Christmas in SLC

There's no better way to start all the holiday fun than with a trip to see the lights at Temple Square. That is exactly what Jonas, Jeff and I did! On Tuesday (November 27), we took Jonas to the Holiday Window Stroll at the Grand America hotel then to see the lights on the temple ground. I had never experienced the window stroll before. It was fun to see the whimsical window displays and gigantic gingerbread house. Jonas enjoyed looking for the items on our window scavenger hunt but didn't enjoy the shortbread cookie we received at the end of our scavenger hunt. Oh well! More for me!

After we left the hotel, we went over to City Creek Center to have dinner at Chick-fil-A before wandering through the lights at Temple Square. I love how the whole world seems to be a little brighter and a little more magical at this time of the year. I wish we could keep that Christmas spirit alive throughout the whole year. I know its possible, but it seems like life distracts us. However, we get to end the year reflecting on our Savior, His love for us, and our love for Him. Jonas seemed more interested in finding walls to climb on and jump off of rather than the lights. We even had a helicopter flying overhead that seemed to attract his attention more than the twinkling lights in the trees. Yet, we still enjoyed our peaceful stroll through the lights. There weren't a lot of people there and the weather was very temperate. It was the perfect way to kick off Christmas!

Later that week (Saturday, December 1), Jeff and I took the rest of the kids to SLC. This was always the plan. We got tickets to see the comedian, Jim Gaffigan. He is HILARIOUS!! I love laughing with my family. In any case, since I knew Jonas wouldn't be joining us, Jeff and I decided to do our SLC date with him earlier in the week. Tonight we met up with Laurin in SLC for our evening of laughs. We had hoped to go to Cheesecake Factory for dinner and I hoped to wander through the lights with the older kids; however, the restaurant was PACKED and the kids thought wandering through the stores of City Creek was better than the lights, so we grabbed a quick dinner in the food court and did a little window shopping before the comedy show. It was still a fun evening...and there were still a few Christmas jokes in the show to bring in that Christmas spirit! Haha!