Our Sweetest Christmas Moments

We spent Christmas in Erie by ourselves this year. Here are some favorite pictures I have been forgetting to post. Lots of snow. Lots of fun.

And, we're back!

Hello friends!
Well, here we are. Well into 2013, and I still haven't posted pictures from Christmas Day! I will try to get those up soon.
As you can tell, our blog got a facelift! Big thanks to my pal Christie Lee. She so kindly volunteered to help me update the look.
I hope to post a lot this year to keep you updated on our adventures. We have a big year coming up with Cameron's "away rotations" and interviews. Crazy times. Good times.
Thanks for taking the time to visit here.
I hope this post finds you and yours doing well in 2013.
God is so good,
Ashley

Preparing for Christmas

This is the first Christmas we will spend in Erie, and we've been doing a few things to get ready around here. We hung lights outside our home, we've made multiple sets of Christmas cookies and tonight, we went to Tim Hortons for donuts and coffee (and chocolate milk for little Miss M), and then away we went. Off on an adventure to find the best Christmas lights. They weren't really too impressive...but there were a few houses we found that took their time on outdoor decorating. We jammed to Taylor Swift's new album "Red," (Madilyn's suggestion). When she wanted to hear number 13 again, she said she wanted "One-eee-three." hehe Also, we were driving past the power plant, and Madilyn said, "Wow, look at that huge sculpture." :) She's too big for her britches sometimes ;)

Our half-eaten box of donuts. I seriously love Tim Hortons. A little too much. 

Madilyn enjoying the ride in her pj's.

Cameron being the cheery tour guide.

This past Saturday morning, we spent some time making a gingerbread house. 

It didn't last long. We basically decorated it so we could eat it. Yes, yes we did.

In our Saturday morning comfy clothes...but such a nice family morning :) We make a killer gingerbread house. And, it was delicious, too.

Currently, we are watching a Christmas movie and chilling out by the tree. We are doing 7 nights of Christmas movies (Cameron and I) until Christmas. We are trying to make it feel "Christmas-y" around here because without extended family, it's not feeling very normal. But, we are going to enjoy our little Christmas here and look forward to visiting Texas in March! Woo hoo! Now, I hope we get some snow for a white Christmas. Hoping. Hoping. Hoping :) Merry Christmas!

With a Thankful Heart

We had such a nice time this Thanksgiving. We hosted in our home, and we had Cameron's parents, brother and sister-in-law, and Cameron's aunt and uncle. My, my, my! It was a challenge with only one bathroom, but everyone made the best of it, and we had such a great time together. Also, Cameron and I made the turkey this year. Yummy. All in all, such a great holiday.

There was a lot of hanging out and talking :)

Our beautiful little Thanksgiving girl. She makes my world go round. So happy God blessed me with Madilyn Kate Smith. Each day is more lovely with her in it.

And, one more just because I'm her mommy and I can :)

What can I say? The girl loves to dress up--even on Thanksgiving :)

We also had early Christmas, as we won't be with Cameron's family this year.
Madilyn got this fancy new camera.

The whole group. Not bad, eh?

Madilyn showing Nana her favorite computer games.

Our Thanksgiving table. We had to put the side items in the kitchen and fill our plates buffet style. I look forward to having a great big table one day...one where all of the food can fit :)

All of our delicious desserts.

On Black Friday, we stopped by Mason Farms. They had fresh Christmas trees, Christmas cookies and hot cider, and lots of decorations. Oh my. It was just what I needed to start the Christmas season. Now, to start Christmas decorating and getting ready for our first Christmas to stay in Erie, PA. I am looking forward to celebrating with our little family and making some new traditions :)

Port Farms!

Here is a little sneak peek of our adventure to Port Farms this year! We got to go as a family, which hasn't happened since we've lived in Erie :) Madilyn had fun showing Daddy the ropes.

Man, I felt like a wimp after driving this car. My legs were working overtime :)

 

She loves to bounce.

 

Navigating through the corn maze...the picture looks like a giant green giraffe is trying to eat Madilyn :)

 

The slides! We had races with Daddy down the big slides but we were all too into it to remember to take pictures. Madilyn thinks we won each time, but I think Cameron beat us the majority of the time. He attributes his winning to weight and aerodynamics :)

 

Cutie in an outhouse :)

 

 

Refusing to pose for a picture with Mommy

 

 

Making corn angels :)

 

 

What are you looking at?

The bunnies!

 Family Hay Ride!

 

It was such a nice family day! And, as soon as we got in the car to head home, the rain started pouring! Perfect timing. I'm so blessed to live life with these two people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The drive to church...

I  couldn't help but pull out the old camera today as we drove to church. Don't worry. I was in the passenger seat--Cameron was driving! It was a rainy, fall morning...and it was GORGEOUS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This part of living in Erie just never gets old :) Thank you, Lord, for the beauty in Your creation.