Day 181 - Tuesday, June 30, 2009

We went to the library and joined readopoly. This should go along nicely with summer bingo.

Day 180 - Monday, June 29, 2009

We have been playing Guess Who for the past few days. It's neat to see the kids figuring out how to ask better questions.

Day 179 - Sunday, June 28, 2009

I finished this book today. What an experience. I'm not sure why but ever since I saw the episode on polygamy on Oprah it has just intrigued me. How can anyone follow this lifestyle - but it really is about the upbringing. Still, a very interesting read.

Day 178 - Saturday, June 27, 2009

Being "prepared" at the ball hockey game. Entertainment and food.

Day 177 - Friday, June 26, 2009

We have received so many nice words of sympathy for Grandma and Grandpa as well as this lovely bouquet from Drew's co-worker. I love fresh flowers!

Day 176 - Thursday, June 25, 2009

We made it home in time for Matt to go to his last day of school - where he won one of the 2 RAPIDS awards for his class. It is quite an honour - YEY MATT!

Day 175 - Wednesday, June 24, 2009

As we drove home I was struck over and over with the beauty all around us. The clouds were beautiful beyond description. Billowy and then wispy and then right amongst us as we went up and down the hills. God was so close - it was a good time of reflection.

Day 174 - Tuesday, June 23, 2009

We spent time today cleaning up the condo as well. There isn't as much of a rush as mom and dad will be back up - but at least it was something I could do. Marlee was very upset that she wouldn't be coming back here.

I'll always remember Grandma and Grandpa doing the dishes - more often my grandpa immediately after dinner. Them having tea. The old convection microwave oven.

Day 173 - Monday, June 22, 2009

The funeral and internment was held for Grandma and Grandpa today. So many nice things were said about them. A true testimony of love for each other, for Christ and for those around them. Still so surreal.

Day 172 - Sunday, June 21, 2009

John and Sarah wanted to do some hiking so we all went to Kakabeka Falls for the afternoon. While they went hiking I took the kids to the nearby swimming area - still a little chilly up here!

BTW - Happy Father's Day Drew - who got to spend the day golfing!

Day 171 - Saturday, June 20, 2009

The kids (as well as us) had some down time visiting our cousins. Their next-door neighbours let them use the pool and then we had a big spaghetti dinner.

Day 170 - Friday, June 19, 2009

I spent some of the day going through Grandma and Grandpa's things at the retirement home. Since we are only here for a short time we needed to do it more quickly then usual. It's funny the things we come across and the memories they bring with them. I will remember their shoes. Grandpa's runners and Grandma's shoes with the Bunyan shapes.

Day 169 - Thursday, June 18, 2009

Sarah took this photo overlooking the lake at camp. Grandma died shortly after this photo was taken. She didn't want any heroic measures taken and apparently her heart was worse then we realized. When she was admitted on Tuesday she was given 24-48 hours. Little did we know they would go within a week of each other. It is always darkest before the dawn. Bittersweet. Now she is with the love of her life of 65 years. We didn't think it would happen like this and we will miss them both so much.

Day 168 - Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Being here allowed us to spend some time at camp (or the cottage as the southern folk call it). Matt is wanting to spend a LOT of the time playing checkers.

Day 167 - Tuesday, June 16, 2009

"A Witness to the Resurrection" of my grandfather was held today at their church. He would have been 89 in August. It was officiated by the church minister and both mom and dad spoke. Unfortunately Grandma wasn't able to make it as she was admitted to the hospital late last evening for congestive heart failure. The kids did amazingly.

Day 166 - Monday, June 15, 2009

We made our usual stay over in White River and the kids were excited to see new playground equipment at the Winnie the Pooh Park. Too bad the black flies were out in full force.

Day 165 - Sunday, June 14, 2009

Thanks to my lists we got packed up rather quickly and were on the road "fairly" early today. We opted to have Cierra stay with her relief provider so that it would be easier on Grandma. Surprisingly with the back seat down it seemed LESS organized. Go figure. Oh wait, Drew packed the van (sorry Drew!). The clouds and later storm were quite entertaining to keep an eye on.

Day 164 - Saturday, June 13, 2009

Drew had the guys from the church golf tournament over to the house so I took the kids to see the God Rocks live Movie at the theatre. We had a really good time - we enjoyed the music enough that we stopped to buy some afterwards.

Day 163 - Friday, June 12, 2009

Another flavourful outfit for Marlee, by Marlee. This girl's got a style all her own - and we love it!

Day 162 - Thursday, June 11, 2009

Grandpa died this evening. It looks like we'll be heading north for the funeral. This was the last photo I have of him - from when we visited them last August.

Day 161 - Wednesday, June 10, 2009

We walked by the store after school to pick up our milk for the week. I'm loving the convenience (and "green-ness") of the jugs. I just wish they weren't so heavy!

Day 160 - Tuesday, June 9, 2009

The kids have been choosing to walk through the woods to get home after school - and have been captivated by the process of the pool going in at this house. Digger heaven!

Day 159 - Monday, June 8, 2009

FINALLY got the garden vegetables in! I bought everything about 2 weeks ago and thank goodness they are still alive. This year we are growing lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, watermelon, cantelope, peppers, corn, peas, beans, cucumber, zucchini and asparagus.

Day 158 - Sunday, June 7, 2009

We celebrated Poppa's birthday (with an appropriate card) tonight with dinner at home.

