Christmas Visitors at the Star Mill

A place close by us called the Star Mill does a little Christmas Parade every year and Santa and Mrs. Clause always visit and give the children a free book and hot chocolate. We went down there and the kids had a really good time. They also were able to ride on an antique Fire Truck and even got to ring the bell (Natalie calls it a "Ring Dong"). They all thought that was pretty neat. Brennan was very eager to sit on Santa’s Lap again and Natalie was excited to sit on Mrs. Clause’s Lap but did not want to talk or look at Santa. Nathan was afraid to sit on Santa’s Lap this time and I couldn’t figure out why because that is not like him at all. I finally was able to get the reason out of him and it was because he hadn’t been on his best behavior the day before and was afraid Santa new about it and didn’t want to hear what he would have to say to him.

Living Nativity

This year Julie made a list of fun Christmas time activities and is trying to do a few of them each week and tonight we decided to go to the living Nativity at the Provo Tabernacle (I highly recommend this activity). Julie and I had gone a long time ago when we were engaged (like 9 years ago) and it was fun then, and it has dramatically improved in that time. We took our kids and a couple of their friends as well and as you can see from the pictures they all had a great time! Since I am sure that many of you will not make it down there to see it yourself, I gladly took enough pictures to walk you through the whole program: ). I will narrate as you scroll down the pics. When the Wise Men walked by our bench, I heard Corbin tell Nathan "I think that is Obi-Won-Kanobe" and Nathan just said "Cool".


I hate the look of Camera Flash photography so I took these with a very high ISO film speed because it is so dark which gives it a much more natural light than camera flash would but gives the pictures a bit of a grainy look but I prefer this to using a flash (just my disclaimer).

These pictures are of the actual Nativity (very impressed with the short 20 min program).

Mary being informed by the Angel that she would give birth to our Savior.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.



15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 ¶ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

And that was it. . . Short and sweet. It kept even Brennan's attention the whole 20 minutes.

After the program we went outside and they had all kinds of animals that the kids could pet with Shepard's and all! It was really neat. Brennan was determined that they all loved to eat leaves and didn't stop feeding them the whole time.

"Look, I am not even scaaaaarrred!"

"If you want to go out and play you need to eat just one more bite!"

"Hello Donkey, Do you want to eat some Leaves to?"

"OK, here you go Donkey, eat up."

"NO MORE LEAVES!!! I AM FULL"

"All I want for Christmas is a Train set"

The trip would not be complete without a quick stop at Krispy Kream! YUM YUM!
Wait for it. . . . Wait for it. . .

Just a little bit longer. . .

There they are!!!

Finally!!

And you know you had a good trip when this happens on the way home! Ahh. . . Success!

Christmas at the Mall!

Ok, I know it has been almost a month since the last post, what can I say; I am a “Binge” blogger I guess. I will try to do better. I am trying to get Julie to do some posting as well so maybe between the two of us we can keep it up to date a bit better .

We went to the mall to see Santa tonight and just hang out and look at all the Christmas décor and such. It was so fun to see the kids react to all the Christmas magic there. We have been talking about Santa to the kids for a while now but Brennan has never seen him in person before tonight. It was so cute; as soon as went up to him Brennan’s eyes lit up and he yelled “Santa, Santa!” and spontaneously gave him a huge hug. I think it caught Santa off guard a bit as well. Then he found a rocking horse by Santa and just rocked and talked to him like he had known him his whole life. Natalie of course gave him her list standing at a safe five foot distance, she is so funny that way. After Santa we looked at all the different stores and Nathan saw a few things he forgot to tell Santa he wanted so he was very concerned and insistent that we speak to Santa again on the way out so he could “amend” his list and show him his toy he got from the “Chick-fil-A” kids meal. All in all it was a very pleasant trip to the mall, and now Brennan is obsessed with Santa and Christmas and that is all we hear about now. Although it is a nice change from “Mountains”, “Black Bears” and “Four Wheelers”, which are usually the only words out of his mouth.