Random Family Pictures

We appreciated this past week to spend time with family that we do not get to see very often. It was a good week.

Everyone together

Strong Genes

Grace was not happy to be with all these people she did not know. She was however content with her Uncle David. I wonder why....

Activities During the Week

Besides the beach and Disney World we enjoyed other activities together. Some went up to Saint Augustine. We also visited a National Seashore. However, we mostly enjoyed hanging around and doing some of the following:

Wrestling - Uncle David and Scott

Celebrating Nana's Birthday

Eating

Playing Games and Completing a Puzzle

Christmas Day

As much as I love the beach it is hard to get in the Christmas spirit there. Somehow inflatable Frosty the Snowmen on beach house balconies just doesn't cut it. A different day than our usual Christmas, but we can reflect upon the birth of Christ anywhere and we are grateful for God's gift to us celebrated on this day.

Scott, Matthew and Santa walking on the beach (Santa was NOT anyone from our family)

Nana had the kids decorate a tree

Opening stockings

Disney World

For their Christmas present, Eric's parents took everyone to Disney World. It has been years since we have been, but it has not changed much. We all had a great time. Thank you Nana and Grandpa!

The classic "It's a Small World"

You should have seen the brothers get that tea cup spinning!

Christmas in Florida

It has been quite some time since Eric's family has been all together so this year we all met in Florida and had a wonderful family reunion. Of course, for us, it does not take too much convincing to head to the beach.

Eric with his parents and siblings

Christmas Dinner

Every year my dad has his "Company Christmas Dinner". Since everyone who works for him is in the family it turns out to be a nice dinner for all the adult family members. We have gone to the same restaurant for many years now and it is wonderful!! It was here that I learned to really appreciate steak - I never knew before how tender good steak really is. We went so close to my birthday that it doubled as my birthday dinner. It was great!


A good friend of mine volunteered to keep my 5 youngest. (Some of my older children were at a birthday party.) She even brought something for them to do. She is crafty and I am NOT! They worked on a centerpiece for the table and I think it turned out lovely. She brought apples and the kids cored them and also put holes around in them. They put a candle in the top hole and then various greenery in the holes around the apple. The juice from the apples keeps the greenery green. I think it is pretty creative and the kids had a great time.

Lunch with Gramma

For Molly's birthday Gramma took her and Emily to lunch at the American Girl Doll Cafe. It was a special time for the three of them and they enjoyed it immensely. After lunch they met their aunt and cousin at the carousel and had a fun ride!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today we celebrated Mom's birthday. One of the most amazing things about Mom is her organization. Mom homeschools 5 kids while also taking care of 3 younger kids. Mom has spent countless hours painting in this house and is currently re-painting the cabinets. Thank you so much for being such a great mom. We love you and appreciate everything you've done for us!!!

Happy Birthday Molly!

Today Molly turned 10. Now she is in the world of double digits! Molly is a fun, self-disciplined girl who has become a great help around the house. She enjoys ballet, reading, her cat Tom, and riding her scooter on the driveway (she got another one for her birthday as she wore her old one out). Happy Birthday Molly - we love you.

Gingerbread Houses

Yesterday our home school group had its annual gingerbread house making day. There were lots of graham crackers, icing, powdered sugar, candy, and general stickiness to go around. Everyone had a great time - well that is if you enjoy being covered in frosting and powdered sugar. Fortunately it's only once a year!








After making the houses the boys headed out to play football and the girls to giggle and take pictures - they also eventually ended up in the game.

Peter kicking the football!