Christmas in Bethlehem Ephrata

We enjoyed spending Christmas in Ephrata this year, staying from the 23rd to the 28th. In that time, we saw lots of family, snow play, church services, presents, food, and fun.

It started with snow early on, as we were thrilled to see an accumulation. Mitch (and Shannon) loved to be thrown into the snow by Uncle Russ and Grampa. Over and over and over again...

My beautiful mama!

We had a Christmas Eve brunch and did birthday for me.

Visiting

and cookie frosting passed the afternoon.

Christmas Eve sweetie

All ready for a lovely church service

After church, we enjoyed our huge spread of culinary delights!

Dave, Vicki and Rachel joined us for the evening, too. Julie believed Dave to be "prim and proper" so we had to set her straight!

Mitch wrote a letter for Santa

and they left it for him, along with snacks for Santa Mouse and the reindeer.

This doesn't look like Christmas morning, but we got to sleep until after 6am. The full moon was lovely.

Christmas morning stockings and Santa gifts! 

We enjoyed readings and lighting the Advent candles.

And then it was time for gifts!

He's a happy (scampy) man, thanks to that lovely lady by his side.

Shan loves her new book from Aunt Phyllis.

We went for an afternoon walk and sledding expedition.

Booth is such a good dog!!!

This is a third of a massive icicle we hauled home from the church eaves.

Then it was time to demolish the gingerbread house (since Russ kept stealing shingles!).

We played lots of new games

and even did a small puzzle.

Ryan and Betty Ann arrived on the 26th. 

At Johnsons', we had a tree opening with lots of laughing

partly due to Dave's new headwear! We also enjoyed the traditional fondue and some playing at the gym.

The kids did lots of reading, playing, fort building, and enjoying of new toys.

The Hendricksons let us come sledding and we had a wonderful time! The 4-wheeler took us up the hill and we flew back down!

Bryan, Shannon and Mitch had a wild first ride. Look at that snowy monster!

Whew - they were relieved to arrive at the base.

Captain Snowbeard

Mitch and Jack wrecked once

The girls and I had a great ride

and the boys tried another sled 

much to their delight. It was a very merry Christmas, indeed!

Church Play

Today was the church Christmas program and the kids did a nice job. We took some tree pictures beforehand.

At church, Mitch was a very stoic Joseph and Shannon was a star-wielding angel.

The kids did a nice job telling the story of Jesus' Bethlehem birth.

Christmas Program

Mitchell had his Christmas program Thursday night and his grandparents all came down to watch.

He and Carter gave me nice smiles only because 

I told them they could give me crazy faces, too!

Of course Lorry came, too! Shannon was delighted to have her lap for the show.

Mitch surprised his family by being one of the two kindergarten speakers! He introduced "All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth" - a perfect choice for him! He had his lines memorized and spoke clearly.

The class did a nice job with their songs! Mitch is sure a tall kiddo right now!

So fun to have the grandparents in attendance! Of course Mitch wouldn't give me a nice smile...

Tree Hunting with Warners

We have some wonderful holiday traditions with the Warners and tree hunting goes back a long way. The first time we headed to the hills together, both Amy and I were pregnant with our firsts. The trips have gotten more involved since then...

Today we headed to the Blues in search of our trees. We found snow as well!

The kids went on hikes, built forts, and enjoyed the sled.

The mini slope near our camp was adequate and they were able to enjoy sledding down the hill over and over again.

The weather was warm enough that we didn't freeze, either, which was a bonus.

Still, we needed a fire to roast our hot dogs.

Avery, Mitch, Quinn and Shan getting in on the lunch action.

Cade chowed, too!

Poor Quinn forgot his boots and had to take frozen foot time outs. Kirby toasted his socks in an attempt to ward off frostbite.

We trudged around the hill in search of the perfect tree. There was no Griswald moment of tree glory, but we managed to find one we will love.

  Bryan cut it and hauled it back to base.

It's beginning to look - and feel - a lot like Christmas!