The Weekend Lens in July

Canada Day - the perfect day to gather as a family - and to celebrate a baby!  Our families gathered on July 1st and Peyton was the star attraction :)  Everyone got to meet her and hold her and love on her!

There were lots of presents - 

and cute clothes - 

and even some dress-up clothes!

Her little closet is filling up and she's absolutely adored by all of us!

Gratitude Gifts Today

#4314 - #4377

- time and all the moments God gives me to fill
- early morning time, just a grandson and I
- cooking supper
- Mamas who choose to use natural products
- two boys having baths at the same time, one big and one very little

- vehicles lined up and pretend play
- playing baseball outside, learning to be a better pitcher so he can hit it every time
- mothers and babies nursing
- little head bobbing on my shoulder
- Thai Quinoa Salad for lunch
- photographer to capture the first new days

- bright colours on houses
- beautiful birth announcement showing our son and his family
- sunshine + sand + water = good times
- golden evening light gilding pink rosebushes alongside the house
- sewing when the house is quiet
- phoning to sing "Happy Birthday"

- food at Farmer's Markets
- conversation around the table
- Bible reading after every meal
- discussing stories and what God is telling us
- building edible creations

- hearing "Gramma, do you want to play hockey / play baseball / read books / play with me?"\
- fridge full of good food
- friends sharing baby things with Mel
- tea at the end of the day
- Malachi sleeping through loud praise music at church

- gifts found in someone older than me: my Auntie Ruth who always does cleanup at family gatherings, my Mom who serves faithfully in her community, my Auntie Irma whose door is always open with warm hospitality
- the play space at Chapter's
- wading pool swim for Samuel after soccer practice
- gifts found in fabric: warm and plush ivory minky for a quilt back, ocean print flannel for a car seat cover, little squares of soft flannel for baby wipes, cupcake fabric for birthday pillowcases
- gift in hard beautiful: having to say good-bye and fly home

- "Gramma, your daughter is really going to miss you when you go home. "
- after a few minutes of thinking, "Gramma,  your grandsons are really going to miss you when you home."
- "And I'm going to miss you all so much when I have to go home."
- drawings and photos scattered around the house
- good friends who wait half the night for delayed planes
- 2 coolers full of fish

- both of us home again
- lunch - all freshly caught or freshly picked
- summertime weiner roast
- birthday parties
- watching them open gifts, smiling and delighted with each one

- happy chickens
- weeds out of the garden
- finishing sewing projects
- year-end lunch together
- trading tomato plants for eggs

- baby shower
- Canada Day family gathering, everyone in red and white
- peonies from gardens
- cuddling Peyton
- four generation pictures

- God's abundance to me and to our family
- new little ones held by the older ones
- gifts, gifts, gifts for babies and birthdays
- my sister
- feeling oh, so very blessed

Simply Ten Good Things

Inspired by Amanda at SouleMama this morning, to just pause and reflect on how many good things surround me.  I'm looking at it as kind of a morning prelude to my gratitude gifts post.

1.  a house filled up with people we love

2.  ham bones simmering

3.  colored eggs nestled in Easter grass

4.  ball caps on little boy heads

5.  watching our children be aunts and uncles

6.  lovely little gifts from friends (thanks, S and L!)

7.  leftovers

8.  little girl twirly skirts (some even with matching rubber boots!)

9.  how she's really only one week old and already seems to have been in our family forever (I guess it's actually nine months and one week!)

10.  re-reading the Easter story this morning, quietly and without my mind racing

Christmas In June

Bob's family didn't have a Christmas gathering last year and instead we made plans to have a summer camping weekend, where weather and bad roads wouldn't interfere with the fun.  So this was the weekend and we were busy visiting, eating, quadding, swimming, eating, playing games, biking, eating - you get the picture!!  Hopefully next year the missing family members can join us - it was definitely a good time!

The little second cousins had lots of fun playing on a hill and in the woods right adjacent to our campsite.  Silas really wanted to keep up to them!

Part of the hill included a spot that was perfect for sliding down and climbing back up.  Grampa put 2 pegs up so they could grab on and scale the cliff easily.  

Helayna's little speech was perfect - 

"Ladies and Gentlemen - Boys and Girls - 

Introducing - - -  The Climbing Lady!!"

 (all said in her best circus announcer's voice!)

Dish water bubbles are so intriguing!

