Nativity Tradition

I don't think I can remember a Christmas where my brother and I didn't setup the Nativity set. My parents actually have two. A big white, traditional one that Mr. X and did together and then a much smaller one that I usually setup on my own.

The white set was great because all the pieces are wrapped in cloth and stored in one box filled with popcorn. Every year we would "race" each other to Baby Jesus. We had to pull out and unwrap whatever piece we touched first but whoever got to Jesus first won I guess. I don't know....seems silly now but it was fun. :) I miss those time.

The smaller set my mom got from her younger sister while they lived in Italy. It's this cute little set with only a few pieces to it. I loved setting up the white set with my brother but I REALLY loved (still love) this small set. Once I had it up I would periodically play with it. Can't really tell you what specifically about it appealed to me so much but I just love this little set.

So all of this prelude is to try and convey just how important having a nice Nativity set is to me. I have incredibly fond memories surrounding this and I desperately want that to carry on to my son. Well, this is the first year that we have a Nativity set. And not just a merely nice one, a FABULOUS set. I have been drooling over this set for a couple years at least. And now it's sitting in my house. Setup by Gavin and me. Yeah. That was fun. :D

Gleefully opening the first box with the creche. Gavin thought it was a house. HIS house. ;)

Found Joseph!

I think this is Mary, who is holding Baby Jesus. Gavin has a sheep.

Playing with the sheep.

That was supposed to be a smile. ;) He really just wanted to keep playing.

Nativity!