Christmas goodness

I am excited for Christmas this year. Some of you close to me may know, Christmas isn't my favorite time of year. I guess being ten and having your dad die around the holiday will do that to you. But this year feels different. I am not sure why, maybe because Ayda is getting older, maybe I am all healed...I am not really sure. With that being said, this was my first year at decorating my yard (attempting to) It isn't great and the pictures didn't turn out so you will just have to take my word for it. Outdoor Christmas decorations remind me of growing up. My mom and dad always had our yard decorated beautifully. Before my dad died he made several Christmas-themed carvings. Over the period of a few years, he made Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus, the three Wise Men, a Bible with verses about the birth of Christ and some from The Book of Mormon. He also made a big Santa and the phrase Merry Christmas. I remember the first Christmas after he died, putting up those carvings and it made me miss him so much. We put them up for several years but time took its toll and they were looking a little worn. But this year I had the perfect place for one of these carvings. I asked my mom if I could borrow the scene of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. I am displaying it proudly. I was a little worried maybe it would offend someone but just hoped people could see the season in it. Well, we came home last night and a note was taped to our door, the note read, "thanks for displaying your manger scene, have a Merry Christmas, from your neighbors." I am glad it is well received. So without further ado her are some pictures.