Since my mother cannot stand to just relax on vacation, she mobilized us into action to head up to Salt Lake. We gathered up warm winter gear, some snacks and the stroller and went to go to see the lights at Temple Square. We arrived right about 3:00 in the afternoon.
The first item on the agenda was to go to the children's exhibit at the Church History Museum to pass the time until it got dark. Our plans were thwarted however as we found the doors locked due to "forecast inclement weather". It was a bit perplexing since there was a not a flake in the sky. Instead we went over to the North Visitors' Center. Anne, of course, wanted nothing to do with the stroller and kept running off. The boys were off gallivanting about also rather oblivious to the reverent nature of the surroundings. After we went upstairs to view the Christus statue, we tried to keep Anne occupied by finding all the animals in the paintings of Christ's life. After being told a movie would be playing at 5:30, we went downstairs only to find an empty theater, no movie and two missing sister missionaries.
Trying to keep five children in one general area was proving impossible. In fact, we lost Anne for a few frantic minutes until we found her holding the hand of a stranger. The scene was eerily familiar as I had been lost as a toddler on Temple Square too. I was found holding the hand of a stranger also but she was trying to lead me out of Temple Square altogether. I shudder to think of how my life could have played out had my parents been a few moments slower. Fortunately, the stranger with Anne seemed only to be searching for me.
We finally did watch
Joy to the World which was definitely not riveting enough to keep the kids' attention. At this point, I was feeling rather defeated since nothing seemed to be turning out as planned. We persevered anyhow and went out to see the lights.
I think the kids found the lights a little underwhelming and we didn't stay out for very long. We coerced Slade to take a picture or two though before we left. The whole adventure was probably worth it just for this one snapshot. In twenty years we probably won't remember all the details of the chaos, the whiny children, or the thwarted plans. We'll just look at the picture and remember how adorable they all were and that Sawyer would never wear a coat!
Tonight, we cut out snowflakes. The boys are always thrilled when I put scissors in their hands since I generally have to keep them hidden away. I just loved their intense looks of concentration.
I took my kids to a homeschool Halloween party and hosted another one for Activity Days.
I bought costumes for the boys and too much candy.
Emma decided to wear my Little Red costume that my mom made for Into the Woods my senior year.
I gave out candy at our house instead of hiding in the back with the lights off. In fact, I even enjoyed the evening because I stood across the street and talked with my neighbor. I left our candy bowl on the porch and just hollered across the street to the trick-or-treaters to take one. I was so glad it was such a warm night.
We headed home just as a nasty blizzard was starting. I picked up pizza on the way home. We were able to hunker down and stay safe and warm at home. I mentioned here that Dave was still at work at 11:30 that night. It turned out that he was not able to get home even though he wanted to leave. The police were not allowing cars to get out of the parking lot because the highway had been closed. IM Flash offered food from the cafeteria and he just kept working until he could head home. He did not get home until 1:30 in the morning. It was nasty storm with not a lot of snow but terrible winds. Cars were stuck on the freeway for hours. Many ran out of gas or had to abandon their cars. Children stayed at school overnight because they could not get home. I was very glad that Dave made it home safely. Eventually.
