As you have seen, we have gone to CO on a family road trip. But not just any family road trip...we went to gain another sister in law and a aunt for the kids! lol... Quinn's brother got married to the most amazing girl! We couldn't be so happier for the both of them! Hooray for Sister in laws!

Happy New Years Everyone!

We pray that the Lord is blessing you and your family as much as He has ours this Holiday Season.

This year has been a very exciting year for Quinn and I to say the least. Most importantly we have added a new member to our family, our son Connor James born on March 28, 2008 at Chesapeake General Hospital 5:23 pm and weighing at 6lbs 13oz. He has been a very happy and healthy little boy from the very beginning and still is. I had him on my schedules date by c-section two weeks before my original due date. Mckayla has been an amazing big sister and has been our “little mama” from the very moment she meet him. She loves to hug and kiss him all the time and has been an excellent help to Mommy and Daddy.

We also made another huge change in our lives, We moved! Not just on the other side of town but to another state! Quinn got a new job as the Associate Pastor at Cedar Grove Mennonite Church in Greencastle, PA in August. We really love it here and really enjoying getting to know the people and the area very well. Quinn is absolutely loving his job and there are so many new faces to get to know and many that we have really learned to love and respect. It has been a blessing to know that Greencastle is our new home and the new here are now have become almost family to us.

Mckayla is now 3 ½ years old and as active as ever; she is our little firecracker that's for sure! With me staying home with her now, we have been able to get in a little learning with school, getting curatives with lunches and being able to do fun projects and art crafts. Next year we are thinking about sending her a few days a week to preschool. Our little girl is getting so big so fast!

Connor will be 9 months and is just as happy as ever. We have been again truly blessed and he has been sleeping through the night since 2 weeks. He loves his bottle and any kind of food. He is starting to crawl. He does this scooting backwards and moving in a circle. A few weeks ago he has mastered saying "Mama" very well and working on saying "Daaa" and "Sssss" we are thinking those are starting words for Dada and Sister, but time will only tell.

Since I am home with the kids, I am finally being able to do some thing that I have always wanted to do. It’s really is wonderful and exciting to know that I am not missing out on anything. I have started a few more hobbies now. Braiding rugs, making fun and exciting foods for my picky eaters and making breads, rolls, and cinnamon rolls the kind that my Mom does. It’s wonderful! I have started a website that you can check as well for good and tasty family recipes and fun crafts. See below for details.

January 31, Quinn and I will be celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary! Five years can you believe it!? Just being together as a family and being able to spend time with my husband and not having to joggling 3 full time jobs and sending our kids to daycare this year has been a true gift and I couldn't ask for more. We have been truly blessed and very excited to see what God has stored for our little family.

Our family wants to thank you for all your many thoughts, prayers! We truly pray that your families are blessed as much as we have been this past year.


Blessing this to you and your family in 2009!

Quinn, Karla, Mckayla & Connor

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow....
This morning it started to snow. We didn't think it was going to stick cause the past few days has been little warmer than normal. But it did!

This has been the first snow that Mckayla has been able to play in (that we can remembers) and she absolutely loves it. Well...most of it. She didn't like being cold. But a lot of that is cause we haven't able to get really snow clothing gear. lol... Other than that she had a blast.

When Connor had his afternoon nap, Mckayla and I went outside to play. It was fun. We did sledding, snow ball fights and yes built a snowman! Our first snowman this year was a little rough looking since we weren't planning on snow. But I think later we might go back outside and fix him up a little bit.

Hope you enjoy our snowy pictures! =)


Here is Mckayla on her plastic sled that Quinn brought home today. It's a little cheapy one and will do for now. =) She's catching snow...


Mckayla smiling big with her first snowman of the year.


Mckayla right before sledding in our yard. We have a little hill in the side of the yard that she went on.


Mckayla with her snowballs...right before our battle.


I had to post this too. This was Connor after his nap today. Isn't he just the cutest!?

