Sarah's Home!!!

After two years at the Mercy Maternity Clinic in Davao City, Philippines, Sarah returned! She is almost done, and will soon be a licensed midwife in Canada. She has one more year here, and then she's done!!! It is so wonderful to have her around again - another sister is great.
Sarah and Katelyn getting re-acquainted! Kate took only a couple minutes and she was good with Auntie Sarah. Last time they were together, Katelyn was only a month old.

The Welcome Home and belated birthday party for Sarah and Dad - respectively. :) Everyone was there, and it was fun.

Nelly gave dad a published book of all her poems that she has written over the years. Marlene helped with the layout etc. -using mypublisher - it will be a treasure for dad/mom for years to come.

Looking at the beautiful labor of love.

The guest of honor - with the guys.

Katelyn trying on a top hat. :)

The matching men - Brad and Tim. I took this one, and said, "ok, it's going on the blog you know..." so they did....

This pose. :) (I warned them - what can I say?)

Then Sarah and I went shopping the next day (hoping to find some outfit for the upcoming wedding) and then went to one of Deanna's bridal showers! This one was at her church - a beach theme. It was really nice, and fun to be at her shower. Katelyn was a bit busy that evening, but the ladies didn't seem to mind her playing with the beach ball/toys. :)

The lovely bride to be. :)

Being Cute and Working...

Being charming and wearing her new pink soccer visor/hat from her daddy. :)

Katelyn likes to help vaccum once in a while. :) She copies how I do it, and am glad that she's starting to 'like' to work. :)

New York Day Trip

We had the opportunity to go to Buffalo, NY for the afternoon a couple weeks ago. One of the family needed to retrieve their car at the airport, so we accompanied them, along with Breanne and babe, who stayed the weekend with us. We spent the afternoon looking for outfits - me for something for Ben and Deanna's wedding - not much success, but we still had fun. And we all got some needed items. States shopping is fun - but tiring. :)
After shopping for the afternoon, we went to Bob Evans - a family, home style restaurant that we really enjoyed. Katelyn was sleeping in her stroller until the end, which mostly worked out great.

While waiting to be seated, James goes to the stand and pretends to be 'the manager'. Cute and a touch awkward - but the staff didn't mind. :)

Waiting for our meal. Kilmeny and Breanne entertained us. :)

Us two. :)

My handsome man. The food was soo good. Sigh... food is a good thing. Most of the time. Especially when it's real food, and it stays down. :)

Dear Breanne - too bad Jared couldn't make it. (he was away for the weekend) But we did enjoy her lots that day. Thankful for good friends.

James was whispering to Kilmeny. Too cute.

Katelyn is starting to 'color' now. :) Cute and extra busy as she finds pens and such fun to play with around the house. And this was the first time we ordered something for Katelyn - spaghetti. :) It's her favorite.

The Rest of VBS

The snack I made for one evening of VBS. :) Dirt cake with gummy worms.

The last evening of VBS, there was a Fun Fair, and BBQ along with the regular chapel time. They had bouncy castle and bouncy trampoline thingy that the kids enjoyed. Katelyn had a blast too, being 'big' like the other kids. She loved it!

James - being Grandpa Orber.

The guys.

They did a great job, and everyone loved their antics.

Of the Daily Life...

At last I should probably say it officially on here.... that yes, we're expecting again. :) I'm now 14 weeks along, and it's going good. I'm sick a bunch, and all the normal things that come with it, so that is good. (though at times I don't think of that as good) We're due the middle of January Lord-willing, and we are excited. It's been different for me, with losing the last one and then anticipating another one again...the excitement is not the same. (though I should clarify - it's still exciting. :) We still have to take it day by day, just as we have to take all life God gives. We have been given this moment.
James and Katelyn looking at the fish.

The other side of the glass. :)

I had been craving Chinese food for days - rattling off menu's to James as we went to sleep at night, and he blessed me by taking us to Chinese food for lunch one day. :) I got enough to satisfy my craving. Unfortunately, it didn't stay down too long.

Katelyn enjoyed the meal too.

Playing with her friend Kilmeny - or more like, stealing her toys away from her. I think it will be a wonderful thing for her to have a sibling. :)

Katelyn loves to help around the house a bit. :) And the vacuum is an interesting piece.

Dressing up. :) James bought some little glasses for the VBS skits, and Katelyn got to model it for us. This week is VBS at our church, but we're just a teeny bit involved. Just so we can get in and see how fun it is for everyone. :) Brings back the CI days.

With Auntie Deanna. :)

Snack time at VBS. Mrs. Easveld shared her cake with a very obliging girl.

The guys that are in the daily skits: Ben (Jud) James (Gpa Orber) and William (Bob - yes, he's supposed to be the techy geek) They all do such a great job acting as country hicks. :) The theme is "Gone Fishing" this week, so each day the guys go back in time to a Bible Story where water/fish/lake etc. is involved - like Jonah, Moses, and I imagine Jesus calming the storms etc.

A fuzzy picture of the guys acing out the skit. They bring in a canoe each day and make us all laugh. So there you go - a bit of an update. :)

Twelve Months!

We did it at last! A full year of smiles and giggles by the puppy! This is her last one, until Two Years old comes around.
She smiled so much better when holding her dolly. :) I couldn't resist adding this one too. Thanks to Stephanie for the puppy and lots of special memories.

Of Gifts and Smiles

Surrounded by her birthday gifts. :) Such a dolly. :)