what Christmas is to me part 2:

Christmas lights: For some reason they really get me in the Christmas mood. There's just something about sitting on the couch after you have decorated the tree and just taking the beauty of the lights all in. They definitely make the tree look all the better! 
P.S. Sorry about the boket shot. It's not all that great, i'm still experimenting! :) 

ornaments: I absolutely love ornaments! So many of them have such stories behind them, especially this one in the photo above! Would you like to hear it?........
I was in about second grade( we weren't home-schooled  at the time). The teacher blew the whistle for all of us to come in from recess. And as I was running past a picnic table I saw this little guy sitting on it all alone! I quickly snatched him up and took him home. And we've had him ever since... broken mitten, nose, scarf and all...TRUE STORY. :)
How do I still remember this so vividly...good question!
 

snow-covered rooftops: I really don't have much to say about this them, haha! I just think that they are so pretty! 
                                                                                                                                 

  frost: I'm always to excited for the first frost! You all have probably noticed that has already hit pretty hard here! This morning they said that it was -10 degrees this morning! Frost is so pretty! It is truly amazing to me how it can look so perfect!

P.S. I seriously need to change my header, I know! :P I'll try to get on that soon!

What is winter to you???

-ella joy

Fall...we'll miss you

Well, now that Thanksgiving has ended *tear* ,I think it's safe to say that we should start preparing for one of the most wonderful times of the year...CHRISTmas(i like to write it that way)!!!
But, before I get too ahead of my self, ahem.
I'm going to use this time to say some of the things that I'm going to miss about dear Autumn...

I'm going to miss brisk sunny country drives on Sunday afternoons. Not like you can't do that in the winter, but it's not the same when all there is is snow on the ground...

I'm also going to miss the beautiful and vibrant leaves that re-appear on the same exact tress every October...

I'm going to miss the cute tiny gourds that we pick...

I'm going to miss playing outside. And I don't mean just playing in general. I mean playing normally outside without layers and layers of cloths on. I don't know about you, but here in WI, going outside in the winter without a coat on is practically suicide! Well, maybe I'm exaggerating but I'm telling ya... it's gets COLD here!
I have to admit though, I do like the cold. But it can get a little annoying after 4 months of weather that is 30 degrees and under...

There are lots of things that I'm going to miss about Fall. But I'm actually excited because there are so many things to look forward too now with December coming up! Christmas music is playing, I've even seen houses with lights up already!

I'll leave you with a word of encouragement:

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

Love:

ella joy

Random Blessings

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry everybody for not posting in a while!!! GUILTY
This is just a quick update...
1. The Neumann household has been quite busy the last week with my mom just getting back from the hospital on Sunday. Speaking of that...

2. My moms surgery went very smoothly! We are thanking the LORD for that, His mercies are are new every morning!

3. We are having a big family reunion the next week and a half :) Our families from Boston and Oklahoma are coming up for Thanksgiving! I am so excited, I'm doing a happy dance in my head right now ;)

4. I love cute little pumpkins!

 5. I also love old fashion shoots! The one in the big flowy dress is one of my best friends and cousin Lindsay!  These are both Bridesmaids dresses; Lindsay's was from our Aunt Sara's wedding and mine was from my moms :) We had a lot of fun with this...heehee

6. I've made it to 10 followers!...another happy dance :)

P.S. By the way I won the photo challenge! :)

Just a word of encouragement until we meet again:  
Be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
So we say with confidence, "The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man to to me?"

Truly: ella joy