Gingerbread Tree and The Nativity Story

In years past we have made gingerbread houses out of graham crackers with lots of candy.  We didn't have time for that this, but we did manage to make a Gingerbread Tree (out of a box).  On Christmas Eve we went over to our good friends the Curtises and read the Christmas Story and reenacted the Nativity.  The three boys were the Wise Men, Chris was the donkey and shepherd, Beki was an angel, and our friends were Joseph and Mary.  Afterwards we stood around the piano and sang Christmas songs with awesome harmony and such.  We ate pumpkin pie and drank wassail.  It was a great way to spend Christmas Eve.

Washington DC Temple Lights

Every year we go up to the Washington DC Temple for their Festival of Lights.  They recently remodeled the temple visitor center, so we got to see that for the first time as well.  Each year they have a Nativities of the World exhibit and each year there is something new to see.  

We love to go and be reminded of the reason we celebrate this wonder time of year.  We are truly grateful to our Heavenly Father for the gift of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Garden of Lights

For Family Home Evening the first Monday after Thanksgiving we headed to a Christmas lights display called the Garden of Lights.  We went with our good friends, the Curtises, and enjoyed kicking off the Christmas season with them.  It is held at a county park and they did a pretty good job.

Owen and Dean is tree house.

The boys in the wagon being pulled by a bear.

Hyacinth Flower Lights - Chris was in love!!! (http://www.lonestartradingcompany.com/grpuhyflli.html) They sold them in the gift store for lots of money, but we decided to look online to see if we could find them.  Maybe next year.

They had a conservatory too with there sweet gourds and a train display.

Back out into the cold for more lights.

The Sea Monster!!

The Marshmallow Tree made for old gallon bottles.

Family picture!!  This was the caterpiller that greeted you as you entered the garden.

We had a good time and keep the boy out WAY past his bed time, but it was worth it!

Random, Thanksgiving & Christmas Decor

Found these random pictures of the boy playing with trash bags.  

He is dressed up as a Ninjago - Zane - practicing his ninja moves.

Every year the primary does a program in Sacrament Meeting so show the parents what they have been learning all year.  They sing lots of songs and each child gets to say something at the microphone.  Owen gave a talk about what is means to follow Jesus Christ's example.  As part of the program, they have the children decorate the programs - this is the one the Owen did - he is helping someone that fell down.

 For Thanksgiving, Chris wanted to go participate in our Ward Turkey-bowl.  So off we went.

Owen took some Beyblades, so he wasn't bored.

Supervising the other children kick the football.

In the back ground in Chris, he caught a pass and was headed for the endzone.

Same run...

no one was chasing him, so it was a TOUCHDOWN - but no victory dance, just running back to play some  more.

For Thanksgiving, we went over to our good friends' home.  We ate lots of really good food, played a lot, and visited.  It was a nice relaxing day.

Friday was a day for Christmas decorating.  Chris got the tree up and then we decorated.

Saturday was the day for outside decorating.  We should have checked the weather, because it was really cold on Saturday and Friday had been really nice - we should have done outside on Friday and inside on Saturday.  Oh, well!  Chris is a die-hard, so out he went to decorate. The boy helped a little.

Finished products.

We are also doing our thankful leaves, but there is no tree this year.  We are doing a thankful leaf pile instead.  It has been going well and we realize all the blessings we have in our lives.