Christmas Traditions - Installation Five

The Ward Christmas Party

For my non-LDS friends, a ward is the congregation that meets each Sunday.  Members are determined by geographical boundaries - at least that's the simplified way of explaining it.

Our ward has the Christmas party fairly early in the season, which I personally prefer.  And it always includes a great dinner, and then some entertainment.

For the past several years, we have had the high school Madrigal singing group or other performing choir come and perform.  Which for us older adults, is great.  But for the scores of little kids, it can make for a painful evening of being sssh'd and having to sit on hard chairs.

This year, I don't know who had the brilliant idea, but it was PERFECT.  They had the primary kids present the program.  Hands down, it was my favorite year!

Was it the cute songs?  The little ones dressed like angels, shepherds and wise men? 
Or was it really my own personal star of the show?

So when they called all the primary kids to come and get into costume, Sissy watched and decided she wanted to be a part  of it.  I tried really hard to get good pictures

she wouldn't turn around, but from the back she is a dang cute shepherd kid

While the kids were getting dressed The Brownings performed and Bishop accompanied on the guitar.  How many of you can say your Bish can shred it up on the guitar?  yeah, I didn't think so - he rocks!

Some ventriloquism work - nicely done Jared!

The kids started to gather but Sissy was more comfortable having Splenda close at hand for the first few minutes

getting a little bored.  In fact, at about this time, they moved a couple of young kids up to the stage to be narrators.  Sissy decided that she wanted  to be on stage to, so much to my embarrassment, she got up, walked around the group of kids, climbed up on stage and proceeded to cross the entire thing to sit with the narrators.  Splenda lost the paper/scissors/rock and had to go after her.

Finally on stage.  Why yes, that IS a cookie she eating.  She snagged that as they were walking up backstage

She was mildly interested in the other people on stage with her.

This pic is dark, but notice the shepherd staff in her hand.  This becomes important later.  She totally kifed it from some other child

This is one bored shepherd - such true Sissy fashion

And this one is purely for my friend Karen.  Now she can snag it and blackmail him the rest of his life.

The cutest little shepherd ever has tossed the turban (itchy), finished her cookie, had to give back the staff and is now ready to go home.

And while I got some crappy pictures, cute Kirsten got some awesome video.

My cookie-eatin, ninja bo-staff wielding shepherd girl

She is the one on the far right of your screen. Seriously was the crack up of the program. 

Thanks Kirsten for sharing the video

Best Ward Christmas Party evah!