Christmas Season

Our first Christmas season in NC had many new things that we never experienced in PA. There were Christmas parades and Christmas Flotillas. You can probably guess what the parades were all about. We went to the Trent Woods Christmas parade which was a lot of fun and very community oriented. There was even free soda, hot dogs and chips for everyone afterwards at the fire hall. It was hard getting in the "spirit" of the season this year because of how warm it was. Christmas Flotillas are boats decorated with lights and other Christmas decorations that float by on the water. We had so much fun going to one of these on a Friday night in the town of Oriental, NC.

Ryan and I left for PA on Fri. Dec.21 in the evening and returned home on Wed. Dec. 26. We had a great time reconnecting with family and friends while we were in PA. We were ready to return home and focus on the next big event in our life...becoming parents!! The baby is moving a ton right now and usually wakes me up in the mornings. It's just preparing me for when it's outside of my body!! I have been feeling great and I can't believe that there's only 10 1/2 weeks till we meet this little one. Here are some pictures from Christmas.

Trent Woods Christmas Parade

Ryan and his nephew Blake

Ryan got some fishing stuff to try out the waters of NC

Christmas Sunday

Denise and Regina

Is Ryan pregnant?!

Ryan's New Job

I know it has been a little while since we had a new post, so i thought I would you give you all a update on our lives in New Bern. I started a new job a few weeks ago, working for a building materials store called Guy C. Lee. The company has been around for about 40 years and this is their 8th location. It is a new store that will open the middle of January. Right now I am helping to get things set up and ready to open. Once we open, I will be working in the warehouse, unloading trucks, checking in deliveries and getting orders ready to be shipped out. I am excited about the opportunity and looking forward to all that God has for me there.

a picture of Guy C. Lee property

Dad and Mom Weaver

My parents came to New Bern to check out our new home and spend some time with us the weekend before Thanksgiving (November 19-21). We had a good time showing them around the area; we went to Moore's Old Tyme Barbeque (the best pulled pork in NC) which is about a mile from our house, and Baker's Square (a restaurant downtown)They also got to see where our friends from PA are now living here. We had a good time hanging out with them as we all continue to try to understand God's plans for our lives and specifically how two generations can and should relate. We didn't arrive at any magic answers (sorry) but I think we continue to learn how to be honest and how to be able to see some of the challenges in each of our perspectives. Denise and I have been very blessed and appreciative of their support for us moving down here and their willingness to be for us, even when they don't always understand why we do the things we do as we try to live out God's plan for our lives. Thanks Dad and Mom for making the trip down here!! We love you.

Here are some pictures from our weekend:

Dad and Mom in front of Baker's Square Restaurant

...at our house

Beaufort, NC

On Sunday (November 11) Denise and I got up early and headed for Beaufort, North Carolina which is a beautiful coastal town about an hour's drive away from our house. We got there in time for the sunrise and then explored some different areas and ate a tasty breakfast at the "boardwalk cafe" along the water at the marina in town. Here are a few pics for you:

this picture was taken as the sun was coming up

Denise and I at Harker's Island, not too far from Beaufort, NC note the boat coming through the drawbridge, we thought this was a unique opportunity to watch the bridge in action (quite interesting) Denise showing off Baby Weaver who justs keep growing!!

another picture taken at sunrise

marina and boardwalk in Beaufort, NC

104 Belles Way

I thought I would post a few pictures of our new place, now that we are settled in and things are pretty much in order. We really love our house and enjoy our neighborhood. We live on a dead end street with about nine houses on it. It's mostly families, so it's really quiet, (especially compared to Lancaster City). We live about a quarter mile off of Highway 17 which is a four lane highway that has lots of shopping, restaurants, grocery stores etc., so we are close to almost everything that we need....

Our House

close-up of our front porch and some of Denise's handiwork

Our living room

another view of our living room

our kitchen, which includes a dishwasher (for the first time in our marriage!!)

Dining room

Master Bedroom

Master bathroom, double sink, shower, tub etc.

our office/guest bedroom

second bathroom

what will be the nursery, is currently our storage room

our rear deck and backyard

Ezra

This weekend we got the opportunity to spend some time with Ezra Buckwalter while his parents, who are friends of our's, were out of town. He is eight and plays Pop Warner football for the New Bern team. We went to watch the New Bern High School football game on Friday night and then took him to his Pop Warner game on Saturday which his team won 6-0. We had a great time hanging out and it was definitely some thought-provoking preparation for becoming parents.

Here are some pictures from our weekend:

Ezra and I getting ready to go the game on the Harley.... Oh Yeah!

The New Bern High School team in action, they won the game 49-35 to win their conference title and are headed for the state playoffs.

Ezra with the New Bern Bears team mascot.

Ezra's Pop Warner team huddled up on the sideline during his game.

New Bern Pop Warner team in action, these guys are pretty serious for 7-9 year olds!

We moved!!

Ryan and I are officially bloggers! We told many people that we wanted to start after the move so here it goes! This will be a great way to stay in touch since we are a good bit away from our family and friends (but remember not too far away for a weekend trip!).

As many of you know we moved from PA to NC Oct. 19. After much preparing, packing and planning we are in NC. It feels so good to be here. All of our belongings were loaded Oct. 18th and we couldn't have asked for an easier day. We had excellent help and were finished earlier then we expected! We headed out early the 19th and, after a problem with one of the trucks, we arrived late in the evening. Thanks to everyone who helped us, we couldn't have done it without you! Ryan and I are so excited about this next season of our life as Ryan finds a job and we prepare to become parents (which is becoming more of a reality everyday). Here are a few pictures from loading up and unpacking, as well as some of our new house. I'll post pictures of every room after we are unpacked.

The sold sign! Ryan's nephew Blake, a willing little helper-notice the pile behind him

Ryan and his dad take a break from loading the trailer

The most precious piece of cargo loaded

This truck and trailer had the majority of our stuff

Close the door quick!

Our new house-104 Belles Way

Kitchen

Dining room

Living room

Another view of living room Our back deck guest!

The first evening at our new place