October Loveliness

Every morning as I look out my bathroom window I see this amazing tree and think I just have to take a picture. Today I did just that! And then I decided that I had to take a few more pictures and share some of our October loveliness with all of you....it's just so gorgeous.

 So here's a little tour around our neighborhood....Enjoy!

No need for a lot of words....they say a picture is worth a thousand words anyway.

 What an amazing Creator we serve!!

Thankful on a Rainy Afternoon

As I got back home this afternoon after running errands in the pouring rain, my flowers welcomed me by the front door. They looked so cheery, almost like they were saying to me, 'Welcome home! Come in where it is warm and dry.' It made me think about all the things that I have to be thankful for:

*for a home that is dry and warm, not like the thousands of people without a home following the earthquake in Turkey this week

*for healthy parents, not like my friend who is on a flight right now because she got word this morning that her mother had an aortic aneurism and was headed into surgery with only a 50/50 chance of survival

*for healthy children and grandchildren, not like other friends whose teenage son has been suffering from severe post concussion symptoms which may now be as a result of something far worse like a brain tumor

*for an awesome physiotherapist who although I sometimes accuse of torturing me, has made it possible for me have far more range of motion and way less pain than a friend who is in so much pain right now that she has to lie flat on her back

*for a Starbucks card from some thankful kids who gave it to me just because I had helped them out so much(you know who you are)....so today on this rainy, wet afternoon I could treat myself to a Salted Caramel Mocha which is oh so delicious.

Of course this is only a small part of my list....but enough said. There is a smile on my face from a thankful heart on this rainy afternoon.

Our Entertainer

 Some pictures need no words.....just had to share these of our little entertainer.

 

Thanks Kai for putting a smile on my face today and every day that I look at these pictures!

The Princess and the Bear

This past weekend we headed back up north to spend some time with our Northern Princess and the Bear! It was amazing to see how much Halle had changed since we had seen her last.....

 She is just starting to smile so of course the challenge was to capture one on camera!

 Can you tell she loves to eat?

 Kai loves holding his little sister....look at his hand on her as he gently holds her.

 I love the way he is holding her hand in his.

 She has the biggest blue eyes that look like they might just stay blue.

 Caught it!!! Doesn't she look like she is having a blast? So much fun!

 So what are you thinking little lady?

 The Bear on the other hand is our little entertainer.....

 "Cheese"!

So much all packed into a weekend....priceless!

So Much to Be Thankful For

Last weekend we celebrated Thanksgiving but with a houseful of people around, blogging just didn't happen. As I sit here on the couch with a head cold this Friday evening I couldn't help but reflect on how very much we have to be thankful for. There is this little man who asked me to take his picture......I just love that big smile!

I am grateful for our family who love one another.....it was fun to be there when Halle met her Auntie Megan.

 Even Jamie had to hold her.

On Friday afternoon we went into Vancouver to attend Jamie's graduation with his Master of Education degree from Simon Fraser University....Megan and I enjoyed our coffees while we waited for the ceremony to begin. I am thankful that Jamie loves teaching and was able to complete his Masters Degree early in his career.

 We are so proud of Jamie!

Megan is an awesome supportive wife which is something we never take for granted and are so thankful for.

 Such a handsome couple!

We are thankful for our three amazing, energetic grandsons. It was so much fun watching them play together and get to know one another better. Kai was right in there like a dirty shirt.

 Aidan wanted to hold Halle which was surprising but he seemed to really enjoy it!

And here she is, Miss Halle, who is up to 11 pounds in one short month! She's in a hurry to catch up with her brother and cousins I guess!

We were missing our Texas sweethearts though...Bria is growing up in such a hurry it seems.

We are thankful for skype calls every week with our southern princesses.....technology really can be a huge blessing.

 

 We really do have so much to be thankful for.