Oreo! Are you a dunker, twist and lick or just eating the whole thing at once? Mckayla is a twist, lick and then dunk. lol...



After church on Sunday we went to Martain's ordered a sub and then came home and watched a movie while eating lunch (something we hardly every do) But it was fun never the less. It was a good relaxing Sunday afternoon. After lunch we had our Oreos. Here is a picture of Mckayla eating her cookies. (Her hair is still a little curled from church..it looks so cute!) lol...

Hershey Park and Chocolate World

Friday we went to Hershey Park and Chocolate World with our youth group. It was fun. We all had a blast. We were pretty much stayed around the kiddie rides with Mckayla and her two friends Ashlyn and Morgan (youth leaders two daughters) The girls had a blast. We left Connor at our friends our, the Lapps that lived just a few blocks from the park itself. It was nice cause it was cold cold outside. And it was nice to be able to spend more one on one time with Mckayla.

Then after instead of going straight home, we stayed the night at the Lapps and were able to spend more time with them. It was fun to have some adult time with them after the kids went to bed and to catch up for lost time. Then in the morning we had a wonderful breakfast made by the Dan and Lynley and then we were to a Farmers Market close by. We got some amazing veggies.

When we got home that afternoon we just came home and relaxed and un packed. Nothing spacial just had some more down time.

Here are a few pictures of Hershey Park and Chocolate World. =)


This was taken Saturday morning when we were able to leave for the Farmers Market. Connor in his bear outfit that Uncle Jimmy & Aunt Debbie got him over Thanksgiving.



Mckayla taking time to pose with the "Chocolate Buddy" She loved going up to and getting her picture taken and talking to them.




Here is just a picture of Mckayla and Morgan walking to the next ride. They had so much fun together!



Mckayla in the train ride.




Picture of the two older girls in the train together.








Mckayla smiling infront of the tree inside Chocolate World.

Tonight instead of Wednesday night church we all went Christmas caroling. Well...we spilt into four groups. Of course we ended up with the one with the kids. They all did very well and very proud of all of them. What a blessing it was to be able to go as a family and see together as a family. Some of the kids really had a good time being able to pick some of the song we did. How cute, great song picks kids!

Today Mckayla and I baked chocolate cookies...which really didn't turn out the way I wanted them too. I used a different recipes that I have never used before. So I am not sure if they were suppose to look like that. But they tasted all the same. Kind of, Mckayla liked them at least. ...but of course she will eat almost any kind of cookie.

Tomorrow is going to be a catch up all day. Since today was a relax do really nothing day. Tomorrow I need to catch up on some house work. Then Friday night we are planning to be spending the afternoon and evening in Hershey. We are going to meet the our Youth Group at Hershey Park and spend time there. We all can't wait! It's going to be so much fun. The Lapp's are going to keep Connor so we can spend more one on one time with Mckayla and take her on rides together. It will be exciting. One of the couples that we are going with have two little girls that is one older than Mckayla and one that is younger than Mckayla. She has so much fun playing with them and they are coming too!

That's about it for this weekend. We are going to have fun with lots and lots of chocolate this weekend! Yea!!

Tomorrow night they are "calling" for some snow showers....so we hope so! Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!

Well until next week...Blessings!


Look who's trying to crawl!!

Well I thought that I would take the time to sit and update a little since I haven't in a few weeks.

