Around The Home
This past week was CEA break for the local Christian schools in our area and that meant we headed to the Conference Grounds for their Fall Harvest Festival! We’ve had some warmer years, with some even colder and rainier, but this one was in between. It was pretty chilly, and rather rainy at the beginning, but the sun eventually came out and we still had an incredible time!

As you can see, the first day was a bit windy (to say the least) and chilly, but the views of Lake Michigan always make it worth it!

While taking a picture of the water, this deer ran into view! I immediately turned it to video and watched this MASSIVE buck go barreling down the coast, leading to who knows where. Can’t say I’ve ever seen anything like that in my life, but what a little gift from God! There were two younger boys who had just gone down to the beach and saw the same thing. They knew I was there, so they looked up, as if to say, “DID YOU JUST SEE THAT?” You bet I did and was able to get it on video too!

Every year, the Conference Grounds has a “pumpkin patch” where the kids can get a pumpkin to carve for free! Thanks to Crisp Country Acres for donating all of the pumpkins!




The views never get old!

The annual fun run:

Mazy was a HUGE J.J. McCarthy fan when he played at Michigan, and he now plays for the Vikings (only fitting since that is her birth state)! So this year that’s exactly who she was for the trick or treating party:



Football player and her cheerleader 🙂

Dan hunted Saturday morning, and lo and behold, he got a goose! That meant fire roasting some goose that was oh so good!

Mazy braved the cold weather and did the polar plunge in Lake Michigan – I believe the water temp was the same temperature as the air. BUUURRRRR!


We always love this weekend with family and friends. A time to enjoy God’s beautiful creation, seeing many familiar faces, while also meeting new, and just enjoying time together as a family. Here’s to fall and now decorating for CHRISTMAS NEXT WEEK (after November 1, of course :))!! Call me crazy, but I am so so excited to celebrate Christmas during the Thanksgiving season. Christmas makes Thanksgiving that much sweeter . For without redemption, we would have no hope. Without the birth of our Savior, we would be living in bondage. Our King has been born and I couldn’t be more eager to celebrate Thanksgiving amidst our Christmas celebration too. Not either or, but a both-and. I know this isn’t for everyone and every year I get some flack, but decorating early sets my heart posture right and keeps the main thing, the main thing for me, amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays!