The Nativity

Kyle the donkey. Lydia is Mary. Trey is Joseph.

Rachel is the inn keeper telling them there is "No Room, but we do have a stable."

Trevor, Luke, Hilary, Carter, and Cameron are Sheperds. Hannah is the sheep.

Rachel (Inn Keeper). Tyler, Abbey, Joelle (Wise Men). Kaitlyn, Gracie (Angels)
Trevor on Kyle's back. Trey (Joseph), Megan (baby Jesus), Lydia (Mary), Hilary, Carter (shepherds)
Annie (the Cow), Hannah (the Sheep), Cameron (Shepherd)

Santa Says NO!

Kyle had been saying for several months that he would be asking Santa for a Shot Gun. His Parents have been telling him that there is no way they are going to let Santa bring him a shot gun. He wouldn't let it go until he told Santa he wanted a shotgun, and Santa said, "Well I think you are a little young for a shot gun, maybe in a few years you could get one of those, OK?" Kyle said, "OK". The next day (the day before Christmas) Kyle told me that he needed to write to Santa and tell him what he wanted if he couldn't have a shotgun. Luckily Santa has e-mail, so Kyle sent him a letter at www.northpole.com and asked for two-way radios with a 10 mile radius. Santa e-mailed back and said "I see you like bikes Kyle." Then Kyle was concerned Santa might bring him a bike. I assured Kyle that Santa knows what he wants, and sure enough Santa brought him a set of two-way radios.


While Kyle was sitting on Santa's lap, Carter (21 months old) kept coming to give Santa things. He really liked Santa!

Joelle sitting on Santa's lap.

Even Grandma Roberts got to sit on Sant's lap!

Santa came to the ANdersen Christmas Party December 23, 2007

Santa dropped in to see us just as we were getting costumes on for the Nativity. HE called each child by name, and they sat on his lap and he talked with them about what they wanted for Christmas. I was amazed at the fact that nobody was screaming when they were put on his lap. We have several kids that are between the ages of one and three (the ages that seem to be terrified of Santa).
Rachel asked Santa for a doll.

Trevor looked Santa right in the eyes , but didn't say a word. Good thing Santa already knows Trevor wants a Loader Tractor.

Hannah was acting verry shy, but did say very quietly that she wants a doll.

Kaitlyn was even more quiet than Hannah, but she too told Santa she would like a doll.

Kyle and Morgan Whittier

Rachel's Talk Sunday December 3, 2007

On the Sunday after we went to The Forgotten Carols Rachel gave this talk in Primary.

FIrst I'm going to read the words to a song called "If I Had Been in Bethlehem"
If I had been in Bethlehem the night of Jesus' birth
And herd afar the angels' joyful song of peace on earth,
If I had seen the shepherds come to seek the Baby fair,
I think I would have followed them and knelt beside them there.

If I had lived in eastern lands and watched with eager eyes,
If I had seen His star appear and blaze among the skies,
If I had seen the wise men go seek the newborn King
I think I would have followed them, my finest gifts to bring.

I did not live in Bethlehem that Christmas night of old
Or travel with the wise men there to bring him gifts of gold,
But I can bring a greater gift than any earthly gem,
For all my heart and all my love will be my gift to Him.

Sometimes at Christmas time when we do the Nativity, I think it would have been really cool to have been there and herd the angels sing and see baby Jesus. But, even though I wasn't there, I can still know that it really happened.
This past week I had the opportunity to watch the Forgotten Carols by Micheal McLean. THere was a song that he wrote that was about a shepherd who slept throught the angels singing and missed going to see the baby Jesus. WHen he woke up his friends told him a story that didn't seem possible, but the song says, "Somehow I did believe them, though I'd not seen a thing. But there was something magic in the air, that made me feel as if I had been there."
Even though none of us were there we can still know that it really did happen. The magic in the air is actually the Holy Ghost. I know that "the King of Kings, and Lorg of Lords was here and he will come again."

The Forgotten Carols - Tuesday November 27, 2007

We love the Forgotten Carols! My mom gave us tickets for Garrick and I and Rachel, Kyle, and Kaitlyn to watch Micheal McLean's Forgotten Carols Logan Performance. We each had our favorite songs, and now we love to listen to the CD over and over.
Garrick's favorite song is "The Inn Keeper - Let Him In"
My Favorite is "The Shepherd- You Were Not There" (See Rachel's Talk on next Blog)
Rachel loves "Joseph- I Was Not His Father, He Was Mine"
Kyle likes "I Cannot Find My Way- Three Kings"
Kaitlyn's top pick is "Mary Let Me Hold Her Baby"
I was surprised at how well the kids followed the story and caught the many lessons of the night. THere were several things I needed to explain further, but it sure did bring home the true meaning of Christmas. It reminded me of how much we all love to feel the Spirit. And we as parents should try to help put our children in places where they will feel the spirit. I'm not saying that we have to buy a ticket for the whole family to watch a musical. In fact the best place for them to feel the SPirit should be in our own homes. But one thing I feel like my parents were (and still are) so good at is making sure we were at firesides and meetings and even performances where we would most likely feel the spirit. I hope I can follow their example. Thanks again mom for the experience.

Dippin' Pretzels Sunday December 16, 2007

Rachel's Orchestra Concert Thursday December 13, 2007

Rachel played her violin with other first year Orchesra students from across the valley. The concert was held at the Kent Concert HAll at USU. There were over a hundred students playing on stage, but lucky for us, Rachel and Robin were right out front where we could see them. Rachel was so nervous, but once she got there and started playing she had a great time. She told Robinn that they should smile, because you just never know when someone might be taking a picture! Needless to say, we got some great pictures of the smilin' violinists.

Shepherds!

OK I have to admit I am proud of myself! On Tuesday I was thinking that I might not ever be ready for Christmas. My tree was up, but I had not put all the lights on it and decorated it. Christmas Cards had not been sent, and I needed to make nativity costumes. Well, on Tueday after talking to my sister Katie ( she had a caroling party and made goodies for all the neighbors and did the laundry all on Monday) I decided that I would at least get the tree ready to be decorated. It only took about 30 minutes. Hannah helped me put a few ornaments on, but as soon as Trevor woke up from his nap he was tearing the ornaments and lights off the tree. Two balls were broken within the first hour. So that's why I had been so hesitant to actually decorate the tree, but it still looks better than it did. I also got the Christmas Cards in the mail on Tuesday! Today I was able to make some Nativity costumes, which the kids are loving already. They were great models.
I realize that this does not sound like very much I accomplished, but compared to the preevious two weeks it is a lot. Sometimes I just need a day to stay home and get something done. It helps when Trevor takes a 3 hour nap, too!


Hannah


Trevor

Hannah and Trevor. Trevor did not like the head piece!

Trevor Likes Lipstick!

Lewiston Elementary Orchestra and Choir Christmas Concert

Rachel and her friend Robin playing in the Orchestra. I thought they did so well for just starting to learn to play the violin in September. (only 3 months ago!) Rachel and Robbin also sing in the Choir. They practice before school from 8:00-8:45 on Mondays and Wednesdays for Orchestra and Tuesdays and Thursdays for Choir.

Kaitlyn and her freiend Maddi Leak sang in the Choir.