Great Start

Our weekend got off to a great start. Friday night, we took Owen and Mason on "The Bethlehem Walk." My parents kept Ryan b/c it was so cold. It was an awesome experience and such a great way to start the month. Eight area churches reach over 7,500 people each Christmas with an interactive outdoor drama where guests experience first century Bethlehem. We guided through the heart of the city to the marketplace that is bustling with activity from over a dozen authentic shops; enjoyed samples from the baker's shop, saw the blacksmith at work making crucifixion nails, marveled at the potter's crafts and listened for the rumor of a king's birth from excited townspeople. We were denied a room at the INN, we were with the shepherds and their flock when the angel brought the GOOD news of Jesus' birth. We saw the babe in the manager, Jesus heal a blind man, the cross and tomb with the stone rolled away.

This morning, I went to Christmas brunch held by the women in my weekly bible study. We made advent candle wreaths. I've always wanted one!

This afternoon, we got our tree.

The lucky tree. I think it may be our best one ever.

For a few seconds we pretended that we were at a real tree farm.
This tractor was parked in the parking lot. They let the boys "drive."

Tonight, we ate pizza in family room and all watched Toy Story 3. Ryan didn't really watch it but he had to be in the picture.

Now that the boys are in bed, I get to wrestle the lights onto the tree.