Nativity

This was FABULOUS!
My sister in law told us about this and we went together to a miniature Bethlehem.  We waited in a line about 3 or more blocks long but it was well worth the wait.

While in line Centurions, Herod, people on their way to Bethlehem and animals kept us entertained.





 Once we got to Bethlehem we had to pay our taxes and then sign the scroll for the census.









 


Then we walked through the town.  We saw people making bowls, leather, bread and selling fruit.






"And there were shepherds out in the hillside keeping watch over their flocks by night"

"a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

So cold!!

It was pretty wet and rainey all day so we stayed inside the whole day. Towards the end when it was almost dark we just had to step out. It was so cold. I think it might have been 50 degrees. (Just checking to see if you're reading this Tami) I almost got rid of this hat earlier this year. I'm so glad I didn't. It brought me a giggle as soon as I put it on JD. The surprising part was that he kept it on. I think it was because Katie had her hood on and so he wanted one too. We had a nice walk around our neighborhood looking at some of the lights.

It's not funny! It's funny!

JD loves to climb all over this kitchen set that his Granny brought for him and Katie. Today he got stuck in the sink part. He and Katie took off all the removable parts as soon as they got it. It was difficult for me to get him out. I had to try several times.

Santa

This last Sunday we went to see Santa at the village. I love this Santa. No long lines, free, and you can take a bunch of pictures. Its great. Both Katie and JD were excited to see Santa this year. Katie even knew what she was going to ask for: cotton candy and a lollipop. (This kid likes her sweets.) But when the time came she got too shy and barely said a word. Then all the way home she talked about how she forgot to ask Santa for her cotton candy and lollipop. She was starting to get sad so we told her we could write him a letter.

These last two are from last year.  Look at JD.  Just a baby.

Here's the whole post from last year.

Waiting to see Santa

This is the new smile that Katie has adopted when we tell her to smile. Interesting huh?

Steinhardt Aquarium with Granny

John's mom came for Thanksgiving and stayed with us for a few days.  It was nice having her here and the kids really enjoyed her visit.

Christmas decorating

We got out the Christmas decorations the day after thanksgiving.  The kids were very excited.  Katie started decorating the tree right away with a bunch of her toys.  I've been reading her the nativity story and she's been coloring pictures of the manger scene.  She is definitely understanding it a lot more this year.  I explained that we would be celebrating Jesus' birthday and that  everyone gets gifts on his birthday.  She decided she wanted to give Jesus a present. So she told me she was giving him her red fork and a pretend strawberry.  We even wrapped it.  I've also been trying to sing some Christmas songs like "Away in a Manger" with her at bedtime and other times.  She really is into saying "I love you" these days.  She must say it around 50 times a day.