A Night In Bethlehem

The local Baptist church put on a fantastic presentation of what it might have been like when Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem on that sacred night so long ago.

Outside the city walls, lepers begged for food and alms.



Roman soldiers were posted at the city gates and all throughout the city.



Tax collectors demanded registration and payment.



The spice vendors shared their wares.



The women at the well shared the local rumors of a child being born that night.



Many other vendors, including the lamp maker, the leather shop, the oil hawkers, and the grocer, all wanted to sell their wares but knew nothing of king being born that night.



On visiting the inn, we learned that there was no room there, but yes they had seen a women heavy with child and had sent her and her husband to the stables to stay the night.



Shepherds saw an angel appear to herald the birth of the Christ child and were going to seek him.



The new family warm and safe in a humble stable.



Wise men saw the new star and began their travels to seek him.



Then we were reminded of the exemplary life that Christ led and of his sacrifice and miracle of resurrection given to all.

Mandy’s Birthday Part 2

After celebrating with just the 5 of us on Friday, we celebrated with friends and family on Saturday!

She wanted to have a gymnastics party, so the first rule of gymnastics is that you have to have your hair pulled back in a ponytail or bun.  We even made the boys follow this rule too.

The next important thing for gymnasts and other athletes is to eat healthy.  We had a healthy food relay race.  They had to race down to a plate of apple slices and grapes, pick one, chew it, swallow it, and then run back and tag the next person on the team.

I did have some other gymnastic-y activities planned, but after the relay race all the kids jumped onto the swingset it was over from there.

After lunch, Mandy opened her presents.  She loved everything she got!

Especially the money.

And so did Layton.  Within seconds he asked if he could have.  Yeah right!

Then it was cake time!

Our little Mandy girl had a wonderful birthday!

Mandy’s Birthday Part 1

Mandy’s birthday fell on a Friday.  So when she woke up that morning she opened a couple of gifts.

The DSi she had saved money for and actually paid for almost all of it.  I was proud of her for doing that.  For lunch that day, I took in cupcakes to her and her class.

Nathan just happened to have a slow day at work because the network servers were down, so he joined us for lunch as well.

That evening Mandy and I when out for pedicures and manicures.

She just loved the design they painted on her nails. 

While we had been doing that, the boys had walked around the mall.  When our nails were dry, we met up with them for Mandy’s favorite dessert – ICE CREAM!!!!

It was a fun little birthday!

Leaves, Leaves, and more Leaves

The kids favorite fall activity…

And don’t forget cuddling up with Grandma.  That’s another favorite activity too!

The Turkey Bowl

Every Thanksgiving morning for a while now, a few boys and their dads have been meeting up to play a little tag football.

They always have lots of fun!

I am very grateful to live where we have such a great group of friends!

Although, I will admit, that it is not so fun to have to listen to Nathan complain for three or four days afterwards about how sore he is :)