Christmas Surprise for my mom

Today is a day I have waited for, for almost a year now.  I first saw this idea at my friends house.  We were working on a project together and she showed me a picture that her nieces and nephews and kids all did her for parents.  It was a nativity scene using the grandkids.  

When I saw it I knew my mom would love it.  I was so excited.  I text my sister right away.  I was preggers at the time so I thought we could use my baby for baby Jesus.  It would be perfect.  Soon after I found out that Ashlee and Smitty were expecting their first baby (one that had been prayed for, for such a long time) so of course their sweet baby would be Jesus.  We knew this was going to be awesome if it turned out.  There were so many hurdles we had to overcome though.  The biggest being our locations.  My siblings live in DC and PA.  Getting us all together to do this was going to be a miracle.  Then Michael and Brynn decided to get married in December. Vogels were coming but Meads were not.  Now it was almost perfect.  We would have to photoshop Vie in the picture.  Then, the beans were spilled and it turned out The Meads were coming.  So, we would all be in UT.  Now it was finding a time.  With the wedding and family pictures there really wasn't a lot of time.  Plus, my mom wouldn't be too happy with everyone leaving her when we only had a short time together.  It actually worked out perfect.  We rounded up every Star Wars costume I had, all of the Jerusalem stuff, and baptism dresses, we even through in a lamb for good messure.  It was time.  The kids were so cold.  After some crazy dancing from their parents we were able to get all of the kids to look our way.  After two set ups we had what we thought was good.  Maren took the pics with her fancy camera.  Now it was getting home to see if it worked.

I love the way it turned out.  They all look so precious.     

We couldn't be happier with the outcome.  I think my parents are going to love this.  And since my mom collects nativities, she now has an original.  It can never be duplicated.  When Jeron brought home the canvas I let out a gasp.  It couln't have been better.