Tree Lighting and Nativity

Saturday was Gig Harbor's tree lighting ceremony and despite the frigid temperatures (in the 20s which is cold for here), we bundled up and headed out the door.

Santa comes down the main street on a fire truck.

Then goes to the pavilion, leads a count down, and - poof! - the tree is lit.

Now here's a rare shot - two of my kids hugging!

After the tree lighting, Stevie and Charles went out for a brotherly dinner and the kids and I left to go home.  Except I thought that while I had everyone bundled up, we could run past a live nativity scene that I had read about.

Any live nativity scene that I have ever scene usually entails a recreation of the manger scene with some people, a baby doll Jesus and maybe a donkey or a sheep or two.  This one was very different!  It was set up like you were entering Bethlehem with a full blown market place, stalls, tents, animals, Roman guards, etc.  It was really well done and very educational.

Emmy getting her hand decorated like the women did when they came to town for a festival.

A frozen Cannon in the market place.

London with the Roman guard.

At the very end of the trail was the manger scene (yes, that's a live baby Jesus).