We are turning Japanese

We recently visited a authentic Japanese house at Fairmont Park in Philadelphia. We love this park, it is so beautiful. The thing that really strikes me about Pennsylvania is just how GREEN everything is, and since green happens to be my favorite color, I am happy. Joe and I are very interested in other cultures, particularly that of Japan. We love the food, the art, the people!! When we heard about this house, we made it a priority to check it out. It was beautiful, the garden was amazing, the pond, and the house was set up like an actual Japanese house. You even had to remove your shoes as you walked through it. Hazel loved it, and when we arrived at the tea room she asked what they were drinking. When I explained it was probably green tea, she said she wanted to drink green tea....and since then she has been a green tea fan!!! We had so much fun, and since time is very precious to us....it was nice to spend some time all together!!

We then took a short little hike around some of the park.

Our one and only family pic.

We then drove around a bit and found a stable. The girls were so excited to see the horses so we just had to stop. Hazel and Jade had fun saying hello to the horses. It was all fun and games until Hazel's golden locks were nearly mistaken for hay by one of the horses. Luckily daddy caught it in time, and saved Hazel's signature locks.

Hazel took this picture of her favorite horse...

Much love,

MON

Niagara pt 2

It was hard to decide if Niagara was THE most spectacular & beautiful sight I have seen. Europe holds a very, very special place in my heart. Never had I seen such wonderous sights, and behold such overwhelming beauty. The French Alps jump out as slightly comparable (eventhough they are sooooo different) but I remember feeling small, and overwhelmed by beauty and God's awesome creation...well Niagara Falls falls into the same category....stunning, spectacular, and ahhhh-maaaa-zing.

Our second day started out with a wonderful breakfast buffet at our hotel....yummmy breakfast + buffet....yes that is my idea of heaven!!!!

(Hazel Rei took this pic of me, she is really into "taking pictures". I have a sleepy eye and crumbs on my face....)

We decided to take advantage of the hotel pool & jacuzzi and spent some time hanging out. We then took the behind the falls tour...it was an amazing adventure. You are able to walk through tunnels behind the falls and it was amazing. We packed up our things & kids and I was under the impression that we would be heading home but my adventurous "spur of the moment" kinda guy husband decided to "take a drive"...."ok" I thought. So we drove a bit and ended up at the most beautiful & enchanted area of the world that I have visited to date. Niagara on the Lake is where I decided I wouldn't mind being a Canadian and living there in peace, tranquility and beauty. The road leading to Niagara on the Lake was lined with beautiful homes, and small wineries...it was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! While walking to the lake I saw a couple sharing a picnic lunch by the beautiful lake, I saw families spending precious time together and I thought, "now this is meant for me".....We cannot wait to go back!

(skippin' rocks with Dad)

It was beautiful...the whole trip. Now we have so few minutes together so while less than 2 days sounds insane to drive 6+ hours for what literally translates to an extended day trip...we took full advantage of every second and can chalk Niagara Falls as a precious adventure....and we subsided the travelling "itch" we Montgomerys possess.

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes for Hazel Rei. I did read all of them to her and she said, "Mom alot of people love me".......so thank you very very much.....

Love,

MON

Niagara Falls!!! 1

For our anniversary, we decide to take a quick family trip to Niagara Falls. Neither of us had been there, and it had been on our to-do list, so we decided this was the time. We drove up after I got off work on Saturday night. It was about a 7 hour drive, not too bad. We got to the American side of the falls at like 6 in the am. We walked along the river rapids for a bit, and peeked at the falls. It was nice, moist, and refreshing. Hazel discovered earthworm city while we were walking around. Then we drove over the border to see if we could check in early to our hotel to no avail. We grabbed a cheesy breakfast buffet in Niagara and then hit up a outlet mall. Hazel and Dad slept in the car while Moni and Jade went shopping. We headed back to town and got to our room which had a beautiful view of the falls. The falls are truly amazing. God's creation is something wonderful. After a quick break of unpacking, starbucks and resting on our beds, we cruised down this cool little tram to the falls. We rode the Maid of the Mist right up to the falls. It was so fun! And we got blessed with beautiful weather too! The forecast said it was gonna be like 50 degrees, but it was like 75-80 and all sun!! The feeling of being so close to falls was exhilirating!! Moni said it best,"You jus feel like screaming, 'I'm alive!'" Definitely a must do, at least once in your life. After that, we climbed back into town and grabbed some Pizza pizza,

ice cream. We sauntered back to our room and took a nap. We ate a nice dinner at the hotel restaurant. Then we called it a night. What a great beginning to our anniversary trip!!

Violet

I think my favorite thing about Violet was her laugh!!! It was more of a cute chuckle...she smiled with her whole face, and laughed with sweetness and innocence. She was so cute and tiny, as if you could just pick her up and put her in your pocket. She was quiet, but very, very sweet. Violet is Nadia's cousin and we all grew very close. I recall my early twenties with fondness, it was a very awesome, simple time...and Violet was indeed a part of those days. We would hang out often after church and I loved the time spend with Nadia & Violet.

The past few weeks have been very hard for Nadia, Violet, and their family. Violet was fighting for her life and it was hard for Nadia to see someone she loved so dearly in so much pain. I have been suffering along with them, and would speak often about how Violet was doing with Nadia, we have been praying fervently for healing, but yesterday Violet was taken home to be with her Lord and Savior. I recall receiving the txt yesterday morning, that Violet would soon be passing, my heart dropped...I felt heartbroken, hopeless, sad, and immediately fell to my knees and began to pray. I wanted so badly for Violet to leave that hospital healthy! She was so amazing, so sweet, she loved her job, she loved her family, she was just such a special girl. I still find myself asking why. Sometimes it's hard to understand God's plan, especially when it couldn't be further from what you want. I loved Violet she was my friend. I will always remember her and her smile, her laugh, and just was an amazing person she was. I am heartbroken and grieving along with Nadia but will never know the sadness she feels. I ask you to please pray for the Barraza/Aldaco family that God would comfort them at this time.

Jeremiah 31:13 I will turn their mourning into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.