Rose Parade Floats

Family. Lots of family in town. And what happens when family is in town? I get out of the house and actually do stuff. Fun stuff!

My cousin Jessica and her husband Dave moved from Pennsylvania to San Francisco this past summer. I'm so glad it only took them six months to make a trip down to see us. One of the main things they wanted to be sure to do on their visit was decorate Rose Parade floats. So my mom looked into finding a group to do it with and got everything set up. This was my third time doing it. It's always an adventure.

In the building we were working in there were about nine floats.

I'm guessing this is going to be the lead float announcing the parade theme:

Wells Fargo - "Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories"

The float we worked on is sponsored by the Lutheran Laymen's League and titled "What a Friend We Have in Jesus".

Here is our float.

We started by cutting the tops of flowers and applying glue to the back.

Uncle David and Jess jumping right in.

We also spent a lot of time cutting carnations and sticking toothpicks in the bud base so they could be attached to the body of the base of the float later. Our last task was to start gluing some flowers on the float itself.

I was really happy that Jess and Dave got to work directly on the float for most of the time. There was a lot of detail work in the stained glass decoration.

Jess and Dave

Some detail work.

We worked an eight hour shift with a break for dinner. We were supposed to get pizza, but they ran out with the group ahead of us. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we found a Boston Market and took a nice, brisk walk to get a much better meal than the pizza would have been. Plus we could sit down in a warm room instead of standing up outside to eat.

Here are some of the other floats that were in our building.

Shriners Hospitals - "Changing the World Through Caring for Kids"

City of Los Angeles - "Cirque Du Soleil Comes to Town"

Odd Fellows and Rebekahs - "Underwater Fantasy"

Farmers Insurance - "Dream Machine"

This float is amazing. It is so huge. We were all curious about how the float would compress to fit through the doors to get out of the building. I learned that the float stands 17'4" and the doors are 17 feet. There also is a bridge along the parade route which is always a factor for the float builders. For this float, the house lowers down into the boat. I don't think we'll get to see just how low it goes in. But it is a beautiful float.

Saving America's Mustangs Foundation - "Mustang Monument"

This was another spectacular float. The mustangs are beautiful and the detail is wonderful. In the back it is already collapsed, but there is a mountain with a horse and Native American on top. In the evening there was some sort of special dinner for "important" people. Among them were some Native Americans dressed in their garb who got on the float for some photos. I wonder if they are the people that will be on the float in the parade.

If you read this post in time, you'll know which floats to look for!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas
to you all
from
The Campbell Family!

Word of the Day: Caterwauling

Caterwauling is today's Word of the Day.

"Why?" you ask? Well, two nights ago Jim and I woke at 2 am to the yelps of cats. At first I assumed at least one of our cats was involved. But thankfully they were not. I opened the back door and was shocked how loud it was.

As I was back in bed, I was envisioning the sound coming from near our back wall. These were cats.

"Caterwauling" popped into my head. So I began to wonder if that was the correct word or what it even meant.

So there you go.

Not the Weekend I Signed Up For

Christmas is less than a week away. Yesterday was going to be my big prep day - wrap presents, make a few gifts and just get organized.

That all changed.

I've been feeling on the verge of being sick for several weeks. I would feel icky and then it would go away. I just wanted it to be done. This week it seemed to finally be coming out as I had a pretty good cold. Friday night, following a Christmas party, I had a sudden and severe onset of chills. I crawled into bed and kept turning the electric blanket higher and higher. I couldn't feel the heat of it and I just couldn't get warm. Through all this I had no fever. At midnight I rushed to the bathroom and threw up - a lot. (And the other which shall not be named.)

Wow! My chills were gone. I felt so much better. I was finally able to get warm.

I didn't sleep very well and went to the bathroom again at 4am. I could tell I was feeling pretty weak and tried to rush back to bed. That's where it all went downhill. I passed out and hit my head pretty good on the wall corner. I was carrying a bowl (in case I threw up again) and I think hit my mouth on the bowl on my way down. I just laid there hoping that either Jim heard and would come help, that Josh might wake up which would wake up Jim or that I would just regain my strength to get back to bed.

Jim did hear the crash (which apparently freaked out our cat too) and came to help. As he was helping me back into bed, we discovered the plastic bowl I was carrying had been obliterated. Hopefully I wouldn't need to throw up again. We were amazed that Josh didn't make a peep since this all happened right outside his door.

I was able to sleep for the next couple hours and then Jim and I debated about going to Urgent Care or the Emergency Room. I was most concerned about my ear which was in so much pain. I was worried something had ruptured. Jim called my primary doctor's office and once they heard I had passed out and hit my head, the recommended the ER.

