Journey through Bethlehem

A couple of weeks ago Seth and I took Halle and two of her cousins to the "Journey through Bethlehem" at Forest Hill Christian Church in Oklahoma City.  Apparently they do this every year and the turn out is huge!  When we arrived we had to walk what seemed like a mile to get to the end of the line.  After waiting in line for well over an hour we began the journey.  It was definitely worth the wait.  The journey started in Nazareth and ended in Bethlehem with Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus.  We had guides that performed skits and role played the entire time.

Waiting in line

Everyone ended up in the sanctuary at some point, where skits were performed, songs were sang, and films were shown.

It was finally our turn, everyone was so excited!

The kids had such a wonderful time!  They were reminded of the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus Christ our Savior was born!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

I love this time of year, everything about Christmas makes me happy!! We started decorating a week before Thanksgiving!  I am looking forward to this holiday season!!

Decorating our Christmas tree!

Daddy and Noah are hard at work!!

Each year we get Halle an ornament that represents what she liked or did that year!  This year we went with a ballerina and ballerina slippers since she started ballet this year!

Seth and I buy each other an ornament too!  Seth is always very thoughtful about his and usually has something personalized for me...can't wait to see what it is this year!  I decided on a soccer ball for Seth because this year he played in his first soccer game since his accident.  When doing physical therapy his goal was to be able to play soccer again, and he accomplished that goal!  Way to go Seth!!  We bought Noah his first ornament, "baby's 1st Christmas" with a snowman and a spoon.

Holiday Mantel- our danbury mint ornament for 2009

Looking forward to a wonderful December!!

Thanksgiving with the in-laws

We celebrated a late Thanksgiving with the in-laws this past Saturday!  Larry and Debbie had 16 people in their home this Thanksgiving, well for every holiday and every Sunday for that matter!  They have always been the type to invite everyone over for food and fellowship!  Halle loves that she has so many cousins she is close to!  There is never a dull moment when we get together.....it has been such a blessing to be apart of this family!  

On the way to Gramma and Papa's house!

It is a tradition for Gramma to buy all of the grandbabies a danbury mint ornament each year!  This year it was "holiday mantel."

Seth's granny started the tradition when her youngest grandchild was born!

Daddy and Halle looking at her new ornament!

Yes, that is my daughter pouting because she didn't get to hold her brother for the picture, but as you will see she got over it quickly!

Happy cousins: Zamian, Gracie, Halle, Conner, Noah, and Emmerie.

They love their cowboys, even though they suffered a horrible loss earlier on in the day!

Aunt Lala

Emmerie and Noah

Lala and Gracie

Halle and her papa!

Halle loves her gigi and lala!

Halle decorating gramma's tree!

Patiently waiting for their turn!

Uncle Derek helping the kids decorate the tree!

Halle decorated with gold balls....can you tell? 

Emmerie put on the star!

And Noah wanted to add some finishing touches!