German Christmas Market in Utah

This Saturday we had a few amazing things happen all on the same day. 

1- the nasty "inversion" that happens in Salt Lake City where the cold air traps all the pollution in the valley finally went away and instead of looking like an industrial city in Asia, the iconic Utah blue sky was showing through. That is something to be thankful for. 

2- We had a Saturday that minus Lucky Dragon's basketball game in the morning was free of other necessary activities. That is a miracle--especially during this time of year. 

3- Not only did we have a day to enjoy, but so did Kade and Val. While we live only a few miles from each other our lives are often so busy we go months (seriously months) without seeing each other. 

The nasty SLC inversion

 Because we had some time to enjoy, we all trailed up to the last day of the German Christmas Market in Salt Lake City's This is the Place Heritage Park. We have been in years past, but this year it was nearly double the size. With it being the last day, we were joined by thousands of other people trying to get the Christmas Market vibe. It was fun to be there.

While it is not quite the same as a true European Christmas Market, it was still festive and enjoyable. We arrived just in time to right the "train" up to the Pioneer Village and see the German parade being led by Saint Lucia herself.

 We even saw camels! They had a small petting zoo. We just looked because growing up on a farm it would be unheard of to pay to pet animals! haha. I think that the kids just enjoyed being together. Mud, sticks and melting snow piles could have kept them busy all day long.

 One of the sections was the "Forbidden Forest" all dedicated to Harry Potter and had a Renaissance feel to it. Lucky Dragon played a game of Mancala with a blue horned woman. He picked it up quickly. He and Koala Bear were so interested in the broom sticks. He told me that he could tell which were flying broomsticks and which were just brooms. HAHA.

 We ate Belgian waffles, Stroop Waffles, pizza, brats and mustard--I skipped out on having the sauerkraut. I cannot quite go that German yet! haha