Family Fun Fest

Our church had a Fall Family Fun Fest on Saturday put on by the youth group. The teens (leaders and their parents) did such a great job. My kids had a great time playing games and winning prizes. As were approaching church Xander said, "I bet when we get there I won't be able to believe my eyes."

Lily loved playing all the games. Look at her dominate the ringtoss game. Her tongue is out, so she must be concentrating pretty hard.

 Plinko is a little hard to play when you can't see, but Xander did really care. Actually, I am not really sure the game is harder if you can't see. 

 This was by far Xander's favorite game...life size Angry Birds. They did a great job painting exercise balls to look like the birds. 

 Lily liked the little bounce house the best. She even managed to learned how to climb up to the slide, which was pretty tricky because it was just foot holes and strap to hold onto. She was really proud of herself every time she did it and would look around smiling to everyone. 

 The hayride around church was pretty fun for them too. 

Best Weather Ever...

for November in Ohio this weekend. It was 70 on both Saturday and Sunday. We picked up lots and lots of leaves. Gram and Gramps even came and loaded some up to put on their garden at home. I think we are down to a manageable amount now...maybe.

Gramps showing Xander how to smash down leaves in the trash can. Lily lately has become the "me too" kid. Anything Xander does she wants to do and will yell "me too!" until you let her give it a try. 

Operation Christmas Child

I LOVE Operation Christmas Child. I have packed a shoebox just about every year since high school. I love that it is a tradition for my children and I. Samaritans Purse has done a great job creating a way to help children across the world in such an easy way for us here. I often feel like the two boxes we pack each year are so insignificant to the hundreds some pack. This year though I really wanted to make sure that the two boxes (actually 4 because Xander did two at church this year) were more quality items. I prayed before the kids and I went out shopping and as I was at the store that the Lord would lead me to those items that a specific child needed/wanted no matter what the cost. I can say I definitely felt the spirit lead me to grab a couple of items. The kids and I are praying at breakfast lunch for the boys and girl that will receive our boxes that they will feel special and get to hear about Jesus.

While packing the boxes Lily found I had bought a Hello Kitty something for her box. She opened it and I took it away. I was trying to tell her it was alright and Xander jumped in with, "Lily those are for kids who need toys." There were also several times out shopping that I had to remind Xander that we were not shopping for yourselves though. He gets it this year. They watch a video at church showing children receiving their boxes and how they live. It made an impact on him.

Pumpkin Carving ~ October 25th

There are just so many fun things to going on in Fall. We decided to take advantage of some unseasonably warm weather for the end of October to carve our pumpkins. The kids were wearing shorts! You have to love Ohio weather. My mom came over again this year to help Xander. She is so patient with him and his willing to try all his ideas. 

 This year Xander impressed me with actually helping clean out his pumpkin. Last year he didn't want to touch the inside, but this year he jumped right in...gotta love four year olds. He wanted a "silly pumpkin" this year. 

 Lily loved cleaning out her pumpkin this year as much as last year. We put all our seeds into a bag for Grandpa (Edem) to plant in his garden just like last year. 

 I love this picture of Lily and my mom. See Lily's hand on her arm? My mom was drawing on the face and Lily was telling her about the eyes, nose, and mouth. 

 Here is Dadoo with Lily's pumpkin. I think the "easy to do template" of a cat took Jason longer than her had originally thought. Lily loves Hello Kitty lately and was equally thrilled with her cat pumpkin. 

 Xander using the safe pumpkin carving knife. 

 Xander and his silly pumpkin 

 Shortly after this picture Lily ripped the cat out of the center of the pumpkin to which Jason said, "It took me longer to carve then it lasted." You gotta love kids. It was good. We just propped it up back in the middle. 

 Yes, this is the best picture we got. 

 The kids and "Grandma who likes to play with me". On a side note her hair has really starting to grow back in after the chemo. It is actually even thicker than it was before. I remember how last year when we carved pumpkins it was the same day she got her wing and cut off the rest of her hair. I am so happy we are where we are this year.  I pray every night for the cancer to stay away. I am also so grateful for these times with her and my kids. They love her a lot. 

Bible Olympics and Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

The child's ministry team created a very fun Sunday for our kids with games during the first hour and packing and praying for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes the second hour. I went around with Xander's group to each room. The preschool and kindergartners played games with themes related to Bible stories they have learned about. 

There was Goliath bean bag throw,

 Noah's Ark relay race, 

and Fisher's of Men fishing just to name a few. 

 The kids then gathered for a special snack and to watch a video about Operation Christmas Child. They then were able to decorate and pack their boxes. 

 They colored a picture to include in their shoebox. (On a side note Xander's coloring lately has blown me away. He has been paying very close attention to details lately and staying in the lines...super impressed.) 

 I bought too much stuff for one box, so we ended up with two. I really just love Operation Christmas Child. 

 Mr. Burkhard lead the kids in a pray over their boxes that the boys and girls who received them would get to hear about Jesus. 

 Here are the kids and the boxes they packed. 

I am so grateful that Xander was able to participate in this this year. He had such a good time and I know everything that was done and said has made an impression on his heart. I am so thankful that we go to a church that teaches our kids about Jesus and his love in real ways. 

Trick or Treat-Take 2

Well, the city where we live thought they were doing everyone a favor a moving trick or treat to Saturday because the original night it was scheduled was going to be cold and possibly rainy. It really did seem like a good idea at the time. However, Saturday proved to be cold too and the rain came pouring down just as the trick or treat time started. I think we made down the street like 4 hours. The water was puddling on Lily's stroller. It really wasn't such a big deal. We already went trick or treating on Tuesday and my kids don't need candy anyways.

My dad stopped to see the kids before hand. 

 Kole, Jack, Xander, Tempe, Lily, Claire, and Shelby

 Lily helped Jason pass out candy on the porch for awhile out of the rain. 

 Lily Bug 

Lunch With My Nana

We had lunch with my Nana the other day. I love her and she is inspiring in so many ways. Would you guess that she is 90 (she will be 91 in March)? She lives on her own, drives, volunteers at a homeless shelter in Dayton 2 to 3 days a week, and is still active at church. When I want to have lunch with her I often have to schedule weeks in advance. I am not joking either. Her mother lived to be 100 and I am guessing that she is going to make it too. 

She made us her most delicious vegetable soup. I love it. I think I could easily eat it for lunch everyday. 

Xander took all his fire gear to show her. 

I love you Nana!