Christmas has begun

Christmas has begun at our house.....I've started gathering items to create with....

above are the tags that I created for my Journal your Christmas album.

I enjoyed creating these and though I tried to stick with the same idea, using the same punches

and papers, each tag is a little different.

(I used the girls' paperie tinsel & twig paper, did some machine stitching...glimmer mist,

inking and a lot of odds and ends.)

I'm also collecting items for homemade ornaments. (it is tradition

around here for the kids to get a new ornament each year....but this year we

are creating them ourselves) Other things I've been busy with for Christmas....

our advent calendar....gathering supplies for more crafts, albums and we have the

neighbors handmade gifts finished just gotta get tags made up. Oh, and we can't forget homemade Christmas cards and Sunday School Christmas program.

I must say that this year we are having more of a homemade

holiday than a store bought holiday.

So looking forward to the homemade part.

Sweet 16 -- Shalene!

Shalene is turning 16 at the end of this month! WOW, its hard to

believe. She wanted to do a bonfire so, since I DO NOT enjoy

being cold we had the party at the beginning of the month.

Steve kept the fire going all evening for us...keeping the soup

and spiced cider hot for us.

We had pumpkin carving....which they all seemed to enjoy....
many different creations. Above is one that Alyssa
created.

Here we have our smore's bar....apple cider, vanilla bean, mexican hot choc., butter

pecan, raspberry, gingerbread and more flavored homemade marshmellows.

3 types of grahams and tons of different chocolate along with

toasted coconut, toasted almonds and carmel for the toppings!!!

Though it was a chilling evening, the fire and hot spiced cider kept us warm...

with lots of good fun, friends and fun.....we celebrated the birthday of a wonderful

young lady whom I'm very proud of.

Pumpkin Carving

It's been a real long time since the kids carved pumpkins.

Lyssa found a pumpkin that she wanted to "copy" when she was looking

on pintrest.....so she attempted it. Clayton got in on the action as well.

Look of concentration!

Claytons creation

Lyssa's creation - sorry the p ic is blurred but you can see how the vine

and flowers are....so cute

Spangler Reunion

We had the Spangler Reunion last weekend. Grandma is turning 95 this month

and she has been hoping that we would all be able to attend.

Below is my Uncle Don telling the kids a story. We had hiked up to the

mountaing to see the view of Lancaster and while up ther he decided to

tell the kids a story.

Mom standing on top of the mountain....what a hike that

was.

Grandma Spangler and I.......she has been such

a light to me.....God has given her a wonderul life.

We were celebrating Dad's birthday -- late -- since I hadn't gotten to see him....

Grandma decided to get in on the party!

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.