Christmas 2016

We've been counting down to Christmas 2016 - for more than one reason.  Jocelyn and Jan were expecting their first baby the end of November and at Christmas we were excited to have Jake and Lorelle and Emmaline come to visit us!!  So on December 11th, after much waiting and anticipating we got the phone call that Selena Rose VanSabben had arrived.  Although school was cancelled because of snow we managed to drive down to Bellingham to meet this new little grandchild!!  Vincent was a little disappointed to have to stay in the waiting room - but eventually he got to meet this new little one as well!!!

Christmas was a lot of fun with two little ones added to the family.  After a very fun baby shower for Jocelyn we got together for a gift exchange and dinner together.  Later that week the guys went to watch the Canucks play and the girls went to the Lights of Christmas in Warm Beach as well as have a "Old Movie Night" together.   It was fun to be together again!!!

November 2016

November 5, 2016 was my Dad's birthday & my sister & brother-in-law from Indonesia were on a Missions Tour in Canada so we thought it was a good time for me to fly to Ontario.  I was able to attend a fundraiser dinner with them in Orangeville (and visit with several cousins there) as well as attend a birthday get together for my dad.  It was a very nice time - here's the best we could do for a family photo.  What a special time it was to be together with - this time - as very large extended group of family at James & Yosh's place.  Praising God for his faithfulness through the generations!

A little taste of cruising...

We enjoyed a beautiful couple of days with friends from church on a cruise from Seattle to Vancouver.  Both days we had fabulous sunny weather and we enjoyed the long walk from the bus terminal to the cruise terminal in Seattle with Pike's Place in between.  It definitely whetted my appetite to go on another (longer) cruise some day!

Overnight in Seattle with the girls

We spent a relaxing overnight trip in Seattle at our favorite hotel - Hampton Inn in Lynnwood.  Our favorite stops included The World Market, Hobby Lobby and Lynnwood Mall.  We enjoyed a pedicure together while Emmaline just relaxed and slept as well as a good swim in the pool!  Nice to spend time together!!

Emmaline comes to visit - oh and she brings her mom too :)

Oyster Dome - another hike added to the list!

Once the kids were back in school a bunch of us decided it was time to tackle Oyster Dome.  This is a pretty intense hike but the view at the top is phenomenal - well worth all the aches and pains!!!  This was my second time doing this hike but it's been about 8 years since the last time.  What a gorgeous fall day!

Vincent - Team Sports

Vincent loves sports - anything to be part of a team!  He played T-Ball this past Spring and is now playing LYS Soccer.  So fun to see them learn the sport & figure out how to play with team mates!!

Vincent's first day of Kindergarten

Vincent was pretty excited to start his first day of kindergarten.  We had a "meet the teacher" appointment and then a couple half days to get used to it but Vincent was ready to go!!!  Eventually he was able to take the bus - one of the highlights of his week.

I'm in love....

So July finally arrived and Lorelle's due date was near.  I had pre-booked tickets to fly to Winnipeg in hopes that her baby would cooperate :)  It turns out baby would arrive by C-section and my flight was booked for the day after baby's scheduled appearance.

Emmaline Kennedy Cavers - our first grandchild - and she is just perfect.  I spent a week helping and cuddling this amazing little girl.  Henry joined me for the last weekend I was there and we enjoyed Uncle Jake and Aunt Rita's hospitality.  I can't wait for their visit in September!

Summer 2016

Somehow I didn't manage to take too many photos this summer.   We went on a few hikes - this one we did on Memorial Day - Whistle Lake near Anacortes WA.  It was not too difficult but absolutely beautiful and peaceful.

CCS Jr/Sr Trip - D.C./NYC

This past April I had the amazing opportunity to chaperone Alec's Jr/Sr trip to the East Coast.  We visited Baltimore Harbor, D.C/Virginia, Pennsylvania & NYC.  It was difficult to chose just a few photos - we saw so much it is almost a blur.  We had amazing weather - not too hot and were hosted by wonderful people.    Here's just a few photos.

Christmas 2015

Lorelle & Jake visited for Christmas - we managed to go up Mt. Baker & to the Ocean on a nice day. We were thrilled to learn they were expecting a baby in July and we were to be grandparents for the first time!!! 

Vincent Goes to Pre-school

Here's a few pictures of Vincent's first day of pre-school at Ebenezer Christian School.  He got on the bus at Isaac's house and went three mornings each week.  It was the highlight of his week & he had the most amazing teachers.  One of the field trips they took were to the pumpkin patch.  We also went to another pumpkin farm for his birthday party.

Deboer Family Reunion - August 2015

So before it's a year since my last post I thought I'd post a family reunion picture from last August.  Such a great thing to be able to get together with everyone - and so hard for those that had to leave to go back to homes far away!  Till we meet again!