Everyone is going really well. We went to Chesapeake for Thanksgiving for a few days. We had a blast staying at my brother and sister in laws house. Being with family was the best and most important part of the whole trip! Coming home on the other hand was a awful! 95 was awful! It was 30 the whole time we were on 95, so instead of getting home around 9ish which we were hoping for, we didn't get home till after midnight! It took little over 7 hours to get home. Awful I tell you!. The kids were sleeping for most of it...so I guess that was a good thing. We got home and got the kids straight into bed. All we did with them was change diapers and got Mckayla in a Pull-Up and into their PJs. Quinn and I just fell into bed cause we both needed to be at church. Quinn got up and needed to be at church at 8:30, he took Mckayla with him so I could only need to worry about myself and Connor. What a great husband I have. And for some reason, I was thinking Sunday School started at 9 instead of 9:30 so I was rushed around to get at church at 8:50am when really I didn't even to be there. It was a early morning and of course wasn't thinking straight. lol... but we made it. We were there. Maybe not all there....lol. I was in a daze all day. We had lunch and then I did something that I never do...Never do. I put the kids down for a nap at 1pm and then feel into bed and didn't get up till 5pm. But goodness...I felt much much better. So anyways, that was our Thanksgiving trip home excitement all in a nut shell.

Speaking of nuts. When we were at my parents we got 40 lbs of pecans!! Yes...40 lbs!! They have about 4-5 pecan trees and this year they are getting millions of them. The grounds are covered with pecans. So of course we brought some home. Mmmm they are just delicious!

We moved and redid our living room so we could get our little tree up. It's little but cute. This year we aren't going all out on decorations just because Connor is starting to be a little mobile and at nights sometimes we are just not home. And Quinn and I have always been weird to leave lights on when we aren't home.

The weather had really teased us with a little snow here and there. We all can't wait for lots and lots of snow. Snowmen, Sledding, Snow Angels...something that Mckayla has never seen in person or I in many years.

We are going to be spending Christmas in Harrisonburg this year. We can't wait to be able to see all of Quinn's family at once. It's been 2 years since we have all been together as a family and now we have Connor. It's Connor's first Christmas and he will be 9 months. Old enough I guess to try to open his gifts...or at least with the help of his big sister. lol...cause I am sure that will happen. Then on New Years Day we are going to Chesapeake for 3 days to have Christmas with the Mast and then have our big family Mast Blast. Which is all the cousins, aunts and uncles, ect. Then right after that we will be coming home. But I don't think we are going to take 95 this time. lol...

Well that's about for now. Hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years!

First Snow Fall!!
Well...kind of. Last night, Quinn was on his way to church and he called and said to look outside. To our Mckayla and I's surprise it was snowing. Alot too...at least alot for we are used to. =) Right away Mckayla wanted to go outside and play. There are a few pictures that she is out on our porch with just short sleeve shirt, socks and no shoes! Ahh...But she thought it was wonderful and so did I.

After watching it fall for a few minutes we went upstairs and got bundled up a little and went out on the back deck. Mckayla was so excited to see it falling. By then, it was really falling thick. So pretty and peaceful.

This morning when Mckayla woke she said that she wanted to outside in the snow. Disappointment by the looks of it was outside and there being no snow she was still a little excited when we told her that it might snow again later tonight/tomorrow and that this winter we will prob. get lots of snow for her to play in. (i hope)

Here are a few pictures of our excitement of the snow fall. I know...it wasn't even really a "snow fall" but for us, it's the simple things in life that excite us. lol...even if was a just a few flurry's.


Connor is getting so big too. 8 months at the end of this month, Can you believe it!? Our children growing up right before our eyes. Quinn and I are doing well too...funny how we always updated on the kids and not us. One of these days I will post something that will be of just us. lol...one day. ;)

Mckayla's first time watching the snow falling

Mckayla watching the snow fall

Again, Mckayla watching/playing

Snow falling

Snow on our deck

Snow just a few minutes after it started

It's about that time again where I should post. Hope that all is well in your family. Quinn and I went to a "Fan the Flame" last night which was very interesting and nice to be away just as a couple and spending some adult time with somes friends. It was really nice.

Connor is getting so big right before our eyes. Monday he had his well check up appointment. We have been about a month off so he got his 6 month shots. He did really well and didn't even have to give him anything after words. He's our little trooper! I was a little surprise that he was only 16lbs even. We thought for sure he would at least be 20lbs or something. lol... I guess he is just saving up for Thanksgiving time. lol... Since he is now sitting up by himself has a little to do with it I guess. But he eats and wants to eat all the time.

