Christmas 2008

It's no secret that I don't like Christmas. I like Jesus' birthday but not shopping, Santa, etc. due to my many, many unfortunate years in retail sales; but this Christmas was really very nice. It may have been my best Christmas yet! Samantha was old enough this year and Jessica was not too old to enjoy Santa and all the new toys, and there were lots of new toys. It took me days to clean out the playroom to make space for all I expected Santa to bring. Their favorite new toy is the Wii that Aunt Sue and Uncle Scott gave them.

We had two Nativity scenes displayed for Christmas. I set them up the traditional way and Jessica decided it just wasn't quite right. I'll let the pictures of what she did speak for themselves...

...isn't it beautiful! I would have never thought to put Jesus in the center with everyone in a circle looking just at him,
but isn't that the way it should be? 

"And Jesus called a little child to him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say to you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew Chapter 18 verses 2-4.

Bethel Christmas Programs

Jessica and Samantha were both in the Bethel Christmas Programs this year. Samantha's play was first. The younger children did the traditional manager scene play and Jessica's group did a Carribean Christmas play.

Here's a picture of Samantha in her play. She "is" an angel.
Here's Sam and Aunt Sue watching Jessica's play.Below is Galyne and Jessica performing at the Carribean Christmas play. The backdrop and props were great. Mrs. Nikki and the others did a fantastic job. It was a lot of fun to watch too.

The children performed a song called Jonkonnu Is Here. It must have been a favorite of Jessica's because she sang it all the time. Jonkonnu is a colorful Jamaican celebration with musicians and dancers dressed in masquerade who parade through the streets. The picture below shows Hayden, Galyne, and Jessica dressed for Jonkonnu. They made the masques themselves......Samantha especially liked the masque.

Dale County Christmas Parade

The girls had a great time at the parade. Samantha, Sela and Kadyn all rode in the parade as Relay for Life Queens. Summer drove them in her SUV because it was freezing cold out that night (they had planned to ride on Corvettes.) Jessica rode in the passenger's seat with Mrs. Summer. They had a blast!

Here we are waiting at Colby's restaurant before the parade.

Nana and Hanna came and Clint got there just as Samantha was passing by.

We all went to eat at Rodeo's after the parade.Samantha is saying "Give me the camera." The picture below of Clint is one of the pictures she took when she got the camera from me.