Fire!

In the last couple of weeks, Zach has discovered fire. He loves to look at it and any time he sees it he points it out. Even the Christmas lights that look like candles get his attention.

Here's a video of Zach looking at the candle on the island.

Merry Christmas from the Elves

Click here to see a funny little movie we made at the office max site...

Cornhole

I'd never heard of this, but Liza assures me that my relatives from Indiana have their own boards that they made. Perhaps they will enjoy this song by my friends Rhett & Link... :-)

Messages from Isabella

Christmas Party

We hosted our annual "New Parents Class" Christmas Party this year. It didn't feel very Christmas like when we got out of church because it was 81, however by the time the party started at 4, the temp had dropped to the 50s and is still going down. You can click here to see pictures from the party. We had a great time and are thankful to have a house that works really well for entertaining.

Reading on her own

On the way to church this morning, Isabella was reading her Christmas books that she brought along. She doesn't know how to read yet, but was happy to make up a story. She pulled one out and announced that this one was called, "The story of when Bambi taught a bunny how to hop on one foot." She then went through the book making up a story that went along with the pictures. I felt gypped though because the story ended and Bambi never did teach the bunny how to hop on one foot. Oh well. :-)

More from NYC

On Thursday Liza joined the rest of us in the City for continuing meetings. That night we went out to eat in Brooklyn and then walked back across the Brooklyn bridge. Here are Liza and I feeling very very cold but enjoying the great view of the city as we made our way back to Manhattan.


The next night we got to see Liza's friend Tara and went over to Rockefeller Plaza and saw the Christmas Tree and skating rink. It was snowing so everything was really beautiful.

Here are Liza and I in front of the tree and then Liza and Tara too.

After that Tara took us to a place that has more Christmas decorations per square inch than any other place on earth... or so I guess. It was pretty cool, though a bit claustrophobic. :-)
We got home on Saturday around 3pm. The kids were very happy to see us as we were to see them.

Hello from NYC

I (Chris) got to New York today for a couple days of meetings. We went out to Times Square tonight to eat and then went out to look at the lights and enjoy the snow. I took this movie so Isabella and Zach can see where I was tonight. Liza will be joining me tomorrow and I'm looking forward to having her here!

In the video you can see Mary Beth, Richard, Tim, Karen and then me. We'll be meeting to talk about a new video we are doing for the campus ministry over the coming year that will be used to recruit students to come to this and many other cities in the US and the world to do ministry.

All out of hugs

This morning Isabella came in to wake us up at 7:10 or so. She and Liza were talking and Liza asked for a hug. She replied, "Sorry, I'm all out of hugs and I'm all out of kisses." I went and picked her up and gave her 10 hugs and 10 kisses and told her that now she had some she could give away. She looked at me seriously and said, "That's not the way it works, daddy. I have to grow them inside of me to give them away and I'm all out right now."  I had to laugh.

Later, while I was eating breakfast, she came in and asked if I could put on another Clifford for her to watch. I said, "Did you grow any more hugs yet?" "Yes! I grew lots of hugs and kisses! I grew 10-100-40 hugs and kisses so I can give them away!" (She hasn't figured out how to say big numbers yet, so she often comes up with numbers like that...)

Message to the Howett cousins

Here is a message that Isabella wanted to send to her cousins.