We planned pretty well.  We made a hotel reservation with a room featuring a balcony.  The best part being that the Thanksgiving Parade would pass below us.  Perched from up high, we had great seats.

Sitting in some folding chairs on the balcony, it was a lovely night.  The lights in the parade shown bright.  The marching band sounded crisp.  The air was chilly, but far from cold.

With hot chocolate in hand, my youngest son, 7-year-old Ben, asked if he could sit on my lap.  Climbing up, I held him close.  The night was perfect and I gave him a big hug.  His cold cheek next to mine.  His chilly small hands nestled within my seemingly huge mitts.

Yesterday, our oldest son became a teenager.  He was entering the on ramp to adulthood.  My days of chilly cuddles will soon become small in number.  My boys are growing up.  Such fun, intelligent, and caring young men.  What an amazing site to behold.  What a brief moment in time to treasure.

My boys enjoying the parade with Grandpa.