Happenings

This is going to be a photo heavy post with a smattering of what we've been up to lately that's made us so 'busy'. Although, since we don't photograph everything we do (can you imagine being on a reality show where it is all recorded? Yikes!) you'll have to fill in the blanks with cleaning, laundry, eating, sleeping, training, disciplining, studying...

Went to the beach to take our annual family picture to send out in Christmas cards. We keep threatening to send a crazy one. Will this be the year?

Rich had a work conference in Orlando and we taught at a GFI conference in Tampa, so we couldn't resist stopping in to see Mickey Mouse and friends while we were in the neighborhood. (See Ellen's blog for more photos of the latest Wilbur adventure.)

We formally dedicated Micah to the Lord at Seacoast Church with lots of friends and family in attendance. (We officially dedicated him ourselves when he was just minutes old. Rich always prays a blessing over each one of our children dedicating them to the service of Jesus Christ soon after birth.)

Caleb carefully researched and studied various aquarium creatures and then got to put his knowledge to use with Grandpa as they worked the touch tank at the SC Aquarium.

Aunt Bean came to visit!

And she brought along Mattias...

...and Piper and Uncle Thomas!

We celebrated Thanksgiving together with a delicious feast at Mom and Dad's house. We even managed a family picture with all babies awake. (We tried to go for all smiling, but decided that was near impossible.)

The twins on an after TG meal walk.

Ellen, Caleb and Logan took Grandma and Grandpa to the Apple store and managed to talk them into an iPhone and an iPad. (How did that happen???) Here's Daddy playing a race car game on Grandpa's iPad.

We had our annual sugar cookie baking and decorating bonanza. Daddy was in charge of baking the cookies and Mommy headed up the frosting extravaganza.

Should you decide to drop in and visit us in the coming weeks, you just may get to sample one of these goodies. We'll have the coffee ready or a cool glass of milk.

Headed out to Toogoodoo Tree Farm to chop down the Young Family Christmas Tree 2010. This day is a highlight for our family as it is so much more than bringing home a Christmas tree. It's an adventure! We've made up a Young Family Christmas Tree Chopping Down Song that is silly and off-key, but quite unique! We even tried singing it in a round this year. (Didn't work too well.) We giggle about and search for the 'perfect' tree then yell "TIMBER" at the top of our lungs as the tree topples to the ground. We get quite a few stares at that point.

We talk to Toogie the talking Christmas tree and feed her leaves...

Go for a train (tractor) ride around the farm...

And periodically peer out the sunroof to make sure the tree is still on its way home to our living room. (I asked Anna if she remembered having a tree set up in our living room with lights and ornaments. She thought I was completely crazy and didn't believe me. So fun to experience Christmas through the eyes of a 3 year old. It's all new to her this year. Again.)

Advent officially started yesterday and how fitting that my dad made this beautiful 3D manger silhouette to grace our front yard. We've never had outdoor Christmas decorations so the kids are thrilled that we've joined the club!

All of our Christmas traditions are fun and have helped to build the Young Family Identity and give the kids fun traditions to look forward to every year. But Rich and I have worked really hard to purpose that Christmas be about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. One way that we do that is by doing Advent devotionals as a family. Rich does one in the evenings with the kids - it focuses on prophecies of Christ's birth and who Jesus is and why He came down from heaven to earth. Then during our school day hours, I have been working with the kids on a Christmas Unit Study put out by Amanda Bennett that focuses on Christ. We've been doing it for years and the journals that they have put together each year on the true meaning of Christmas are keepsake treasures.

Would love to hear how you keep Christ at the center of CHRISTmas and any fun and silly family traditions you have. I learn so much from all of you, my friends!