Catching Up

Despite my good intentions last year, I did a very poor job of keeping the blog up-to-date.  There were several reasons, one of which being that I figure no one much reads it anyway.  But I’ve come to realize that it’s important to chronicle this life we live.  It’s good to have a way of remembering these “good old days”, because all too soon life will change and we’ll be in want of ways to hold on to the memories.  So this blog is just as much for our family as it is for anyone else, though you are welcome to join in!

You may (or may not) have noticed the past several posts in which the events and pictures seemed odd for the month they were posted in.  Now you know why.

I have some catching up to do!  Here it is, the middle of January, and I haven’t blogged beyond last July!  I’m not about to pass by six months of memories, so I’m going to spend these next few weeks of Winter reliving the moments of Summer.  It’s kind of a nice thing to do – think warm thoughts while the cold clings to the other side of the window.  Stay tuned for posts about our annual Mayne Island adventure, the happy days of summer vacation, a few birthdays, some odds ‘n ends, and a little Christmas too.

May 2012 be a year of acting on good intentions!

Silly

In our house, silliness lurks around every corner.  You never know when you’ll encounter it, you just know that you will, and very soon.

 

For instance, you might be trying to snap an innocent shot of your kids on a rainy Saturday, and, well…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I told you.

Family

When I was growing up, my cousins weren’t just “family”; they were friends.  Many of my best childhood memories have my cousins in them.  So I’m glad that our kids have first and second cousins their age – on both sides of the family – to make happy memories with.  We might not get to see them as often as we’d like, but the fun always picks up right where it left off!   Here’s a pic of the new generation of cousins on my mom’s side, and one of their old parent-cousins too.

 

 

JUNE ~ Weekend in Parksville

In mid-June, Dad and Mom invited us to spend a weekend with them at Beach Acres.  We explored acres of beach, swam in the pool, and even tried out the nearby bumper boats.

 

 

 

Searching for geoducks and other treasures.

 

 

 

A few of the things we found…

 

 

 

 

Hours of soggy fun!

 

 

 

 

Bumper boat love.

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Dad and Mom, for a fun weekend away!  Can’t wait to do it again…

JUNE ~ Family Camp

In early June we spent a weekend at camp for our annual church family retreat… and it was awesome!

We’re so thankful for the privelege of life with our “extended family”.  Each one is a blessing!

Latest landscaping project

When our addition was finished last Fall, the house looked great, but the front garden had taken quite a beating.  We saw it as an opportunity to reinvent the look, and hired a family friend/gardener to help us out.  We really like the look he came up with, and feel the front yard will be easy to keep tidy and maintained.  We’re just waiting for the grass to grow in some.  Here are a few before and after pictures:

 

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Easter Weekend

Opa and Oma came to spend the weekend with us over Easter, and we had a great time together!  Grandpa and Grandma and Grandma Russell joined us for dinner on Saturday (wish I had taken more “people” pictures!), and we had an egg hunt on Sunday afternoon for Anika and Benjamin.  It was good to be together as we again celebrated the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior.

Spring Reunion

We were all thrilled when our dear friends the Janses decided to come and visit for a few days in March.  We played hard, talked til the wee hours, and wished they could’ve stayed longer.  We can’t wait to visit them soon (maybe this summer, guys?)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting their hands dirty

I do believe their thumbs are turning green (well, brown, anyway!).

Anika and Benjamin couldn’t wait to get their garden plots ready for some spring planting (with a little help from Dad).  There’s something so satisfying about digging in the dirt.  Maybe it’s just knowing its potential!

 

 

 

March, and a sigh of relief

I always cheer when February (it – may – be – the shortest – but – feels – like – the – longest – month) ends and I can decisively flip the page over to March.  Winter is over; Spring is just around the corner.  We made it… yeah!

Beacon Hill Park in March

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

our Japanese student Natsumi, here for the month of March

 

 

 

Andreas even felt compelled to bring some daffodils home!

 

 

 

and… it wouldn’t be March without a little bit o’ the Irish leakin’out!