Christkindlmarket 2015

This year's Christkindlmarket trip was more unusual than previous years because it was WARM! Well, not warm as in summer warm, but warm as in 60 degree winter warm. Eric actually prefers it to be cold (and snowing, if possible) when we go to the Christmas market because it feel more Christmas-y. Plus, there were tons of people there this year because the weather was no nice. What was also unusual is that the big Christmas tree was moved a couple blocks away from the market, so we had to walk to see it.

This year, we decided to add an element of serving to our trip, and we packed "blessing bags" (ziploc bags full of useful items for homeless folks), and handed them out to some homeless people we came across. I have been wanting to do this with the kids on one of our downtown trips, so we decided this would be a great time. The kids were hesitant at first (understandably), but after a couple, they started to get the hang of it. It was cute because Asher would say "Merry Christmas!" to the person we handed the bag to (he's our most outgoing child), and it would always put a smile on their face.

We also viewed the Macy's Christmas windows, which the kids always like. And we were able to stop and eat lunch at the Shake Shack...a family fav when we are in the city. The kids are already asking when we get to go back. :)

This was our first time trying these donuts...they were a hit!

Eric's choice every year...

My personal favorite part of the actual market is the beautiful ornaments

My choice every year...yum

We started letting the kids pick out one ornament from the market. This was Eden's choice.

Judah and Asher each picked one of these

My other favorite part is the nativity scene.

Giving out our bags

We stopped to watch the ice skaters

These pictures of Asher are so fun. He was looking in the window scene and saw a Star Wars character in the room! I think he likes Star Wars just as much as his older brother.

I think these are my favorite pictures from our day