Purcell Family: Nolan's First Old Settlers

Thursday, August 18th, was the Old Settlers celebration in Hillsboro. Old Settlers used to be a huge deal when I was a little girl, my family always went all out to make floats for the kiddie parade. I remember waiting all summer for Old Settlers to arrive. Old Settlers was the opportune time to show off my new school clothes and shoes to all of my friends. Old Settlers also marked the end of summer because school would always start the following week. I decided I wanted Nolan to have the same experiences I had as a little girl, so I took off work Thursday and took Nolan to Old Settlers. This is one of maybe three years were I can remember the weather being nice! When Old Settlers comes around it is either 110 degrees outside or pouring down rain, but not this year!!

First Official Old Settlers Picture

Papa T wanted to make a float for Nolan to enter into the kiddie parade, but I wanted to wait until Nolan is a little older. Nana, Nolan, and I loaded in to the car and went uptown to the parade. We met Aunt Kelby, James, Gigi, and Papa Tub too!! Nolan was able to meet a few people around town that haven't seen him before. Of course the census was, "he looks exactly like Billy!!" The floats in the kiddie parade were cute. Our friends entered their little girl in the parade as Pebbles from the Flintstones. Nolan really enjoyed the band. He flapped his arms and laughed with the music. Papa T met us for lunch. The pronto pups and lemonade shake-ups are as good as I remembered!! Nolan even sampled a little bit of the lemonade shake-up and he loved it.

Aunt Kelby up front with Nolan

Kaya as Pebbles

Lemonade Shake-Up

After we ate lunch and watched the Hillsboro Dance Team perform, we headed back home to take a nap and prepare for the big evening parade. Bill came to Nana and Papa T's after work and got ready too. We headed up town to find a place in the crowd to watch the big parade. As we were walking along, we noticed Bopi and Mary with Boo standing in an open spot, so we stood next to them for the parade. Half-way through the parade I spotted Mimi and Poppy, along with a few other Young Clan relatives. Nolan was able to meet a few more relatives.

Poppy and Poot

The parade began, with all of the sirens and whistles going off from the entire surrounding areas firetruck and ambulance department. I was worried Nolan would become scared and start crying, but of course he didn't. Everyone was so impressed with how calm he was throughout all of the noise. The parade consisted of the usual: politicians, tractors, floats, more politicians, the Shriners, area school bands, and ended with the horses and pooper scoopers! Nolan enjoyed the whole thing!! On our way out, I grabbed some ice cream and Nolan ate a little of that too. We had another fun night as a family and were able to see a few of our friends and family too!