Downtown during the Holidays

Since Alex was a year old we have been attending the Macy's Santa Land display downtown each year.  There is something that feels like magic when I think of going downtown during the holidays season.  The hustle and bustle.  The lights.  The music.  The people.  I just love it.  

Like every other year, we headed up to the cities right after school.  Andy was off work that day and home with the boys.  He was so nice and woke up early to take myself and my mom to work.  He then got doughnuts with the boys and spent the rest of the day with them while I helped out on a field trip to see the movie, Lincoln.  Andy and the boys picked up my Dad and met us in Jordan right at 3:00.  As soon as we could leave, we were on the road.

We didn't have to wait in line at all and got to go right in.  We couldn't even get a picture of the four of us because Aiden kept turning around to see what was going on.  His reactions didn't change much when we got inside either.  He was running around "oohing" and "aahing" over the displays.  His eyes wide with amazement.  Alex loved showing his brother what was going and explaining to him what each display was all about.  It was fun to listen to them.

The boys were hungry and right after walking through the show we headed out to eat.  We found a newer restaurant that wasn't super expensive or fancy.  Okay...we were trying to go to Rock Bottom Brewery.  Andy had called earlier in the day to make a reservation.  They had said, "if you are coming at 5:30...you should be fine. Just come right in".  We got there and they were booked solid.  Next time..I guess we'll just make the reservation.  Anyway, the place we ended up at was just across the hall.  Nothing fancy, but decent food and right during happy hour.

The boys found some sun glasses in the diaper bag and got a little silly...

We lost track of time and ran to the Holidazzle parade at about 6:25 (it starts at 6:30).  We made it during the perfect time and found a perfect spot to sit.  Andy can't sit because of his leg and wanted to go inside to sit with my Dad to stay warm.  My mom and I sat on the curb with the boys and I am so glad we did.  We have watched from the skywalk before, but there is something so magical about being right there to see the parade in front of you.  

Alex liked the parade.  Aiden loved the parade.  Aiden waved at every single display that went by.  Screaming "Hello".  He even waved off his mittens a couple of times, but I wasn't about to lose anymore of those.

 It was freezing...they sure do have an awesome Grandma!

And, finally, Santa came!

Merry Christmas!