A New England style Christmas Village...

With our dear Hunter sharing the good news of Jesus Christ 

in New England this holiday season, 

we decided to bring a little of his New England 

into our home with this year's Christmas Village.

We built Old Orchard Beach Pier, 

West Quoddy Head Light,

a windjammer and a lobster boat in the Gulf of Maine,

the Old Man of the Mountain, 

a maple syrup farm, 

kayakers on Lake Champlain,

and lots of unique homes but it all began like this.

We were thrilled to have 5 new village builders this year!

We've almost always had a Temus family member to help with the village 

as they usually join us on their Thanksgiving break from BYU.

This year we were super blessed 

to have the last of the Temus/Jaggi Family join us!! 

Marti made the aerodynamic windjammer 

and worked with Sarah on the lobster boat.

Sarah made the replica Old Orchard Beach Pier 

(an engineering marvel if you ask me)

and joined Marti in creating the lobster boat. 

Do you see our little photo bomber under the table?

 ;)

I missed getting a picture of Chuck but he was our idea guy 

and came up with solutions like what to use

 for the maple syrup buckets on the trees and 

the pots to boil down the syrup.

Darren was part time village builder 

and part time little person entertainer

 (which reminds me, how did I miss getting a picture 

of Grant!?!)

Joe and Jessica built this beauty in true New England style 

with a widows walk on top 

and an accompanying Christmas tree. 

(I love that tree!)

<3

Ashley isn't a Temus but she was a first time village builder this year 

though you'd never know it. 

Just look at her fabulous Rapunzel's tower. 

Way to go, Ashley!

Zac and Ashley made the Lake Champlain kayakers

 and Zac built a stone house this year. 

Emily's house was a lovely blue haven 

next to the lake 
 by Alex's candy lego house. 

The lego house is tiny but whimsical 

and photographs just don't do it justice - 

it makes me giggle it's so fun.   =D

Alex and Emily also made the Quoddy Head Light.

Paul comes up with the ideas 

that make the foundation of the village each year. 

He also carved the Old Man of the Mountain. 

(My favorite!!)

<3

Then he went to town on a true candy house 

that everyone said looked like a fancy church.

Each time we look at the village from now till New Years, 

we'll think of our dear Hunter in New England 

and the message he's sharing 

which is much sweeter than candy. 

We love you Elder Branch!