So off we went to the ER and luckily no one else was waiting and I was in a bed within 15 minutes. I had blood taken, fluids and pain medication pumped in me and a CT scan. The scan came back fine and just showed a contusion (bruise). The doc said the vomitting etc was from a bacterial infection from my sinus issues earlier in the week. We were home by noon and after some lunch I slept most of the time until 6:30 this morning even though fighting a fever for most of it.

This morning seems to be the start of a good day. No fever and I feel alive again. My jaw and ear still really hurt. I miss Josh and hope to be able to spend a little time with him tonight.

And through it all, Christmas creeps ever closer.

I Love You, Kevin Bacon

2010 Reflections

2010

Approaching the close of a year tends to bring about reflection for a lot of people. I don’t know that I have done much of that historically or perhaps not very deeply. But this year I am definitely reflecting all that the year has held, not only for me but for people I know.

Earlier this year I was looking at the verse (James 1:2-4) I have posted at the bottom of my blog. I posted it when I was in the midst of fertility and health hurdles and feeling pretty low. I was so happy and blessed with the birth of our son that I considered removing the scripture or finding another one that I felt more applicable. I don’t remember why I didn’t remove it at that time, but it has come to be important again. Not just for me, but for others and the trials they are facing.

A friend of mine has been dealing with her own struggles with infertility and it breaks my heart. She has had other ingredients added to her life situation that she has come to really despise 2010. We both have high hopes that 2011 is a better year for her.

Several acquaintances have been battling cancer. One of them is not facing the best outlook. It’s scary to think about the path he might be on.

Other friends and family have just had various relationship and health concerns that have made 2010 a pivotal year for them.

The community of Facebook also exposes me to various trials and tribulations of people, some which I have never met, as prayers are requested through the network.

Personally, I have had my share of emotional struggles in 2010. Not one is devastating by itself, but I feel the compilation of them all overwhelms me at times. Balancing work with home has been difficult. I have lost a friendship that was very significant. My physical health has had its ups and downs.

But as the verse encourages, I will try to find the joy in these times as I know that God is refining me (and you).

Only God knows what 2011 holds, but I know that I trust God in his plans. I can hope (and pray) for a great year filled with new opportunities. I’m ready for significant change and look forward to what God presents me with. I pray that others are ready to receive His blessings.

Walking!

Josh can walk. He doesn't really know he can walk. But his parents know he can walk.

His problem is letting go. And to quote a friend of mine, "Isn't that all our problem...we can't let go?"

But I am determined to have him walking by Christmas and Jim and I are being diligent in practice with Josh. Only slightly harder than getting Josh to walk, is capturing his successes on video. So here is a really quick glimpse.




Today he let go of the table and walked his few steps to me all on his own without prompting. YAY!!

Christmas Train

Our Christmas decorations have been put up, the tree is assembled and decorated and yesterday Jim got the train around the tree.

This video is so cute of Josh watching the train in amazement.

Sing-A-Ma-Jig

My Christmas Wish List is complete. When I saw this on Ellen, I instantly fell in love. Santa, if you're listening...

This is a longer clip, so start watching at 2:17 and you'll see what I'm talking about. At 3:42 is where it got really funny for me.



What will they think of next?

Christmas Concert

Last Sunday our church had a Christmas Concert put on by an a Capella group. Here's a little taste of Josh enjoying the evening.

Ellen - The Details

So I thought I would share some details about our experience going to the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Andrea and I started talking about going to the show several years ago. But pregnancies and babies sort of put it all on hold. Earlier this year, Stacy brought up the idea of trying to go and she and Gina tried to get tickets. That never panned out. Ellen went on break over the summer and I was determined to try to get tickets as soon as they were making them available again.

So once I remembered to look in September, they were already pretty booked up and the earliest I could get tickets for was November 11th. You can get a max of four tickets and you can only attend once per year (season?). I put my name in to request the tickets. THE NEXT DAY I received a call from the Ellen show confirming my request and saying we would have guaranteed seats. I was to receive a packet of information two weeks prior to the taping.

So we waited.

Everyone was so excited. We wondered who we would see. What would the gifts be that we might receive? Would we be able to handle the excitement?!?!?

The day came. We met at my house and had a nice lunch. We had to be at the check-in point no later than 3:30pm. We hit the road at 1:00pm and arrived at 2:00pm. We learned that the audience was still waiting to go in for the taping of the first show and we were scheduled to see the second show. They asked us to come back at 3:30. We took a walk to a coffee shop and made our way back just before 3:00. We checked in and were asked to take a seat until they opened the line at 3:00. Once they opened the line, we jumped in to await our numbers.

I'd say we got some pretty good numbers...


They state that the numbers don't really have any bearing on where you sit. They kind of "cast" you for seating. But you can't deny that the sooner you get in the studio, the more chance there is of getting good seats.

After receiving the numbers, you take a seat again and wait for an hour. You get to view the episode that is airing that day that you are missing by attending the taping. Ricky Martin was on and apparently I still have a bit of a leftover crush on him. I was so bummed we didn't get to see him live.

