Beaches!

Aloha!

So yeah- 3 months is a long time to not update this thing, we've been very , very bad. (only coal in our stockings this year)  Hopefully most of you are following us on Facebook and get some visual updates that way.  We just finished our Christmas Letter and in case you didn't get a copy, here it is:

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In case you have forgotten the long held Russell tradition of an annual family update which must be sung to a classic holiday song, well here you go. We know you all are very excited about this and wait each and every year for it to arrive in your mailbox. A few things have happened over the last year and we are happy to share an update with you to the tune of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”. You must sing through its entirety – it's not a choice. Ready...

So, it's been an entire year since we got on that plane,

flying about 3,000 miles is to some quite insane.

Kona is full of adventures that can be “off the chain”.

We are so blessed that God has brought us here, it is quite clear,

So we share what's up with Russells all this year.

Logan is loving homeschooling, he's learning like a champ,

He swum so hard on swim team that he's even got some cramps.

Surfing he's done in the bright sun, and Ironman he's run.**

He & bros loved Awana from the start, God's Word in their heart,

Even can put to sleep Evie, that boy's smart.

(**Now he didn't run in the actual Ironman of course, but a Keiki (kids) version before the World Championships in October**)

Clay Julians' likely the most impulsive boy we know,

From cutting hair to climbing cliffs to large rocks he will throw.

His boogie boarding rivals pros, we don't mean from his nose.

He so loves tea parties with Evie girl, gives her a whirl,

His photographic memory is a pearl.

Our youngest son is one for fun he hates it when it ends,

he's rough and tumble with his bros, won't break but always bends.

His swimming skills have grown so much, his tongue made him sound Dutch.

Now it's fixed and he's full of new tongue tricks, TV transfixed,

Strong and tender heart Oliver does depict.

Evie Jane is making sure that all know that she is two,

She's got a scream that shatters glass and opera she'll debut.

Her beauty put us all to shame even with full Di-doo. (diaper in Evie talk)

She's the first to get stitches of them all, due to a fall,

And she loves being a mama to her dolls.

Lallie has mastered herding cats and keeping them quite”tame”,

Teacher, mother, and lover are some of her claims to fame.

God's light shines through her oh so bright, she tries with all her might.

Sushi and beach is her most favorite thing, joy it does bring,

Homeschooling has been officially in full swing.

Chris works so hard at keeping the name of “Magnum PA”,

fixing cuts and checking butts is part of his every day.

Snorkeling has become a fave, God's wonder is displayed.

Ironman he's not, just a hat he got, run he cannot

But biking to and from work he does a lot.

Bravo! Bravo! Nice work and might we say, excellent pitch, well for most of you at least. Now, if you didn't sing it, shame, shame on you. 

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We've had a busy last few months at the Russell B&B and loving every minute of it!  We had a great second visit with Keith and Yvonne full of new adventures including going to the observatory at Mauna Kea.  They were gracious enough to watch the monkeys while we went on a mini vacation to Maui with our dear friends Luke and Tara.  We had an incredible kid-free time with them and made memories that will never leave us. 

 Rotten guava fights are the best, in case you are wondering.  Unless of course you get hit in sensitive areas with a not-so-ripe variety and end up incapacitated for several minutes (the victim shall remain nameless)! 

We moved into our THIRD house here in Kona at the end of September and are very happy here. We lost our big backyard but have some more space in the house with a great layout and location.  I am still able to bike to and from work most days which is really nice.  We were so thankful that we got some help this time from a very generous Christian guy from my work, Jason, who volunteered his muscles and time.  It made all the difference in the world!!  We refuse to move again here- that's it!! 

We then had more special Oregon guests, Lallie's mother Raechel and her husband Tom.  We had a wonderful time with them and were very proud of their adventurous spirit.  They conquered the entire island- complete with a 9 course zip line  We thank God for Tom's improved health and continue to pray for ongoing healing.