Mckayla hasn't realyl changed too much. This week we have started "school" with her. Not really school, but we got some learning books that I am going through with her. Right now we are working on our ABC's A is for...B is for...ect. ect. I guess you get the point.

Next week we are thinking that we are going to be going to a few schools near by to get information on next year. Since Mckayla will be 4 this coming summer, we are thinking about sending her somewhere. ...maybe. Part of me can't wait till she is in school and part of me is really going to hate it. Because of knowing that she isn't little anymore. Time goes by so fast and we really do miss the times that Mckayla was Connor's age. Man, how simple it was when she wasn't moving around. =D But She's getting older and sadly theres nothing we can do about it.

We are thinking that we are going to redo our bedroom. I am so excited about it. lol...We want to make it more like a bedroom than a catch all room. lol...more like a get away from everything. If your married, you'll know what we mean. Having it more a place for just the two of us. Our special place. So needless to say, I am a little stoked about it.

Yesterday the kids took a bath together. There were lots of boubles, toys to keep them busy. Connor just didn't know what to think about it at times. It was so cute.

Our next big event we are looking farward to is the Leaders Retreat in a few weeks. The kids are going to spend the weekend at Eve and Rodney's house and we are going to be away at a Retreat place with some of the other leaders here at church. Quinn and I are really looking forward to it.

Well until then, blessings to your family from ours!

Later today we are going to a nearby park to gather some leaves to make this vert easy Autumn wreath. I will post pictures later.

Easy Autumn Wreath

Step One:

Collect autumn leaves, make sure they have stems. Use an old Christmas wreath frame. I used a quilt frame. I found an oval one and a round one at the thrift store for a few dollars. You could also use several circles of baling wire and make it the size you want. Use florist, masking or electrical tape. Use what you have, you won’t be able to see it from the front.

Step Two:

Put together clusters of leaves, at least 8-9 per bunch. I did each cluster in one color then alternated the bunches throughout the wreath. Use masking tape to secure each cluster. Lay to the side and make more. This oval wreath took about 50 bunches.

Step Three:

Start taping the clusters around the frame. Lay a bunch on the frame, secure with tape (don’t tear it, just keep it going in a spiral until finished) then lay another on top and work your way around the frame. Voila! Hang and enjoy!

Cupcakes & Icing

Cook with your Kids! Yes, it maybe messy...bu they will LOVE it!

I followed the cupcake recipe that is on the side of the box this time. Since Mckayla and I were baking together. It was mostly for her to get used to being in the kitchen and helping me bake. She loved it. The best part was icing the cupcakes and then eating it tops it off!

Where does the time go? It’s already half way through October and it seems that November is starting to get “book” already. Lol… The kids are getting big so fast. Connor is 6 months now, 7 at the end of October. So big! And Mckayla is as busy as ever and loves now to play house with all her “mommy toys”

The past few weeks have been very busy for all of us. The beginning of October we were in Chesapeake. Quinn and I and the kids drove down on Thursday afternoon and then Saturday afternoon Quinn came back home with our van that we had sitting at my parents while the kids and I stayed till Wednesday. It was nice to be with family and to spend some family time with all of them. We were mostly for my niece’s 2nd birthday. While we were there we also were able to see some friends and catch up with a few people too and that was very nice. We miss everyone and it’s so nice to be able to see them every once in awhile.

Then the week the kids and I got back, that weekend my parents were coming up. Saturday morning when my parents got here we went to the Greencastle school(s) and went to the Apple Festivals that were going on. It’s nice to be able to do something special with them and also we showed them around Greencastle and the area here. Then late afternoon Quinn’s parents and one of his brothers and fiancé came. That Saturday our church had a surprise House Warming party for us. It was amazing! We have been blessed to say the least!!

Then this past Sunday we had Quinn’s installation at church. It’s official…he is now a Associate Pastor!

