Photo shoot

Our dear family friend (aka cousin) Taylor took some amazing pictures of our girls.  Here are just a few to enjoy.  I can't wait to put some of these up on our wall... eventually.

Celebrating my people

In admist my busy life, there are priorities that I cannot forget.  Celebrating "my people" (as Nat likes to say) is on top of the list.  Even if it means that things get a little hectic before and after the day.  Fall keeps me busy as three of my people have birthdays within a few weeks of eachother.  I must confess, no super fancy cakes this year, but fun treats none the less.

First, Chelsea.  She has a bunch of friends over at the house for a party... and we supplied the sweet treets... owl style.

Then Nat. This year we celebrated five little girls all together, as they all have birthdays within 3 weeks of eachother. Here is their birthday celebration...

 And then Nat's family birthday. She loves her pet bunny, hence the bunny cake.

And finally daddy. We don't do the big party, but we do celebrate with cake. I must confess I had to pull a Mr. Mexico pic from last year, as we took a video of him this year rather than pics on his b-day.  I am glad to report that Mr. Mexico has left and my husband has returned (another reason to love December).

A family get-a-way

I have had a very busy summer and fall due to my new adventure in academia.  I have returned to school to complete my master's in business, and it has been tough (to say the least).  Balancing family, school, work (I am teaching two classes this fall), friends, church commitments, and my ever so patient husband are challenging.  It feels like they are all flying in the air, and some dropping without my ability to even pick them back up (right now... just temporary... I hope).

Well, this, and the fact that our summer vacation was not the relaxing vacation I was hoping for, I was in desperate need of a get-a-way.  We got to take off to Birch Bay for the Thanksgiving weekend, and it was an excellent retreat for me (and my family too).  We got to spend some quality uninterrupted time together as a family... and a little shopping at the end.  The only downside to our little get-a-way... the bed in the master was miserably uncomfortable.

Here are a few pics of our little retreat... I can't wait to go back!

No longer a baby

Tis a sad thing when you celebrate the last 1st brithday in the family (sad for me, at least).  I am still coming to grips with the fact that our family is done growing (the Lord willing... we hope we're done growing).  I have this motherly longing for another baby, but when I think of the crying and sleepless nights (the practicality of a baby), I know that our family is complete just the way it is.

Now, on to this little one-year-old... I cannot believe how fast time flies (I think I say that all the time).  I wanted to put a lot of effort into Anna's birthday, and so the rainbow theme exploded in our home.  Thinking that the summer is a perfect time for a BBQ, that is what we planned for... but our summer did not co-operate.  The last-minute tent went up, and we still enjoyed the BBQ party (my husband does an amazing job on the grill).

So, here are a few fun photo's of Anna's big birthday bash!  She LOVED the cake, the people, the fun.  She's a true party girl.

Family Camp

...just a couple of more important catch-up posts, then on to advent.

Our family vacation this year entailed going to family camp at Barnabas.  This is an amazing little spot on Keats Island in the Howe Sound.  The setting was fantastic.  We get to this island via a little ferry with the other campers, and the view took our breath away.

They cater to family, which is why we chose family camp this year.  Our family has a large split in ages of out kids, and finding something that will be fun for everyone can be a challenge.  Well, family camp was perfect for our kids.  Anna was still a little small to appreciate everything that family camp offers (especially with her two naps a day).  Chelsea found some amazing friends that she hung out with all week.  Natalie had the most amazing camp leader, and had so much fun playing with the other kids her age.  We enjoyed a great speaker for the adult sessions.  There was even water activities that we got to do... Nat went tubing for the first time, and Cheslea had a blast on the hot dog thingy.

Family camp was not all perfect for me, though.  I was stuck with a school schedule that started earlier than anticipated, so I was reading and doing homework in some of my free time.  Also, the weather was not very good, mostly cold and rainy (and lots of rainy), which really affected me emotionally.  The Thursday I broke down emotionally... I was supposed to be enjoying our family vacation... and it just didn't feel very fun (for me only, of course)!  I prayed that the Lord help me appreciate the good and accept the weather and the dreariness and that He lift my sprirts.  Well, I serve an amazing God, and He cares for me, because that was the turning point in the trip for me (a little late, mind you).

Barnabas was a fantastic family vacation... next time I just need to make sure my heart is in the right place to truely enjoy the wonder of what I have been blessed with...

Ariving at Barnabas. (click on the pic to better see the view)

 Water activities.

Family photo time.

 Saying goodbye...

The best birthday ever!

Today we celebrated my husband's birthday, which takes me back to my birthday at the beginning of summer.  Can you recall your BEST birthday ever?  Well, this was mine, and I am thrilled to share it with you, as I got to with so many this year.

The day was not about me.  In the morning we had a formal engagement party to attend in Surrey (Depak's cousin), and went to our church family picnic right after in Hope, with lunch and a change of clothes on the way.  And with all this happening, I had to miss out on the ball game in the morning.

The most amazing part of my day was what happened at the church picnic... 

I praise God for my children, they truely are blessings to our lives.  But when I see my child make faith an integral part of her life, now that is worthy of PRAISE!  Along with a couple of other youth, Chelsea was baptized in the lake at the picnic.  She followed in the will of her Heavenly Father and made a public declaration of her faith in her Saviour.

Her testimony left both Depak and I in tears, along with so many others there.  She shared some of her struggles, and how she had to place her dependence on her Heavenly Father for strength.  To know that she is a child of the King is special, to see her depend on the strength of her God is amazing.  Chelsea is a beautiful young lady, and I know that God will work out His perfect will in her life.

Thank-you Chelsea for the best birthday ever!

Crazy...

I don't know how else to describe it... LIFE.  My hiatus from blogging over the past six months was not intentional, life just didn't allow enough breathing room to spend on frivilous things.  I will share some of the why, and some of the happenings over our busy six months, I just wanted to connect here again. 

Manitoba

To start, my little girls and I took a trip to Manitoba to visit my family and brand new nephew Braysen in May.  Here are a couple picture collages.  It has been too long since I've seen my nieces and nephews, and it was good to connect with them again.

I got to take the girls to the zoo for the first time.  We went with a former Abbotsford friend (who now lives in Wpg) and her two kids, Kristene, Zach & Emma.  Kristene was two days away from delivering her 3rd child, what a brave woman.

 We stayed with my parents in my uncle Cornie's trailer, as my parents don't live in Steinbach.  It would have been so much better if it wasn't so cold for the first 3 or 4 days were were there.

 Connecting with family.  Nat and Hayden played well together, most of the time.

 Baking cookies with my nieces

 We got to have a barbeque with my family - to visit everyone all at once, and the sun came out.

 The girls hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa at the trailer.  It was hard to be confined to the small space, but we had a good visit.

Steinbach has an awesome indoor pool.  We love going with my brothers and their families.

 DQ after a swin, and saying bye to Grandma and Grandpa.  We will miss them, its hard having Grandma and Grandpa so far away.

 Hanging out with some special friends.

On our way home.  A good trip, but now we're tired.