Gathered together

Our niece, Chloe, is marvelous with the little ones!  She made a fishing game, using an old fridge drawer, complete with a magnet that caught things.  And then she shared lots of prizes with the kids - they were thrilled!  Thanks so much, C!

When no one has a lighter, you start the barbecue this way - and hope for the best!

The burgers were great - thanks, T & I!

He loves tools!

Lots of visiting

Little Miss N was so tired she conked out right after supper.

There was a little kitchen time.

Bob's parents, the oldest campers in their 80's

and little A, the youngest camper at 10 months.  It was definitely a multi-generational gathering!

Clean up duty - Andy's specialty, I think - he always does it cheerfully.

We rode bikes back and forth to the cabin where Bob's parents were staying.

And then later Mel went quadding for the very first time.  He got right into it!!

Ian, Tyneille and Mel with Bob riding the rear guard - and acting as camera man. 

And we even sang Happy Birthday and had cake for Heather, whose birthday will be later this week.

It was a great weekend, in a lovely spot - a very nice way to say "Merry Christmas"!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to this important man in my life.

My Dad and Mom with their youngest granddaughters

10 Things to Know About My Dad

1.  He is a man of faith and he lives it every day.

2.  He is a farmer to the very core.

3.  He loves kids - especially his grandkids and great-grandkids.

4.  He's a community minded person who has served countless hours volunteering.

5.  He has lots of green machinery - and even buys green (as in John Deere green) bicycles.

6.  He has a great big sweet tooth - and would have pie for dessert at every meal if he could, I think!

7.  He's really curious and is always asking questions and learning more about everything.

8.  He was crazy about playing softball for years and years.

9.  He's always got candies or nuts squirreled away for treats.

10.  He has lots of little sayings that he lives by.  Sayings like "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt" and "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right" and "Practice makes perfect" - and he passed those on to his kids.

 I'm really proud that he's my Dad.  

Happy Canada Day!!

What an amazing country we live in!  From sea to sea, Canada is a beautiful place to call home!

Part 3 - Red and white to end the day!

Part 2 - celebrations seen along the road.

In the grocery store - 

A scooter buzzing along the road  beside a big truck - 

Big flags flying on the edge of Edson.

Part 1 of a little project to celebrate the 142nd birthday of our country!

A farmer's shed - 

An invitation to a local gathering.

Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary!

June 5 brings two reasons to celebrate in our family!

Happy Birthday to our sweet daughter-in-law, Kelsey!!  May you enjoy adventure, happiness and love to fill every day.  You are a wonderful addition to our family :))

And Happy 10th Anniversary to Heather and Jonathan!  We cannot believe that it was so long ago when you decided to share life in all its joy and all its craziness.  May you continue to honour, appreciate and love each other!  And thanks for two of the sweetest grandchildren ever :)) 

(10 years ago at Lake Louise where they got engaged)

Note to self:  take some current pictures of family!!!

900!!

I just realized that my last post was #900!!  That's kind of amazing!  I've found 900 different times that I had something to write about and put out there to share.  Now I have a record of those thoughts and I can go back and read them whenever I want.   Such good stuff on this amazing internet.  Ten years ago who would have thought this was possible?!

So in honour of this milestone in my blogging life, I have a giveaway to share with someone.  How about some chocolate, some scrapbooking treats, a good book and lots of color to celebrate?  Leave me a comment and I'll pick a winner on Monday night (March 2nd).  

Happy Weekend!

Garage Party

It's less than 2 months until Darrin and Kelsey's wedding and today his family got together to celebrate  and help them get ready for their life together.  It was planned as a garage party so once everyone was inside, the big doors opened and up drove this!  

Years ago Darrin bought an old car with the idea of restoring it someday and my brother and brother-in-law got the brainwave to get the thing running for today.  It took a ton of work, countless hours and was a project to remember!

Darrin and Kelsey's reaction was priceless!!  They couldn't believe it, especially the beautiful pink paint job!!!

On the icy driveway it spun donuts like a dream!

The sign along with the Oiler and Flames flags were perfect finishing touches.

We played some 'garage relay games'  like set up the tent, eat a plate of hot wings, set together a box of bolts and screws, and chug-a-lug.  Of course, the guys beat the girls!!

And then there were the gifts for the garage - and the house!

They even got matching customized tool belts, filled with all kinds of treats!!

And we took a group picture with the bride, her groom and the pink car!  What a great time and a wonderful memory for Darrin and Kelsey.  They truly are blessed to be surrounded by people who love them and wish them every happiness.