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

New Years Resolutions

So how many of you make New Years Resolutions? I have in the

past and sometimes when I think back on them I find that yes, I have partially

accomplished that.

Well, I'm going to admit that I have several "goals" in mind for this year.

1. "Come here and listen to me! I'll pour out the spirt of wisdom upon you and make you wise. Proverbs 1:23NLT

This verse is a goal for my new year....that the Lord will slow me down when I

get too busy. That I will listen and hear His voice. That I will focus

on God's voice in all situations.

2. I am going to attemp:

Project Life.

Okay, so I love to scrapbook and take pictures but I seem to get so far

behind on what I'd like to have accomplished. So this project is suppose to be

simplified...by this I mean that it comes with most all that I'm going to need for this

scrapbook. I will just need to discipline myself and write on my calendar things that happened each day. AND take a picture a day (at least one!! if not more)

Check out the site...,.its a great way to have a scrapbook at the end of the year.

With a bit of organization it should be fun.

3......Well, I have a couple that I will keep to myself.

So tell me, what is your New Years Resolution for 2011?

Merry Christmas!

May you have a Christ Filled Christmas!

(Okay, so I like pink!)

December Brings......

Lots of things---busy schedules and beautiful things

to deocorate with.

This month has been so busy and full but enjoyable.

Decorating, Baking, Shopping and making memories with family.

Below are some pictures of this months activities.

Had a cookie bake at the beginning of the month. Made over 3300 cookies.

My 2 sister-in-laws along with our girls made these in 2 days. We made:

Ladylocks, peach cookies, chocolate crinkles, peanut butter cup,

thumbprints, cocanut cookies, apricot, nut rolls, amish cookies,

peppermint bark, buckeyes and snicker fudge.

Alyssa has been selling little Gingerbread Houses on her etsy store.

They are so cute.

Some of Decorations around the house.
Countdown (Below) And I love this Handmade Christmas

tree!!!! Got this from Melissa Phillips

Alyssa Making Popcorn/Cranberry strings for the

Christmas Tree.

My snowman picture that I made several years ago.

I have been so blessed this month with TONS of orders from my

scrapbook store. Been VERY busy but I'm thakful.

Decorating for Christmas

Each year the kids take turns setting up the manger...Shalene

set it up this year.

And Clayton set up the village!

Always have a mess before the end.

Here is one of the ornaments that Alyssa has for her tree. The kids have their own trees in their rooms....but this year they put all of their ornaments on the main tree.

I decorated the kitchen with my whitwashed decor~ Love it.

This is such a cute mix...Read the little card that is in the photo....

I still have a couple strands of lights to purchase since all of mine seemed to decide not to do what I wanted this year. We plan to make some homemade cinnamin ornaments and gingerbread village yet. And string some popcorn and cranberries. But basically I am finished. What a good feeling.