Wow!!! Another Wonderful Year at the Cottage!

If vacations were measured in terms of weather alone, this one probably would get a 9.8 out of 10! What a wonderful week. After a day and a half of clouds and rain, we enjoyed nothing but SUN!! (of course the sun did go down in the evenings, but it was back up to greet us every morning) But of course a vacation DOES depend on more than the weather. It must have good fun, good food, and good fellowship. And all these elements were there - at their best. So this vacation ranks high on the list of GREAT VACATIONS - but then I have a hard time recalling a rotten vacation. Anyway this one was really fun and sped by with great speed as vacations tend to do. What follows is a whole wack of pictures. They are the proof of a spectacular time -- that and the memories which are of course still very fresh. But since memories do tend to fade - here are pictures that will allow us to hold on to good times yet a little longer. Our yearly family picture at the cottage

Josh and Steph and familyBrookeMackenzie

Holly James

Isaac

BethanyJosh taking his boys for a canoe ride.Who would have thought . . . . ! ! !Timothy, Jonathan, and Ryan Isaac taking in the happenings.

Dodge ball was a favorite with the kids and adults. You could also find them engaged in a soccer game once or twice a day. There are a whole bunch of up and coming soccer stars in this group!

Maaike and ChristyMaaike, Mackenzie and KylieOwen Kylie

Mackenzie and Kylie splashing And of course there must be the yearly volleyball competitions. All hot and ready for a swim.

Refreshed.

David and Timothy Christiaan with one of his frogs. Kade and Christiaan with their frogs. Frog catching was another favorite pasttime for the boys.

Jeremy celebrated his 6th birthday while we were at the cottage and I must say his reactions to all the birthday celebrations and gifts was just priceless! Brooke and Isaiah

Holly and Maaike Isaiah, Christiaan, Jeremy, Kade

Off to do some rock jumping . . .

Jeremy

Summer

And . . . Richard is most definitely back . . . .

Christiaan - always with a big smile on his face.

Kylie and Mackenzie

Kylie

Bethany and MaryBeth

Mackenzie

Kade and Jeremy

Ryan

Kylie, Hunter and MaryBeth out for a paddleboat ride.

Kade ready for some snorkelling.

Kade and Jonathan snorkelling.

Jeremy and Kade

Kevin and James

Kade and Jonathan. The boys love fishing and are becoming quite the experts at it.

Kevin, Tim, Kade, James and David.

Timothy and Kevin

MaryBeth, Kade and Jeremy

Brooke

Jon and Josh

Opa splashing and being splashed by Summer, Kylie and Isaiah.

Kade and Christiaan

Jonathan and Kylie. Kylie was afraid of any type of boat at first, but once pursuaded to try it out, she loved it and became quite a willing passenger after that.

MaryBeth taking Summer and Kylie out for a ride.

Kade and Jeremy

Kade - I love pictures of kids in lifejackets.

Ryan, Kevin, and Jonathan

Brooke and Kylie.

The swings were a favorite for Kylie and many of the other younger ones.

Kevin

Kade the fisherman. He always wanted the fishing rod in his hands before the picture was taken.

Kylie and Isaiah. These two were very amusing to watch. They played and fought and fought and played . . . Kylie met her match!!!

James

Isaiah - what a cutie - I just love this little guy - he's a grand mixture of fiesty and sweet. Reminds me of a little girl I know . . . .

Hunter

Dad and Jonathan reading and relaxing.

Nathan and Mackenzie

Allison enjoying her book in the sun.

Me and my Ky.Kevin and Kaitlyn - these two could often be found together too - they were dubbed the other set of twins. They do have their similarities.

Owen and James.

In age order from left to right - Kate, Tim, Jonathan, Ryan and Kevin.

Becky and Judah

What a gorgeous little girl - Mackenzie!!!

Josh and Steph

Brooke and Kylie

Allison and Holly

Nathan, Bethany and Mackenzie

Josh and Steph and the troops.

Mom and Dad Stephen and Jenna

Jenna, Stephen, Mom, Dad
Matthew, Christy, David

So many thanks to each and every family member for a great time. And of course we missed you a lot Dan and Sarah and gang. And especially thanks to Uncle Klaas and Auntie Ann who let us use their cottage each and every year. We are so thankful for the opportunity it gives us to get together like this.