My parents and some of our friends left then Sunday evening. And Quinn’s family stayed till the next morning. It was so nice to have everyone here to spend this special time with us.
The leafs are starting to change. Some are bright red, yellow and a wonderful golden brown. It’s amazing.

Here are a few updated pictures of all of us. Enjoy!


This was taken right before church Sunday morning.


Connor James - 6 month old


Playing on the slide with Gram


Mckayla taking a little quite time.


Mckayla - 3 years old



Well that’s about it for now….it’s lunch time for the kids. =)
Blessings & Love

Braided Rugs & Things by Karla

This was my first rug that I made. It turned out very well. Next time, I don't think I am going to do it as thick. But other than that, I loved it. Merry Christmas Mom!









P.S. My Mom loves it and if you want me to make you one, please email me for details.

To Order A Rugs by Karla:
Please send your colors that you would like and size at aeschlimanfamily@hotmail.com Thank you! Wait time may very, depending how many I am working on and how big you want yours.

Isn't God just amazing! As I sit I can't help but think of all the amazing things that God has done in my life and in the live of our family. He has bless Quinn and I with truly amazing things in our life's and with the greatest people to share them with.

Mckayla and Connor are doing very well here in PA. We are really starting to make this our new home. She has really enjoyed going to see and play with her friends at church and absolutely loving the yard that we have to play in. Mckayla is really into "pretending" which normally she is playing kitchen / house with her babies and stuff animals. She spends lots of time playing in her room and in the yard. Amazing! And of course, Connor loves watching every move that Mckayla makes. He is really starting to be very vocal and lets us know when he needs attention by a little scream here and there. Or just laughing at us when we are being silly.

The house is starting to come together as well. Nevin and Christina and the girls were here this pasted weekend and they brought up our curtains. Which of course I have been very stoked about. All but one window are up now (we just need to get more hardware for the windows) But that will come in time. Then hopefully we will be able to work in our bedroom in the next few months to get window treatment, ect. But no rush, it gives me something to look forward to and work for. There are other "little" projects that I am working on as well.

Like I said before Nevin, Christina and the girls were here this past weekend (Sunday-Monday). It was so nice to see them again and have them see where we now call home. Mckayla was so excited to see the girls as well. And Connor and Grace even got to get their playtime too. But the time Christmas comes Connor will be sitting up, so it will be more interesting to see them play.

When are looking forward to beginning of Oct. to see everyone else in Chesapeake. We will be going down to get our van and for my niece's birthday too. Quinn will be coming back so he can be at church and the kids and I will be staying for a few more days to spend with everyone. So pray that my trip back with the kids goes smoothly. =D ...I'm sure it will, but knowing that it will be my first long trip with the kids alone will be a little different. lol....

Anyways, that's about it; until then...

Blessings.....The Aeschlimans

Mckayla in the dress that I came in when I was adopted....back when I was 3 years and 9 months

Connor - 5 months and Mckayla - 3 years

Mckayla and one of her friends at church on Wed. night at "Slime Time"

Let's ride bikes!

...of course, my curtains! ...they were my parents that went in their living room, with a little change they look brand new!

Greetings from Greencastle, PA! We are now online! It’s been a little over a week since I have really been online. It really makes you think of all the things that we do online now a days.
We are now starting to get really settled here in our new home. It’s been little over a week since we moved here. We are all adjusting very well here in PA. We have really been busy getting things unpacked, decorating and getting to know the area and people here.

My first trip driving myself without Quinn was of course to Target in Hagerstown, MD. It’s only about 10 minutes more or less from our place. But our GPS and I made it very well with no problems. =) Thank goodness for that! It’s really almost a straight drive on 81, so it’s not bad at all. Close to the Mall and all the other really good stores. =)

Mckayla is really adapting very well with the kids here at church. We just got back from our church retreat at Cove Valley and Mckayla was able to meet and play with lots of kids here age. She woke and wanted to play with her “new friends”. It was cute! And of course, Connor has no trouble getting someone to hold and play with him. He loves to be passed to anyone that has opened arms…or food.

