Summer Update

Yes, we are still here....our summer has been full of many things. And wonderful memories.

One bittersweet moment was that Alyssa has ventured off on her own for awhile. She has

a small little cottage in Harrisburg. Now working with Dementia patients while attending school

for nursing. Her little cottage is about thesize of those at Penn View. Perfect for just one person and shehas settled in well.

Shalene and Steve ventured off on the church missions trip this year, and in short...our summer has simply been packed with lots. Here are a few things we filled our summer with.

(OK Renea D. I hope this post makes you happy!)

I have canned several types of pickles, beans, dilly beans, sauce, pears, hot pepper mustard dip,

peach salsa, pear pinapple jelly, grape jelly, grape butter, grape juice, Pear

carmel sauce and more. We are now drying apples and gonna make applesauce.

This has taken up a lot of our time but it sure tastes wonderful.

We attended the corn festival this summer....I think we ate more than

we did anything else.


Thai food has been top on our list as well. There is a little concession stand who
sets up at the park in Lewisburg one day a week.....she makes the best!!!

Bella had to get a hair cut...she was cold on the way home so she hid

behind Clayton to stay warm. Afterall....I must have my air condition on.

Steve and I celebrated our anniversary but going up to a cabin in the

mountains. Steve ended up doing some fishing and we were able

to see wildlife....me I just enjoyed the "quiet"

And of coarse, I HAD to go to scrapbook convention this year

with Sue and Chris. So here they are working

on some projects in the hotel room. We stayed up late

trying to get some things accomplished AFTER we shopped and attended

classes all day. Of coarse, we had to go to the Cheesecake Factory and other wonderful

places for food while we were there.

Strawberries!!!!

Class of 2011 - ALYSSA

Alyssa graduated from High School on Saturday at the State Capital.

There were 1500 students in her graduating class from Pa Cyber

Charter School. She has graduated from High School with

15 college credits!!!!
We are so proud of Alyssa!

Clayton & Penns Cave

These pictures really do not do the cave justice....however, thought

I'd share em with you.

So, I try and take my kids on "dates" ----- just mommy and me thing ----

Clayton especially seems to keep track of the fact that "its been awhile

since we went on a date!"

I've never been to Penns Cave -- growing up in Ohio -- and living here for 18 years....

wow....never been to Penns Cave. So, thought this would be

something neat to do with Clayton.

Clayton is at the foot of the entrance for our boat tour....

I think I could spend my summer in the cave...stays in the 50's.

What is neat about this cave is that you do get to sit, be lazy, and

ride a boat for the tour.

Clayton ended up with some old fashioned salt water

taffy for on the way home....along with a few other things.

I think he really liked his date.....he has never been

to a cave and thought this was really neat....God's creations

are gorgeous

Update

What a dreamy picture!! I Really love it.

Well, we have been busy, busy, busy. Preparing for the

upcoming yardsale....which means I need to spring clean closets and such.

Which I'm getting some finished.

Than we have a graduation -- ALYSSA!!! Mixed feelings on this one.

However, we have her graduation this next month in Harrisburg at the

Capital Building and the following week is her party. Therefore,

I have started collecting items and such for this occasion.

Be sure that I will share tons of pics with you when this celebration occurs.

Clayton has been sick for the past week.....weeding and mulching flower beds, along with

the everyday things....scrapbook store, working, laundry, cleaning, cooking,

laundry...oops, I said that but it never ends!!!

We have been busy.

Hopefully this summer will bring you tons of wonderful

family moments. And hopefully I will do better with sharing our photos and memories

on the blog!

you all tons of

Our Church Is Growing!

Saturday was work day at the church. For those of you who do not

know, we are in the process of building a larger church.

You can keep up with the daily progress by

visiting the church web site here --

the lower left corner has the link for the building

project.

Ohhhh, I think I Gotta Have

I've discovered the blog of The Blue Chair Jam

I think I'm gonna have to get the cookbook with over

120 jam recipes!!!

I love to make jam and give as gifts! This sounds wonderful.

