I forgot how big of a deal the Russellville Christmas Parade really is until we got to attend this past Thursday night! It was so much fun to get the whole family all bundled up and then watch all of the floats and area bands pass by! I wasn't aware until last week, but it is either the first or second biggest Christmas parade in the state! (Pretty impressive for a town of only about 26,000 people!)
The Refuge had a float in the parade, so the kids actually had their choice of being in the parade or watching it. They have only really seen one other parade that they are old enough to remember,
so they decided that they would rather watch this
year. 
Two of the ladies from our church work for Arvest Bank and allowed our church to meet and
park at the bank. The kids loved it because they were giving away free hot chocolate, popcorn and balloons, as well as a warm building to stand inside of until the parade actually started.
C wanted a front row seat for the parade, so he sat up with our friend, Ashlee. (She is such a sweetie!)
J snuggled up with our friend Audra in the front row. Audra is great and also an enabler for J's gum and candy obsession!
Here is a picture of The Refuge's float. My photography skills don't do it a bit of justice. It looked great! The globe in the center was spinning and there is a live nativity scene there that you can't really see.
After the parade was over, we hurried home to get warm again with some homemade hot chocolate by the heater!! It was a great way to kick of the Christmas season.
