McKinley Church's Christmas Pagaent

Today was the Christmas Pagaent at Church and it was a BIG Day!!!! Amara was a sheep for the second time ( however this time she was actually excited about it) and Alaric was Joseph! Even better, Mary was Veronica.

We got to church early to practice with Children's choir and take a few family pics!
Look at the blessed couple- could they be sweeter?

She doesn't look happy here but she really was so excited to be a sheep...she even Baaed at us!

The kids listened to the story of Jesus' birth while we waited for the show to start...at McKinley, it's not a fancy pagaent...just the basics. We also let the kids where whatever kind of costumes they can find and feel comfortable in ( last year Al wore his camoflague bathrobe as a shephard). You'll notice a cheeta and a dinosaur

Look at the herd of sheep waiting patiently!Even Jack participated...he was a turtle! I'm sure there were turtles nearby in Bethlehem, right?

Dan and Jack along with Sara and her baby Danny sat with all the other animals during the show. These are our two newest McKinley kids. Sara and Dan are the same age and both were McKinley kids themselves- they've known each other for more than 35 years and their boys will grow up together too ( Danny was a sheep too, I think)

they did great. V and Al stood watch over Jesus and Amara sat...until the end when she realized V and Al had their arms around each other and she too wanted hugs. It was perfect!

Then the children's choir performed...Joseph and kings and mary and angels...and Junior High kids!After communion, the kids went around and collected socks for the local Homeless Shelter and mittens and gloves for a low-income day care in town. It was the first year Mara was big enough to participate and she loved putting them on and under the tree.

Look at the cousins

And Bubba ( who looks old enough to be in Junior High himself)

The Bechtels

The Fultons

After church, Alaric went to thank the organist for being his Choir teacher. And YoHei said, "do you want to play?" AHHHHHHHHHHHHH....Alaric sat up on the bench of the most amazing organ I've ever seen outside of a Catholic Cathedral and played. He did what YoHei asked and even changed key using the side bars.

He was thrilled!

Papa caught up with Al was so excited to hear him play the organ!

We all headed out for lunch, with Jennifer's parents too who came to see V and Brian and Jack had some bonding time!

As did V and Mara

and Uncle with his girls!

What a day! What a weekend!Amazing!