Our Christmas Season began just after Thanksgiving. We attended a parade and city lighting with my sister and her family. Alyssa was in the parade (on her birthday!) with her dance group which made the parade even more fun for us!
Here are the kids waiting for Alyssa to come down the road:
Alyssa's team float:
Alyssa's dance team, she is in there somewhere, I promise!
Shortly after the parade ended, the city lit up the downtown area and celebrated with fireworks. It was great! (Jonathan got separated from us, which was a bummer, but we enjoyed it any way).
After the festivities downtown, we went back to my sister's home for birthday cake with Alyssa.
Since Alyssa's birthday falls near Thanksgiving, we have often been with her to celebrate her special day. And not everyone gets a parade and fireworks on their birthday. When Alyssa was really young, the city parade, lighting and fireworks were held on her birthday. She went to the festivities that night with her family and after the fireworks began she excitedly asked her mom. "How did they know it was my birthday?!" Isn't that the cutest?
Alyssa wanted a beach-themed cake this year. My sis made her this darling cake. So cute! I love the little girl in blue, laying on her stomach and a pony tail in her hair.
After we left my sister's home, we drove to Salt Lake City to see the lights on Temple Square before they went off for the night. We got to look around for 20 minutes or so before all of the lights were turned off. It was beautiful! Breathtakingly beautiful! I don't know if there is any place on earth that can compare to this at Christmas time.
I would love your opinions! Which of the two photos above do you like best? The temple with the red tree or the temple with the gold tree? (Click on photos to enlarge).
Please let me know, if you have a moment to comment. Thanks, bunches!
The most wonderful time of the year, thanks to one really sweet baby who is our Savior and Redeemer.
I like the one with the red tree! You take the most amazing pictures :)
Posted by: Mary | December 09, 2011 at 10:47 AM
The cake was awesome! You already know which pictures I like.
Posted by: Jonathan | December 09, 2011 at 01:40 PM
I really love both of them! If I would have to choose 1 I would choose the red tree! <3 U!!
Posted by: Megan | December 09, 2011 at 03:55 PM
Red, Red, Red! Can I say any more. It is the most amazing color ever. Beautiful pictures.
Posted by: Kim | December 09, 2011 at 04:20 PM
Red tree! (I think they are both beautiful, but my eye is drawn more quickly to the temple in the picture with the red tree.)
Posted by: Karen | December 10, 2011 at 03:18 AM
sooon the bell will start... and the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing right within your heart
Posted by: smash | December 10, 2011 at 06:47 PM
I like the one with the red tree! :)
Posted by: Jordan Dalebout | December 11, 2011 at 08:14 PM
Jordan! Hi there! So happy to see you comment on here, you are a sweetie!
Posted by: Mar~ | December 12, 2011 at 07:53 PM
Mary,
Thanks for your comment! It is sweet to see you on here!
Posted by: Mar~ | December 12, 2011 at 07:54 PM
I think I am the first one to says gold..it looks like the temple is glowing in that one. :) I love it!
Posted by: Ally Riches | December 12, 2011 at 09:10 PM