Christmas: Church events

We planned a family trip to the temple in Raleigh with Brandon. Carolyn and Dan watched the girls while we went. The church building that shares a parking lot with the temple had a huge nativity event going on that same evening. Carolyn met us there and we saw beautiful and creative nativity sets from all over the world. Awesome.

A few of my favorites:

Perler beads--isn't that a great idea? 

And this quilt was GORGEOUS. 

Grateful for good friends like Carolyn 

who serve us. The girls love her! 

And so grateful for the temple and that we could 

share a sweet evening with Brandon there.

Whitney and I have been busy, busy, busy singing our hearts out with the stake choir in preparation for a BIG concert this Christmas called Silent Night, Holy Night. It has been exhausting and wonderful. Caroline also decided to perform in the children's choir.

We couldn't take pictures or video during the event,

but it was beautiful and elaborate with Victorian carolers,

a small orchestra, and actors portraying the writers of many

familiar Christmas carols.

I was so glad that it all came together so beautifully.

I loved sharing my testimony through song.

And I was so proud of the girls for how well they sang.

My favorite part was looking into the audience on opening

night and seeing so many friendly, familiar faces!

I invited LOTS of friends and several of them accepted.

Tonya and her family, Jennifer and her family, and Belinda all came.

It felt so good to have some fans in the crowd. :)

And, finally, our ward also had a small Christmas program.

The primary sang an angelic song.

And Brandon was one of the shepherds.

(But he managed to avoid the camera.)