Christmas Greetings from the Davidsons 2011

This year:

Kent led the 20th bike tour of 200+ miles as a fundraiser for our Bible camp,

served as a deacon, built a "castle" tree house in our backyard, planned and executed some solo bike/camping trips, was father of the bride, continued his work at Best Buy on the dot.com team, tutored Kalai in college Algebra now and then, built "forts" in the boys' bedrooms, and began to teach our 4th daughter, Malia, to drive.

Christy continued in home schooling our children and especially enjoyed the amazing group of families in our home school co-op, took a trip to Las Vegas to see some very missed friends (thanks to her helpful and kind husband), enjoyed lots of company during Tana's wedding, started doing more exercising, and felt pretty blessed to be enjoying a life rich with God's grace and strength through the busy years of raising children. 

Alyssa, 21, continued on in pharmacy school in Arkansas, participated in a medical missions trip to Peru, worked at a Chinese restaurant, and made it home for just a few days now and then.  She was one busy girl!

Tana, 19, finished her freshman year at college and married our new son-in-law, Patrick, in August.  It was a fun wedding with over 250 dear friends and family joining us.  She and Patrick promptly moved to Arkansas for college where she started her second year, and he found a job teaching.  They are happily making their new home and meeting new friends all the time.

Kalai, 17, began her senior year of high school doing PSEO college from home, continued to enjoy her art class, went on a mission trip to Mexico, worked and camped many weeks at Bible camp, announced her love for ice skating on MN ponds, and is out snowboarding this very day. 

Malia, 15, is learning to drive, went to Mexico also, identified 64 bird species on her morning walks, is working on writing a novel, is playing trumpet for her 7th year, and learned to make home made bread.

DJ, 9, is finding that he loves to read and especially enjoys all that is science related, has big dreams of hunting and fishing, does Geo-cacheing with dad, started band and is playing the baritone, is asking lots of questions about what it means to make Christ his Saviour, and still enjoys bringing all recyclables back into the house for a "project."

Levi, 4, often prays, "Thank you, God, for being so nice to me," has dreams of becoming a policeman, tells mom that she needs to teach him to read, hopes to play the trombone someday but says that the PVC pipe and funnel will do for now,  loves to go to camp, and thinks "rainbow car washes" are the best.

Kade, 3, is sure that he's a fireman and makes many decisions based on "what will a fireman do," loves Bible stories, especially any that might involve fighting or war (sometimes to mom's chagrin), enjoyed going to a new family camp in Wisconsin with mom, dad, and brothers; he's still a night owl just as much as his brother Levi is an early bird.  He's teaching mom and dad to keep being consistent and work on teaching him to please God.

Cody, 16 months, is such a bright spot in our lives, making messes, learning to talk, learning to obey, and giving many bright smiles.  He's always trying to keep up with his brothers which is quite a task for a new toddler.  Everyone always comments on his very "white" hair. 

We're thankful for our church family and our life group, which have challenged us and encouraged us over and over this year.  We are thankful for our parents who have continued to support us and love our grandchildren.  Most of all, we're so thankful that God has given us a Savior, to whom we owe our very lives and existence.  This truth we continue to learn daily, as we struggle to overcome self and find victory in Christ.  Great is His faithfulness!

Love to all of you this season!  We cherish the cards, pictures, and letters we've been receiving.  Please come visit us if you're in our area!

 

Jackpine Retreat - September

Pictures I find on my camera...

Wedding In August

Wedding bells here in Minnesota!  Tana and Patrick have set a date and are planning on an August 7th wedding.  You can imagine what will be happening around here the next few months!  It hardly seems possible to be celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary and looking forward to our daughter's wedding in a few months.  We are praying for God's blessing on these two as they begin planning their lives together.  I have a feeling it's going to be quite a family gathering come August!

6th Anniversary: Afton House Inn

This is where we stayed for our anniversary get-away, a historic landmark sitting quietly by the St. Croix River.  Afton is so small and quiet, especially in the early spring, that we enjoyed amazing relaxation and a walk through the whole town in about 15 minutes.

The beautiful spiral stairway from the lobby to the rooms upstairs.

Our room had a view of the St. Croix.  Unfortunately, it was mostly covered in boats moored for the winter, but I can imagine that in the summer, it is a beautiful view.

I thought this lamp was especially pretty, sitting on an antique vanity.

This radio actually worked.

The formal dining room was ready for Easter.  In the evening it was especially classy with candles on each table.  We didn't actually eat here, but we had to peek in.

The following morning a nice little breakfast buffet was available.  It was a little like the continental breakfast you receive at some motels/hotels, but a notch or two higher with fresh fruit, bagels, pastries, oatmeal, batter for waffles, yogurt, and a variety of drinks.

This blue and white pitcher caught my eye, as does most blue and white.  It looked quite pretty sitting on the mantel in the breakfast room.

Here's where we walked and talked (and pushed a baby stroller).  Did I say Cody came with us?  He was actually a very good baby and didn't interrupt too often.  He even made us smile a time or two with his latest chuckles. 

We really felt like we needed this time, and thankfully, no one was sick, and we have wonderful friends and helpful sisters to watch the younger ones.  Besides, Kent got a great deal using Groupon, so this room was at least 50% off the usual price.  Gotta love a good deal and a memorable weekend at the same time!

