Watch out everybody!! This post has about 65 photos in it that I wanted to share with ya'll! =)
The first weekend of December, our church had it's "Drive-Thru Christmas Play", and we got to help with that.
The sign by the road
Our youth pastor's wife wrote a story of Christmas through the eyes of Mary and recorded the story and songs on a CD, which was duplicated and given to each vehicle to use as they drove through. Each tract told a different part of the story.
My dad was part of the traffic control crew. The vehicles were directed to park at different stations and listen to the appropriate CD track as the actors acted out the story. Before the people in the cars started the story, they were given cookies and hot cocoa that they could enjoy while they listened.
I'm in the middle of the picture below. I was in the scene with Old Mary telling the young girls about Jesus' life, death on the cross, and resurrection, and encouraging them to follow God's plans for their lives.
We finished our Colorado Mountain puzzle that we started on Thanksgiving day!
A pretty and interesting sky one day.
My friend Kimberly Dickinson came twice to the Chick-fil-A that I work at, to play Christmas music and raise money for a school in Colombia, South America.
Kimberly and I
One evening after work I went out to eat with some of my co-workers.
Three evenings one weekend in December, was the God's Bible School and College's Christmas play. Elizabeth was in the choir.
The choir and orchestra
Some of the choir and a few of the actors, after the performance was over.
I was thrilled to get to see an old friend, Sis. Gaskins, again!
All the people in this picture work at Chick-fil-A. Four of them are GBS students, one is a GBS alumnus, one is a GBS future student (me), and the red-sweatered guy in the middle is the general manager at CFA.
December 12-15, my parents and I went to SD to visit my oldest brother and his family. On the way we traveled through an Amish town in Iowa.
When we got to Randy and Joy's that first night, the kids were so excited to see us! One of the first things on the agenda was for Grandma to read to them.
We finally got to meet Randy and Joy's 5th child, Mishael Ryan, who was born in August, on my mother's birthday!
Grandpa and Jewelyn sharing a precious moment.
Jonathan being his normal, sweet self. Just for clarification, his shirt says "Scoop" on it.
We played lots of games with the kids during the 2 days we were there.
Jewelyn and Grandma doing dishes together. She's a very good helper, and loves to do dishes.
Jonathan and Mishael - such sweeties
I was so thankful to be able to get off work and go see my family! We've missed them so much since they moved to SD in May, and we moved to KY later on.
More game time
Precious Mishael!
We got to see my dear friend, Joanna, for a bit while we were there too!
On the way home, we stopped in Iowa for a quick visit over lunch time, with our friend Lori Owens. It was good to see her again too!
One Sunday morning in December, the children (and their teacher) put on a Christmas program at our church. It was really good and well done!
One evening was our church's Christmas dinner.
A few of the sweet girls in our church.
The Stetler Trio sang at the dinner.
My parents and Elizabeth painted Elizabeth's and my room from blue to cream.
My brother, Jeffrey and his wife Lesa, came on Dec. 21, and got to stay until just after New Year's.
Every meal that I got to eat with my family, and be home from work, was a blessing!
Jeffrey and Lesa helped Daddy, Mother, and Elizabeth paint our basement.
Jason and Karen wrapping Christmas gifts together.
A picture of our family at our church on Christmas Sunday morning!
Christmas evening after church, our pastor and his wife came over for supper and visiting. It was a blessed time we spent together.
We opened a few gifts Christmas evening.
Jason and Karen
Elizabeth and I opening a gift together. This was a silly/serious moment when we were guessing about what could be inside.
It was a Scentsy lamp and wax bars from Jeffrey and Lesa!
Tim and Brenda's family came on Dec. 28 and got to stay until Jan. 2!
Felix and Karen enjoyed each other greatly.
One evening we met with my aunt, uncle, and cousin+family for supper and visiting time.
We got a couple little snows during December.
Jason, Karen, me, Charissa, and Felix
Another night we finished opening presents with Tim and Brenda.
Tim got this cute wink-y-face mug!
December 30, we went to the Creation Museum to see their Christmas light display in the gardens. It was beautiful! and chilly.
Game playing!
More game playing
Cutie Felix in the highchair
Daddy and Mother - Christmas 2016
Tim, Brenda, Charissa, and Felix - Christmas 2016
Jeffrey and Lesa - Christmas 2016
Jason and Karen - Christmas 2016 (they get married summer 2017!)
Elizabeth and Emily - Christmas 2016
Happy New Year!! Thank you for reading about our December and first Christmas in Kentucky! See ya'll in 2017!
