The holidays begin

Every year, we begin the holiday season by spending a long weekend with family, our Campus Crusade family! The weekend before Thanksgiving all of the Northeast staff travels to a wonderful retreat center in Speculator, NY for a time of rest, encouragement and fellowship. We look forward to it every year. There is always lots of great times of refreshment with God and some of our closest friends (kind of like a family reunion).

This was Abby's first year and she loved it. During our meeting times, she went to childcare. When I came back to pick her up, I peeked through the door's window to watch her interacting with the little kids. My favorite was when Abby was sitting on the floor and all the (older) little girls were sitting around her and talking to her. She was just looking up at them and smiling! Bethany (below) was one of Abby's favorite "older" friends!

Abby playing with Bethany, while Tara and I caught up

meeting little Emma for the first time (I think Abby will have lots of friends that she can say "We've known each other since we were born!")

hanging out with Daddy in the lobby

enjoying the fireplace

Abby & Livy

some downtime from all of the people time...reading books in our room. Abby loves to sit with books and turn the pages. It is adorable to watch her study each page and point to the pictures.

We ate every meal with friends. Abby was playing games with John and Hayden.

photoshoot with friends!

Looking forward to next year!