Zoo Day!

We had a beautiful 65 degree day in December, so my friend Amber and I decided that we should meet up at he zoo.  Going to the zoo is one of our favorite things to do together, and we were really missing each other, so we couldn't pass up the opportunity!  

It was fun to see a new zoo!  

 Clara and Isaac looking at the giraffes  

The fun things about this zoo was getting to see the elephants!!  

 We took a break at his beautiful spot and the kids played and played...it was so fun for all of us.  

Clara hugging Isaac  

 Two happy friends :)

 I didn't have trouble getting them to smile, they were so happy to be together!  

 love this girl!

 They ran and played and played some more...

 ...and we did too.  We talked about getting out from behind the camera so that our kids can see pictures of us playing with them when they are older.  So we both took a turn with the camera.  

 After running, the kids decided that this wall made for the perfect balance beam  

We cherished every moment together...what a FUN day!!

Trimming the Tree

It was a little bit of a challenge to figure out where to put our tree in our new house.  The space is just different, we had to do some arranging, but we love how it fits it the corner of our living room in front of the window.  The kids loved helping with assembly...  

...and decorating.  It's interesting how quickly the bottom of the tree get's decorated :)

We are excited for our first Christmas in our new house.  

Elf School

We love our library.  They have so many fun activities available for families.  At the beginning of December we went to the library on a Saturday afternoon for "Elf School".  The kids got to make ornaments and gift bags.  

Hannah loved seeing Rudolph and getting her picture taken with him.    

 She enjoyed the delicious hot cocoa bar

 yum! 

 They both loved getting their hands painted. Sissy picked a candy cane...so of course...Bubby did too!  

 Hannah was SO excited about getting a balloon sword.  You can see the excitement on her face.  

 This is a new expression as of lately...when she get's super excited about something, she covers her mouth.  

A Day with Friends

After 10 years of a continued friendship over many miles and states...God brought my dear friend Teri and I close together.  It's so hard to believe that we care just a short car ride away from each other! Our families enjoyed a Monday morning together catching up, playing, encouraging one another in life and ministry.  Aren't these kiddo's so cute?!  Can't believe we got them all smiling!  It was a great morning!  

More Thanksgiving

We continued Thanksgiving with dinners 2 and 3 over the weekend with Seth's family. I don't know what happened with my camera..I must have been on vacation mode...b/c I just didn't take a ton of pics.  We had dinner with Nana, Papa, and Aunt Sue, movie nights, craft store shopping trips with my sis in law, sewing lesson (and new curtains to show for it!), Ohio State having victory over Michigan  dinner and Aunt Di and Uncle Daves, and so much more fun all packed into one weekend.  It was fun to all be together for the first time at Seth's parents new home.  It was a great weekend!  

Thanksgiving

It was so fun to be able to host my family for Thanksgiving dinner this year.  It's the off year for my immediate family...so my married siblings were with their in-laws (we saw ours on Fri and Sat)...so we had my Mom, Dad, and Jeremy for dinner.  Everyone came for dessert and we had a great time wrapping up the day together.  I'm blessed with a wonderful family!!

Tim got right on the floor and played with little Ethan...what a fun uncle!  

 Isaac just adores his Abby.  He wanted to be right next to her...

He even shared Thomas with Abby...

 sweet, sweet, Abby

 Ethan and Nana

 Mom and Dad with their 2 little boys and 2 little girls 

so...very...blessed.