A late Christmas update.

Let's start with Christmas. We tried to keep things pretty low key. I finished my Master's degree just a week before Christmas so I was using the break as some much needed recovery time. But we still found time for some fun and reflection. We started out at home, and then flew up to Oregon.



Then there was Garrison's favorite present:


When we went to Oregon to spend some time with my family, Garrison had a ball with his cousins. On Christmas Eve they did a little nativity play. This is a tradition that my family always did when we were kids. Since there were only 3 kids they each had to play several parts (except Mary of course since there is only one girl in the story). So first Garrison was Joseph sleeping when the angel came to tell him he should marry Mary. Then he's leading his Donkey. Uncle Karl was sure a good sport to play that roll, especially with all the teasing that came with it.






Of course the best part of the play we didn't catch on camera. Oh, how I wish we'd been taking a video. Garrison then had to switch roles to be the shepherds. No way was he letting anyone else take that roll. Can you say, Justen's Son all the way! Well, Oma told him to herd his sheep toward Mary (our donkey had now switched rolls to a flock of sheep.). Garrison ran behind, threw his arms up in the air, and yelled, "Get around Abby!" Yup that's right, you can't move sheep without a sheep dog.

And of course lets not forget when our ever shifty donkey/sheep combo becomes a camel so that the wise man (we only had one-Garrison was to busy directing Abby with the sheep) could ride in. Now keep in mind, Abby had been left in Utah so Garrison was herding his imaginary sheep with his imaginary border collie.


And we can't forget the pictures with Mater. There's a tow truck painted up to look like Mater in Oregon City. We were so sure Garrison would love it! Notice he's not in any of the pictures. He spent his time crying, clinging to my leg, and trying to run back to the car. Turns out he was afraid it would come to life. Oh, well, better luck next trip.