The Williams Family: Old Bethlehem

We went to an event at the Expo Center and it is called Old Bethlehem! It was amazing! To get into the expo center you "paid your taxes" (50 cents) and then you walked into "Bethlehem". It really seemed like it was back in the day. You walk in and everyone is talking about a baby that was born- the savior. Everyone would ask you if you have seen the baby yet. He was in the very back corner of the center and you had to find the star which would lead you to the baby. It was so neat!

They had people that were trying to "sell" items so they could earn enough to pay their taxes. These people were selling wheat and grain. The kids could feel them all.

This was the Rabbi and the kids would enter the "classroom".

These people were "selling" musical instruments and playing the songs.

There were live animals that the kids would pet and admire.

Brinley was getting water from the city well.

These women were selling blankets and teaching kids to weave.

This girl went on a joyride riding in this stroller on dirt ground.

This old town of bethlehem was so wonderful to me. It really made me feel like I was in the town of Bethlehem the night that Christ was born. It was an amazing spirit! The "city" was so busy and then in the very corner was the Christ child in the silent and stillness of the night. It was a place of admiration and wonder. How grateful I am for that very special night that makes it the reason why we celebrate Christmas.

I love living in this small town and the city events that bring the community together. We went to a light parade and the theme was Disney. The girls all were thrilled to see all the princesses and different Disney characters. It was fun to hear these gitty girls be fill with joy and excitement.

Frozen

Star Wars

Oh these girls love watching Christmas movies! It is a must!

One that they absolutley love is Mickey Mouse Christmas! We made Mickey Pancakes and enjoyed the movie right after. I think we have watched it like 20 times and they aren't sick of it.... on the other hand, I am good until next year.

Holiday decorations bring me so much joy!!! I love it!!!

Nana thank you so much for the toy that you got Claire for her birthday! The kids love it!

We changed things up for Mommy School and Brinley does 2 pages a day in her homework. She loves it and is learning so much! She enjoys being like Ashie and having homework.

Mommy School: H is for Holiday

Writing letters in the snow (shaving cream).

I thought it would be fun to be Santa by putting bubbles on our faces.... This is what the girls thought.... they didn't like the idea.

We made a sleigh and watched a Holiday show!

Thank you Grandma Martinson for sending us the 12 days of books to open until Christmas. This is a fun tradition that we did when I was a little girl and I love passing on this tradition to my kids!

Recently I have been trying to be more in the moment with these cuties. I haven't been rushing in the morning and taking advantage of the moments of hugs, kisses, story reading, giggles, and fun. I seriously have the best job in the world raising these girls! It really is a blessing to be a stay at home mom!

This girl found one of my dresses and put it on her head and said, " Mommy look, I am Mary."

Last year my mom got me a book that has changed my Christmas' forever. Each night we focus on a character in the nativity where we learn about their perspective and do an activity.

Mary- We watched the nativity on Mormon Channel and pondered about Jesus. Ashlyn thought of the song, "mary did you know...song" this song is where mary ponders about Jesus and who he will become. It really made me realize that night that I have the responsibility to teach my kids about Jesus through my words and actions to prepare them for their life mission on earth.

Shepherds- Talked about how the candy canes represent shepherds' canes and they went to find the baby with haste. We then read Christmas stories, drank hot chocolate, and had a candy cane.

3 Wise Men- We went and drove around to look at Christmas lights and find baby Jesus. Whenever we found baby Jesus we would yell, "BBAABBBYYY JJJEEESSSSUUUSSS!" It was adorable!

Angels- we went caroling with the youth in our ward.

Joseph- He served Mary and baby Jesus by finding a place for this special night. We did a service by getting a present for someone in our ward and running and dropping it off on their doorstep. We were too slow and they caught us, but it was fun for the whole family.

These girls have enjoyed doing gymnastics for the past 5 weeks at the rec center. They had a parent show to show everything that they have learned. The girls did awesome!