Romantic getaway to Arizona! : ) And a surprise party upon our return!

Jason had a trade show near Tucson, AZ last week so to help celebrate my upcoming BIG (40th!) birthday and our 15 year wedding anniversary that we celebrated this past March, he asked me to go with him this time around.....and of course, I accepted the invitation! : ) What a beautiful area of the United States to visit! And my hubby thought of everything to spoil me rotten! He had my diamond reset in my wedding ring (had lost the setting awhile back!) and surprised with that while on our flight out.....then he treated me to a shopping trip in Sedona, a few really nice dinners out...and a romantic lunch by the river one day....wow!!! We flew out of Indy early Tuesday morning and spent the rest of the week enjoying each other's company, relaxing by the pool, eating wonderful food, and touring the area of Sedona as well! What a wonderful time to reconnect and re-energize! We returned home late Saturday night and then Sunday after church, Jason, along with my family and close friends surprised me with an early birthday party over at our church rec center.....I was in shock to say the least! I am abundantly, beyoned-words...blessed and am so thankful for all that God has given me! : )

Fall fun....

We are enjoying the beautiful fall season here in Indiana.....my all-time favorite time of the year! Although it's been unseasonable warm this time around....I'm ready for chilly weather, sweaters and the smell of a bonfire every night! : ) We have been able to take advantage of our fire pit and great woods next to the house and have already had a couple nights of roasting marshmallows and sitting around the fire, one of our favorite past-times as a family! This past weekend we decorated pumpkins, had our family over for soup and yummy bread, celebrated my youngest niece's 17th birthday (where does the time go?) and spent a day at King's Island amusement park with the kiddos and some friends! What fun times! Here are a few photos from recently. Just trying to take time every single day to thank God for who He is and all that He has given us!!!!

Enjoying Life... : )

School is now in full gear as the girls have been back on our "routine" for about a month now. They are all still enjoying their new year so far. We've been busy with Allie and Lauren also getting back into their music lessons once a week....Lauren decided to stick with piano again this year while Allison wanted to take a break from her guitar and take some voice lessons this time around....she is loving it and is doing really well! We are also back into the swing of Wed night small group Biblestudy at church as well as Mommy and Allie heading to a new girls Bible study night (called Girls Night Out!) on Monday nights for just the local 6th grade girls to attend....it is so fun and a wonderful way for her to connect with other girls her age and learn about Jesus a bit more and Mommy is really enjoying helping with it as well. Katelyn enjoys heading to her "class" on Fridays again this school year....she is getting so big! Jason has been busy traveling alot this month.....all of his girls will be glad when that slows down a bit! We have enjoyed recent trips to our favorite orchard here in town for raspberry picking as well as heading out to a local church festival. And we've celebrated our niece's (Abby!) 18th birthday recently! Other than enjoying the business of life while trying to remember to slow down to take it all in....we are doing great! Ready for the gorgeous fall season to make its way into Indiana....one of my all-time favorite times of the year!!!

Lauren Turns 7!!!! : )

Lauren turned 7 this past week....just seems like yesterday that we spent the day before she was born at the State Fair walking around (and yes, me eating everything in sight! HA!) and then coming home to anxiously await the night before she arrived into our family....and now 7 years later...she's started 1st grade, loves playing with her friends, riding her big girl bike, creating lots of arts and crafts, and thinks it's pretty neat to sleep on the top bunk of her bunkbeds! ; ) We celebrated with two parties this year......one for her and some of her friends last weekend...she wanted a pirate themed party! ARGHHH!! : ) And then one this past Sat for our family to come over, eat, play in the water and have fun! What a great couple of weekends we have had!!! Here are some photos to share from our celebration....and again, Happy birthday to one of the sweetest, prettiest and compassionate little girls we know! We love you Lauren Elizabeth Massey and are so thankful God has blessed us with you in our family!!!