Quinn is getting back in the groove of things and office hours. He loves his office here. (see pictures below of his office) His first week was very good. Getting used to the office, meeting some people and meetings as been really good for him and he has really enjoyed 100% of it all.
I have really been busy with unpacking, decorating/organizing the house and actually being able to spend time with the kids has been wonderful! (again see below from the pictures of our house)

Mckayla and her cousin Caia- the morning we moved, Aug 16

My whole family, Quinn, I and the kids and Quinn’s Dad had one last going away breakfast at Angie’s the morning we left. After we ate then we said our good-byes till we see each other again in a few months.

Mckayla and Grandpa riding in the “big truck” up to PA

For the last 2 ½ hours Mckayla, Quinn and Grandpa rode in the moving truck. Which she still takes about and says how much fun she had.

When we got there, Mckayla had a huge surprise in the back yard… her very own swing set!! There were 1-2 other guys helping to put the swing set together - Mckayla thought it was great that the boys were playing with her swing set.

We were also greeting with a lot of helpers! Here are just a few of them. There were ladies in the church that were already cleaning and men to help first thing when we backed the truck up.

Takes five men to set up a dining room table - Or maybe just to oversea to make sure its put together right. =)

Getting ready for the first dinner at the Aeschliman’s

Uncle Rodney and Connor - Rodney & Eve drove up to help us move and with the kids. Mckayla and Connor love their Uncle Rodney & Aunt Eve and are excited that we are going to be closer to them now.

Through out the whole move Mckayla had done excellent! With having her toys/room packed for over two weeks, being on the go for two weeks, and unpacking her room, she’s done great!
Her room was the first room that we had fixed and ready. Mel & Beth (a couple that Mckayla has taken a real liking in) fixed her bedding for her on moving day so it was all ready for that night.

The Swing Set

Mckayla's Rock - This is a huge rock that we have on the side of the house
that she loves to play on

The kitchen (still a working progress)

Kitchen window (still need to get tie backs)

Can’t go anywhere with out my Willow Tree collection

Lunch Time - Since it's been really nice here, we enjoy lunch out on our deck


Connor playing so hard that he feel asleep in his jumper

Here are a few pictures from our church retreat at Cove Valley. It was a wonderful first weekend with our new church family.

Part of the lake view from the hotal

Hotel Deck

View from the deck of the hotel to the Dining Hall

The merry go round… “faster faster faster” yelled the kids every time.

Quinn taking a turn pushing the kids - “faster faster faster”!!

Connor with his cowboy hat and some spit =)

Mckayla having fun with one of the games they had for the kids

Getting directions to another game - note the amazing view in the back of the mountains.

Playing in one of the groups

Mckayla learning how to take a picture with a very nice camera with Amy (Pastor Steve’s daughter)

Connor taking a little snooze with his cool shades

An AMAZING lake view - The camp had some amazing breath taking views

Taking their first bath together - one day their both going to hate these pictures -
Mckayla showing Connor how to wash your hair

Just a few pictures of PA on the trip home. The camp ground wasn’t too far from our home.
That’s one thing here in PA that is very different from Chesapeake. The mountains are beautiful! The view is gorgeous and the leaves should be changing next month. In the back yard here at our house we are starting to see a few leaves starting to change already! Yea!! At time a few times its gotten to be around low 60s and Quinn and I have had to pull out of sweat shirts when we sit outside… it’s wonderful!!!

Also one more note before we leave. We have new cell phone numbers that our 717 area codes. So, if your trying to reach us that’s why. Just leave a message/email and we will give the new numbers as well as our new home address.

Email: aeschlimanfamily@hotmail.com

We also have new home and cell numbers...if you need them, just email us and we would be happy to give them to ya! =)

Blessings & Love