Christmas Letter 2010

We did send out our Christmas letter (through "snail mail") this year, but I thought that I would post it on here as well.

This is the picture that we sent to our friends and family.

Below is our Christmas letter for 2010.

The 12 days of Christmas with The E Family - 2010

12 – grades of schoolin’.  Becca is in the 12^th grade at The E Family's home school.  She’s planning on living at home next year and going to college to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant. The highlight of her year was going on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic this summer.

11 – items a strewin’.  Is that even a word?  Well, the idea is that thanks to Daniel’s creative and frequent projects, there are at least that many items strewn on the basement floor. At any given time we could trip over: rolls of duct tape, gorilla glue, PVC pipes, a cordless drill, scrap pieces of metal and wood, a hammer or two, a hot glue gun, screws, nails, and various wires to connect to batteries.

10 – years of livin’.  Lydia turned 10 on 10/10/10!!  It was a big 10 day as we celebrated this special occasion!  Becca is 17, Hannah is 15 and Daniel is 13. We have three teenagers, and we’re loving it!

9 – lives and countin’.  Our eleven year old “outside” cat Meow-Meow must be on her 9^th life by now.  Recently, she clung desperately to the inside of the wheel well of our van as we drove at 55 mph for 10 minutes.  We did not hear her pitiful cries for help until we slowed down in the next town.  When we stopped to investigate, she calmly jumped down to solid ground and was apparently unshaken by the whole thing.

8 – instruments a playin’.  Well, there are at least that many in our house these days.  We now have a piano, clarinet, flute, cello, violin (several actually), guitar, baritone horn and a drum.  Someone always seems to be playing or singing something at our house!

7 – states a tourin’.  We drove through seven states (IN, IL, MO, AR, OK, KY and OH) on our trip to Tulsa and back for the GFI Leadership Conference.  Later in the summer, we drove 5 hours into MI.  Two days after that trip, we drove to SC for our niece/cousin Elizabeth’s wedding.  We did a lot of driving this summer!

6 – men a singin’.  Our favorite show on our visit to Branson, MO was the singing group called “SIX”.  They are six brothers who sing everything a cappella (they even make the instrument sounds with their voices).  We saw many fun shows in Branson and spent time with some special friends as well.

5 – brackets a gleamin’.  Hannah has 5 brackets for her braces on each side of her top teeth - totaling 10 brackets in all.  She got them put on 2 months ago.  The bottom ones will be added soon.  Just 16 to 18 months to go!  FYI … Hannah has created our family blog (with the help of her aunt).  Check it out at www.efamilysingers.blogspot.com.  There are plenty of pictures and life details!

4 – strings a pluckin’.  Lydia’s newest hobby is playing the cello!  Now we have the perfect quartet: 2 strings and 2 wind instruments. Our new quartet is playing on Christmas Eve at our church.

3 – cars a drivin’.  We now have what is commonly known as the ‘kid’ car.  But Becca is the only kid driving right now.  Hannah’s not far behind (now that she is old enough to get her permit)!

2 – orchestras a performin’.  Becca is enjoying her position as co-first chair flute in a youth orchestra this year.  Daniel is playing violin in a jr. youth orchestra again this year.  

1 – Savior we’re adorin’.  Jesus came as a baby and changed the world forever!  This was His plan all along, to come down among us and be our perfect Rescuer!  Let us worship and adore Him.

This Christmas, rest in the Blessed Hope of our King.

Love,
The E Family                        

                                 “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on
                                  His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God.
                                  Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”    Isaiah 9:6