Day 157 - Saturday, June 6, 2009

My last big event came to a close. We were in a great spot so we did lots of face painting, balloon giveaways and a few dance performances. We ended up with great weather, a good number of volunteers and even better, the promise of a co-ordinator for next year!

Day 156 - Friday, June 5, 2009

So how does this happen? The houses on either side of us are up for sale. It makes me wonder if we are good neighbours? The one family has 2 young kids and the kids enjoy playing together. The other family are probably in their 50's without kids. It it will be sad to see these families go. We were looking forward to having the kids go to school together.

Day 155 - Thursday, June 4, 2009

Excitement of the day - an ambulance came to the school after classes to assist a girl who fell and broke her arm on the equipment.

And on a sadder note, we attended Jon's funeral service today - 35 was way before his time. It will be a hard adjustment for their family.

Day 154 - Wednesday, June 3, 2009

I went with Marlee on her school trip (first bus ride!) to the conservation park where (Ahhem) I caught the only tadpole (as well as a spider) amongst the parents. It was a lot of fun to go with her - and get to know some of the other moms too.

BTW - she is very excited to know that there is only 8 days left!

Day 153 - Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Another tooth is on its way out! (#4 - naturally that is)

Day 152 - Monday, June 1, 2009

Last night I uploaded my final layout for the May LOAD (Lay Out A Day) with Lain Ehman. 31 Layouts - well actually 32 because my first layout (which happened to be the first actual uploaded for the challenge) was earlier in our time zone then in theirs so I uplaoded an extra one just in case.

Either way - May ended up being a little busier then I expected and this challenge was perhaps not the best timing but none-the-less I am so glad that I did it and I can't wait for the next one (but I will check the calendar more closely though).

PS - the slide show to the right features the layouts I did. TFL!

Day 151 - Sunday, May 31, 2009

Today was Global Day of Prayer - and I finally got all of the kids packets prepared and to the event on time. And did the Palm Sunday Dance and stayed for the event with Matt (who did very well BTW). The last two years we have done full children's programs but due to a venue conflict, we decided to provide activity packets for the kids this time. I have to say - I quite enjoyed attending the event and hope we follow the same format next year!

Day 150 - Saturday, May 30, 2009

Drew and I were able to get away to a marriage retreat entitled "Fireproof Your Marriage". We watched the movie on Friday night, socialized for a bit afterwards. On Saturday, we had a few sessions, a session where we separated into men and women and some free time. We discussed smoldering fires, electrical fires and keeping the home fires burning. There were 13 couples up and we had a really good time getting to know each other better. We're already looking forward to going next year.

Day 149 - Friday, May 29, 2009

The boys have been digging for "gold" in the outskirts area of the school playground. Their pockets are coming home filled with rocks and their knees are black. Lots of boy fun!

Day 148 - Thursday, May 28, 2009

We have been watching the construction slowly taking shape behind the school. It has really picked up in the last week with the making of some of the roads. Levi loves to watch the numerous big dump trucks that are coming and going.

Day 147 - Wednesday, May 27, 2009

We joined Lindsay and Cierra at WEB idol tonight where Cierra performed a great version of a Hannah Montana song. She has such better rhythm then me - it's fun to watch. The kids really enjoyed watching all of the different performances - and watching Cierra hang out with her peers.

Day 146 - Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Matt has decided to move away from the soy nut butter and cheese sandwiches to using a thermos for leftovers, kd or in this case alphaghetti for school. It opens a whole new world of possibilties!

Day 145 - Monday, May 25, 2009

I sorted through a number of the leftover pairs of shoes from the nursery school clothing sale. It is so sad to be getting rid of all them - especially the adidas ones. They are so cute!!! I made about $50 through the school (with an addtional $50 for them too) for relatively little work - and much easier then having one ourselves. I hope to put the remaining items of Kijiji or Craig's List - one of these days if I figure out how.

Day 144 - Sunday, May 24, 2009

I had some work to do after church so the kids and Drew entertained themselves for a while. It's amazing what they will come up with to play with.

Day 143 - Saturday, May 23, 2009

Matt and I were able to go with his play/ production group to see Anne of Green Gables in Toronto today. We had a great time together - but I think they may have liked the bus ride the most. One of the girls purchased the Anne of Green Gables hair piece - I think it suits Matt!

Day 142 - Friday, May 22, 2009

Another nice day at the school playground. Today we brought fresh watermelon - a current favourite and easy to bring. Unfortunately we lost a few to the sand.

Day 141 - Thursday, May 21, 2009

Our first swim in the pool for the year. Amazingly it got warm enough in the afternoon (after days of "Can we go swimming today????"), so the kids and I finally all got that first dip in (and for me - right back out). Within a 1/2 hour it dropped 6 degrees.

Day 140 - Wednesday, May 20, 2009

We were surprised to find a huge pile of ants across the sidewalk in the front yard. We were tempted to get some to put in our ant farm but on closer observation we thought they were too small.

Day 139 - Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Happy 19th Birthday Cierra! WOW! 19!!! She spent the weekend with her mom so we took her out for dinner to Moose Winnoski's when she got home. She is so awesome to watch when all the attention is for her. There is nothing better then a party - and having a moose head on your head and all eyes on you definitely fits the bill. Afterwards there was a Hannah Montana cake and lots of HM presents and DVD's. She was ecstatic.

Day 138 - Monday, May 18, 2009

Happy Victoria Day! We celebrated by getting the pool ready for use. I transfer the standing water into buckets (with lids) to use for the garden over the summer. It's amazing how much easier this process gets over the years. It only took an hour or so this time.