Our Ward Christmas Party

Every year we attend a Christmas party at church. However, in the past, it usually hasn't pertained too much to CHRIST.  For the most part, it usually goes something like this: eat sandwiches, sing a few Christmas songs, and then sing "Here Comes Santa Claus" before Santa can arrive. However, this year they did it differently, the kids went and saw Santa as soon as they arrived. Hayden wasn't a bit shy about visiting with Santa, and Santa tried joking with him a little bit by asking him if his name was "Soccer" (notice it's printed on Hayden's hoodie) and then after Hayden told Santa his name, Santa went on to say "Hayden Soccer". Later that night, Hayden started worrying that maybe Santa would go to the wrong house because he didn't tell him his name was Hayden Hoover. 

Kayla wasn't so sure about visiting with Santa, so she and Hailee visited with Santa together.  But she did tell Santa that she wanted a baby doll. 

After the visit with Santa, we went and waited for awhile until the CHRISTmas program part of the party started.  The program started with every family being given a food basket and a bag of coins.  We then walked through "the marketplace".  There were six booths set up and at each one you could purchase a part of your meal for your family: water, bread, meat and cheese, fruit/veggies, cookies, and then a booth that sold toys for the kids.  You had to be sure to leave enough money to pay your taxes when the guards came around collecting.

Here we are eating in the marketplace:

Then, they read the story of the birth of Christ, with breaks in the story to sing CHRISTmas songs, and  Joseph and Mary strolled through the marketplace, followed by the shepherds, then the three wiseman (which included Waylen's uncle (in red) and his dad)

Sorry that this next picture is so blurry, but it's the best I got of the "Nativity":

The program was good, it wasn't too long and drawn out, and those who planned the program did a great job in making costumes, and in decorating/making the booths for the "marketplace".  The party this year allowed us all to remember that CHRIST is the reason we enjoy Christmas every year!!