downtown

it is our family tradition to take trax downtown to see the lights at temple square. this year we added going to the grand america hotel to see their window displays. the addition did not disappoint.

 on our way downtown. 

side story: todd forgot to scan his i.d. card to ride trax (you can get a ticket for not scanning it) and jumped off at a random stop to do so. i was in charge of continually pushing the button to open the door. however, it closed after the third or fourth time pushing it. i was left alone on the train unsure of where i was going and how to get there. we only have one cell phone, and todd had it, so i prepared to get off the train at the next stop, praying todd would think the same thing and meet me there. as i began pushing the stroller out the door, todd came jumping in! he apparently realized he wouldn't make it to our train car in time, so got in another one. you can't imagine my relief seeing him- i was sure our night would be ruined before it had even begun! 

 we went to the grand america first. the window displays were a story that you follow along throughout the hotel (they even had it published into a book as well). we were given a scavenger hunt, of sorts, to find a hidden star in each display. at the end, we all received a delicious cookie from their bakery. it was a fun activity i hope the grand america will continue next year.

 one of the "pages" (window displays)

 after that, we headed over to temple square to see the beautiful lights. (as you can see, the stranger that took this photo thought it was equally important getting the pavement as the temple- i guarantee you when i took his family's photo, i got the temple spires!)

 it is amazing how beautiful the lights are

inside the joseph smith building

it was such a fun night! i think next year, we might make it a two evening adventure, so we can really enjoy each spot. the end of the night bonus was seeing cousins at the bookstore on our way to trax. so, we got to ride home with ellie's "cousin friends" tyler and brayden. it definitely made the trip home faster and less painful for our tired children. thanks kathy and scott!