I just love this picture. It tells a completely different nativity story than any you've ever heard. There are curious sheep, distracted camels - so funny!
After that service was over, the girls went to the nursery to eat dinner while I practiced for the handbell song we would play during the second service. The 6:00 service was a beautiful music filled time that reminded us all of why we were celebrating. Jeff did a wonderful job leading us through the scripture readings.
When we were done with the service, we came home and the girls opened their traditional Christmas Eve gift of new pajamas.
They didn't match each other this year, but they did get a tiny set of jammies to match their dolls and animals. They were very excited about that. For a bedtime story that night, we read the Christmas story from Luke and sang (at Maryella's request) Santa Claus is Coming To Town. Funny story about that song. Maryella loves it, but won't let us sing the verse about Santa making a list and checking it twice. Apparently that one makes her worry that he has found out who is the naughty one in our house. LOL
We then set out the hot chocolate and cookies and carrots and sent our 4 little darlings to bed. I'm not sure who was more excited about the following day - us or them!
Checking out the acolyte closet. 
Getting ready to practice for the first time! 
First time with fire - they were excited about this!
Maryella in the preschool group.
Kaylin and Annlee in the Kindergarden - 2nd grade group.
A few nights before Christmas, we went downtown to see Santa and all the Christmas lights. Maryella had said how excited she was to go see him this time. We waited about 20 minutes in line while I took a few pictures of the girls in front of some of the Christmas lights. 
After I finished, the girls played nearby. 2 minutes before we went in, Annlee got an eye lash in her eye and Maryella hurt her leg somehow. The picture was less than what I had hoped. And Annlee was so disappointed that she hadn't sat in his lap that she cried all the way home. Maryella was especially pleased this time because she two "canny cans"! We agreed to go back the next night if they all promised to stand near Santa this time!
So we got them all dressed up in their Christmas clothes again and went back again the next night - the 23rd. Everything went smoothly, they all made their requests, and we got our picture. Elianna was pretty much done with the whole thing by this time, but we got the picture anyway!
This was the setting for the Children's Christmas Play last night. Several kids acted as reporters who were either in the studio or on the scene in Bethlehem. They interviewed the inn keeper, the wise men, and the shepherds to get a picture of what was going on in the stable behind the inn. Kaylin was a reporter named Jackie who noticed the star shining over the stable and the wise men among the crowd. She had quite a few lines and did really well memorizing them. She delivered them beautifully last night and didn't act nervous one bit. She loved it. Annlee was Magi Melissa and had 4 lines of her own. She did exceptionally well with her part and was the most adorable wise man ever!
Maryella was a donkey and did a good job herself despite a few difficulties with her costume. Her hat didn't want to stay on her head and she wasn't thrilled the solution to use bobby pins. But overall, I think she enjoyed being in the play. She was certainly proud of herself afterwards. 
And after the play was over, the church family all enjoyed a yummy dinner together. I provided a dessert for the kids and thought I'd show that off as well. It's one of those pull apart cupcake cakes.
"Bobbing" for donuts (Maryella, then Annlee, then Kelly)
Kaylin as Hannah Montana
Kaylin and Audrey
Elianna in the pumpkin patch
Annlee and Ruby in the pumpkin patch and showing off their face painting