6th Anniversary: German Restaurant

 Kent and I got away for our anniversary last weekend.  We didn't travel further than 20 minutes, but it felt like we were miles from home.  With no definite plans in mind, we were pleasantly surprised to happen upon this German restaurant.  Winzer Stube, open since 1999 by a native German woman, is located in the lower level of the historic Opera house in downtown Hudson.

The  walls were lined with postcards from Germany.

A German woman was our server, making the whole experience seem that much more authentic!  She brought us this delicious sourdough bread before our meals were ready.  It was ever so soft on the inside with a chewy crust on the outside.

German books sat on the shelf by our booth (not that I could read them but it was fun to look at them)
, and the little lamp on our table actually had dried flower petals and leaves on its shade. 

Kent ordered all-you-can-eat fish and chips.

I ordered a Reuben because I love them, and never make them at home.  It came with a cup of wild rice and chicken soup all for $8.  The menu was also fun to read because it told a little about the owner and her family as well as descriptions of the food and their philosophies.

Kids eat free Thursday nights.  Certain dishes are 1/2 price on Wednesdays.  Appetizers are 1/2 off from

4-6.  Winzer Stube was voted the ninth best German restaurant in the United States. 

Yum! Cookie dough!

Plain oatmeal won't ever be quite the same after this!  I was baking cookies last weekend for the girls' after-tournament treat, when, unbeknownst to me, one of the big brothers knocked this cookie-dough covered whisk on the floor.  I turned around to find Cody quite happily getting a few tastes!  I started to snatch it away and then realized the harm was already done.  I decided I might as well get some pictures!

Special Lady

DJ, Levi, Kade, and Cody with Grandma Alice.

(Kalai and Malia had already left for a class)

 
Living in the Twin Cities has its perks, the close proximity of the airport being one of them!  For the second time, Alice has had a chance to pay us an unexpected visit due to a layover in Minneapolis.  She volunteered to give up her seat in return for a nice voucher to be used in the future.  A couple weeks ago, she was able to spend afternoon and dinner with us.  What a pleasant surprise!  This special lady is grandmother to our children, mother-in-law to Kent, and gift from God to me.  She is the mother of Susan, Kent's first wife.  She exemplifies a woman who loves and fears the Lord, "her children rise up and bless her."  She has encouraged me, welcomed me, inspired me, and even gently corrected me. God's family is amazing!

Remembering...

 Looking forward to this again...summer dinners on the porch,

And freshly picked hydrangeas from my backyard!

Cody - 8 months

I'm 8 months old and I....

• tried out the infant swing for the first time...loved it!
• am gradually adding solid foods like sweet potato, rice cereal, avocado, and banana
• am scooting forward and almost ready to actually crawl
• know that there's food under the table after dinner for me to pick up
• put everything in my mouth...every piece of fuzz, every staple, every tiny Lego, stickers, etc.
• am learning to sleep on my own (and it's probably more difficult for mom and dad than for me!)
• often pat mommy on the shoulders when she picks me up because I'm so delighted
• would rather play with a phone than any other toy you might place in front of me

One bed is fine

They each have a toddler bed, but occasionally, Kade will decide he'd rather sleep on the floor right between the two beds, right on top of Levi, or, like this picture, beside him.  Precious moment for mom!

Black Belts They Are

Kalai and Malia passed their black belt testing a couple weeks ago.  I think I'd like to have one on either side of me wherever we go. :) They've worked very hard to get to this place.  Even though I'm personally no expert on Tae Kwon Do, having never even participated in one class, I've managed to learn some through their talks around the house.  Their instructors have the highest standards and expectations which has been good for the girls.  They've also become strong physically and have learned the value of exercise and keeping in shape.  And for the most part, they're still gentle and sweet, not running around looking to beat anyone up!  I feel like that a good attitude is emphasized at this school, and I'm glad our girls have had the chance to develop skills and build self-discipline. 

I've learned that I'm a silly emotional crier at these things.  I get all choked up when they go to break a board.  Very silly.  And I laugh at it.  So do the girls.  But I can't help it.

Malia's Creation

Malia and Kalai had received a gift card to a pottery/paint shop nearby.  They spent an evening there and this is what Malia chose and painted.  I especially like the mushroom add-in at the bottom of the cup.  So cute!

The Firefighters Hall and Museum

This museum is located in Minneapolis, open to the public on Saturdays.  We took DJ's friends here on his birthday.  If we had come during April through October, we could have had a ride around the neighborhood in a vintage firetruck.  While this place is truly a museum, showing beautifully restored vintage firetrucks and other related items, it also has plenty of hands-on activities to keep younger visitors interested for a good hour or more!

A guest gets to pull an old-fashioned fire alarm

One fire engine is completely open for children (and adults) to climb on and explore.  The wipers and several sets of lights kept this boy busy for quite some time.

A wall of firemen gear for trying on!

Kade took this seriously.  He insisted he needed to walk in these over to the fire truck and climb in. 

Cody

A large car/train table for the little ones.

At the "fire station" this table is loaded with books to browse through...all about fire, firemen, and fire trucks.

The museum has expanded to include a room for police.

A firemen's pole to slide down was another fun activity here.  The website has interesting descriptions of this place and tells the stories behind many of the engines (if you're interested in that sort of thing).  Also, the library has museum passes available, allowing two free admissions per group.  That was a nice plus!