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Florida is known for their air boats, and we got to experience it firsthand. It was a blast! With Lori's parents and her sister's family, we took off in two loud, exhilarating boats. We saw gators - young and old, tons of different birds and an otter. It was a bit surreal gliding smoothly over the marshes and wetlands.
A big thanks to Lori's sister, Cindy, for being quick the camera to get shots from the other boat.
Boat #1
Boat #2
Lori. Through a canal to the marshes. Lovin' it.
With the wind in her face, Audrey (cousin) had that grin on her face the whole ride.
Kelsey (cousin) and Lia are lookin' good in the pink headsets.
Val is ready with the specs.
Searching …
Coming up on a gator.
A younger gator.
Giddy at the end of the ride.
This year's Christmas = ultra-special.
Lori's parents (from Ohio) and her sister's family (from Nebraska) all came to us here in Florida to be together on Christmas day. It was wonderful to celebrate and spend time with one another.
Nothing says Christmas like a nativity scene made from colored rubber bands. (?!?!)
Lia was ecstatic to get yarn … lots of it. Her crocheting hands will be busy! Well, for at least the next six days since she'll likely use it all in that time.
Meg & Val. Happy.
In the afternoon, some of the northerners took to the pool and hot tub. Couldn't resist doing that on Christmas day.
To cook the turkey, we were thrilled to use a full-sized oven - instead of the aluminum-foil-lined-big-toaster-oven we had in Asia. While we were thankful for the AFLBT-oven we had, this was quite different … and nice.
Ready to eat.
Kelsey and Audrey are the BEST cousins!
Val and Meg performed in our church's Christmas program. They played and singed the part of shepherds brilliantly. :)
Lia is totally honing her crocheting skills. She made a walrus and penguin. Incredible. No idea how she does it.
Meg. Cute.
Attempting to look our best in shades of purple and grey, we ventured over to Lake Hart (the campus of Cru's world headquarters) for our annual family photo shoot. One of our best friends, Mark Fertig, did a totally stellar job behind the camera.
Here are some favorites …
After our Great Lakes Region staff conference, we headed to Palatine for time with family and giving thanks.
After five years of hosting Thanksgiving overseas, we were very content being a guest. :) (What we're cooking only one turkey?!)
Lia making preparations - baking her pastry puffs.
Lia taking on her Uncle Darren in Blokus.
Meg enjoying someone's tablet.
Grammy and Papa's house was already completely decorated for Christmas which made a warm atmosphere.
Sweet.
We went to a nearby wetlands park for a bike ride and picnic. We had a blast!
Alligator Alley … love it.
We saw our first wild gator. This seven-footer circled in yellow is a good distance away. I asked Meg if she wanted to go down to the water's edge, and she said, "NO WAY!!!!"
We saw other gators a lot closer - about 20 feet away. We didn't pause long enough to get out the camera for a picture.
Other pictures along the way …
After our picnic, we all kicked around the soccer ball trying to avoid the plentiful ant hills/mounds. Gators and ants … life in Florida.
The girls visited me at Lake Hart - the campus name of Cru's world headquarters.
Val and Meg joined others at a friend's birthday party - at a butterfly pavilion. I didn't attend, but I heard they laughed and squealed a lot.
Lia had been asking about being baptized for over a year, and we had multiple discussions about it. Her heart and motivations were right on so when an opportunity came up at our church, Lia took it.
At the church picnic with the pastor, Lia began her baptism by sharing her story of how she came to place her faith in Christ many years ago. It was excellent to hear her express how God had worked and continues to shape her life.
Lia immediately agreed to my request to be the one to baptize her (discussed a few days prior). I wasn't planning on saying anything at her baptism, but I couldn't not say a few words about how proud we are of her and so thankful for God's clear work in her life.
I gave reference to those before Lia who are witnesses to this public proclamation of her faith, and she gave a big grin to her friends. Cute.
Then the dunking commenced ...
We love you, Lia!!!