Here we are waiting and watching the show.

Me, Andrea, Stacy and Gina

At about 4:30 or so, we get in line by number. Then they take groupings across the street over to the studio. There we briefly waited in a sort of hallway with benches. From there they move us into the "Riff Raff Room". This is just outside the studio where audience members that didn't make it into the studio can sit on couches to watch the show on monitors. This is also where Ellen's gift shop is. I did a little shopping and picked up some fun items for Jim, Josh and me.

From there we were finally brought into the studio. By the time we came in, there was maybe one fourth of the audience already filled. As we wondered where we would sit, we got called down the steps and taken right to the FRONT ROW!!! WHHAATTT???? How cool is that????? We just about died! How exciting!!!

It was probably about 5:15 by this point and we spent the next 45 minutes dancing, and laughing and being entertained by the warm-up guy and audience dancing. A producer came to our front row and said "You are the first people Ellen will see, so lots of energy!" Cool!

It is the weirdest feeling to have all these cameras in your face which you have to assume are filming all the time. Who knows what will ever be aired.

The show started pretty promptly at 6:00. It tapes just like it airs. We saw Indian acrobatic dancers, Halle Barry and Josh Groban performed. I am a big Josh Groban fan and from where we were sitting, you could not be any closer to him. I was in awe.

The show wrapped and we went back to the Riff Raff Room. We found a photo booth that we jumped in and took some fun pictures.



As we walked out, we were given our gift/prize of the Josh Groban CD. The show aired on Monday, November 15th. All four of us could be seen through different shots in the first 5-10 minutes, but never again. She actually didn't have as much audience-involved stuff that day, so there just wasn't a lot of the audience shown.

All told it was a really great day and a wonderful lifetime memory. We couldn't wait to turn on our cell phones and share our experiences with our loved ones.

Joshua's Halloween

While this was technically Joshua's second Halloween...

(Remember this little blobby guy?)

... it really was his first that we got to enjoy in the traditional way.

On his birthday, we took him to a pumpkin patch to select our pumpkin to carve.




This next picture just makes me laugh so much. I thought we could get some great photos in this area where there were just tons of pumpkins all about. But this face...

...this face was pretty constant. I think he didn't like the smell of the hay or something. So, needless to say, not the best photo op.




For Halloween we got the pumpkin carved and Josh was a big help.




Josh's costume was a giraffe. For some reason I have become so drawn to giraffes since Josh was born. My friend Liz spotted this costume while we were shopping and I scooped it right up.

I just LOVE him in it!!!

Our church has a great big Harvest Festival which we took Josh to.

Yep...

... he had a great Halloween!

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

If you watch The Ellen DeGeneres Show (and maybe even if you don't), be sure to check it out today, Monday, November 15th. Look for me in the audience. Three of my girlfriends and I are in the front row on the side where the DJ is. If you were standing on the stage and looking at the audience, we are on the right.

FRONT ROW, BABY!!!

Word of the Day - Proclivity

Proclivity is the Word of the Day

Joshua's First Birthday Party

Joshua's first birthday arrived. What an amazing year it has been. We had a little birthday party for him the Saturday before his actual birthday. At one, how can you really know what "theme" to do. We chose Elmo because that's the character he has been exposed to the most and he does seem to like him.

Between all the cameras in attendance, there are a bazillion pictures and it's hard to narrow them down when there is such a story in them. But how are there ever too many baby pictures anyway, right?? Am I right? Can I get an AMEN?

Here is Josh with his "twin," Josie. They are three days apart.

I had some cupcakes for the kiddos to decorate.

My sister, Susan, flew down. She is such a wonderful aunt!!!



I made an Elmo cupcake. This was quite a production for me and I plan to do a separate post all about it. But in the end I was very pleased with the results.


Josh has had almost no sugar prior to his party, so he of course wouldn't really know the joy that awaits in a cake. We were a little worried that he wouldn't want to "hurt" Elmo.

But why not poke his eyes out first?

Josh is in no way a messy eater. I think in part due to his personality, but also because we have not allowed him to be messy with his food. Recently he has started to place rejected portions of his food in the cup holder of the tray in his high chair. The high chair he was using at the party did not have a cup holder. So instead...

...he used Grandma C's hand.
He was taking pieces of the coconut and handing it to her.

Dad tried to encourage by setting the example

Ah, a taste, finally.

SUGAR!!!!!!! YES!!!!!

"Take this mess with you!"

It's way more fun to feed it to dad anyway!

My boys.

The mess.
(even though most of it was made by Jim)

HALLELUJAH!!

And of course opening presents is always a hoot with the kids.

Everybody's gotta get in the action.

It was a great day and Josh handled it perfectly. No meltdowns and he was as social as can be. Such a good kid. Happy Birthday Buddy!