Florida

Wow! I hit 3,100 page views on this blog since the beginning... :)
And yes, I realize I haven't posted in a very long time! So sorry! I have kept busy though. I'm preparing for 3 violin performances sometime early May.. awesome! I completed Segment two for drivers ed. (that means I'll be driving soon!) And school.. if you want a really good course on the Constitution, take it for free from Hillsdale College. It's really good!
And, in early March, my family drove to FL for two weeks. A wonderful vacation was had by all.
So, lots of photos coming your way! 

(the one above is my favorite of the whole trip!)

We didn't stay next to the beach, but we got to "visit" a couple times.

Some sweet lady offered to take a picture for us. I love it when people do that! (although they're sometimes intimidated by my huge camera.)

And I also love this picture! *sisters*

 

Dad found an amazing house for us to rent, on a beautiful lake. Thankfully there were no alligators in it, so we did swim. (although I was kind of scared if I got in deep enough where the water wasn't clear... just sayin!) My younger siblings swam almost every day. But the water was cold, legitimately cold! I was more content to just sit on the dock and put my feet in. :)

 

 

The first day we were there we saw a eagle:

It's such a majestic bird!

 

This was our dock.

 

From the top..

 

Moon over the lake

 

Lydia and I made some "'barefoot sandals" for our Fl adventure. They're so easy to make, and fun to wear. (though just like sandals, they take some getting used to!)

I also learned how to make safety pin bracelets... soo fun!! These are perfect to make while watching a movie...(like Jane Austen's Emma)

 

 

 

Beach:

I love going to the beach! I love the "wow" feeling of just standing and looking, letting the water roll over your toes, and being in awe of my wonderful Creator!

 Our favorite ocean game, chase the edge of the water and don't let it catch you!

 



I love my parents!

 

 





 

These little blue things stung Daniel on the foot, thankfully it wasn't serious!  

 

 Path to the ocean from the parking lot

Sunset over the bay. We saw some dolphins swimming here!

 More to come later!

 

 

What Grace Is Mine!

I recently came across this song, and I've listened to it multiple times! The first time I heard it, I knew I knew the tune, but I couldn't name it. :) Than someone said "Danny Boy." And I thought "duh!"

Kristyn Getty is a great singer, and this song is so pretty!

Deer

Some people know me as a deer hunter. I was at a violin concert Friday night (which, btw, was INCREDIBLE!!) and I "re-introduced" myself to my violin teacher's parents. Mr. F said "Oh, you're the deer hunter!"  Yeah. :) So, here are some pictures of the deer I got this year.
The morning of this hunt I shot the buck first and the doe second. It was the first time I've gotten two deer in one day!

 I got to gut out the deer too, for my first time. I actually thought it was fun. :)

 My Dad - the best hunting partner!

 My Grandpa

And like every other true hunter....we sleep on the way home. :D



Christmas

This is a slight recap of our family's Christmas. :)

It started around 8am.. with a bunch of excited little siblings running around. We opened gifts than ate cinnamon rolls and eggs for "brunch."

That night we had three older people over for dinner, and we had a great time talking and laughing! The best line of the night came from Mr. Tom. My Dad was describing a conversation he had with someone: about how Dad did all the talking and the other man answered "yes." or "no." (literally!)
Mr. Tom remarked in the coolest tone of voice "Astonishing vocabulary." :)

When the kids had gone to bed, Dad, Daniel and I 'snuck' out and went to the movie theatre. We saw the newly released film "Unbroken." Wow! It was amazing! And super intense and uncomfortable. It was really well done though.

Here are some pictures of our tree:

These glass ones are my favorite! The one just above was my parents cake topper.

This is an ornament I made. 

:)

 

 



 

Ice

The intricacy and beauty of ice never ceases to amaze me!

 

The first few were right after everything iced over

 

These next ones were taken a few days later, right before sunset.