Tis' the Season

We started the Season off right by taking the kids to see a live Nativity in Alpine last weekend.  In years past, we have attended a live nativity and it sure does bring the true meaning of Christmas into our hearts and the reason we celebrate Christmas. This year, we went to the Alpine nativity, which was the first year we had gone to this particular one. We had to order tickets many months in advance for this nativity, because it sells out fast. The kids loved walking through and seeing the live animals and baby Jesus. They gave away free hot chocolate at the end. It was a great night.

On Saturday, it was my sisters Birthday. I spent the afternoon with my mom and my sister, Brooke. We went to lunch at my favorite place up in Bountiful called, Plates and Palates. After lunch, we got a pedicures. That night, we went with my sister's family to see the lights in Layton City Park. My sister does this each year, and you can get tickets for the hayride at the Burger Stop in Layton every Friday and Saturday night from 6-8:30PM. Tickets are $2 for adults and $1 for kids over 5. 4 and under are free. The hayride took us around the park to see the Christmas lights. The kids thought that was so fun, being out in the open air looking at the lights. We then headed to Red Robin for dinner with my sister and her family!

In line for the tickets to see the lights

At the Burger Stop in Layton to pick up our tickets for the hayride

Tim, Lindsay and Naomi

Mommy and Naomi on the hayride to see the lights

On the hayride

Every year we make it a tradition to visit the Grand America Hotel and to take the scavenger hunt to see the window displays that they have decorated throughout the hotel. This year, they had Christmas songs that represented each window. The kids loved filling out the sheet of paper and getting a gingerbread cookie at the end. We also, made sure we stopped by the gingerbread house that is built each year out of candy. The gingerbread house this year was a log cabin, that was painted in chocolate and rice krispy treats. It took over 624 hours to make and took over 2 months to make! 

The Grand America Hotel

Inside the lobby at the Grand America

The Scavenger Hunt

Mason and Allie getting their scavenger hunt sheet and pencil

The Candy store inside the Grand that the kids love going to

One of their favorite windows

Allie and Mason loved the windows

The Gingerbread Cabin at the Grand

The Window Display at Grand America

Tim and our family got invited to see Santa at one of Tim's mortgage companies Christmas Party. We took the kids to see Santa and had their pictures taken with him. This year, to my surprise all three kids did not get scared and there were no tears from any of them. It maybe the only year for the next years that this will happen. Naomi was not aware that a strange man with a beard was holding her, and for the other two, they were actually excited to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas!

Santa, Allie 7 years old, Mason 5 years old and Naomi 8 months