Starlighting 2013

The Star Lighting is an annual event that our town has been doing for many, many years.  There are different activities that take place including cartridge rides, chili at the fire station, carolers, ice skating and fireworks!  At the end everyone gathers to sing songs, pray and then light the big star that sits on top of The Rock.  The star stays lit all the way until the 1st of the year.  It is such a fun way to get into the holiday spirit. 

About 2 weeks before the event I told Joshua about the Starlighting and explained to him what it was all about.  He was so excited and talked about it almost every.single.day the weeks leading up to it.  While we were on a tour of our fire station, surrounded by firefighters and big red trucks, the the star lighting was all he could thing about.  He told his friends mom more than once, "I am going to the starlighting.."  Almost every time we would drive past the Rock he would shout, "STARLIGHTING!" 

The day finally came and we were so excited for him!  The high for that day was a crisp 24 degrees.  Of course it would be cold that day!  We had nice sunny 50 degree weather for days and days before the starlighting.  Because of their nap schedules we weren't able to make it to any of the festivities before the lighting of the star

 

 but we got there right in time for the actual lighting, that is the best part anyway. 

Kayla getting all bundled up to leave. 

Just for fun, here is a picture of Joshua
wearing the same snow outfit around he same age.   

She was not loving her snowsuit but she was
really corporative and didn't fuss even though it
looks like she is giving me the stink eye. 

Since our families both live in the same town as us they come out and celebrate too making it a whole family outing.

Waiting for the star to light!

 

And there is the star in the background!

 

Watching the Fireworks.

 

Joshua reenacts the Starlighitng with his toys now.  He gets one of Kayla's star toys that lights up and says, "This is like Starlighing."  He also takes all the people from his nativity scene, lines them up in front of the star on the stable and acts like they are saying, "LIGHT.THE.STAR" (which is what the crowd shouts right before the star is lit). 

 

What a neat tradition!  We love our little town!