Allow me to update you on the last few months.... yes, after starting school almost nothing except for lesson planning, teaching, and taking care of the house and my husband has happened...


We'll start with now and work our way backwards. I am enjoying teaching and finding ways to do a great job without allowing it to become my life.

Here we are on Christmas tree day. :)


The girls came to help us and we had a gorgeous Saturday to find a tree!


Of course we didn't get it tied to the car very well, so I held onto it through the sunroof...



Thanksgiving with the Fullers in Indiana was lots of fun.




A few months ago, Ben and I blew insulation into our garage walls using a special machine. It was... well, memorable. Let's just say that it better keep our garage warmer this winter.



In early October, I got to travel to Indiana to celebrate with my friend Elizabeth. I am expecting a call about a new baby girl any minute now!


And of course, I can't leave out my beautiful niece, Hannah. We thoroughly enjoyed her visit in October!

Three Years Ago...

That's right - it's hard to believe, but true. Three years ago on the 12th of August was our wedding day. It has been a WONDERFUL three years and we hope for many more!

Ben surprised me with a trip to Cleveland to see "Mary Poppins" and with a pair of earrings from New Mexico to match the necklace I bought when we were there. He found a very sneaky way to get them home in secret. :)

He received his present at the beginning of the summer because he kept asking if he could buy it. He has a way of messing up presents I want to get him by getting them himself! Apparently a new golf club is a great present, but not in August. So I wrote some clues in the form of some not-so-stellar poetry and we took a little trip one day to get the club.

Visit to Indiana

We finally got a chance to go visit Ben's family at their house in early August. We got to meet Daniel's girlfriend, Michelle, from Tennessee, and had a great time...



At the Zoo...

I especially enjoyed feeding the giraffe!

On a carriage ride through Indianapolis...

And at an Indiapolis Indian's Game.

Vacation in New Mexico

We anxiously anticipated our trip to visit Nicole and Patrick in New Mexico!

This was one of my favorite types of trees there. You don't see those in Ohio!

Our first full day, we went to Carlsbad Caverns. The picture below doesn't even begin to do justice to this underground wonder! We were amazed at another piece of God's creation. I don't think I had ever seen anything quite like it before.

Here are some of the cool non-Ohio animals we encountered. You'll have to look closely to see the road runner in the tree. I was particularly pleased to be able to run into this fellow. Below him are a really cool looking lizard and a rattlesnake!

We also spent some time in a cute little downtown area of Mesilla, NM.

And went on some beautiful hikes with awesome scenery...

And of course Bailey and I became good friends during the week

We enjoyed some authentic Mexican cuisine.

And though he may not admit it, Ben enjoyed Bailey as well. :)

Here are our hosts in front of their house.

Bailey is so smart, she can even play cards!

And we're not sure what happened to Patrick's head in this one... but we sure did have a great time! Thanks for having us Nicole, Patrick, and Bailey!

Daddy's Day

I got to spend Father's Day with my dad this year! We went skiing and enjoyed the afternoon together. Here is Dad with his gifts and his two daughters who were able to be with him on his day!

Joni, Dad, Holly

Joni's Week in Virginia

As many of you know, Ben's uncle Kenlyn is an ophthalmologist and agreed to do a lens implant surgery for me so I won't have to wear contacts or glasses anymore. Ben's mom and I went to Virginia, where Kenlyn's practice is located to have the surgery done. I was to have one eye done on Thursday, stay the week, and have the other eye done a week later. Unfortunately, the company didn't get the second lens sent, so as I write this, I can only see out of one eye. But don't worry, I'll be going back soon to have my second eye fixed and despite the mix up, we did have some good times in VA and at their house in the mountains of WV.

Here I am with the 5 Miller children

Hiking in West Virginia



Visiting the telescope

Marcia and I fixing the clogged disposal

Kenlyn and Carolyn went on a date in style!

The Grandparents Visit

Joni's Grandparents, the Conrads and Swartzentrubers, came for a visit to see our new home. We had a wonderful evening together, enjoying a meal, tour of the house, and fellowship. Thanks for coming!

Grandpa and Grandma S., Ben, Joni, Grandma and Grandpa C.