Hello All! I think this video is self explanatory : ) The kids love to wrestle. Hope, our sweet 1 year old little imp, enjoys going after her big brother. She sneaks up to him and pushes him or smacks him in the face. That means "Do you want a piece of me, Luke?" He is so gentle and patient with her. They are so sweet to watch. Luke's big question of the Day " Mommy are we going to Kenya, today?" I told Luke that I would love to go back and see Kenya, but not today : )

More snow is falling tonight as I post this. Now you can see how we get our gross motor activity over Christmas vacation. Good times....Good times~ Love, Crystal

Hello All! Well we had a great CHRISTmas celebration!! We hope you all had a blessed time as well. I can't believe we are fast approaching 2009. Where did this past year go? I keep thinking wasn't Hope just born? How long has Timmy been home? He has been home with us all in Michigan for two months on the 22nd. Time flies when you're raising five children. We are now excited to see what God will do in our family in 2009. We are confident of one thing, wherever God leads our Bunch in the new year, He is faithful. Joy to the world, the Lord has come!!!!! Blessings to you~ Crystal

~Why I Celebrate Christmas~It reminds me of my Savior and Lord's sacrifice for me and us all.

Remember this Christmas he loves you so!!!!! I pray all of you reading this will understand his plan for your life and salvation. I hope that you will realize that you are a sinner, repent of your sins, and truly believe by being willing to receive Christ by trusting and depending on him. Merry Christmas and Love to you all~ Crystal

(Thoughts on the three "R's" from The Heart of Christmas by Hank Hanegraaff)

Hello All! The weather outside is supposed to get uite frightful in our neck of the woods. I am intrigued by the weather, always have been. Kelly thinks it is funny that I watch the Weather Channel. He feels they are always incorrect and true they are wrong frequently. When you grow up in an area where the weather can be extreme and affect your life, you pay attention. He grew up in San Jose, CA. The weather is perfect there, Not to hot or too cold in the "Silicon Valley". In Michigan, we have snow for a large portion of our year. That much snow means you pay attention to the weather. You have to prepare for the next day, do you need the hat, gloves and huge winter boots or just the average winter boots? I found an article here on line sharing the top ten Cities and States that have a variety of weather. Yes, we make the snowiest list in our hometown : ) Tonight we prepare again for the storm moving our way across the country. I think the fire will indeed be delightful tonight......... God Bless~ Crystal

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Hello All! I had to share this idea as a fun family craft for Christmas. Kelly had the fun idea to make a nativity scene out of Crayola ~Model Magic. We had so much fun doing it. The kids, especially the oldest girls did great. We mixed up many colors and made all the main characters. We also added some characters of our own. A mouse, a blue cat and a lady bug. Kelly and I made some of the figures after the kids went to bed and that was so fun!!! We both enjoyed making it together, it was kind of like a date : ) He is the best Daddy in the whole world, he always has good ideas. We hope to continue this tradition each year after enjoying it so much. We also plan on keeping those we have made in past years as a keepsake for us to look back on. Go out and get some Model Magic, you will love it!!!! Blessings to you this Christmas season~ Crystal

Please go and read this article as food for thought as far the Auto Industry Bailout. I am a Michigander born and bred. I love this state, but I am against a bailout for the "Big Three". I realize it would most likely mean even harder times for our state, but we have to stop bailing out private business. There are good people on both sides of this debate. We should be thinking long and hard about this whole situation and not react to quickly. I grew up in a community where most of my classmates father's (sometimes even mother's) were employed by GM. The unions have brought this on themselves and it is so sad. I don't know how the problem is solved. But I can't afford more taxes to help them make cars that are not as efficient as their foreign competitors. I love our state, always will no matter where life takes me. Read the article and let me know what you think. Have a good day~ Crystal

Hello All! Here is "The Bunch" tonight dancing to Christmas songs on the radio. I love them so, what fun!!!! I love Christmas : ) Have a good night~ Crystal

Hello All! Today our youngest baby turned ONE!!!!! I can't believe it has happened so fast. It seems like just a month ago I was going into to the hospital to have this sweet little buddy. Now she is walking, talking and a year old!! Time truly does fly and this is sad for me. Hope is a Mommy's girl and my little shadow. She is a true joy and the perfect fifth child, she goes with the flow and rarely gets too upset. She plays with big brothers and big sisters well, she loves to laugh and she loves to smile. I am so thankful to God for HOPE, she is true to her name. Her name reminds me daily that there is hope because we have Jesus and have given our lives to him! Thank you Lord for Hope, our baby girl, she is just magnificent and we are thrilled to have her!!!!!!!!!! Hope may you come to know God and love him with all your heart, may you always have HOPE in HIM!!!! Love, Mommy
PS~ G-Ma and G-Dad Briden the gift you gave her is pictured especially for you to see it. It is a "Little People" pop up camper and car, she loves it!!!!!! Thanks!!!!

Hello All!! We had a blessed Thanksgiving celebrating with my side of the family on the opposite side of our great state. Our drive was great!!!!! Not any snow to speak on the the roads, YAHOO!!! We enjoyed seeing Grandpa B, Grandma Nettie, Great Grandma Green, Dick, Brenda, Aunt Heather, Uncle Jeff, Uncle Rick, Aunt Kristin, Matthew and Joshua : ) Thank you all for the nice time we had celebrating Thanksgiving. In case you were wondering we are thankful for you all and we pray God blesses you this Christmas season! May he work in your lives and homes in a mighty way!!! I pray for each one of you that you will be touched by the true meaning of CHRISTmas and that it will set you free! Thank you again for your generosity and hospitality, we Love you all!!!!!! Living in his Amazing Grace~ Crystal