December is a time to celebrate Advent...preparing for the coming of Christ on his birthday. The Robb family likes to find ways to make memories during this wonderful season. More explanations are in the photo captions...Merry Christmas!

Family photo after decorating for Christmas!

Advent begins November 27 this year. The Robb family enjoys celebrating advent every year. We love the traditions of the season...decorating for Christmas, peppermint hot chocolate, advent candles, advent adventure stories, gingerbread houses, cookie baking, Christmas movies...and more.

All summer, Isaac and Barbara have been training to run a 10kilometer/6.2 mile race. The race day finally arrived on September 25. They ran "The City of Pittsburgh Great Race" with 2 other friends.This race had 14,500  registered runners in the 5k and 10k races. Humorous tidbit for you: Among the 9603 runners in the 10k both Isaac and Barbara finished around 7500th place, not bad for our first race :). The 2 ladies pictured with us, are dear friends whose encouragement and inspiration made this race happen for Barbara. Also thanks to Emily for caring for Sofie and Elize during the race and David for allowing us to drive to Pittsburgh for a long weekend leaving him and Andrew without wheels.
http://www.rungreatrace.com/index.html.

The little girls are growing and the boys are getting TALL and maturing. Isaac turned 16 in August and Andrew became 14 in July. Both boys are on the Bible Quiz team at Calvary Temple. Isaac recently got a lifeguard job at the YMCA. Both boys are attending PA Leadership Charter School, an online school. Sofie turned 4 on September 12 and Elize will celebrate her 1st on September 28.

Barbara serves the family at home, provides childcare at Philly Deaf ministries and hosts a monthly Bible Study in our home. David is keeping very busy. A few of his recent activities include: coordinating the interpreter team for the 4 new Deaf students attending Valley Forge Christian College. He also continues to interpret in the Philadelphia area. Preaching at Philly Deaf, visiting with members of the church and Deaf community, consulting hearing churches in the Penn Del district regarding Deaf ministry and doing construction work for a Deaf friend are also keeping him busy. We thanks God for the grace he has showered on our family.

Sofie and Elize celebrate birthdays in September. Sofie turned 4 on September 12. and Elize will be 1 on September 28.  We count it a blessing that Barbara's parents, Gene and Norma Kummerer live nearby.

While Daddy was in Arizona for the General Council of the Assemblies of God, August 1-6, we had a few adventures with Auntie M.... went to the shore for a day, drove to New York City for a day, did a few art projects, visited Opa and Oma, ran a few miles to train for our 10k in September... here are a few pix from the week...

One of the lovely places to visit in Philadelphia is America's First Zoo. We have gone there twice this summer. This particular time the boys were at Bible Quiz Camp, so it was a day with our two little girls. Elize is almost 1 and Sofie is almost 4.

 

My dad, Gene Kummerer, wonderful photographer...took a few picture of some of  his favorite girls...
Elize is 6 1/2 months old now. She is sitting up by herself and scooting backwards when she's on her belly. Sofie continues to enjoys being a big sister.

    David arrived home from a busy ministry week... Shared missions on Wednesday night and attended the Deaf Men's Retreat over the weekend. The Deaf men who attended the retreat seemed to benefit and respond to the ministry there. We pray the Lord continues the work he begin in each man.
    For David today was mostly a family catch up day, work on finishing a house project, talk to the boys, play with the girls, date night with the wife. 
    Sofie had her third swim lesson today... she is enjoying the water and learning to feel comfortable without holding on to someone, that's a good start.
    Andrew had his first day of PA Standardized testing today... this is his 5th year to take them, so he didn't sweat it much... Just do it! ... right?
    Isaac had a great opportunity tonight to practice playing the drums with the worship team at Calvary Temple.  We are so blessed that the kids are part of the ministry at Calvary Temple. We really feel like this church is one of God's provisions for our family!
    Our little Elize is just plain cute and dear and sweet... she is rolling around, trying to eat everything, including her own toes, and making lots of noise.... she just makes each of us smile.  So, so, so lovable!
    What a blessing to be able to serve God here is Philadelphia and raise these delightful kids that God has entrusted to us.