Let's Go Fly a Kite

It was a perfect kite flying day. :) I had noticed our neighbors flying a kite, so I asked James that if I should pick up one for the kids to try out. He said if I happened to come across any, during my errands, then sure. :) Well, me of little faith, sure didn't think that I'd happen on any, especially not in a thrift store. But there they were. :) So we went to the park with two new kites, and tried to put them together. 

Assembling the bits of wood and string while the kids waited. 

Little Miss Amy in her seater. 

Success - it went up. :) Erik enjoyed it, but not for as long as I thought he'd would. 

Poor Laura was feeling sick that day - yes, we've had a crazy amount of sickenss, but we're almost on the mend again.

still so cute. 

This. Is. Erik.

This is what he looks like most of the time. Thinking. Holding his lips for security - like some kids suck their thumbs, or play with their hair. Our sweet boy. 

And here is his other face. :) Energetic and ready to go. 

I love this. Totally Epic.

When you fly a kite, it has to get caught in a tree for authenticness. 

And yes, he got it out. And as James says of himself... "like Papa Bear - Not yet, not yet, not yet my son. First comes the lesson, then comes the fun." :) 

Posing for me. 

And here's my Katy. 

And her sweet eyelashes. 

Love this family. 

Our Easter Weekend

We started out the Easter weekend with a Good Friday Service in Grimsby. James had just met a guy from one of the buisness' he stops in at, who was a Christian, and had invited us to their Good Friday service. As our church doesn't have one, we headed on over - both for the service and to get to know this guy and his sweet family a bit. It was a neat time - I missed a bunch of the message due to Amy's hunger - but visiting with these two - Dan and Kelly, was a neat blessing. 

After returning home, and after naps, and supper we decided to have an "Easter Egg" hunt - first time the kids have done one. There wasn't any eggs, so it was just an Easter hunt - but the kids loved it. :) 

Searching for the M&M's, and other various candies. 

Laura - just having fun. 

Katy with her "Easter Egg Basket"...no pretty little baskets here that we bought or made my friends...just an empty Popsicle container... :) (her choice of container)

Erik with some of his treasures

One of James' hiding places for a candy.

The next day - Saturday - kind of a calmer day...Laura - wanting to hold Amy and being so proud of herself. So sweet. 

Daddy and Amy having a rest.

Almost Eskimo kisses.

Then it was Easter Sunday - Resurrection Day! He has Risen. 

Our church was doing a pancake outreach breakfast for the community instead of a traditional service. I didn't have much to do, so I took some pictures, played a few songs for the children's choir and wrote everyone's names on name tags. 

Shantel and Erik. Poor guy wasn't feeling well that day, so he stuck with daddy.

Shantel helped organize the event - especially the food side of it with Diane, and did a great job. 

Ben - one of the faithful cooks. 

Laura playing in the nursery.

Love this shot of Diane - always so cheerfully serving someone.

Sarah and Jonathan came down for the day - which was special and nice for everyone to see the engaged couple. 

Everyone visiting between the two services we had. 

The children/youth choir. 

I played "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" with them. 

William gave his testimony as well as another man from our chapel. 

Amazing momma on a mission- Deanna carrying her two boys off to the car. 

While everyone else cleaned up and had a special Lord's Supper time upstairs, I took the three younger ones home for a nap, so we could join the rest of the family at the Windmill later on.

At the Windmill, we had some supper - Henry and Heather joined us, and Tim and Lannette were also there - they had come for the morning at the chapel as well. We had some nice visiting, and then headed out for a walk. (but we had kicked the men outside with the kids for a bit - so we joined them at the park)

Laura at the playground.

 Sweet Lydia - making her smile for the camera. : )

Almost all the younger cousins that day - Reuben was sleeping, and Elita and Vanessa and Juila weren't there. 

Then I was about to grab a couple shots of Tim and Lannette when they were photobombed.... :) 

There we go. :) Much better. 

Then everyone else left us, and I got to take some engagement pictures of Jonathan and Sarah.

I had such fun, and we got some gorgeous back light. They were great to try a bunch of different stuff, and we got some great shots of them. 

The rest of the pictures are from James' phone as they continued on their walk. 

Mark and the kids by the water. 

Love these last two of Nathan and Katelyn - such good friends.

Kinda reminds me of my cousin Jonathan and I. :) Best buds. 

We spent a bit more time together at the Windmill and then headed on home. 

I kinda felt frustrated as I had missed most of the Easter messages that weekend, due to being a mom, but I'm thankful that on Friday I had some good reading time in John - during nap time. So good to be reminded of Christ's sacrifice, and His love for us - as well as His Power over sin, ugliness and the grave. 

Happy Resurrection Day. 

Photo Scraps

Every so often there's a whole bunch of lonely pictures - that don't really make up a post alone, so they get put in one - a whole smattering of different shots - these mostly all taken with James' phone. 

Me - taken so Anne-Marie could see the scarf she gave me for my birthday. :)

Katy's drawing (scribbled over by Laura -thank you so much dear girl) of Dad driving the van. I threw out the paper, but still wanted a memory.

Glenda -after Bible Study at our home - she got a little cuddle in with the babes. I love it when the baby is all scrunched up like this.

These two pictures are from when James was in Ohio at the sales meeting. This is what happens when a bunch of guys room together - and near each other's rooms. 

James and Brad had started the escapade with the other guys room :) - changing things around, and messing it up... and then James had dropped his room key outside his door, where William found it, and then paid the guys back for their brotherly love they showed to him. :) (and the guys were waiting at the pool, wondering where he was) So these pictures are what William accomplished...

Guys have all the fun. :) 

In a Bonnet

Little angel.

A sweet lady from our church knitted this bonnet and sweater for Amy. I love it as it's a newborn size, and the bonnet is just so adorable. 

She's already 6 weeks, and though not as chubby as the other three, growing quickly. 

Night times are our biggest challenge right now. That's normal for most babies, and most parents, so not a surprise - it just makes life extra tiring, and you dream of waking up with extra energy. It will come - I know. :) 

But she's just too precious....that's okay if you wake us up little one. 

Cause we love you.