J2B, S'mores, Christmas Lights, & Plays, oh my!!

With almost 5 days until Christmas there hasn't been a single dull moment around the Padilla pad these days. On Sunday December 13 the 3 older kids bundled up and went to chuch with daddy to experience life in Bethlehem the night Christmas began a.k.a. Journey To Bethlehem (J2B) http://www.journeytobethlehem.org/ . As they explored Bethlehem's streets they saw a live camel and sheep, tasted authentic food, witnessed the angels singing, listened to ancient tales from a storyteller and listened to Joseph tell the story of Christmas with Mary and baby Jesus...all under the watchful eyes of the Roman Guards! It was an exciting evening for them and a great reminder of the gift God gave us when He sent his only Son to earth to bring us our salvation. We also had a visit from Santa last week as his sleigh came down our street and stopped right in front of our house! It's been a holiday tradition the past couple years for us to have a bonfire with s'mores & hot chocolate and invite our neighbors and friends over while we wait for Santa to arrive. Ama, Shayley and Reece participated in their Christmas school program Carriers of the Light last Thursday evening and warmed our hearts with their precious voices and smiles. Last night we oooohhhed and aahhhed at all the beautiful lights and decorations as we walked through South Torrance where several of the streets are involved in a Christmas lights spectacular. We're looking ahead at another exciting week ... going to a Christmas Open House with old friends, Christmas cookies, delivering gifts and plates of sweets, Re-adoption Day!!, and Christmas Eve with family and friends as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Stay tuned... in the meantime you can check out our slideshow above for the pics from our recent Christmas activities!