Christmas in Pittsburgh

We got to spend another wonderful Christmas in Pittsburgh. Tanner took his last test the Thursday morning before Christmas so we woke up bright and early on Friday and headed out.

I was nervous about the 12 hour drive with our two babes but it went surprisingly well. Tanner's parents got us a hotel room in Columbus, OH. That made the first day only 9 hours.

So happy to be out of the car! This is the best photo I could get of the two of them

We were able to see our good friends the Hiltons and go to the temple the next morning. Tanner's parents work in the Columbus temple so they watched Mariah and Chet while we were in there.

The three hours to Pittsburgh on Saturday were marvelous because Mariah and Chet slept the whole time. That was their Christmas present to mom and dad.

We were able to celebrate Christmas with all of Tanner's younger siblings. Mariah and Chet were in heaven with all of the attention they got from their aunts.

On Christmas Eve we had Shepherds' night. We ate way too much Israeli type food and then did the nativity. Mariah and her cousin Annalie were the focus of the whole evening and it was so fun!

The girls were dressed up like shepherds and then they were brought down to the basement where shepherds were waiting to tell them all about that special night. An angel even appeared!

My favorite thing about the last picture is the texting angel :) 

After the angel left the shepherds traveled through the house looking for the baby Jesus. At the end we gathered around the the glass doors looking out at the figurines of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. We sang some songs and then Grandma bore her Testimony and gave Mariah and Annalie their very own sheep. They were in love.

Christmas morning we went and did a Christmas program at one of the retirement homes in the community. Grandma made these little hats for the children to wear during some of the songs. I didn't get one the day of but I did get pictures earlier that week: 

Such a sweet little sheep

At one point in the program I had to leave to feed Chet. When I came back I couldn't find Mariah. She was standing in the middle of all of the people with a bell in her mouth staring at the audience. That girl loves being the center of attention. 

When we got home the girls played a little game looking for the Wisemen. After a little while they were able to meet their very own Wisman! He showed them the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. He then brought us all in to the Christmas tree and handed out the presents. 

 

As you can see in the second picture Mariah kind of missed the whole point of going into the next room...she did figure it out

After Mariah opened that book she read it for the rest of the time. Thats my girl! And Chet had a fabulous time as well. 

We had a wonderful Christmas and are so so grateful for the Crossley family for all of the food, fun and love.