Live Nativity

There is a stake in the near-by town that does the most amazing Live Nativity.  It is so beautiful and well done.  We waited WAY longer than we would have liked (2 1/2 hrs!) but after you've stood in line for so long you don't want to leave because you've already spent so much time....

Thankfully it was a beautiful night and not very cold.  We look some good friends of ours and made a night of it.

The kids loved everything about it (except how long it was).  From the fire pits throughout the line to the goats, cows, sheep, donkey and camel they got to pet to the time we finally got to see the Nativity it was fun.

 It began with Isiah's prophesies.

 Then we got to see Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem.

 Next were the Shepards.

 We then saw the 3 Wise Men and their camel.

Then it was on to Bethlehem.  It is my favorite part.  It is a building they construct for this very purpose.  You are so secluded and you literally walk into a different world.  It's amazing the transformation that you go through.

 After walking through the streets of Bethlehem you enter the stable where Mary, Joesph and Baby Jesus are surrounded by the animals.  it is beautiful and you really do get the feeling of the sacredness of that night.

I am still so grateful that we went even though it was a rough wait.  I am so grateful to all those who put their time and efforts into providing this experience for me, my kids, and so many others.  I LOVED being able to take that time to teach my kids, let them see what I was talking about and testify to them of the truth of the event.  Definitely a memory that I know will stay with me and one I hope will be filed in my kids' brains.

"Want go see Pretty Lights"

That's all we hear from Chloe these days, and I couldn't be happier about it.  I love that I have a little "me" when it comes to wanting to go see Christmas Lights.  She is so into it and squeals with excitement whenever we're driving and she sees a good house.  Just one of those perks of having a daughter I guess! :)

One of our annual stops is the "Christmas Story".  We love this neighborhood and wish we could get something like this started in our neighborhood.  We enjoy driving through and reading the poem, "The Night Before Christmas", listening to pretty Christmas music and seeing the beautiful lights.

Looks Who's Back

We were so excited to welcome Peter Pan back today.  We are trying our hardest to be on our best behavior so he can report good things to Santa.  We can't wait to see what funny things he does this year.

Lindon Polar Express

My sister got us on the Polar Express train ride that some friends of hers do.  It was so fun.  We got all my Utah family together and went.  It was much nicer than the Halloween train they do in the fact that it was by reservation so you didn't have to wait.

 The first half of the train ride was the North Pole.  It was beautiful and fun.

 When we got to the North Pole we got off the train and got to go see Santa.

 After visiting with Santa we got to board another train and ride through the Christmas story.  It was beautiful and I must admit that I got very emotional telling the story to Chloe as we rode.  I was so grateful for the truth and knowledge that I have in my life and that I was able to share it with my daughter.

Sam's Great Teacher

Sam has an amzing teacher.  She is so great and loves Sam so much.  She emailed Sam this picture of her dogs loving the dog toys he got them.  Just a little thing, but so sweet.  It made Sam's day.

Sam the Scientist

Sam got to bring the Science bag home from school this week.  It was fun to look through the bag of goodies and find an experiment in the book that he could do for his class.  He got to do the experiment for his class on Friday.  Since I was already there for music time I got to stay and help/watch him do it.  It was fun to see him perform the experiment for his friend and watch them say "oooohh" and aaaahh".  He felt really cool and I loved that.

He chose the experiment about how two toothpicks floating parallel on the surface of the water would retract quickly from each other if you dipped another toothpick that had soap on it in between them without even touching them.  It was fun as all the kids said, "wow, it's magic."

Eddie

Our Chinese Tour Guide, Eddie, came for a visit and we were able to have him over for dinner and let him meet our family.  It was so fun to have him over and spoil him and introduce him to new things just like he did for us when we were on his turf. 

The kids loved meeting him and wouldn't stop talking to him and showing him things.  From James showing off his China clothes, to Sam teaching him about Nachos, to Chloe singing and dancing, he got quite the welcome.

We are so glad he came and that we were able to see him so much.  He will definitely be a friend for life.