We have been coming to the Salt Lake City area for Christmas for the past 16 years. That is a LONG time! The first year we came out was from NYC and Simon was almost one year old; the very next year we had moved from NY to California and had a newborn daughter in addition to an almost two year old. Living in the Bay Area makes the journey to Utah by car about 10 1/2 to 11 hours depending on how fast we drive, how many stops we need to make and what the weather is doing. We absolutely love our tradition of spending Christmas in Utah with family and friends. Most years we get to experience a cold, white Christmas and it seriously makes us SO darn happy.

Over the years we have enjoyed the tradition of visiting Temple Square in downtown SLC to see the jaw dropping beautiful display of lights and the nativity at the Salt Lake Temple. We probably do this once every three to four years (most years it is so stinkin’ cold that we can’t bring ourselves to bring our California weather family to do it) and this year we decided to make the 25 minute drive in to see the lights. The weather was perfect and we did some shopping beforehand at City Creek (Anthropologie is there so that’s all I need in my life…). It was certainly busy going through Temple Square but oh so worth it. I love Temple Square any time of year but the feeling there over Christmas is really special; I loved it.

Here are a few photos of our Temple Square and City Creek adventure. It was a beautiful, colorful night and I’m so glad that all six of us went.