Deck the Halls

                                                                                

I spent last week decorating our new home for Christmas. I love the Christmas season... but I always wait until after the American Thanksgiving to get out the decorations (or I wouldn't hear the end of it from my husband - lol). Here are some pictures of how I decorated our new home ~

Marriage Retreat

This Fall (November 2-4) Scott and I had the chance to go on the Corinth Marriage Retreat in northern Michigan.... to a beautiful place called

Crystal Mountain Resort

We didn't have snow on the ground while we were there... but I did see my first snowflakes of the year

We were given lots of free time to explore the area. We enjoyed an afternoon with Bruce and Deb Dennett in Traverse City, seeing Sleeping Bear Dunes and this light house on Lake Michigan. The weather was a little cool - so we will have to make sure we come back in the summer.

Me and my Sweetie

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Shipshewana

October 4, 2012 - Enjoyed one of the last summer like days in Shipshewana, Indiana with some lovely ladies from Corinth Reformed church. Shipshewana is a quaint town with lots of gift and craft shops in the heart of Amish country - something right out of of a Beverly Lewis novel :)

Everything was beautifully decorated for Fall.

The Blue Gate Restaurant where we had lunch

Clip Clop - what a lovely sound

Debi Rose and Phis Meengs

 Enjoyed tasting my first home made ice cream

Friday Night Lights

The thing to do on Friday nights in West Michigan is attend the high school football games.

I have to admit that I don't understand the game or know the rules of the game, but it is really fun to go and watch everyone and join in the excitement of cheering on your school. Unfortnately our school is not very good - but that doesn't seem to stop people from coming out and cheering on the Wildcats! 

Our church youth group goes to the various high school games and sets up tailgating parties

It wouldn't be a football game without the cheerleaders and the marching band.

Like I mentioned - our team isn't very good

Me and my sweetie

That particular night, there was a beautiful sunset :) Again, I am watching everything else but the game - lol

At halftime... Carter is out on the field throwing around the ball with friends

Muffin

September 17, 2012 was a very difficult day for our family - we had to say good bye to our much loved pet - Muffinman. He had not been feeling well for a few months... I was hoping that it was just stress related to our moving, and as he settled into our new home he would perk up. Unfortunately, this did not happen... he became severely under weight because he could no longer keep anything down. My heart couldn't take watching him suffer.
He came to live with us when he was a playful 6 month old kitten - a little ball of orange and white fur :) He was a part of our family for 8 years - Carter doesn't remember a time we didn't have him. He was a really good natured cat - loved to cuddle and play.

I still expect to see him when I walk into the house - he was always there to greet us, or I will catch something out of the corner of my eye and think that its him.

We will miss you Muffin!

Carter and Muffin were the

best of friends

Catching Up...

It has been a busy few weeks... and I have gotten behind on posting pictures on my blog. So, here are a few to get you caught up on our first few weeks of life here in Wayland, Michigan.
Many of you already know that its just the boys and I living here in Wayland.  Scott remains in Alexandria Bay, NY waiting to hear approval from the US government on the transfer of his work visa from Reformed church of the 1000 Isles to Corinth Reformed church. We decided to move the boys and I here early in order for them to start school on time. I am thankful we decided to do this... the boys have met so many kids already, but on the flip side - I miss my husband like crazy! I have been keeping myself busy... painting the house (and making this house feel like home), going to school openhouses/meetings, going to soccer games and getting to know some of the people in church.

How I have decorated our new home,,,

The living room/dining room

kitchen

downstairs Family Room

The outside of our home....

Zach is playing Junior Varsity Soccer....

Zach is #17

First day of school... Zach is a sophmore this year

A rainy morning to walk...

Carter on the first day of school - he is starting junior high - Gr 7....

I love that we live so close to school - just a 2 minute walk for both of the boys. In the picture below, you can see the high school peeking above the homes in our neighborhood.