On the 7th Day Of Christmas...

My true loves and I traveled to Temple Square

Nothing is more sweet then a Dad with his baby girl.

My cute kids.




The whole crew inside the Tabernacle.
Sitting on those super hard and uncomfortable benches!
Gosh, there's a lot of us!

Here we are again.

My sweet and moody Hannah.
I'm so glad she brought her camera.

Gosh Mom, why do we have to take so many pictures?
At this point Brent told me to take just one more.
He didn't want the only memory the kids had of the event
to be of picture taking.

No, the lends wasn't dirty, it's the fog or smog.
And notice something about Brent?
He's actually smiling with his teeth showing!!!
So NOT a Wood thing to do!

Photo compliments of Hannah.
Beckham looks like he too has long blong hair!




This is Hannah's favorite photo she took of the evening.






The night was, dare I say it, Romantic?
Yes it was, even with 6 kids in tow.
Brent took this awesome photo.

Another brilliant photo taken by Brent.

I was really excited for Jaren to open the envelope today. I knew what activity was coming and couldn't wait for their reaction. It wasn't quite what I was hoping for, as usual. Instead of a Yes and jumping up and down. It was a; are you kidding me, I'm not going to get to play with my friends again? Really? After explaining the order of events, there was much relief that there was still time for friends, and family.

I knew it was going to be busy. The plan was to arrive before it got dark and be there as the sun faded and the lights turned on. We tried to get the kids to bring their coats and gloves. Most of them didn't think they needed such things. They were deceived by the sun. As I was getting my coat on Beckham gasped, paused a minute and then said, " Oh my gosh Mom, you look like a, (another pause not sure if he should say what came to his mind) Woman." I laughed as I finished putting on my Pea coat.

I really wanted to get photos of us in front of the Salt Lake Temple. A gentlemen was nice enough to offer to take our photo. After successfully getting us all in he asked if all these kids were ours. Yes, even in the state of Mormondom we still get asked that question. And yes, they are all ours. He then left us with this remark, "Bless your hearts." Side note: This guy couldn't have been but 10 years older then Brent and I.

It was a pretty cool night. A bit foggy which added to the atmosphere. First we made a stop inside the Tabernacle. We made stops in both Visitors Centers. Listening to the message of the Savior and watching Luke II is a tradition we are going to have to do every year. After exiting the movie it was finally dark outside and all the lights were on. I had so much fun holding on to my children's hands, stopping under the lights and gazing up to the sky, more like fog this night. Beckham, Annika and I stopped under a huge tree lit up with white lights. Beckham said, "This tree reminds me of the popcorn I ate yesterday." Shortly after we stood under a HUGE tree with all red lights. Isabel thoughtfully said, "This is kind of like all the drops of Jesus' blood." Yes, Isabel, that's what I thought of too.

The night was cold and chill. Our cheeks and noses turned pink from the cold. Those that didn't bring gloves began to feel the chill biting at our hands. The crowd began to thicken and we decided to leave. Just in time too. Throngs of people began to flood Temple Square. And for good reason. It was a wonderful way to feel the holiday magic that surrounds the birth of our Savior.