Back to School

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 Off to Grade 7 (and I'm not the only one who thinks that's crazy!!!), Grade 4 and Grade 1!

 Though I'm sure I'd never be truly ready, back to school has come and gone and we are surviving.  I'm not going to lie though . . . I sure miss summer vacation. Evenings are now filled with homework, reading, memory work and making lunches.  My strict bedtimes have flown out the window already . . .and it's only been 4 days!!  Students are not the only ones who need to adjust I guess!!

 If you look real (REAL) hard ,you will see the bus driver in this picture . . . it's OPA!!  

Depsite my longings for the carefree days of summer, I am thankful for our schools, our godly teachers, and the friendships the kids have and enjoy.  Routine is also a good thing and once I'm back in the swing of things, I will enjoy that too!!

I am also adjusting to being home with just Karter! I got a taste of it last year . . .but 2 days is a far cry from 5!!  Karter has been doing well and gets into trouble  plays quite well on his own.  I just miss my "babysitters!"  

Here's to the new year!

Rock Lake Lodge 2013

Another speedy wonderful week at the cottage has come and gone. I am pretty sure this week is one of the fastest weeks of the year every year.   We love every minute of it and are so thankful for this amount of time to spend with family.  Though we had perhaps less sunshine than usual, we also had very little rain.  This just meant we had to get creative and do things instead of just working on our tans;)

Here is the ENTIRE group!  I think it's been 6 years since we were all in the same place at the same time . . .so although you may not see EVERY face . . they are all there . . .somewhere!!

And . . .our yearly cottage family pictures:

Dan and Sarah

John-Michael and Becky

Steve and Jo

Jonathan and Denise

Josh and Steph

Nate and Beth

Rich and Mare

Stephen and Jenna

Jeff and Christy

David, Dad, Mom, Elizabeth and Matt

Maaike, Christy and Holly

Brooke and Owen enjoying a hot chocolate.

Kylie

Hunter and his frog.

Titus . . . and in case you can't guess what he is saying, it was "You get outta here!"

He is so much fun!

Isaac

Reese

Jonathan

Karter

Brooke and Mackenzie

Owen, Kylie, Judah

MaryBeth and Holly

Off for a run . . .

Isaiah

Karter

Jonathan and Karter

Karter was a bit of a danger this year with the water. He had no problem just wandering right in . . . and twice he had to be rescued!!

Nate and Beth out for some fishing

Kade with his finest catch

Kade, Christiaan and Jeremy

 . . throw Mary Beth into the mix and this group is complete.  They have such fun together!

Kylie did really well with the water this year.  She was jumping and swimming and even canoeing this year!!

Jacob

Joshua

The dock is always a popular place . . . .

 . . . just not necessarily a calm place . . .

 . .  especially when Uncle Jeff comes along!

Becky and Jonathan

Mason

Beth and Jonathan

The playground is rarely quiet!  The kids just love this area! 

Savannah

Badminton was perhaps the sport of choice this year!!  Lots of good doubles games!

Not every moment is a happy one . . .even at the cottage:)  Can't remember what the issue was here . . but I thought it made for a cute picture;)

The five 2001ers

Kate, Tim, Ryan, Jonathan and Kevin

Kate and Kev

Opa playing catch with the kids.  Opa played ball with Karter a LOT this week and Karter just loves anything that has to do with a ball!

Volleyball was still a hit and lots of good games were had.

There is no doubt at all who Savannah's favorite aunt is!!!

Hunter and Mackenzie

Summer, Kylie and Mackenzie - now in Grade 1!

Hunter, Summer, Kylie, Mackenzie and Isaiah

Kevin and Titus

Isaiah and Marshall

Watching a volleyball game . . 

Karter loved these trucks and spent many hours pushing them around the yard . . .and bothering other kids:)

Mason

(I think this is my favorite cottage picture this year!)

Karter

(also really love this picture)

 Hunter

Mason

Hunter and Karter

Kade and Chris

Jonathan and Karter

Christy and Savannah

Jonathan and Karter

Becky, Mare, Marshall, and Matt

Keziah

Summer

Kylie

While we had a fabulous week away from home, we were quickly reminded how important it is to treasure each moment and to love eachother deeply.  Hours after we arrived, we received the news that our pastor had passed away in an accident.  This was shocking and terrible news.  Though we were away from our church family, it was good to be together with family during these times. We will miss our pastor, but we have hope and joy knowing he is with our Lord and Saviour in heaven.  Our prayers are with his family!

Family and vacation are gifts.  We are thankful for the hours and hours our children can play with their cousins . . some who they see often and others who they see only a few times a year.  The cottage is where they connect and they pick up so quickly where they left off the year before.  It is really special seeing each group of kids growing older . . though it goes way too fast.  Maaike was already off to Tamarack with her uncles!  We are thankful for the time we spend with our brothers and sisters and brothers and sisters in law.  What a crazy mix of people . . .yet it works!! We seriously have a blast together!  We are thankful for mom and dad who love and pray for each one of their children and grandchildren.  And of course we thank Uncle Klaas and Auntie Ann for letting us come and have all these moments and memories!

(My laundry after we got home.  . . b/c that is how vacation ends right??)