~Outdoor Living Nativity Walk~

We had SUCH a wonderful evening the other night.   We went to Woodlands Lutheran Church in Monteverde, FL where they had such a great live nativity.   We all had to sign in and then were given little flashlights to light our way to each scene.  The paths were also lit up with candles - so pretty.

The first scene began on the cross which reminded us that Jesus came to die for our sins and that is the reason for his birth.

Scene two is in the garden with Adam and Eve and tells of how sin enters God's perfect creation.

God announces His promise of a Saviour throughout the Old Testament through His spokesmen, the prophets.

Scene four was the shepherds and how the angel announced the good news to them.

In scene six we visited the "City of Bethlehem".  The marketplace was busy with everyday life, unaware that God's promise of a Saviour was about to be fulfilled in this very City of David.   This cute little girl was trying to "sell" us her fruit.

Jesus is born in a manger.

In scene seven we saw Herod and the wise men who came from the east to find the Christ child.

The special star led the wise men to Jesus.   They worshiped Him and gave Him gifts.

In the last scene we saw an empty cross and tomb to remind us of God's love for us in Jesus Christ and His victory over sin and death.

After we had walked through all the scenes we were invited into their fellowship hall for hot chocolate, juice, and an incredible table filled with homemade Christmas treats!

What a wonderful way to spend an evening remembering the real reason for Chrismas!

~Lake Magic and Thousand Trails, Orlando, FL ~

We have had an enjoyable last 2 weeks staying at two great parks in Orlando, FL.  The first week was very wet and humid and our last week has been beautiful and sunny most days.   Both parks have wonderful amenities and we so enjoyed meeting the many wonderful people in the parks.  We have done potlucks, church, crafts, movie nights, bingo, etc.....

This is one of the potlucks - they supplied drinks, fried chicken, cake and ice-cream!!   All we had to do was bring a side dish - what a treat and there was TONS of food for the 75 + people that were there.

The lodges are lovely and big so there is plenty of room to do school work and often crafts and games in the evenings.

Shae, Travis and Brad having "craft time".   They made these really cute snowmen.......

which flap in the wind while hanging on our awning!

They had a "golf cart parade" one evening.   People decorated their carts and then they drove up and down the rows.  They had music, lights and even threw candy - this is our pile that we received.  Lots of fun!

This park has a few lakes - the kids borrowed rods and went fishing - the kids had fun but didn't catch anything.  Scott caught a fish though - it is a catch and release lake.

These large, beautiful cranes walk through the park all the time!!!  They are so pretty but very loud!!!

~Wonderworks, Orlando~

 We had another FANTASTIC day!   This time we went to Wonderworks in Orlando, FL.   Wonderworks is an interactive attraction with over 100 hands on exhibits that spark the imagination and challenge the mind.

Everything is "upside down".

 Even the tree!!

 This is Jess seeing how long she could hold her hand in the  -2 degree water just like they did when the Titanic sank...................OUCH!

 This is what happened to the floorboards as the Titanic tilted its way down under the ocean.

 We went into this room and got to feel what it would feel like in a 5.3 magnitude earthquake.

 In this room we had to hold onto each other as the 75 mph winds tried to "blow us away".

 Lying on a bed of nails.............not a nice feeling!!!!

Becky using the pulley to lift herself.

Scott seeing if he could "strike" the batter out.  This measured how fast you threw the ball too.

 Then onto the 3 story ropes challenge course!!   Whew - they even made me (Janet) do it!!!!  YIKES!!

 Bradley didn't want to do the ropes so he did bowling instead.

 The kids had a blast in the "Bubble Lab"

 Bikes and the boys............what more can I say???

 Becky trying to "Snowboard".

 We LOVED the basketball and everything we did ended up being a competition!!!!  It was hilarious.

 Of course.....Jessie loved the HUGE piano.

 It was never ending FUN!

 Then Becky and Shae tried this virtual Roller Coaster ride - They were "locked" inside this capsule and then "spun" around like crazy while we watched the "ride" they were on, on a TV sceen outside of it.   There was a LOT of screaming from the girls!!!!

 Oh dear....what happened to my body??

 Fun for ALL ages.

And of course lots of fun doing "Dance Dance".

We spent over 4 hours here and had the best day!!!

~Happy Anniversary and Friends~

December 7, 2012.    WOW - 21 years of AMAZINGNESS!!!!  Praise the Lord!

We woke up this morning and found the table filled with little gifts and cards from the kids (they have never done this before).   It was SO sweet!   Also.....cards and "special treats" from the family too!!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for blessing us today!!!

We used some of our Anniversary money to take the family to "Golden Corral" for lunch.  It was a huge and VERY yummy buffet which we enjoyed immensely!!!!   They even had cotton candy and a chocolate fountain with MANY different things for dipping -  all so very delicious!!!!!!!!!!

Then  in the evening we had such a nice surprise.   Our friends the MacDonells from Victoria who were spending 10 days in Florida came and spent the evening with us.   We had such a great visit and SO appreciate you guys taking time out of your holiday to see us!!!!  Thank you!!

As usual we had some great laughs while visiting with them all.

Another great day!!