Kylie

I've been meaning to make it out to Springwater for some time. I love it there in the Fall and like to make at least a few trips to walk through the fantastic trails there. I finally made it out today for the first time. The colours are past their prime, but it is still beautiful! I love it there. I only wish Kylie did half as much as I do. She kept asking to go home, wondering when the walk would be over, and kept informing me that it was very scary in the woods because of all the monsters. She eventually fell asleep and I walked in peace:)

Shorts vs. Pants

So far I've sent the kids to school in shorts every day. In fact they mostly insist b/c they say it gets so hot by the end of the day. But how long can I do this? I feel rather bad for them at 7:30 in the morning.

I'm thinking I've saved myself at least a few pairs of pants so far. Kade's knees are actually clean today, but usually his are just as bad . . . and its like this every day! Can they wear shorts till snow flies;)? Brrr. Makes me cold just thinking about it.

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An aside: I can't believe how often the kids have come home in the last week or so and played . . . . . .wait for it . . .

SCHOOL!!

Mind you its usually colouring or drawing, but nevertheless, its got me a little flabbergasted. I guess that means they like it.

And their progress reports tell me its going well.

So things are good.

Ten Years

It's been ten years . . .

. . .ten wonderful . . .

. . . . .blessing filled . . .

. . extremely fun . . .. . . AND never boring . . .

. . . happy . . .

BUT

VERY FAST YEARS!!!

I am so thankful for the blessing of marriage, and pray that the years ahead will be just as fun and blessed as the ones we've already celebrated!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We spent Thanksgiving weekend at one of our favorite places - Rock Lake! Though it was to be a work weekend, it didn't take much encouraging for us to decide to come. Jonathan loves to be busy with his hands (though of course he does know how to relax too . . . occasionally:)), so this kind of a weekend was right up his alley. And we can't forget to mention the fabulous weather!

Here are the men at work (nearly finished).

Kade and Chris out for a paddleboat ride.

Judah

When the guys finished the roof they decided to take the plunge . . . .

. . . doesn't he almost make it look warm and enjoyable;)

. . . but they all said it was "refreshing"!

Judah with his convoy.

Jonathan fishing with Kade.

Uncle Klaas took a big group of us for a hike on Sunday afternoon. It was beautiful!

Cameras never seem to capture the beauty, but we try:)

Isaiah and Kylie who actually got along amazingly well the whole weekend. They usually get along super well or fight super well . . . this time they had a great time together so that was really fun.

Isaiah and his daddy.

Kylie and her sour key. I don't really want to know exactly how many of these she went through over the weekend, but more than likely it was TOO many. Thanks though Becky! It kept her rather happy.

Jamie, Holly, and Anneke

The boys! We didn't see a whole lot of this gang. They were always off having fun - mostly building forts or hiking.

John-Michael, Tim, and Kevin. These three boys were always together and got along fabulously.

Chris with his clean face and Kade with his bed head:)

Rachel and Maurice

Jenna

Auntie Ann (who was such a gracious and hard working hostess) with Mom.

Captain Blue Beard also came for a visit. It was neat to watch the faces of the kids who have heard the story of BlueBeard over and over, but were never quite sure if it was fact or fiction. My boys both had that cautious look in their eyes for a quick second before the wheels turned and they affirmed in their minds that BlueBeard is not a real person after all.

Uncle Klaas took them through the story again (I don't think they'll ever get tired of hearing it) . . .

. . . before sending them out for the treasure hunt.

. . . unburying the treaure after all the clues.

Carrying the treasure box down for a group picture.

Here is the crew (or most of them)

Jamie

JM and Kevin in one of the forts they built (with the other boys).

Kade

Uncle Klaas and the boys.

Thanks so much for inviting us/having us for the weekend Uncle Klaas and Auntie Ann. It was a LOT of fun. It was neat reconnecting with a lot of people we don't see too often. The kids absolutely loved coming and making new friends too. Though the drives were rather long, the trip was well worth it. We'd do it again in a heartbeat! We'll remember game nights (and afternoons), walks where we could enjoy the incredible beauty, sitting on the porch soaking up the wonderful sunshine, great talks late at night with JM and Becky, lots of great food including a HUGE turkey dinner with all the trimmings and accessories, and just enjoying eachothers company. (Oh and roofing the roof:)) We thank God for all these blessings and so much more!