Colony Christmas - Michael's Experience

Michael spent hours preparing our church's entry in the Colony Christmas parade. While the girls and I explored the downtown festivities, he put concluding touches together. 

He took the float apart, laid it flat for travel, and ready for quick reassembly at the staging point. John came over and off they went. 

Pastor added lights and sound at the staging point....

Josiah came out to participate. 

Alex got off work and met the others.  Our early sunsets make for an easy light parade....the wind....adds a special touch of cold to the ancient Biblical scenes. LOL 

Alex, Nolan, Stacia

No! Dad did NOT walk the parade route. He WAS a vital part of the activity. 

John and "Grandpa" rode warm and safe in the truck pulling the float, followed by the rest of the characters from the Christmas story.....shepherds, crowds, wise men, and even a couple of sheep and calves (kids). 

The float was the same on either side of the trailer....we had two sets of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus riding - so people from both sides of the road could see the message. 

A shepherd

I love Yasinta and George - and that's Krista in the background. 

Michael organized the mechanics of the float. Krista organized volunteers and costumes.

Alex and Stacia on one side. The straw was supposed to be spread on the trailer...but the wind caused a change in that plan. LOL 

Yes, I KNOW the baby is cold! 

Elise and Aaron held court on the other side of the trailer.  

 All costumes had to fit over winter gear. 

Josiah carried one of the little lambs or calves throughout the parade. 

 

All in all it was a success. It was fun for our church community to be a visible representative of His presence in the midst of a fun community event. Last year there were very few nativities and lots of Santa's and elves. This year five or six churches entered nativity floats....it was a good addition.  We learned we need more candy....much more candy....and a way to grab it while wearing  winter gloves.   We had nothing to do with the obnoxious church yelling about fake Santa's at the judging....in fact, Saint Nicholas is a historical figure.

Colony Christmas - De's Experience

I got home late Friday night, Alex needed a ride to work early  Saturday morning. It was the perfect time to slowly drive by the lights in our lovely town....I should have brought my "real camera," but this is fine for this year. I will remember to bring GLOVES and clothes next time...pj's got a bit cool. LOL

Downtown

 Our library 

Town's garden at Visitor Center

 This business puts up a great display each year. 

Ah - after 90 minutes of walking the streets - I was happy to see my favorite coffee shack open.....I grabbed a sugar free skinny chai latte and turned Marco Polo on to share the magic with a cousin and some sister friends.

Krista and Stacia wanted to go see how much we could get see downtown before the meet up for the Colony Christmas Float. Colony Christmas is an annual festival.  There is another one in the summer. Our years in Japan have created a love of annual festivals for some of us.  Jacque suggested the nativity display at the LDS church. Wow - it was gorgeous....it gave me a vision for what I could have done with Mom's nativity collection....I do have quite a few of hers and am excited to display more next year.

Via Krista's photos

The main room had a giant display in the center of various nativities, two tall trees decorated totally with nativity ornaments, a stage with live music, and various nativities displayed along the sides of the room. 

Krista enjoyed contrasting the differences between this selection and the display she visited in Springfield, Oregon with mom. There is a Russian/Slavic and Alaskan theme here that is missing in their part of Oregon. 

Nesting dolls of all sorts are popular in Alaska. I hadn't thought of a nativity nesting set. I'll have to keep my eyes open.  

On Whale baleen

At one of the craft shows we saw a nativity made inside of a birch hollow. I will keep my eyes open for that as well.

This set is amazing...all the figures are GRAINS OF RICE!!!!!

We followed up the display by stopping at two of the many craft shows in town for the festival.

Arielle was sick (fever etc) and Cory was working. We decided I would stay home with Benny.  Benny likes Baachan's Black Friday  toys.

I'm having a couple of teas in the next week....decided it may be nice to polish Gram's tea spoons.... LOL

 ...which led to Benny and me enjoying tea. I'm establishing this tradition in the next generation. I brewed a pot of Samover tea....and Benny enjoyed his sugar free chocolate chip cookie. They are the best I've made so far - but they are still dry. I'm going to try again with more butter or something.

I had a fun day. I was disappointed to miss the Colony Christmas parade....the float has been a big deal around here - especially the last few weeks.

HOWEVER - sharing tea with just Benny was priceless.

I'm working on a post from Michael and the other's point of view. LOL