Best. Tradition. Ever.

Sometimes traditions cause a groan, or the desire to run away screaming.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a firm believer in tradition.  But some traditions are definitely better than others.  And this tradition is the best one of all.  Notice that I'm already calling it a tradition, even though its the first time we've done it. I have faith that due to the enjoyment of the activity it will be repeated every year for the rest of forever.  With my dad in charge I'm sure this will be the case as he is the king of all things tradition.

What did we do you say?  Well, we rode on a bus to Temple Square to see the lights.  So what, right?  Lots of people do that....Wrong!  Nobody does a bus like the Spjutes/Binghams do a bus.  We had a bus come to my dad's and pick us up.  That's right, kind of like a taxi, or a limo, but it was a bus.  And this wasn't just a short bus.  No way.  Spjutes/Binghams don't belong on a short bus.  This was a full-sized, real-life school bus.  Big.  Yellow.  Did I mention big?

the bus parked in out front...big right?

The kids were so excited.  Let's be honest, some of the adults were as excited as the kids.  My dad was so excited waiting for everyone to show up that I thought he might explode.  The most exciting part of the ride?  Going down the big hill by my dad's house.  It was like being on a roller coaster without the seat belts.  We all put our hands in the air and screamed.  Good times.

Sage loving life

The kids at the back of the bus

On the way to Temple Square we sang all kinds of Christmas songs, and of course included "Wheels on the Bus".  When we got to the horn on the bus Clarence, the bus driver, even honked the horn.  So cool.  Then we were dropped off right at Temple Square.  That's right, no dealing with traffic, no stress of where to park, no walking from the parking lot.  Just dropped off right there.  We were super cool.

Sage riding in style

Zack and Kate

Kate and Sage

So we walked around and enjoyed the lights.  Or at least the ones we could see through all the people.  Still beautiful though, even with lots of people.  Zack's still trying to figure out exactly how many lights there were.  I'm sure he'll be able to tell us next year.

Sage...mouth full and hot chocolate in hand

On the bus ride home we listened to Polar Express, ate cookies, and drank hot chocolate.  We went so slow up the hill to my dad's that we were hardly moving.  I thought the bus was done for.  Especially because there was a strange buzzing sound like something was going to explode.  Anyway, we made it home and all was well.  My kids were exhausted, but happy.  We're going to have to re-visit our other traditions so they maybe stand a chance against The Polar Express Bus...