Park Fun with Pa

Last weekend we had the boys while Megs went along with Jamie and his Grade 8 basketball teams to a Tournament in Penticton. Saturday we headed to the Park for a walk, some bird watching and of course, time to play in the park at the playground.The boys were excited to be heading back to the Park where we had walked the day before.

Aidan was watching for ducks and geese and we saw lots of them. But we also had a great view of this Blue Heron. Dave couldn't resist taking a picture and what a great picture!

Next up, the playground. Aidan knew exactly where he wanted to head first, and of course, Jaxon was right behind him! The swings.....they were excited to both be in them!

The slide was next...since it was a double slide they could both go down at the same time!

From the smaller double slide, Aidan ran for the high slide and the climbing wall. He got all the way to the top and then was ready to come down the slide. He was a long, long way off the ground!

 

Jaxon wanted to have a try at the climbing wall too, but his legs were just too short for the footholds!

 
Aidan also wanted to try the chain ladder....he did great at climbing it up to the top and then hanging on for a picture! It was definitely a fun time at the Park with Pa!(and Mimi the photographer :-)

 

A Weekend with Friends

A couple of weeks ago we were treated to a relaxing weekend with old friends who now live on Vancouver Island. We left after work on Friday and headed for the Ferry Terminal where we parked our car and waited for our Ferry so we could just walk on.

This was the first time we had gone to the Island as foot passengers and it made it wonderfully relaxing. Our friends were waiting for us when we disembarked on the other side. Although it was dark that night, the next morning we could see the ocean in the distance. We decided it was a great day for a walk and headed down the hill to the water.

Ilona and I were friends as teenagers and I was even in their Bridal Party. The year that Dave and I met I was living with them while attending the University of Alberta. Many years have passed since then but we have remained good friends.

 For Dave and I it was just so good to relax, enjoy time with friends, and play several games of the European version of Ticket to Ride(my new favorite game).

The weekend came to an end far too soon and we all agreed that we had to do this again soon! We won't stay away as long this time! Thanks for the memories Gerd and Ilona!

Little Feet

Last weekend we had the boys overnight while Jamie surprised Megan for her birthday. As we headed upstairs to bed I just had to take a picture of these matching Nike running shoes.....they looked so big sitting there, much bigger than the little feet that wear them! And yet, someday soon, the Nike shoes will be even bigger, basketball shoes, soccer shoes, all sorts of shoes. But for now they are little Nike shoes....

...... and these little men fill those shoes. We are so blessed to get to spend time with them! Jaxon looked so grown up sitting in the big chair I just had to capture his expression! Both the boys just love playing with all the old Fisher Price toys that I kept from our children. Aidan could hardly believe it when I told him that his Daddy had played with those same toys!

Spending time with Aidan and Jaxon made us wish that we could transport some other little people for the weekend....like these little Texas girlies and a little man from up north.

I am so thankful for the time we did have....and so thankful for little feet!

The Blessing of a Friend

Last week we remembered the death of our friend Debbie a year ago on January 7. Saying goodbye too soon has made both Dave and I more aware that life is to be celebrated and treasured. It also reminded me again of the incredible value of a good friend.

It's hard to believe that that this is our 22nd year of walking together. Anneliese and I have walked and talked about the joys and the sorrows, the good times and the challenging, as our children went thru elementary school, high school, moved on to Bible School and then university, met sweethearts, married them, had children and now have families of their own.

I realized again this past week what a blessing it is to have a friend who sees me just as a I am! No make-up, sometimes grouchy and weighed down with what concerns me. And yet she is committed to walking whether sunny or rainy, warm or cold, getting up long before she would if we weren't walking(we are both allergic to mornings). Thank you my friend! I am blessed indeed!

Happy Birthday Megs

Although the day is almost over I wanted to still take the time to dedicate this post to our wonderful daughter-in-love Megan!

Megs you first came into our family's lives over 9 years ago when you made the decision to leave Grand Rapids, Michigan to attend Bible College at His Hill in Comfort, Texas the same fall that Heather left home and headed to Texas. I still remember the phone call from Heather early that fall, telling me that she had met the gal that she thought would be perfect for her brother! We chuckled about it because although she had often threatened to do that, Jamie was just as adamant that would never happen!

Well happen it did! Although your first meeting when he came down to visit Heather during his Reading Break later that year was definitely NOT love at first sight, a year later when you came up to Canada to check out Trinity Western University a well-orchestrated ski trip to Mt Baker began a relationship that resulted in you joining our family when you and Jamie were married in July 2002.

Megs, you are a beautiful woman who loves the Lord, her husband, her boys and our family! Thank you for opening your heart to all of us, for sharing your cute boys with us and always making us feel more than welcome in your home.

Tonight they are here with us, in bed after a fun evening watching 'Bolt', playing, hearing Dave tell them stories and then tucking them in. Aidan didn't want you to leave tonight as you left for your Birthday Dinner out, but he calmed down and then after supper said, "sorry for crying so hard". He has learned so much from you! I hope you have had a great day and that it truly was a wonderful birthday!