Shh! Baby Jesus Is Sleeping!

There is a local mormon church that puts on a live nativity during the Christmas season.  We took the kids last year and they really enjoyed it, so we went again tonight.  Getting there early is the key!  You have to wait in line to go through the (heated) village where you can see what life was like over 2000 years ago.  They have carpenters, weavers, potters, tax collectors, bakers, a market, an inn keeper, etc.  They also have shepherds with lots of goats, sheep, camels, llamas, and calves.

When the kids saw the 3 wise men, Riley said, "Look, it's the wise men!" and Kendall's response was "The wise man built his house upon the rock!" which lead into the entire song with motions!  She got the wrong wise man, but it was all she knew!  It was precious.

Hanging out by one of the many warm fire pits!  Kendall was refusing a photo op...no surprise there!

I'm wondering how often this was seen in Bethlehem...Palm trees in the snow?  It was a first for me!

Look Daddy!  Camels!

Please let me pet you Mr. Llama!

Checking out the cow pen

Like mother like daughter...gotta pet the cows!

Watching the tax collector count the money

We had practiced how to behave when we got to see baby Jesus.  She kept telling me that I had to be quiet so we wouldn't wake him!  When we finally got to see him, she was the quietest I've ever witnessed!  She told baby Jesus that she loved him and then blew him a kiss.  It was so sweet and I'm so glad we waited in the cold to see him.