Happy Birthday Clayton

Clayton turned 11 today....one thing he wanted for

his birthday was a FOX hat
Enjoying his lunch at Red Robin

His gifts all lined up

No More BRACES!

Shalene has survived the braces!!! She had them taken off Monday, and now

has a retainer. In the pics you will notice that as soon

as they were off she went shopping for a bunch of gooey foods and

kettle cooked chips!! These are things she wasn't allowed to eat with her

braces. Alyssa even made her a carmel apple so she could have

when so arrived home!!

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY ALYSSA

Can't believe it but my daughter, Alyssa, has turned

18. It is with bittersweet feelings that we wish her a Happy Birthday.

She has become a wonderful young lady, with many talents

and such a good heart!

Lots of Love Alyssa!!!

Quote For The Day!

I have flabby thighs

but fortunately,

my stomach

covers them up!

Go VOTE for me!

Please visit Facebook

and vote for me.....find the comment on this page...there are

a lot of comments but just keep clicking view previous comments till you find me.

Amy Spangler Stahl

I'd love to win the pink dess for Alyssa's school activity....with a cute bolera (jacket) and heals

--that would look great and even cost better!

Ice Sculptures In Lewisburg

So, I took these photos with my phone, they may not be the best...but I

thought you might like to see em. (these are just a couple

of em that you can see in downtown Lewisburg)

If your in Lewisburg today, Feb. 5 you could join

in the polar bear plunge (You can get your swimsuit on and jump in the

river!!! Since there is ice on it that should be fun!)

Or, you could do something a bit warm and join in the chilli

contest. Anyway...something fun to do in the winter. You missed the

Chocolate Lovers night last evening...they had lots of activites for all.

But kids can do the cocoa get together today as well.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

Pillows for my Living Room
IronBoard Cover for Laundry Room. Love
the button picture on the wall....think I'm gonna try to create something
like that


Use old drink bottles (Starbucks) decorate, fill with milk,
top with powdered donut!!!

More shabby pillows.....I so love

Winter Catch Up at the Stahl Household

Things have been busy this new year but fun. We started the new year with a Stahl get together at our house........ We were able to visit my

parents at the beginning of the month as well as gettting to see my brother and

his family. I must say that when we visited in SC we didn't thing we would have to

leave early because of a snow storm. But that is exactly what happened.

How depressing, I was hoping that one of the benefits of visitng out there was sun and warmth. Not so on this trip! We had a nice visit, went geocaching, which was enjoyable

and just had a relaxing visit.

It took me awhile to get my holiday decor taken down...and if you look close enough you

will find a bit here and there around the house yet.

Alyssa has started her next semester of college, and I now get to

start planning a graduation party for her. She will turn 18 in Feb.

Clayton and Shalene have been ejoying lots of sleepovers here and there.

Grandma and Papal gave them all skates for Christmas so that has been top on

there list of winter fun. Steve and Clay even went out ice fishing!! UGH,

too cold for me. Me, I've been busy shopping!!! The new scrapbook

products all release the beginning of the year so I stock up for the store at this

time. Presently we are getting snow, I must say that I DO NOT enjoy being

cold but snow is pretty. How many of you enjoy the snow? Did you make a snowman

this year? Well, off to keep busy.

Keep Warm!

Random Thoughts

I've been thinking over the past year and all that it held for us....
I must say that it was one of the roughest I've ever had.
Both of the girls being diagnosed with type 1 diabeties, and learning how
to deal with that from day to day. Clayton in a bike wreck and in the hospital with that. Shalene with her gall bladder surgery, not to mention all that we went through with Steve's eye (it will never be back to normal. ) And me, yes, I even had a few tests and a
procedure that I thought they were trying to kill me. BUT, through it all
God was right there with us. Keeping us and helping us. I would never want to go
through any of that without my Savior.
So....to go along with those thoughts I want to make sure I "love" this year.
Not to take the little things in life for granted. And to love my family unconditionally with
no reservations. Instead of sighing at the small things.....count them
as blessings...because if I didn't have loved ones around, there would be no small things
to sigh at.
Have a Wonderful 2011