I (Geoff) have been invited to catch up the blog with our family activities over the last couple months. It’s not that Amy has been slacking off, mind you; she has just been devoting her normal blog time to Facebook and many other important things ; ). I had originally intended to write this up over Christmas break, but didn’t buckle down to get it done until now. So without further ado, here is a quick recap of our adventures over the 2008 holiday season…
We decided to spend Thanksgiving vacation this year with Amy’s side of the family. Amy’s mom had just begun her chemo treatments at that point, and it was great to check in to see for ourselves how great she was doing! So we packed up the car to drive up to PA the Tuesday afternoon. Before we left that morning, Micah and his class had a Thanksgiving feast at school.
Here is Micah with his friend Carter at the feast where they dressed up as Native Americans.
From there, we left for PA. We made it in record time, only stopping twice for gas and food (I do not have an explanation as to how this happened and don’t expect it to ever happen again).
As you can see, we couldn’t resist a picture of the kids in their handmade Native American garb.
Micah and Emma had a blast (as usual) with their cousins, Maggie and Paul. They were always running around doing something exciting with their Webkinz, building with Legos, taking walks around the neighborhood, looking for Buffalo (an inside joke among the cousins), and playing the Wii.
This is one moment when all four slowed down long enough to get a picture together.
Once we returned from Thanksgiving, we enjoyed getting into full-swing for Christmas. Emma had a small starring role in the Fuquay-Varina Christmas parade when she rode on the Main Street Dance float.
Emma had the beauty-queen hand wave down pat!
Speaking of dance, Emma’s ballet/tap class put on a parent observation day right before Christmas break to show off their moves.
Look at that leap!
The second graders at Wake Christian put on a Christmas play this year and Micah worked very hard getting ready for his part. The play was based on the book, “The Three Trees” and he played the part of one of the wood cutters (which is why they are dressed as lumberjacks). Micah did a great job!
Micah the lumberjack!
The weekend before Christmas we made a quick trip up to VA to see Nana and Paw Paw. Mike and Jen and their boys also made it that weekend, as did Julie. We were glad to see everyone and to give the cousins a chance to play together.
Here are Emma and Sam playing on a giant turtle
Since attending Wake Chapel Church, it has become a Christmas tradition for Micah and Emma to take part in Nativity play on Christmas Eve. This year, Micah was a smiling shepherd boy and Emma was a sheep (she’s the one kneeling by the manger). Emma really got into her role, and even walked on her hands and feet as they left the stage.
After socializing at the McCreary’s Christmas Eve drop-in (another must-do for us Erbs), we headed home to get the little ones all tucked in their beds…
Although we didn’t wake to a “white Christmas,” the morning was full of excitement and fun…with two kids, how could it not be? Micah received some new games for the Wii that he had recently purchased (he had saved for over a year), and other gadgety things…just the kind of stuff he loves.
As for Emma, she was thrilled with anything pink, princessy, or artsy. And, we finally decided that it was time for her to have an American Girl doll of her own…Here she is with Kit. I’m not sure who was more excited about the doll, Emma or Amy!
For the rest of the holidays we stayed home— for the first time in many, many years. It was an enjoyable week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. We got to spend a lot of time playing together as a family and with friends. We also enjoyed inviting friends from church and work over for Christmas Day, New Years Eve, and other meals during the break. It was fun to slow down and have "time" to do these things...What a great way to wind up 2008!
The party crew...Smiling (and sweaty) after jumping constantly for over an hour! (L-R Megan, Megan D, Micah, Noah, Caeley, Kaitlyn, EMMA, Christina, Sarah, John Robert, Douglas, Joy, Sam, Grey, and Mia)
Emma and her BFF Megan. Those girls are too cute!
Emma's "bestest" boy buddy, John Robert, quickly pausing to pose for the camera. He is such a sweet friend to Emma! He also has secret bodyguard abilities, as we discovered at McDonalds...
Emma and Mia...Sweet friends from 2 years of preschool together.
Megan...Being a cutie pie! 
Even the big brothers had fun (Douglas - Megan's brother, Micah, and Noah - Joy's brother)
Princess of all things inflatable...and her birthday cake...Yum!
Emma and Joy sharing royal duties...They fit in that throne well together!
Princess Emma...Again!
