Merry CHRISTmas from the Meyers!

This Christmas season has certainly been one to remember!  We've had a lot of fun enjoying the weeks leading up to Christmas, waiting for Jake and Sarah to be with us for a full week!  And in the middle of all this, the Lord provided a new job opportunity for Josh and our family will be officially moving west to the Las Vegas area on December 29th!!!!  We packed up the moving truck with most of our earthly possessions just before Christmas and with most of the hard work done, we've been able to focus on the PEACE of the season that comes only from Jesus.  We are treasuring our last days in Ohio and our time with Jake and Sarah...and we are excited for our new adventure!

Making our first batch of DELICIOUS Gluten Free Gingerbread!  Even Josh got in on the decorating!

Jack singing carols with other kids at our church Christmas dinner:

 Joe enjoying his spot in the audience...,

 ...and Georgie watching from the table.

 Josh hanging with some of his Bible study buddies.

 We've done some fun activities and learning projects in the month of December.  Here all three boys are having fun with play dough and Christmas cookie cutters.  (This was Joe's first time with play dough and he LOVED it!)

 With all the baking going on, Joe likes to hang out in the kitchen to get taste tests!

We had our final Christmas library story time with our WONDERFUL children's librarian, Ms. Helen.  (We will miss her!)

 The boys had lots of fun using gum drops and toothpicks to construct houses and bridges.

We said goodbye to our beloved Rexie (and two of his fish friends) - it was important for us to find a good home for him since he is an Eastern Painted Turtle from Dayton and we thought he should stay local.  We had so much fun with him, watching him grow since May.  He had quite the personality and he will be missed!  But he went to a wonderful home with boys to take care of him and a creek in the back yard to get fresh crawfish and minnows from!

 We've had lots of fun with Jake and Sarah.  We've only had them for two other Christmases in 8+ years and this is our first with all five kids together, so it is extra special!

One of the fun activities we did as a family was go to see the "At the Manger" exhibit at the University of Dayton library.  It was so refreshing to see something for Christmas that was actually focused on the birth of Christ. We were able to see nativity scenes from all over the world...a personal collection of one family, put on display each year for the community.  It was amazing!

 Sarah spotted an Alaskan nativity...from her birth place.

 George spotted a Hawaiian nativity from his birthplace....and Jake spotted a few from Great Britain, his birth place!

 My favorite was this one from Kyrgyzstan.

 Jack loved all of the ones that were carved out of wood and said one day he'd like to learn to carve so he could make a nativity scene of his own.

 Each one really reflected the culture from which it came.  Some looked a little odd to our eyes, but all had Jesus as the central figure.

 We found the one from Ethiopia for our cousins Luke and Ben!

Another large display in another angel had several angels hanging overhead.  Jack said, "Mom!  It is a host of angels!"  

 I think these are maybe the cutest shepherds (and sheep) I've ever seen!!!

At home, we've been busy baking...another batch of Gingerbread included.  It was hard to even make these last long enough to decorate, they were so good!

 These are some serious decorators!!!!

 Jake got a bit morbid when one of his "Ninjabread men" lost his head and got stuck on the other's hand!

 Beautiful!  (They did NOT make it to Christmas, I'm sad to say!)

 The kids have been camping out near the Christmas tree together at night...it has been really special for them.  Jack and George are just over the moon to have Jake and Sarah here.

 In the midst of all of this commotion, Joe took his first steps on Sunday the 21st!!!  Sarah's Christmas wish was that she would be here for his first steps, and Grandma Barb wished she would see his first steps before we left.  He happily complied with both!!!  He's still very cautious, but takes a few steps every day!

 We took the kids downtown for a night of ice skating and hot chocolate...a tradition we began last year.  Jake was a great big brother helping Jack out until he regained some of his confidence from last year.  It was a fun night!

 Sarah and George cheered them on from the sidelines.  :-)

 And finally...Christmas Eve.  The boys fell asleep by the tree and we quietly put the presents out around it.  Jack, in particular, had been counting down the days and was just beside himself with the anticipation.

 Christmas morning siblings in jammies!!!!  Christ is born!

 It was really fun to see Joe get so excited and try to open his own presents this year.

 Brothers weren't far away to lend some help when he needed it.

 Jack's big present.... (and the Rudolph nose Sarah got him!)

 ...a longed-for skateboard!

 The other kids enjoying their gifts:

 And Jack testing out his skateboard....he has great balance and is already doing well.

We hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas, enjoying God's richest blessings and the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ.

Now we head to Arizona in a few days to spend time with family there before starting our life in Las Vegas!  Thank you for keeping us in your prayers during this time of transition!

With Christmas love and hugs,
the Meyer Crew