Holiday Happenings

I hope you all have been enjoying the season's preparations as Christmas is just ahead! The weather has been teasing us this December, and it looks like Christmas will be warm and certainly not white this year. We've had a few frosts, but the thermometer climbs back up to unseasonable temperatures!

We finished out our shopping and wrapping this week and made our Gingerbread Houses last evening along with Jacquelyn, Melinda, Andrew, and Amelia.

Mom ended up with an extra little house once all the pieces were cut, and so, for probably the first time in the (almost) twenty years we've been doing gingerbread houses, Mom and Dad put one together!

In classic fashion, Daniel does his best to photobomb =P

(the houses from left to right): Mom & Dad's, Melinda & Andrew's, Bethany's (in back), Daniel's (in front), Hannah's, and Nathan & Jacquelyn's

Since we were all together, we also celebrated Bethany's 17th birthday (which is actually the 22nd). Hard to believe the little sister is turning seventeen!!

 And some random pictures:

Adorable little Mia is growing and attracting everyone's attention! This child may never learn to walk. ;)

And one other little piece of news.... Daniel shot his first deer, an 8-point buck!

Merry Christmas, y'all!

The Best Things Come in Little Packages

This Thanksgiving, we had an extra blessing to be thankful for: the arrival of Amelia Grace Engelhart at 5:02 Thanksgiving morning! 

She was 6 lb. 4 oz., and 19 1/2 inches long.

Baby Alert

This past Saturday, we hosted a baby shower for Melinda. There has been much excitement around here for the soon arrival of Amelia Grace Engelhart, who is due November 18 (and her Mommy hopes not a day too late!) =D We were blessed to have quite a number of friends come for the shower, as well as Melinda's mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law.

Melinda's baby quilt that we've been working on

We had a great time of fellowship and enjoyed "oohing" and "ahhing" over all the cute little girl clothes! I think Amelia may be the best dressed gal in town!

We are praising the Lord for His grace and goodness and praying for a safe delivery of a healthy baby girl!

Posting from P.A.

A few of us kids have been enjoying some time with our grandparents in Pennsylvania, observing the local wildlife (deer, raccoons, rabbits, and even a bear!), spotlighting, shooting guns, swimming, bowling, playing games, watching movies, eating too much pie, and all-around having a great time.

Coon Crossing??

Daniel has been very closely attached to the creek (or "crick," if you're from up here =)), spending much of his time fishing. He caught a good many fish and kept two to eat.

Rainbow Trout

Gram and Pap took us to visit Penn's Cave as well! It was beautiful, and the pictures hardly do it justice. There was a definite temperature difference as we walked down the steep steps to the cave opening. We toured the cave entirely by boat!

It was a mostly dark, yet delightful, ride!

Rainbow lights on the cave formations

We were also able to spend some time with Gram and Pap Byler! 

The field above Gram and Pap Maurer's house was so beautiful that Beth and I couldn't resist climbing the grassy hill to take pictures:

Beth took some pictures of the boys as well when a couple cousins came up to visit:

 Daniel and cousins Micah and Caleb

"Mr. Thinker"