Lambert Family Pics...

Our family is expanding and it has been a while since we have had a family picture taken.  So Josh and Kelly's friend, Katy, helped us out this Fall and got some great shots!

It is so fun watching Lucas and Tyson grow up...their red hair is so adorable!  We can't wait to give them a cousin to play with!

Traverse City Bachelorette Party...

Laurie and Kevin are getting married on December 10 so we all treked up to Traverse City for the weekend to celebrate!  After an odd experience and poor service at Arby's on our way up North the weekend was off to a fun start!  Wine tasting (Aldi's fake wine for Jodie and I!), gifts, games, food, laughter and a late night (not always the best for pregnant women...we were pooped!) were the recipe for a great weekend!  No matter what I am doing, when surrounded by amazing friends it is always bound to be an awesome time!

Thankfulness...

This Thanksgiving season has really got me thinking a lot about my life and how much I truly have to be thankful for.  It stinks that sometimes it takes a holiday for us to really appreciate what God has blessed us with.  Often only big things are noticed as blessings...birth of a healthy baby, promotion at work or a new house...while there are so many smaller blessings that go unnoticed.  I have been thinking a lot lately about thankfulness and came up with a list of both the big and small things I am thankful for.  I am sure there are many many more, but I can't possibly list everything.

Breath taking Fall sunsets/sunrises.
The creativeness God used when making us and the intricate workings of our bodies.
Music.
The little baby growing inside of me.
Advancement in travel that allows us to get to see so much of the world.
Diversity in my workplace.
God's grace.
That my fingernails grow back even when I bite them.
Such an amazing church family at Engedi.
Laughing hard daily with my husband.
Having the ability to move, smell, taste, touch, hear and see everything this world has to offer.
Eternity.
My graying hair...there are so many who have no hair and would love hair no matter what the color.
The Great Lakes that offer a wonderful place to relax and vacation.
Family who have stuck with me through the bad times.
Amazing group of friends who encourage me in life, make me laugh all the time, and who love me for me.
Qdoba...for those nights I don't feel like cooking.
Opportunities to serve our community.
Mortgage...it means we have a place to call home.
The gift to gab.
People's graciousness with me always being late.
Michigan State basketball (when they are winning...happy husband and dad).
Water...the best drink ever.
Post-It Notes...makes me more organized at work.
Emotions.
An even-keeled husband.
Calculators...I am terrible at math.
That texting was banned while driving...dangerous!
That gaining weight while pregnant is looked at as a good thing.
Electricity...I could never be Amish.
Re-financing.
2nd chances.
Canon T2i camera.
Cleaning job.
Sleeping in on Saturday mornings

New camera...

The day has finally come to get a new and improved camera!  One that will better be able to capture the quick movements, special occasions and milestones in our lives (specifically in our kids' lives!).  On a whim I stopped by Norman Camera to check out their selection and start doing some face to face research.  I was surprised to find that the camera I was already interested in was on sale for Black Friday!  I took that as a sign to buy it sooner rather than later.  We were trying to have the money completely saved up from my cleaning job before we bought it, but that idea quickly went out the window!  Joel has learned that when I have my mind set on something there is no use talking me out of it because I won't be able to stop thinking about it. So after some quick consulting together he gave me the thumbs up to make the purchase!

I spent the majority of the 1st night pouring over the user's guide and taking a million practice shots of Joel while trying out all of the different functions...he loved that!  I am super excited to learn more about the camera and get better at taking pictures!  Who knows...maybe it can become more than just a hobby!  We will see.

CABLE Group...

Our CABLE group has had a great Summer/Fall together!  We did some camping at South Haven, threw a Neighborhood Block party in our neighborhood and ran a game at Engedi's Pumpkin Palooza!

It was such a beautiful summer and since Matt is a park ranger we decided to take advantage of an opportunity to do some camping.  We all packed up our tents and headed to the South Haven Family Camp Ground.  Little did we know that meant we would be camping in a field with no trees!  What that translates into is no shade on a 90 degree weekend!  Luckily it was nothing an umbrella from Walmart couldn't fix.  We all sat under the shade of one umbrella and tried to not move to stay cool!  Once the sun went down our night was full of great fellowship, amazing food (compliments of Greg, the amazing campfire chef!  I had no clue you could make such gourmet food over a camp fire...we normally eat hotdogs!), and a nice fire!

Every year we throw a block party in someone from our CABLE group's neighborhood and this year it was our turn to throw the party.  We provided chili dogs, chips, baked beans, ice cream and drinks for everyone who came.  It was a beautiful afternoon and several neighbors came out to socialize with each other, eat and play yard games.  It was so much fun!

Engedi threw a Pumpkin Palooza Party for the community and had CABLE groups help out by running games at the party.  So of course we pulled out the best game...Bozo's Bucket Bonanza!  The kids absolutely loved it!  We had a ton of repeat customers!  It was a great night with our group.

This Fall Jason and Susan decided to break off from our group and start their own CABLE group due to the large demand for leaders.  We will greatly miss them, but are looking forward to welcoming some new members to our group as well!  There also will be several new "little" members joining our group come next summer!  Jenny, Kerri and I are all pregnant right now so camping will definitely look a little different next summer!

15 week belly...

My belly seems to be growing every day, but life has been so busy that we haven't had a chance to get a picture of it...until now!

 I continue to feel great besides minor headaches once in a while.  Joel loves seeing me getting bigger and enjoys talking to the baby!  Being pregnant still seems so surreal and at times when I let myself think about what exactly is happening I get a little scared!  A little person that we will be responsible for is growing inside of me and changing my body!  Regardless, we are enjoying every step of the way and look forward to meeting this little bundle of joy!

Fall afternoon at Saugatuck Dunes...

This Fall has been so beautiful and despite not having as much energy as normal we couldn't resist spending our Sunday afternoon outside hiking at Saugatuck Dunes...one of our favorite places to hike close to home.