Main Street Bethlehem

We went to the coolest place last weekend! In the town Burnet TX (about an hour away from us) they have this little town of Bethlehem built that is there year round since they are real structures. They have people all dressed up and in character walking around the city. You get to just walk around the city and go in the different shops and experience the way life was when Jesus was born. SO COOL! The girls LOVED it and did NOT want to leave! Even at 9:00pm at night!
So first of all...we waited in line to just get IN for 1 hour and 45 minutes! So I figured I would start the taking of the pictures! Since we spent half our time in line! We were all ready to walk around and have fun!

This was right when you walk in to one side. I thought these shepards were so cute!

This goat was tied to the wall all by itself with his head leaning toward the wall. Even with all the kids harassing it, it did not budge! But then Sadie would not leave it along and this lady noticed and came over so Sadie could feed it! Too cute!

Here is Sadie with the candle lady. Each person we talked to has their own story. They have really done their research with knowing facts and using words that go with the time. It was so cool. So they were dipping the candles out of animal lard! Crazy!

The girls, especially Sadie, were NOT a fan of these Roman soldiers. They roamed the streets keeping guard as well as making sure everyone has paid their taxes and if not, they took them to jail!

Lucy, Lanae and Sadie looking at the camels. Of course Lucy would not avert her attention!

The camel!

The Monson family in the chariot!

Our friends, The Mott Family in the Chariot.

Eric asked this guard if he would ask their oldest son if he had paid his taxes. Caleb was a little nervous. The guard did NOT break character at ALL. Sadie started crying and insisted that Chris held her.

Obviously, he did NOT want to go. So the guard asked Eric if vouch for him...and he was off the hook. Then when he found out that it wasn't for real he wanted to be taken to jail. Funny!

Our friends the Leavitts, walking around city. We were up in the Inn talking to some people who were staying at the Inn, waiting for the rest of the 10 people that were going to stay in their tiny room.

The girls looking at the Donkey. Lucy just kept yelling HE HAW! over and over. She was LOVING it!

Sadie grinding some grain. They had a huge rock oven that they cooked the bread in and we got to have a piece of the bread. So fun and SO yummy!

(The boy in the green shirt - Colton, is Sadie's little boyfriend. It is so funny to see them interact. They both love to be together but hardly interact because they get so shy! So cute!)

What!?! How could such cute little girls belong in shackles!?! At one point there was a lady locked in these and she was crying, Help me, I need money, Please! blah blah blah. Sadie was FASCINATED! She stood in front of her...frozen! She did not want to leave her. At one point I even heard you say to the lady, "It's okay" So cute! She was so concerned! Even the next day at breakfast she asked where the lady was. so funny!

Then at the end of the town was the new star hanging in the sky and underneath was this huge cool stable and of course, baby Jesus. It was so cool! It was really neat because inside the city it was kind of crazy and loud, but then you could feel the reverence as everyone looked on towards the stable!

They hand out cookies and hot cocoa at the end! We had SUCH a GREAT time! We plan on going back often! It was such a great experience and the girls really learned a lot! We were all sad to leave but it was so late! We didn't get home until 10:30 pm!