OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE!!!

"OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE.  HOW LOVELY ARE THY BRANCHES"

This is our Caribbean Christmas tree!  And a lovely one it is!!!!  It may not be evergreen, but it's branches point heavenward and it definitely symbolizes our appreciation of Jesus' birth.  This Caribbean tree is our means of retelling the miracle of Jesus's birth in a very colorful and beautiful  way.  Three of our grandchildren helped us paint and decorate the tree.  Yes, we said "grandchildren"!!!  Jed, Nyla and their kiddies, Parker, Jackson and Samantha arrived this week to spend the Christmas holiday with us! 

Making our tree 

BUT......let's back up for just a moment!  We've gotten ahead of ourselves.

Our family arrived Thursday night, December 19th

Then they get here and continued reading their books!  INCREDIBLE!!!!!  We are just more boring than books.

Went to the Ward Christmas party on Friday night and the boys got in trouble and ended up with their noses on the church wall.  Hilarious!  At least from our point of view.

Our 2 buddies, Samantha and Samantha Harrideo.  So cute together.

The youth choir at the Sangre Grande Ward party

A Christmas play, written by Stephanie Abdool. (Stephanie is in the green, Matthew Blackburn and Abigail Ali)

Trio: Reon Charles, Kevin Christopher, Adrian Suepaul.  Dig the look!

Elder's Quorum Choir

Davon Hernandez, Kent, Kerwin

Davon, Shyann Baptiste, Kevin

 Lots of yummy Trini food with some of the best people in the world.  Rhonda Rose and Nyla

Saturday, we took a little hike through the bamboo forest

Then we stopped off at Chaguaramas beach to play around for a while.  Had a blast!

This is the coolest picture of Parker, and it's not even edited!

Painted our own Christmas tree decorations on Sunday afternoon.  Lots of fun.

Then we scanned the neighborhood for Santa and lights.

Still, the work goes forward....even though it looks like all we do is play.  We work hard and then play hard.  Love it!!!!!!

We are grateful for the Savior, His Birth, His glorious life and example and especially for His sacrifice for us.  Without that sacrifice, there would be no reason for celebrating Christmas.  We love Him.  Have a beautiful Christmas!