Christmas At The Zoo!

We had a crew of 9 grandchildren on our trip to the zoo.

I got some of the kids watching the tiger.

John got these shots of the tiger:

The zoo was all decorated for Christmas:

More of the festive decorations:

We had a very fun time that ended at McDonald's for lunch!

The Kids Get It!

I had a Nativity Set in my living room all arranged so it looked nice on the table: Wisemen on one side and Shepherds on the other--very artistic I might say.

I had grandchildren here one day right before Christmas.

As I walked passed my Nativity here is what I saw:

I quickly put it back the way I had it.  

A short time later, here is what I saw again:

I'm a little slow.   But now I get it!

"Out of the mouths of babes..."

A nicely arranged nativity is nice and might help people to have a better opinion of my decorating ability but our main focus every day should be on our Savior and especially on this Sabbath Day during this Christmas season we should be "crowding around" to give worship to Him.

I'll leave the Nativity set this way.  It's a good reminder of what is most important!

Random Christmas!

John and Sara sent us these cute pictures!

Christmas morning with Aubrey: She just opened her Stocking...

The Melanchuks decorate gingerbread men on Christmas Eve. 

Amelia is showing us the BYU guy Darryl decorated.

Aubrey had fun at the Melanchuks when we went to see their Christmas toys.

Kathryn got a scooter!

And Amelia got a scooter!

And Daniel got a stomp rocket!

Babysitting Bethany!

Christmas Eve, Part 2!

Puppet Show: "Muppets 12 Days of Christmas" directed by Janis

Puppeteers: Hannah, Amanda, Dan, John, Kathryn, Janis

Amanda and Kathryn play Christmas duets on the piano...

Bethany's talent: Looking cute!

Hannah's sings "Que Verde Son" Spanish version of "O Christmas Tree"

Chimes by Dan

Nativity: Shepherds

Angel

Joseph and two Marys

Wisemen

Shepherd's Supper: On the ground under the twinkling stars

A wonderful event--and all done by 5:30 p.m.!

Christmas Eve, Part 1!

Problem: Lots of people and needing lots of room to spread out;

Families would like to get little ones to bed early and have their own family time

Solution: Schedule the church building the afternoon of Christmas Eve!

Here is our MC at the MC!

The Opening song:

We had a fun program with everyone participating!

Kathryn tells Christmas jokes...

Darryl shares his woodworking bookshelf project...

Amelia shows her hand print artwork...

Joshua dances with a hippo to "I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas"

David makes emotional faces:  Super happy...

and super sad...

Sara sings a solo of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"--a special song in family because of Grandpa Harold

Daniel and Michael play Jingle Bells on kazoos...

Aubrey dances and twirls with the help of her Dad...

(to be continued!)