August 2019

 

 Summer 2019 kicked off with a session of swimming lessons in Taber, getting us ready for 

the next season.  Pictured above.

The past summer was a beautiful, relaxed and short one.  We didn't have weeks of super hot dry weather as it took a long time in coming, nor did we have too many visitors or outings planned so all in all it was a short and sweet summer. One I will remember fondly.  So many early mornings/days spent weeding the garden with my little helpers, cuddling the multiple batches of kittens, feeding the sheep and just simply enjoying life around the home.  Everyone was healthy and happy, it was really a summer to remember.

 

Beppe and Elly came for a long weekend visit on their trip across the West.

My cousin Karen came for a visit with the family and the children played so nicely!

Uncle Jerold and Aunt Sharon were down for a wedding so they came to visit too.

Summer BBQ and wandering with local friends

I had a couple Van Kammen girls for a week, we had fun together.

Bread making helpers. 

💖

July 19, 2019 - Sam and Keri's wedding

On July 19th, 2019 my second youngest brother Sam got married to his sweetheart Keri.   I did not want to miss the special event so flew out with just Seth and Marla for a few days to share in the big day.  It's not every day a brother gets married!  And we are so glad we could go.   It was a very hot and humid day, but on these pictures you only see the stunning smiles and decor from a very beautiful wedding.  It was gorgeous, everything about it.  💕  We pray God will bless their marriage.

On Saturday we spent some time with the Bijlsma clan on the shores of Lake Erie.  It was nice to be able to fit that in yet, Seth was thrilled to play with Haaye.

And then we were off again!  It was so much fun traveling with these two sweethearts.  They were great sports and it was special to have them along.

Mom and Dad visit - May 2019

Mom and Dad came "just for fun" in May, and we really appreciated they took the time to come and reconnect and enjoy the kiddos.  It's always fun having company and we try to make it special and memorable by doing a few extra outings.  First off was a trip to the Crownest Pass!  We had a little picnic at Lundbreck Falls in the beautiful sunshine.

 From there we went a bit further to the Frank Slide in Frank, Alberta. This is the location of Turtle mountain. The mountain that moves - and slid down and covered the village of Frank. It's always an interesting stop and fun to go to. Mom and Dad fully appreciate local and Canadian history which makes taking them places enjoyable even though we've been before.  The kids are also always up for showing family around!  💕

We also went to the Lietch Colleries, also in the Pass, which is an old coke refinery and mine site.  It's really well put together for tourists and free so it was also a lovely stop. 

 It has become a bit of a tradition when Opa and Oma are out to go bowling and then out for dinner.  The kids do not forget!  So we hit up the Taber bowling alley and threw some balls, before heading to BP's.  As it happened, it was also our 12th wedding anniversary and Opa treated us all, so it was a very special day.  For our anniversary Opa and Oma also insisted that Andy and I head out to shop in Calgary for a day while they had all the kids.  Having no family around it is normally very difficult for us to do anything without the kids so off we went for a full day while they took care of the kids at home.  I probably will never hear about all the things they heard. Ha. 

Seth got to spend some quality time with Opa learning about his music program and how he is making 4 part harmonies for the psalms.  When we came home everything was calm and quiet so I'm sure 5 kids for the day was really no big deal 😀 .  Thanks again, it was so generous of you.

 We decided to also head out to Waterton National Park as we had never gone there with Dad and Mom.  We hadn't been back since the forest fires and were quite shocked at the destruction and look of the park. Not much left to see, most of it was closed down and not really too much point to go back.  Oh well, still a nice drive.

Thanks for coming Opa and Oma!  

Lots of love to you,

God be with you 'till we meet again.

from the Bijlsmas