Our New Home

In the beginning of February we closed on our house in Coats, NC. It's a beautiful home, complete with a fireplace, front and back porches, and an amazing wooded lot. We are so excited and have already made so many memories with friends and family.


Julia with the trusty Greased Lightening. Thanks for helping us get settled in!


The first weekend that we owned our new house we had 5 friends and family come to help us paint. On Saturday we painted almost every room in the house...thanks Bob, Keely, Ashley, Everett and Julia. On Sunday, Chad and Jamie helped us move all of our stuff. We couldn't have done it all without you guys!


Ashley chipped in to paint. He said that the color that we painted the living room was virtually the same that was already on the walls. Yes, it's still beige, but it's a darker beige Ashley!


Bradley bought me a new stove for a housewarming gift. And I LOVE it! Here, Bradley and Everett are inspecting their work. It looks wonderful and I love cooking on it.

Is that the washing machine in the living room?

The Pipes' Family Visits!

In January, Ember's sister, Angy, and her family came to North Carolina for a visit. For John and Charlie it was their first trip. We absolutely had a blast with them and were so sad to see them leave. We hung out at the house, we went for a walk through the woods, and spent a lot of time laughing and enjoying each other. We miss you guys! Come back soon!!


One afternoon we went on a "hike" through the woods. It was an adventure that we all enjoyed. It was cold at times, but we still had a blast.


Charlie loved putting on Bradley's motorcycle helmet. He'd go into the room, put it on, and walk around the house with it on. It was so precious.

Ember with Jake and Angy with Charlie.

Our Niece, Adaya, is Here!

Tuesday, November 27th was a glorious day for the Wilkie's. Steven and Tara welcomed their little girl, Adaya Rose Wilkie. She was 7 lbs 9 oz. We already love her to pieces. Adaya is Hebrew for "God's Precious Jewel" and she is just that!


Steven, Tara and Adaya in their first family photo.

Pretty in pink.

What a sweet moment captured. Steven and baby Adaya bonding together.

Jake's Birthday Party

While we were home for the Thanksgiving weekend, we celebrated Jake's 6th birthday at a jumping party. Kids big and small enjoyed jumping and sliding on all of the balloons.


John rolled down the big slide.



Jake and a schoolmate friend jumping in a bounce house.


Bradley sliding down the big slide.

Thanksgiving Weekend

On Thanksgiving Day Bradley and I, along with my parents, babysat Jake and Charlie. At one point Bradley walked down the hallway and heard the pitter pat of little feet behind him. When he came back into the living room he'd captured two little munchkins...and they all three loved every minute of the fun.


After getting ready for bed, Jake and Charlie spent a little bit of time watching The Incredibles with Nana.


Jake and Charlie saying, "Cheese" for the camera.

Farmer's Day

Soon after we arrived in Coats we went to the annual Farmer's Day celebration. The entire town gets together for a parade. All you have to do is take your lawn chairs down to main street and you'll have a front row seat for the parade.


There were tons and tons of tractors in the parade. It was the most I've ever seen in one place.

One last goodbye

The last few days that we were in Fort Worth were a whirlwind. But, we were thankful that we were able to spend some time with family and friends before we left. Here we're at a restaurant with Jake and Charlie, our nephews. They decided to ham it up for the camera.


Charlie loves his Uncle Bradley. Here he is smiling for Bradley with the camera.


Kevin & Laura, Andy & Lisa, and Tyler & Evie all came out to see us before we left. It was a wonderful afternoon with some of our most treasured friends.

We've Moved!

As many of you already know, Bradley and I moved to North Carolina in September. He was offered a job with the City of Fayetteville as an Assistant Supervisor for a Community Center. It was an agonizing decision whether or not to move, but ultimately, after praying and talking about it, we decided that this is where we were meant to be. We have truly been blessed since we've been here. We miss so much of our lives in Fort Worth, but know that the Lord has wonderful things in store for us here.

Visit to China

At the end of August, Bradley and I took a vacation to China to visit his brother and sister-in-law, Steven and Tara. We were able to spend an entire week with them in their home. It was my first trip to China. We loved the people and we loved the food. This is a picture of us eating our first meal there. This restaurant was so delicious I went back 2 more times during the week that we were there! Yum....


Bradley and I spent a few days in Hong Kong before we took the train into mainland China. Hong Kong was an amazing place to visit. The city is by far the largest that I've ever been in and definitely a great place to vacation. Here we are at the "Peak". We took a short tram ride to the top. We were able to eat lunch at Bubba Gump's and take pictures of the beautiful view.



The first day that we were with Steven and Tara we surprised Tara with a Baby Shower. Some of her close friends and family members sent us gifts to take to her. Once in China, I individually wrapped all the gifts and the four of us sat in their living room and had a baby shower. It was a blast.


Here is Steven goofing off. The baby's bib says "Thank Heaven for Little Girls"



Tara and some of her gifts.

This friend of Steven and Tara's quickly became our friend too.

We LOVED the food. This table full of food cost the four of us a total of about $15US. And it was delicious!

Here are some new friends that we were able to talk to.

One day while we were there, we went to an Amusement Park. It was truly amazing. There were rides that were very different from rides in the States, but it was awesome to experience some new things. Here are circular "bikes" that we rode on a rail about 10 feet off the ground. Hmmm...


We rode some "bumper boats"...doesn't Tara look happy!


Bradley and I were amazed at this 2 story Merry Go Round!


Tara, Bradley and I at the park entrance.

On our last night, we all went to get foot massages. Tara and I were SO relaxed!!

And we also got our hair washed (which includes a 20 minute head massage).

Baxter's Pinapple

Tonight Bradley and I were throwing away a pinapple that we bought and never ended up eating. But, when Bradley went to throw it in the compost pile, Baxter thought it was a toy. His other favorite toy is an empty plastic milk jug. He's such a fun dog!