Candlelight Christmas

We got the chance to take the kids to Candlelight Christmas the other night compliments of Aunt Amy who had a migraine on date night, but who was too afraid to call us and tell us she was sick (we love you, Amy!) When I finally called her because I had a feeling she was sick, it seemed like the perfect excuse to take the kids out, so we bundled them all up and took them out on the last night that has not been absolutely freezing since then. We had a great time!

A train took us around the village and stopped at different pioneer houses where we could go inside to get warm and do different activities like color christmas cards, write letters to Santa, see Santa and his live reindeer (who tried to eat my coat), and other activities that we ran out of time to do even though we were there for over two hours! At one point, we ended up on the train with a bunch of sister missionaries from Temple Square who sang Christmas carols and talked with the kids while we waited in line to see Santa. One of the sisters took this picture of all of us. 

We didn't take many more pictures since our hands were full (mine with Gabe, and Jim's with all the stuff we kept collecting), and it was cold, but we did get a few cute pictures. The classic photo is the one with Santa where Emily is the only one smiling--yes, we paid $5 for a picture of Santa :) A great memory, but not one I can post here since we didn't take it (it is however posted on our fridge for those who will be visiting soon!)

We thought the reindeer were really cool, can you tell?

Oh, and the kids are pretty cool too!! 

(Not to mention, cute!)

Gabe thought this was all great--he was bundled and strapped to me!

The highlight of the evening was the live nativity in the stable. It was so cool to think of what it must have been like the night the Savior was born. There were live sheep and Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus along with wisemen who lead us to the stable by following the star. We would've taken a picture of it, but it just wouldn't have felt right. The mood in the stable was so reverent and peaceful. It was pretty cool to talk with the kids about it when we got to the car and reflect as a family on the birth of our Savior.

We look forward to doing this again next year and using our membership this summer again when it is warm and the kids can ride ponies!