O Christmas Tree

First, we got some lunch.

And then we saw the animals. 

And then we saw Santa. 

Jyla had no idea what was going on..she just gave him a hug because Addalie gave him a hug.

And then we got on a horse drawn wagon

& went to find our perfect tree!!!!

 "Is this the one  girls?"

"Let's cut it down!"

 Scott asked Addalie to help him saw.  I thought she was under-aged...but she jumped to the task!

 it was harder than she thought it would be....but she gave it all she had!

Then, we loaded our tree back onto the wagon.

& Jyla wondered to herself...."why are these crazy people cutting down trees to take into their houses???"

 & admired the BIG horses before we hopped on the wagon too!

~The End~

i am thankful for.......

this

& this

& this

leaves

the bowl is bigger than me.....

and really....i can HARDLY even see what i'm eating...

 & i'm even in a booster seat.

but mommy is SUPER thrilled that i'm drinking a little milk now.

i drank it in China...but when i got here it took me awhile (2 months) to even try it.

Scott's birthday at the beach!

Scott's birthday was at the beginning of the month.

We decided to take a quick trip down to the beach for a few days to celebrate & relax.

It was wonderful! a bit too short in my opinion...but still wonderful!

This was Jyla's first time...& even though we couldn't swim etc. she still seemed to love it!

We tried to do some simple, special things with the girls that we don't always take time to do at home.

The girls took bubble baths in grandma's tub....

& spent a lot of time making daddy's birthday card

The next day (on his birthday) we had a yummy breakfast complete with candles & singing & presents....

& then we headed out to the boardwalk.

(which we basically had all to ourselves!)

& no, it wasn't that cold.....

we were over-dressed & i ended up carrying coats (& jyla & my camera) the whole way back.

addalie to jyla:  "look jyla do you see the ocean?"  can you just hear her little voice?

we are pretty sure that she never saw a beach or ocean before.

it was fun to experience that with her for the 1rst time!

& eat Mac & Manco's pizza (of course!)

*jyla on the beach*

finding shells.

cute little jyla-belly!

THANK YOU again Ken & Karen for sharing your home with us!

& Happy Birthday Scott!

I am so very thankful for your life.

Another Sister In Law!!

A long time ago when I "entered" the Stoltzfus Family there were no "girls"....

It was just me & Karen (who is a lady as opposed to a girl =))

If I have my math correct, it was like that for about 5 years.

There were often some very interesting times...

Times when the other brothers just didn't understand where Scott & I were coming from...

& also some wonderful times with Karen & I.

& then slowly, the girls started coming!

Doug & Mandi got married next with a beautiful outdoor reception,

& then Todd & Alicia had  Texas wedding

& now....

Brad & Stacy are planning a spring wedding!!

I have no doubt that it will be a fabulous occasion!

Stacy & I have always been friends...even apart from Brad.

So, it is so very sweet to have her joining the family!

& now if you include the grandchildren(3) in this family...

us girls are definitely out-numbering the guys...

=)

just saying....

Brad is now living in Colorado & Stacy plans to move out there after the wedding.

(one more reason for us to visit...right Adam & Sara?)

 I had SO MUCH FUN taking pictures of these 2. 

(this was my 1rst photo shoot since returning from China....& I was in my glory!

They are quite a stunning couple.

Congrats Brad & Stacy.
I
AM
SO
HAPPY
for you both!

ps- they got engaged in a HOT AIR BALLOON!