New Year's Eve

Snow sledding at the Brown's Barn...

There's a first time for everything!

 Sela's making her New Year's Wish. Happy New Year!

Hanging Out at Subie and Scottie's House

 Taking a break from packing up Christmas decorations. 

Christmas Eve at Nana and PawPaw's House

Mom and I have always preferred Christmas Eve to Christmas morning, 

so we always spend it in Columbia. 

Mom is a professional shopper and 

  Jes and Sam are professional gift openers,
so they go really well together at Christmas.  

I tried to get a picture of Linda, Hanna, Mandy and Drew
but Jess wasn't sharing the spotlight. Photobomb!

Drew is on leave and probably won't get to come back for a year. 

Caden was at his Dad's this Christmas. It's not the same without him...

Samantha always changes into her PJ's while we're there
just in case Santa gets to our house early!

She doesn't want him to pass us by
so she's ready for bed right when we get home!

Dewayne's having to pump the airbrush kit
 he bought the girls while Samantha paints.

I know he's loving that!

We've done our damage,
the only gifts left are for Caden to open tomorrow!
"Thank you and goodnight!"

Next Stop Bethlehem

In this year's Christmas play Jessica and Samantha played sisters who fight a lot. (Art really does imitate reality.) They both came out of their shells this year and put on a show! (Maybe because they were so comfortable with their roles!) I was really surprised and very entertained by both of them! It was great to see them so comfortable on stage.  

The play began with the Bethel kids Christmas Caroling in Echo.

There's the Echo Country store and Hughes Homecenter behind them. Katrina did a great job with the scenes and there's Jamies caution light above Samantha's head. 

As you can tell by the look on Brandon's face the kids don't know what Christmas is really about. 

 Suddenly a storm blows in...

... and they end up in Bethlehem on the same day the Jesus is to be born. 

First they meet some shepherds in the field who tell them the great news of the coming King. 

 Next they encounter some very mean and tough soldiers who tell them to get out of town. 

 Outside of town they stumble upon A Holy Night. 

 And discover the true meaning of Christmas. 

Finally they end back where they began, in Echo, singing songs about Jesus, instead of Jingle Bells, announcing that a Savior has been BORN!

Afterwards in the fellowship room Jessica and Samantha told Santa and Si what they wanted for Christmas. 

 The kids got a kick out of Matt dressing up as Si dressed as an elf.
(Got that? I'm confused.)

Can't wait till next year!