Christmas at Temple Square

On Saturday while we were in Salt Lake we decided that it would be fun to go to Temple Square and see the lights.  It's been 6 years since we were there so it was definitely time to do it again.

Anyone who has been to Temple Square, especially at Christmas time, knows exactly what I am talking about.  Since neither my husband nor I are fans of traffic, we decided that the best way to go was on the TRAX.  So we head off for an evening of adventure.  We were just missing Sierra, I wished she hadn't of had to work.  Maybe another time.

Have to buy tickets, don't want the transit police on our bad side.

We were excited to have this little guy on board with us:

Here is just a sample of what we got to see once we got to downtown Salt Lake - the pictures do not do it justice.

This is my favorite of the temple

 From across the reflection pond



Oops got caught with her eyes closed

This little guy told us he was just too tired to walk anymore so he needed a rest before the train came.



Kaden enjoying his hot chocolate









Merry Christmas

From our family to yours.

My favorite Christmas drink

One of the many Christmas memories I have from my childhood is the hot drink that my Mom used to make for us.  There was nothing better than being outside playing in the snow then coming in and finding a hot mug of Mom's special drink for me.  To this day I still look forward to making it and wrapping up in a warm blanket with my mug of hot punch.  I thought I would share in case anyone wanted to try it:

Hot Punch

1 lg. can Pineapple Juice (46oz)
1- 12oz can frozen Orange Juice concentrate
1 cup lemon juice
4 to 5 cups water
1/4 tsp. cloves
several cinnamon sticks

Mix together & simmer for 45 minutes.  Or you can simmer in crock pot on low.  Great for parties.

Our Simplified Christmas

Because of some decisions that we made earlier this summer we have had to really simplify Christmas this year.  This would be the extent of our Christmas decorations around the house - these trees stay up all year but they just got a little dressed up for the holiday.

Needless to say it definitely does not look or feel like Christmas around here.  We don't even have stockings to hang this year.  Instead we will be using gift bags decorated with our initials.  I do miss having the Nativity set up this year since that always seems to help remind us of the true meaning of the season.

Hopefully the decisions made this year will make it easier for us next year.  Some know of those decisions and some do not.  Those decisions caused us to put alot of stuff in a storage container this past summer- 540 miles away.  That would be why we have simplified this year - no possible way to get to my stuff right now.

May the joy of the holiday season be with those you love now and throughout the next year.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all....

Just wanted to stop and wish everyone a VERY Merry Christmas. We are busy today making all kinds of goodies. Everyone had something that they wanted to make today so we are trying to get them all done. We've got the fudge and the peanut brittle done. Cookie dough is ready to be cut into shapes and Alexis is patiently waiting for her Puppy Chow to get made.

We are anxiously waiting for Christina to get here -she's on her way. Our first Christmas with Kaden, we are so exicted.

We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and an even better New Year.

The Christmas Spirit....

Here are a few sights around the house that proves we are somewhat in the Christmas spirit: Of course we decorated a couple weeks ago, but I am just now getting around to sharing it.






Isn't this what Christmas is all about?









Frosty always checks things out from on top of the cabinets.









My small collection of Santa's.

Of course, there is always the tree -
I put the kids in charge this year
I will try to post a picture of the finished product.











At last but not least...What do you do with
all those outdoor lights that never get put up?
You bring them inside and put them in a vase.

Bet ya didn't know....

Here are a few Christmas tidbits that you may not know about me:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper

2. Real tree or Artificial? prefer real but have an artificial

3. When do you put up the tree? By the 5th of December - we were a little late this year - but it's up

4. When do you take the tree down? New Years day

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Baby That a Way

7. Hardest person to buy for? In laws

8. Easiest person to buy for? my dad

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? polyester outfit with clearance tags still on them


12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Too many to list

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? October

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Fudge

16. Color of lights on the tree? Multi colored

17. Favorite Christmas song? When Christmas comes to town (Polar Express)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? usually at home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Morning!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? that the stores puts decorations out before Halloween

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? country themed & the ones my kids have made

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? ham and cheesy potatoes

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? health for my family


Feel free to play along, I would love to see your answers

A little something to kick off the holiday season...

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