We went to the Bluffdale city light ceremony to meet Santa. Unfortunately this was really disorganized and lame. We waited in line around a bunch of smoky firepits to see Santa. But first we had to wait for a tractor parade that was too far away to see. And then the power went out a few minutes after they turned on the Christmas lights. So no one could visit Santa because his cottage was dark and they couldn't take photos. So we hung around in the dark for a while before just walking past Santa and heading home.
Our neighborhood had a "Polar Express" where the kids were picked up on a trailer and driven around the neighborhood before being taken to our neighbor's house. There the kids had hot chocolate and donuts and did a craft while they waited to see Santa. Luke was sick, so he didn't get to come.
We also made gingerbread houses. This was the first year I bought those pre-made kits, and that is definitely the way to go! It was soooo much easier. The frosting was strong enough to actually hold the pieces together. And there was very little mess because I didn't have to make the gingerbread or frosting. This is definitely how we will be doing it from now on.
We made a trip to Temple Square to see the lights. Normally we go much earlier in the month, but we were busy and couldn't go until about a week before Christmas. All the Christmas concerts were going, including the tabernacle choir concert, so it was mobbed. We went to grab dinner at the City Creek mall and the lines were so huge we ended up going to see the lights first and then going to dinner after the concerts started.
We took the kids skiing at Alta. This was Luke's first time. We were going to do the ski after 3:00 thing at Alta, but when we got there we discovered they replaced one of the tow-ropes with a new free bunny lift. So we did that the whole time. Sophie is getting pretty good and can ski by herself for the most part. Aspen is still a little nervous, but getting better. And Luke pretty much flopped the whole time.
Our Christmas elf came again this year! The kids were so excited to open their gift from the elf each morning.
We had the Lloyd family Christmas party where the kids played in the family band. Luke even participated and had pretty good rhythm.
We also took the kids ice skating in Herrimann. They had a really cool stand to help kids skate. It worked great for Luke. The girls have been begging to go skating ever since.
On Christmas morning we woke up and opened presents at our house. The kids got some new snow tubes and sleds, helmets and goggles for skiing. Sophie got a flute, Aspen got a harp thing, and Luke got a ukulele. Aspen gave Luke a little cowboy and bull set that he carried around for an entire week. I gave Isaac some security cameras. And he gave me some new pots and pans.
Then we went to Grandma Sugar's house for more presents and lunch. The kids got some cool toys from Grandma and Grandpa. They had fun playing games and trying out their new toys at their house.
Then we went to Grandma Karla's house for dinner and presents with them. Karla decided to do a "castle/knight" theme because they went to Europe this summer. So she made Aspen a little castle toy and Luke some cute knight dress-ups.
It was a great Christmas this year. And my favorite part is always watching the kid's reactions and excitement as they open up their gifts and see how much their siblings liked the gifts they picked for them.
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