During "Tema's"visit  our good friends Jon and Janelle Neal stopped in for a short visit. We had an amazing time and gleaned much encouragement in the few short days they were here! We hope to see them soon!

Sportin' our henna tattoos - we had an unexpected sleepover party this night when Kona had a tsunami scare and evacuated.

Next, we haa few guests via large cruise ship- Grams & Papa (my grandparents) and Uncle Bruce and Aunt Cindi.  It was a short visit, one day in Hilo and one in Kona, but really special to see them.  We will never forget cramming into a 12 passenger van driving all over the island, good times!  Uncle Steve and Deena also came for a visit and vacation and we basically had a full blown family reunion in the middle of the Pacific.  Epic beach time and card games ensued!

        

 Our sweet little Evie celebrated her 2nd Birthday with her brothers, daddy and mommy, Grandma, Steve and Deena. She brings us so much joy, we are so blessed to have her in our lives! She is a tough little princess! All girl, but able to stand up to her bros with an astounding scream! She also has the 'tude to match being two now!

My parents were the next to join us along with Scott, my cousin.  We went on quite the grueling, yet rewarding hike to Captain Cook where the best snorkeling in all of Hawaii is.  It's truly amazing! God's masterpiece under water- it is really a whole other world.  We were given the gift to go zip lining on Hilo side thanks to my parents (same course Tom and Raechel went on) .  What a rush that was!  As kind of a "rite of passage", Logan now 10 came along with us and being the responsible, mature, young man (maybe that's a bit of a stretch) he paid for half of his way.  Very worth it, definitely an experience of a lifetime!

 We also got the pleasure of spending a lot of time with the Roberts Family from Bend who came here on vacation during Thanksgiving week.  What an awesome family!! We had the pure joy of having their whole family, my parents, and Scott at the Thanksgiving table                      this year.

First Thanksgiving we've eaten outside ever for us!  What a privilege it was to have everyone here.  People keep asking if we get sick of all the company.  We honestly answer them that the time we get with each person here is very special, and has drawn each relationship closer than it ever was before.  We can't ask for more than that and count it a blessing to be able to do it.  Yeah, the routine might get a little wonky at times, and we sometimes want to throw rotten guava at our guests, but it all works out in the end;)

Amazing turtle lagoon - one of our favs!

Get that coconut open Scott!

Homeschooling is really going well overall and the kids love it (most days).   Lallie is doing an amazing job as a preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade, and Fourth/Fifth grade teacher all at one time.  It is not a job for the meek or fickle and I am so proud of her and the progress she has made with our monkeys.  I really can't thank her enough.  I enjoy being involved on my days off as much as possible, but that is about my limit.  I couldn't do it everyday, I don't have what it takes and I know that God is strengthening her and filling her with wisdom everyday.

Making gift bags for homeless.

We are studying different countries and cultures. This week its back to our roots...Norway!

Swim team finale

Pumpkin patch with Homeschooling group - an amazing bunch of people we are privileged to get together with at least monthly for activities and field trips.

We have really been able to plug into our church here, Living Stones, and love it.  I have been given the opportunity to sing in the Christmas Eve service and so look forward to that.  (it's been awhile and I miss it-- a lot!)

My job is going really well.  It is by far the best job I have ever had.  I finally feel valuedl

We encourage all of you, even from so far away, to focus on Christ this special time of year and throughout the year.  He gave and continues to give the ultimate gift to those that believe in Him, who He is, and what He has done.  I can say that I would be absolutely lost without Him in my heart.  He is the foundation that drives this family day by day, through the trials and the joyous times.  He never falters, never changes, and never fails- there's NOTHING on this Earth that you can say the same thing about.  

Faith makes all things possible,

Hope makes all things work,

Love makes all things beautiful,

May you have all three for this Christmas and throughout the year!

Merry Christmas from the Far Side of the Sea!

Christopher, Lallie, Logan, Clay, Oliver, & Evangelyn

“For unto us a child is born....”

Isaiah 9:6