day!  With the holiday falling on a Saturday, and with near perfect weather forecasted (sunny and high of 80), the city was projecting record-breaking crowds.  There's even talk that this year, the Savannah celebration could become the largest St. Patrick's Day celebration in the world with nearly one million people expected to descend upon the Hostess City.

Owen was so excited to go to the parade.  He doesn't remember it, but he's actually been to the parade before, two years ago......  Remember these pictures?  It was cold and rainy that year.

Here we are this year.  Benjamin hung out in the Baby Bjorn for a lot of the day, and just loved soaking in all the new sights and sounds.  He was truly an angel today.  

Owen - 3 and Benjamin - 9 months

Owen had a blast hanging out with Peyton and Reese.  The back of Rebecca's truck was filled with hay, and all the kids just loved playing in there.

We had a perfect spot along the parade route, right under a canopy of oak trees, and plenty of space for the kids to run around.

Benjamin was happy and content watching the parade.

And when he got tired, well, he just fell asleep on his mommy.  He slept for over an hour this way, despite the noise from the marching bands, floats, and cannons being shot by the pirates.  

And, Owen stayed busy the entire time.  He rarely left the truck, and ended up standing on Rebecca's lap for half the parade.

Wishing you a very happy St. Patrick's Day!  A little Irish toast, in honor of the day....

Saint Patrick was a gentleman,

Who through strategy and stealth, 

Drove all the snakes from Ireland,

Here's a toasting to his health.

But, not too many toastings

Lest you lose yourself

and then forget the good Saint Patrick

And see all those snakes again.

#109 - Leprechauns and Horses

As the host to the second largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the US, the entire city of Savannah shuts down on March 17th for the Irish festivities. Lou, Owen and I set up on Johnson Square, and had a great viewing spot for the parade. We brought tons of snacks and toys to entertain Owen, but we never needed them, as he was absolutely captivated by the parade. The music, the drums, the floats....they all kept him in a trance. We totally underestimated how much he would enjoy it. Fortunately, the rain stayed away, and a good time was had by all.

The start of the parade.

Mom, Dad and the little guy in our rain gear, just in case. Fortunately, we didn't need it, but it sure was chilly.

Daddy and his little man enjoying the parade.

On Saturday, we had a joint birthday party to go to for Hayden and Luke Kirkpatrick. It was at the local stables, on the first day of Spring. The weather was perfect. Owen couldn't wait to ride the ponies. We dressed him as "country" as we could - khakis and a checkered shirt. I think he's the most adorable little country boy around....

Getting ready to ride the big horse. Owen wasn't scared at all!

The tractor was clearly the highlight of the day. He rode that thing over and over. Just loved it....

Waving to the camera

This weekend, he figured out how to climb into his easel. See below for the evidence.

I've got tons of videos from this week, and will try to upload them later in the week.