Visiting Time

James went visiting last Saturday afternoon, and took the older two with him to visit some elderly friends. 

They quite enjoyed it - as they got a ride in the walker, and got to know some dear people a bit more. 

I know I haven't done much posting much lately - have a few other important things on the go, besides being 33 weeks pregnant... :) Life is full, but good. Overwhelming, stretching, and wonderful. 

God always gets us through - regardless of how small or full these crazy times may seem to us. 

The End of "It's Beginning to Look at Like Christmas"

Last quick shot of the tree before the kids and I tore it down.

I always wait until after my birthday to take it down - a long held tradition.

Elegance of Christmas décor.

  

Katelyn and Erik figured out how to make a heart. :)

Excited to eat a candy cane during the dismantling of the tree.

This was my "Heikoop" side Christmas gift I was given during our "white elephant" gift exchange.

I totally scored on this one, and it was never stolen from me - everyone had much mercy on me I guess. They could see it was exactly what I loved and needed.

So when we had come home on Boxing Day, James put it up for me right away - which I so appreciated. It's perfect for people to hang their coats, or purses on and finishes up the entry way look.

Turning 29

My 29th birthday was a special day for me. One where I felt so loved, (not that I don't every day!) and honestly, just soaked it in. :)

The evening before, James had just come back from painting all day, when he told me that someone was coming to pick me up for dinner... turned out to be Shelly, and off we two went for a lovely evening of heart fellowship and the most amazing burgers at "the Works". Such a fun place, that I will have to take James to on an upcoming date. You know me and burgers. Sounds so unsophisticated for 29, but that's the honest truth. I sure appreciated her taking the time for us to catch up and enjoy some quiet adult time. We both had been stuck in the house for almost a week.

When I came home, I found some balloons and streamers had been put up, and a tired Dad. :) James had braved the cold with the kids, and took them to Walmart for decorations for me. :) In between decorating, he was trying to keep the sprinkles and food coloring from getting everywhere... guess it was kinda busy. But it was pretty tidy when I returned, so he was successful in his evening. :)

Then it was my birthday.

James and the kids brought me breakfast in bed -which I wolfed down, as we had to leave for church in 20 minutes. :) Appreciated the time at the chapel with everyone - even had our Sunday School kids sing "happy birthday" to me while James and I were doing music with them. :)

We went to the Windmill for lunch - joined most of the family over a yummy meatball and potatoes dinner, and then Nelly brought out an ice-cream cake she had made for me. An Oreo one none the less! I was quite thrilled. :) Got a few lovely gifts, and after some cleanup, the kids were watched by a few aunties/uncles, while James and I went for a snowy walk around the trail.

On our way back we met some friends - newlyweds Ty and Kate that were home for Christmas, so we got a chat in with them on the way back to the Windmill, and caught up with their mom's who were with them too. Such a neat surprise.

Then it was back to the chapel for evening service, and then home for some quick dinner, and a mini party. :)

The kids and James had got me a nice silver necklace (which Erik is covering up :)

My cutie kids.

The wild fuzzy thing enjoying the balloons.

Then it was downstairs to hit the pinata that we had made the day before. Nothing extravagant - just a balloon covered with paper mache and newspaper with some chocolate balls inside. :)

But they had fun.

Thankful for another year with my crazy, cute, challenging and sweet family.

So with this year - my last year of being in my twenties (doesn't that shocking? I'm not old enough to be thirty yet...still look like the kid's babysitter!) I have a few things that I want to achieve and learn, and teach the children.

Some of that is to work hard on teaching the kids memory verses as well as for me and James to memorize together. We're wanting to start with Colossians, so we'll see how it goes.

I'm thankful for a man who is excited to make goals with me, and work together to achieve them.

Lord-willing, it will be another amazing year.

As long as we're walking with Him, and He's holding onto us, it shall be.

New Year's Day

New Year's Day was another get-together with all the Heikoop family.

We all headed to Brad and Diane's for an early dinner, (gourmet lasagna as only Diane can make) and then the dad's took the kids sledding, while we cleaned up and visited.

William took all these pictures at the snow hill. :)

They came in just sobbing - they were cold, and probably not the toughest kids on the block.

But I was quite happy with how long they stayed out. So we warmed up, had a few more snacks, and then after some book time with Oma...

..we headed back home.

The first day in 2014. 

Welcoming in 2014

New Year's Eve ended up being a full evening for us. James had continued painting our church gym in the afternoon, and then we quickly figured out if we could get anyone to join us in the last few hours of 2013. :) Micah and Krisandra, their two girls, and Les and Ashie and their kids, plus Shantel, came over and we a great time together. William joined us a bit later on, and we ate some yummy snacks, and played a few games.

The kids playing Jenga.

Krissy and Micah during Qwirkle.

Les and Ashie with one of their boys.

Erik and Darius. The kids played quite well together, and then later on, we put on a "Road to Avonlea" for them to settle down to. :)

William arm wrestling Kaius.

Les and Ashie had to go before midnight, but the rest of us stayed up as we got into the beginning of a game of "Settlers".

Then - 2014 arrived - with some kisses, hugs, and a quick cleanup of the game.

