The Holiday's

It seems that I should finally update! It has been awhile. Let's start here: Kentucky.

The week before Christmas Lucas, Cassidy, Cailin and I headed down to Chavies, KY to visit my parents and to see Josh. Josh was on leave from the Air Force, so we went to visit with him. This was especially important because he is leaving January 20, 2009 for a deployment to Iraq. As an added bonus, my Grandma (Shunk) was visiting my parents too! It was a nice visit and it was good to see Josh before he headed out. Our thoughts and prayers are with him as he prepares to leave. We pray for a swift tour and safe return.

Next, we arrived back in Frankenmuth to begin our prepartions for Christmas and the New Year. Lucas returned to work for a few days and then started a two week vacation on Christmas Eve. My parents arrived in Frankenmuth on Christmas Eve while Lucas, the girls, and I were at the Magnus Christmas. We enjoyed spending time with the Magnus' and Santa even made a stop! Cassidy and Cailin were not impressed with Santa at all! Jean, Lucas' cousin, brought a small bounce house for the kids to play in...I don't think Cassidy took a break until we deemed it off limits while we ate...she loved that thing! Cailin enjoyed toddling around and watching all the "big" kids. After the party we came home, visited with my parents, and headed off to bed for visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads.

Christmas day morning we spent at home. We enjoyed unwrapping presents while our breakfast casserole cooked. The girls received plenty of gifts and Lucas and I got a few too. The girls had lots of time to play with their new toys before we headed over to Mom and Dad Hart's for Christmas with them. We headed over to Block Rd. to celebrate Christmas with Mom, Dad, and Caleb Hart. It was quiet, calm, and enjoyable with a fire crackling in the fireplace (my favorite part!). The girls received some lovely gifts there too. (we got some too!) What a wonderful morning and afternoon. In the evening Mom and Dad hosted Christmas Dinner, which was delicious! It was a wonderful evening filled with good food, great people, laughs, and conversation. Merry Christmas!

The next few days we enjoyed some time at home. We did some work on the new room, including a ceramic tile floor (Thanks, Dad!). Everything is coming together nicely in that department...more later...

Fast forward to New Year's: Lucas and I packed up the kids and headed northwest to Canadian Lakes where we met up with some wonderful friends. The Soupal's, Stewart's and Fox's joined us from a New Year's Eve celebration. It was relaxing and fun. The kids (Cassidy, Cailin, Drew, and Marcus) enjoyed playing together. We had lots of good food and great fun. What a great way to celebrate the New Year!

We headed home to enjoy the last few days of Lucas' vacation. It was a great holiday season, and a wonderful time to remember our many blessings. We hope you enjoyed a time of gratitude and peace during holiday season 2008. Here's to good times, good friends, family, and many more blessings in 2009!