Bethlehem, Balance Beams and Bread

This was a VERY packed weekend for us. You already saw here that we did a Christmas Workshop on Thursday night.

Then, Friday night we headed out to our annual "Bethlehem Revisited" at Antioch Baptist here in Conway. We have gone every year since Belle was 2 and every year she wants to go back.

So this year we went with about 25 or so from church. Now..I took a bunch of photos, but can't seem to find them. However, trust me...it was wonderful! You actually walk thru a re-built city that is just like being in Bethlehem. You see the "stores" that are selling homemade bricks, bread, herbs, etc. There is a well in the middle for drawing water, there are stables with real animals (who stink) that you can touch. There is a "rabbi" at the back who is up reading from the Torrah and in Hebrew. It is so cool!

At the end, you make your way back to the inn (by the stables of course) that says "No Vacancy". While the inn keeper tells the story of a couple who was just here, a shepherd comes and tells of a baby. We all head out to see...a real baby...lying in a manger. They even have the 3 crosses as a backdrop. It's a very moving experience every year.

Then, on Saturday, we head to Belle's Christmas gymnastics showing. Twice a year we as family get to go out and watch our little gymnasts do their thang on 6 different aparatus. Both sets of grandparents and Alison were all able to get to watch. Here are just a few pics from the day. And the difference between last year and this year...it was amazing! Then at the end they had a birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.







Then, Saturday evening we celebrated Christmas with my in-laws. We had a WONDERFUL Christmas Dinner and exchanged gifs and then...my favorite...layed in the floor and just played, PLAYED, PLAY-ED with the kiddos. Merry Christmas, Overstreet bunch!