The blazing sun glistens off Macalley Whaley's cheeks.
Every sound piques Macalley's anticipation, from the jingle bells ringing down the busy Salt Lake street to the sounds of Christmas carols.
The clip-clop of Santa's horses echo down the narrow road.
Eight-year-old Macalley can't wait any longer.
Then reality sinks in.
"It's too hot for a sleigh ride," Macalley said with sweat on her brow.
With temperatures hovering in the 90s Friday, it surely wasn't a white Christmas. But Macalley braved the heat and enjoyed the ride nonetheless.
Macalley and her sisters — Celeste, 8, Keanna, 6, and Latosha, 5 —celebrated Christmas in July at the downtown Salt Lake homeless shelter where they've lived for nearly two weeks. Every year, the Salt Lake Board of Realtors invites Santa and his crew to the Road Home to bring a little joy into the lives of the residents.
"Oftentimes, some of the kids don't get Christmas in December," said Kathy Kemp, who organized the event. "We want to bring some joy to the families' lives and give back to the community because we're so blessed."
Life since December's Christmas has been hard for Macalley and her sisters, her mother, Lorri Jones, said.
It started when their father was thrown in jail after dodging years' worth of warrants. Jones was a stay-at-home mom but had to go to work to support the family. Her two oldest children, ages 20 and 16, worked and helped pay the mortgage on the family's Bountiful home.
Slowly the family fell behind on payments, and in May they were evicted. Jones lived on the streets with Macalley, Celeste, Keanna and Latosha before finding shelter at The Road Home.
The adjustment has been tough on the girls. The food at the shelter isn't too appealing. Plus, Jones said she doesn't know where she'll go after her three months are up at the shelter.
"It's been hard for them, no doubt about it," Jones said. "I tell them, 'If you're hungry enough, you'll eat it.' There's only so much you can do."
Keanna didn't seem too picky as she sifted through a backpack filled with goodies that Santa had given her just minutes before.
Milky Ways, a Pez dispenser and other candies — all treats a 6-year-old would enjoy.
"Look! Oh, look," she said. "Thank you very much. Merry Christmas."
Each parent and child at The Road Home on Friday received a backpack full of toiletries and other useful items. Keanna was most impressed with her green apple pencil sharpener.
E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com