Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

Every year as a child, my family and I would go out and cut down our Christmas Tree. There's something about the smell of fresh pine that puts you in the holiday mood. Todd had never experienced having a "real" tree for Christmas, but he assured me that we would someday...After six years of marriage and three children...we have finally cut down our own tree!!! Hooray!

We went to Misty Run Tree Farm.

Here are Todd and Jake...

with their saw and nifty tree cart..to pull our tree back to the barn.

The boys agreed on this lovely Douglas Fir!

We thought we'd picked a huge tree, but it was actually only 6 1/2 ft.

That's as tall as Todd...only the tree

was a lot wider!

The boys are a bit confused...

they don't understand how we're going to get this tree home!

We love our Christmas tree!

Mom and Dad are excited too!

There's my strong husband attempting to cut down his first tree.

His confused expression is trying to cover up his frustrated expression...the tree is not budging...he is sawing, and sawing, and sawing, (maybe it's because Todd's in a dress coat instead of some old rugged clothes). He then has me lean into the tree, (which you can't see, because I can't lean and take pictures at the same time)...to try and push it down. After a good 30 minutes, my overwhelming, supermom strength has ripped our tree from the ground...and good old Todd sawed off any rugged remains. Boy, this was fun! I LOVE cutting down our Christmas tree!!!

Alas, our tree is ready to go! Todd's beat...it literally took him 30 mins. to saw down our tree...Jake's nose is running...and Ben is screaming because he's cold. Though not in the picture...the baby is screaming too, but mom is still smiling...'cause she loves cutting down the Christmas tree. This was just our first time...I'm sure next year will be even better!!!

Our tree made it home safe and sound! There she stands, tall and regal!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! God Bless You All!

Ohio...Here we come!!!

At the end of October, we traveled out to Ohio to visit our good friends, Curt, Sara, and their daughter Ali P. This was the first time we traveled longer than a hour and a half with all three children. Needless to say....we were a tad nervous. The trip took a little over five hours and we had a blast! The kids were so good...singing...sleeping...trying to comprehend where exactly was Ohio and when will we see Ali P. ? Once we did arrive, Jacob actually thought Curt and Sara's house was "Ohio"! Oh the sweet little minds of children.

Jacob loved Ali's kitchen!

Do we see a famous chef in our future?

Go Penn State!!!

Jake and Ali are going to be modeling next year's line...

Look for them in the late summer of '09.

Curt let us explore his place of employment...

the kids had an awesome time...

and Jake loved all of the "DEAD ANIMALS"...as he referred to all of the stuffed animals...

you try to explain it to a 3 year old!

Ben, Ali, and Jake checking out the Black Bear!

Curt let the kids check out some antlers and feel a black bear...

I'm pretty sure I heard the bear growl!

Ben, Jake, and Ali skipping stones into the pond.
(By the way...we had some gorgeous weather while in Ohio...
the fall leaves were spectacular)!

Ali P. is searching diligently for her daddy's fish!
(Is she not the cutest!)

Ben gathered quite the stick collection...

He's either trying to scare away the mountain lions

or trying to start a fire.

Ali decided to get a lift to the zip line from Mr. Todd!

Curt and Todd displaying their competitive sides...

here you see them getting ready to race down the slides...

they're seeing whose child is faster.
Looks like Ali may have the lead...

Thanks for letting us hang out in Ohio!

Doctors and Tigers, and Monkeys...OH MY!

Raking the front yard...mom and dad are slave drivers!

Let the pumpkin carving begin!

Jacob is a pro!

Ben is mesmerized by Jake's mad skills!

Ben decides to give it a try too!
This slimy stuff rocks!

Even Kenna Rae gets in on the action.

You go girl!

Now that's taking it a little to far Jake!

Hats off to all Jack-o-lantern carvers!

Our "curious" monkey!

The "good" doctor.

Here little kitty...or "ferocious" tiger!

Preparing for a night of Trick or Treat...

probably more tricks than treats...

in hopes to collect lots of candy...

for mom and dad of course!

Ben's Birthday

Ben turned the big 2 on October 14th!

I made him a crocodile cake. We called him 'Old Swampy'!

Jake and McKenna shared in the birthday fun!

A little love moment caught on film!

O.K. friends and family. I've finally conquered the challenge of creating our first blog. I'm extremely new to this, and it wasn't as hard as I thought.
Just a little update on the family. We're officially settled into our new home...and yes...we're tired! Todd is rockin' at his new job...patients are lining up at the door! Jake is the big 3...attitude focused around the "I can do it myself" mentality. (Working on the potty training task...not easy for Jake)! Ben just turned the big 2...trying to keep up with his brother. He's mister curiosity...with a little more than enough risk-taking adventurist then mom's heart can handle. Kenna Rae is on the brink of 6 months and as sweet as can be. We love having a little girl...especially mom...I was starting to get a little out numbered. Oh, by the way, McKenna cut her first two teeth this week!
Sully, (our dog), is full grown and healthy. Though he has been complaining that he's a bit tired of being mistaken for a pony...by the kids of course.
God had been good! We're continually being stretched as we grow closer to Christ. The walk is not easy, but necessary! We're back at our church at Devonshire...and learning lots. We highly recommend the movie "Fire Proof" for all you married couples...young and old! Great lessons to be learned! We love you all...and I'll do my best to update our blog regularly...in other words...more than once a year!

The Felix Trio: Jake, Ben, and Kenna Rae!

Arn't I cute? Mom just got done cutting my hairs!

This is one of our favorite photos of Ben.
He looks so sweet and innocent...
when really he's full of giggles and curiosity!

McKenna at 3 1/2 months...doin' a little belly time!

One of our famous "Hallelujah" singers!

The accoustics are great in our bathroom!

Jake and Ben are part of a duo. One sings and the other echos. They've got some serious talent. Eat your hearts out American Idol fans! The Felix Fab will be selling their first CD at the end of November...just in time for the holidays!

So embarrassed, Sully has been chosen to play the part of

a "Ferocious Tiger" for Halloween!

Swim Lessons

Jake is the one in the middle. First time in the water without mom or dad. Don't know if you can tell, but there are lots of tears...and mom has her jeans rolled to her knees...ready to take the plunge if need be.
Week 3: We are having much more fun this time around. The water's not so bad. Plus I've been practicing blowing my bubbles in the bathtub!

The back float.


Yeah Jake! You did the scary jump from the side! So brave!

Pumpkin Patch Fun!

Gettin' ready for the ride! Let the fun begin!

Felix Five...our first hayride together!
Look, there's the pumpkin patch!

Enjoying apples and pumpkins all in one day!

Jake: Our "Biggest Punkin'!"

Ben: Our "Medium sized Punkin'!"

Kenna Rae: Our "Littlest Punkin'!"

After much deliberation, Ben and Jake

finally agreed that this was the perfect pumpkin!