Another year has dawned...

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

-Frances R. Havergal

An Engagement Shoot & A Date

I had the delight of spending a couple hours in a winter wonderland,

taking this sweet couple's engagement pictures just before the New Year.

Mike and Nicole are getting married in July, and I am excited to take their wedding pictures!

After their shoot, I got to with my own darling on a little date. :)  

 At Gus and Guidos...

 ...With this guy...

...Eating this - well this was James' food. :)

We talked about a few more goals to work on in the new year, and enjoyed being us, as Shantel babysat the kids.

I like being us. :)

Takeout Gift

We got takeout....a gift from Auntie Anne-Marie. :)

She had called a few weeks ago, saying, "I know Monday's can be crazy, use my credit card to get some dinner". That day, amazingly, I had food ready, so we saved it for one of "those" days. :)

And then we got Chinese. :)

So yummy, and special. 

The kids loved the fortune cookies.

Thanks Anne-Marie.

Christmas Cheer

 (this post got out of order...but oh well :)

Almost Christmas!!

It was Christmas Eve Eve, and we were getting ready for cookie decorating with the Tremblay family, when Glenda stopped by for a bit and really brightened our day. :)

She's good at that.

 Reading to the kid's

 And she brought us Christmas gifts - fuzzy socks for us! (mine with sticky feet, so that I don't fall down the stairs like I just had down the previous week...and cute little ones for the kids, ) and snazzy dress socks for James. Glenda has helped me fold my laundry abit, and has noticed how boring James' sock collection is: black, black and more black. :) So, she's trying to help us out. :)

 Katelyn with hers and Laura's socks.

 Then after our supper with Marc and Janice and their girls, we got out the icing, and decorated some cookies together. Here's Cara working on a teddy bear.

 Katelyn doing her best, and enjoying smarties.

 Amber, adding some class to the decorating ensemble. :)

 Eri

The Heikoop Christmas 2013

 It's the Heikoop Family - all of us.

The goal of the morning, after everyone arrived in Lewiston, NY, was to get a few family pictures since we were all together. (and being all together happens about once every two years).

But there was a process, to get this shot... :)

And it started with me, Heather and Tim figuring out where to pose everyone. 

And Brad too...

Then moving all the furniture around...

Setting them and camera up...

Being crazy...

Laughing, and so much talking...

Getting the kids attention... (all pictures were taken by Jonathan - Sarah's boyfriend)

But then we had this at the end...and some editing. :)

And then it was time for dinner, and we were all thrilled to be done with posing.

Heather makes the tables look so festive and special.

Name tags for us all.

Ben smashing them potatoes.

Working on the turkey that Marvin, Marlene, and Heather had brined the night before.

The sisters with Henry.

All the Heikoop girls with us additions - just missing Bonnie.

Laura ready to eat. :) She even got her own little stocking with her spoon inside it. :)

One of the little tables for the younger ones. :)

The girls at the island, the younger boys in the music room.

Sarah, Jonathan, Tim and Nel over there...

And the rest of us over here. :)

Not sure who took this one - someone had my camera for a few minutes...

 

Then after some singing and reading part of the Christmas story, it was present time. The kids started first, with their gift from one of the aunts or uncles. Erik was pretty blessed with his hot wheels cars and a nerf gun from Auntie Nel!

Katie with her walking pony from Auntie Heather.

Thanking Nel for the gift.

Heather put so much work into this day - the made these sweet mousse thingy's :) in mini cups - so yummy.

Laura enjoying the wrapping.

Rob made OleBolen (or however it's spelled) which was greatly enjoyed.
(or New Year Fritter's- similar to how Grandma Jost used to make them)

All the boys (except for Hudson and Reuben who were sleeping) in the pajama's from Oma.

With their pajamas from Oma - all the older girls got room decor, scarves, or something a little personable for them - while the younger ones got the cute p.j.s.

After all the children went downstairs to play, we adults had our White Elephant gift exchange. I didn't take any pictures, but just enjoyed it all - we had fun. :) In the end, James ended up with an awesome Calvin Klein coat - just what he needed! - and I scored, with a beautiful dark oak coat shelf...I'll take a picture of it sometime. :) It was fun - and filled with lots of laughs, and lots of gift stealing.

Then we packed up all our stuff, and headed to our hotel in Niagara Falls for the night - so we could do some grocery shopping the next day.

Our three darling's in the pajama's. :) I love this picture of them.

Laura with her tongue out...

All tuckered out - watching a Curious George before going to sleep.
The next morning, after some breakfast, I braved the freezing cold pool with the kiddos, and we sort of splashed around for a while. It was fun despite the temputure, but don't ask me why that hotel didn't have it heated...

 Laura enjoyed climbing around more than the water. :)

Warming up before getting changed and off for some shopping.
I also too Marvin and Marlene's family pictures back and Henry and Heather's house in between some shopping.

While setting up, I used Tim as my prop/model. :)

And here's one of Valerie to close off this very long post. :)

Such a pretty girl. :)

Then after shopping, we went home, unloaded and then eventually got to sleep.

A special Christmas with the family!