Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, Don's parents joined us for dinner and the Nativity Story.  Dinner was our traditional homemade soup bowls with potato soup.  After dinner, Don read the account of the Savior's birth from Luke 2 while the kids acted it out, and we sang Christmas songs. 



Joseph, Mary and the Shepherds Singing




The Angel with a Big Message




Luke appointing Grandaddy Head Angel

After a delicious dessert, Don's parents left and the kids started the process of getting ready for bed.  Everyone knows you can't go to bed on Christmas Eve without getting cookies ready for Santa...and carrots for the reindeer of course! 

Luke couldn't resist tasting one of Santa's cookies.  Good thing Santa doesn't mind sharing :)

 

From Our House to Yours!

Candy Houses

We went to our friends house for the annual Christmas building of Candy Houses.  It is always so much fun to get together with friends to do this, and will always be grateful to our sweet Candy who introduced this tradition to us several years ago! 

Hayley working on her masterpiece

Trevor designing his smiley house

The Final Products

Luke enjoying the candy on his house!

Jake, Trevor and  Zach H.

 

Hayley and her house



Playing outside afterwards is another one of the best parts of the morning!

Busy Nights

Tuesday we were double booked at the church.  Hayley and the Activity Girls had a Christmas program/dance to perform for their families while Michael and Trevor were down the hall at a Court of Honor.  I went to the Court of Honor while Don and the younger boys watched Hayley's show, then we met together for refreshments in the gym. 

Hayley and her friends did a Native American dance and Christmas in the America's program. They each danced and had speaking parts. They had a lot of fun, and the crowd loved it!

Both Trevor and Michael received a couple of merit badges, as well as a rank advancement for each of them.  Trevor received his rank advancement to 1st Class that he earned a couple of months ago, and Michael received his rank advancement to Life.  Next stop, Eagle!  We are proud of both of our scouters and all the hard work they do.

Trevor advancing to 1st Class

Minute it Win it, Christmas Style

We had so much fun at a family Christmas party at Don's cousins house on Monday.  After a great meal, we played Minute to Win it, Christmas style.  We stacked sockets with candy canes, threw marshmallows through a wreath, and played  Christmas bingo.  There was some pretty stiff competition and lots of laughing as marshmallows were flying everywhere.

 

We even got to play with a super cute puppy. 

It was so fun, thanks Tracy and Kevin!

Old Bethlehem

The church down the street from us had a live Nativity on Sunday.  It was amazing.  They had bales of hay to sit on outside as we watched and listened to the Christmas story being reinacted, complete with a live camel, sheep and a donkey. 

Inside they had recreated Old Bethlehem, complete with 8+ craft stations including candle making, carpentry (where the kids made a wooden angel), medal work, pottery, weaving, stiching, and more where everyone was in costume.  They also had a food station with foods from the time period to sample, like grapes, warm bread, dates and more.  The kids loved it all.

The next night we went to Tracy's house for a family Christmas party.  Tracy was telling us about their recent trip to Bethelem and Jake piped up, "I was there last night!".    I guess it made an impression.  It was a great. hands-on experience to help make Bethlehem come alive.

Scary Santa

Luke was excited to go see Santa at the party at church this year.  Until it was time to get close to Santa that is...

Even the bribe of candy couldn't stop the tears.

Much to the crowd's entertainment, Luke was able to escape and run away.

But eventually he enjoyed his candy.

Trevor was a great Santa's helper, handing out candy to all the kids.

Jake had a serious talk with Santa.

Luke had a lot of fun with the balloon tree once Santa had left the building.

Unfortunately, Santa Claus is now known as SCARY SANTA around these parts! 

The Best Christmas Pageant EVER!!

The youth group at church put on "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" earlier this month. 

Michael got to play the part of Leroy Herdman, aka the Wise Man who brought the ham as a gift to the Baby Jesus.  It was a lot of fun working with the youth and getting this all to come together in just 3 practices was an amazing feat. 

Hayley and her friends got to make a special appearance as the little angels in the last act.  They were so cute!

Trimming the Tree

It is always fun to decorate the tree the first of December.  Jake was really into making a special section of the tree for his special ornament's.

Michael took over putting the star on the tree this year.  It's hard to believe we only have a couple of years left before he is off to college.

Luke had a lot of fun decorating (and undecorating) the tree.  He particularly like the wooden sled and boat ornament's that doubled as toys, and had a hard time leaving them on the tree the first week.

Luke loved showing everyone his tree and ornaments, and wasn't going to take no for an answer!  It's going to be a fun Christmas!!

Bowman Family Pictures



The whole family, except for Don!



Siblings with Mom and Dad

All 14 grandkids with Grandmommie and Grandpa

My sweet parents

Bob and Cynthia, Ashlynn (almost 14), Alex (12), Abby (10), Anna (7)

Hayley (9), Luke (2), Michael (15), Trevor (11), Jake (7)

Beth and Curtis, Becca (6), Sam (8)

Scott and Jenny, Isaac (3), Elijah (5 mo.), Veronica (almost 6)

Ben and LeeAnna