And that... was summer!

 Wow. That flew by.
I didn't think I was far behind on blogging, but I guess it's been almost a month already since we left Neerlandia and enjoyed the company of family at our place here.  There was a blip in the radar there with a week or two of unstable weather, but on the whole the end of August was still nice.   Perfect for celebrating Tristan's 5th birthday, deck building, swimming, hiking and relaxing.  OK, that last word technically didn't really happen, but in theory and hindsight, it was relaxing:) We had such a good time together, and we are thankful Mom and Dad, Micah, Ken and Natasha, Gavin and Tanner could come to our little house on the prairie.  

Thanks also to Tash for most of these pictures!  I don't haul out my camera much when she's around, as her's far surpasses my point and shoot digital box, so why use that when I can get pictures from her?

Tanner, Gavin and Rowan exploring the great outdoors. I think it was a grasshopper they found.

So SO exciting to be 5! Happy birthday dear Tristan!

The beginning of our new deck.

It was so bright and sunny here my dad donned a cowboy hat for some relief.  :)

Snack time!

Uncle Dick and Aunt Joanne came for an night with their house on wheels which was really fun.

Time to cool off in the pool which was a bit chilly from the cool week before this week. Eeek!

Andy being a pest - it's pool policy right? Shower before entering the pool! (you should have heard the shrieks! It was fantastic:) )

Fort Whoop-Up, Lethbridge. 

Boys and Canons.  Enough said.

We thought we'd show a bit more of the varied landscape of Southern Alberta so we went to Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park to see the hoodoos.  It was Andy's first time there too, and a day well spent!

The lovely Hutten family in front of the Milk river.

Dad!

The Sweet Grass hills are behind the river, just over the Montana border.

 The skies here are huge and when a storm rolls in it's pretty impressive to watch.  According to these people from Ontario apparently I had downplayed the beauty of the skies here... and together we watched in awe at the clouds forming and moving across the land.  I'm glad you were impressed by the beauty here too, which is not comparable to your corner of the earth, but unique and awesome in it's own way.  God's handiwork.

Overlooking the prairie from behind our Quonset.

Across the road from our driveway.

 The 1st of September!  Last dinner with Huttens, eating fresh Taber corn, picked right out of our garden. Delicious!   Thanks all for coming, it was such a great ending to our first summer in Alberta.  Lots of memories have been made, laughter shared, food eaten and pictures taken. We'll not forget you soon.  ;) 

Introducing: Ruth-Ann and Ben Tiemstra

 After months of planning the day had arrived! And although the forecast was for possibly rain that day, it was a crisp day with lots of sun, love and laughter.  It started bight and early for the bride and her girls (yup I was included) as we went to get our hair done at 6:45am.  The rest of the morning was spent at the Tiemstra's Poultry farm where we had pictures done.
The Oosterhoff's joined the wedding party at the Tiemstra's for lunch and family pictures before church.  I must say getting that many goofy guys (brothers) altogether makes for a lot of hilarity - poor photographer ;)  While she was snapping away a few others took my camera as well as Natasha's and here are a few fun ones to give you a bit of an "in" on the day. 

Bridesmaids for a day!

 Here is the whole family minus 7. (That wouldn't make it the whole family then would it?)  Richard and Elora with their three children, Sydney, Norah and Judah, as well as Aaron's wife Lyndsay and their blessing Levi, were unable to make it out.  We missed you! 

The Bride and Groom!!!!

Andy was my hero of the day taking care of all three boys, dressing them, getting them fed and keeping them presentable. 

The wedding took place a couple weeks after the tragic death of our cousin (from Neerlandia) Jorge Vanderzyle, and it was good to be all together to also give thanks to the Lord for his constant care and guidance in our lives, whatever may happen, rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn.
 It was fitting to sing the song "In Christ Alone" together.

"In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

this Cornerstone, this solid ground,

firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My comforter, my All in All,

here in the love of Christ I stand."

Pre-Wedding days

August was a crazy month.  I'm not even sure what to do with myself now that it's over.  ;)
The first half of the month was filled with preparation and anticipation for the wedding of my youngest sister Ruth-Ann to her love, Ben Tiemsta.  It meant company was coming and since we happen to live in Alberta we not only got to attend but also we got to enjoy some company here at our own place, to have some pre and post party get-togethers. 
First to arrive were my Opa and Oma Oosterhoff.  It was so special to have them here for a weekend, and as I had grown up seeing them weekly I have a real soft spot in my heart for them.  They are like old furniture, comfy to have around.  It's not every child who gets to enjoy such active great grandparents, and we made the best of the time together.  xoxox - thanks for coming, and come again.

We went to Henderson Park in Lethbridge for a walk and some play time.

After Opa and Oma left for camping on Monday, we had a few days to get ready for our trip up to Neerlandia and for the next round of guests.  It was warm, so of course we had to spend some of the time in the pool...even though the water wasn't public-pool-clean, it was very refreshing and alot cleaner then swimming in the pond.  We are still trying to figure out this whole pool/pond maintenance thing;)  

Then, finally, to the great excitement of our boys who love going on an adventure, it was Friday the 22nd, time to pack up and leave for Neerlandia!  Oh Rowan, you are such a handful but so bright and cheerful - it makes up for it all. We stopped in Red Deer for Happy Meals.  Can you tell it makes him happy?
 

After arriving later afternoon we had time for the boys to run around and get the car wiggles out while enjoying a lovely dinner and catch-up time at Tiemstra's. 

Uncle Sam! And cousin Gavin!