December 12th

Us three (four) at the end of the day...but let's start at the beginning...

It was another wonderful baptism Sunday.

Brad, and husband & wife Les and Ashie were all batptized in the morning service. An exciting day for sure.

Us Heikoops quickly learned a new song "The River" to sing for the baptism, which was kinda special.
Les's testimony being read.

Shane reading Ashie's testimony. Ashie was the one who cut my hair last time - a neat go getter of a mom!

Then after the service, we all went to the Windmill, along with all of Brad's family for lunch. We ate downstairs, and had fun visiting and getting to know everyone better.

The leftover table. :)

Brad and Diane

And us two. :)

A bunch of the family playing a game...

Sitting around the table eating terribly delicious things. Deanna brought the most amazing kind of chocolate/cranberry bark stuff (so descriptive aren't I?) - and there were many other good good things. :)

Then it was to the evening service for the program. Our Sunday School kids did their songs, and there were plays, and such, with lots of Christmas carols to play. (and I'm not the greatest at carols....)

James and Diane directing the children in the Sunday School Songs. We didn't have any type of rehearsal this year, which kinda showed, but it was also good to have a bit more of a relaxed setting too. :) There were some fun moments, (at the expense of a couple cute little girls) where the angel's wings were caught in the artificial trees up front, stopping them from 'turning around' when they were supposed to - knocking the tree down. Lots of laughs. :)

The family in red - then food downstairs, cleanup, and home to bed - oh so tired. :)

The Last Visit...for a while

Jared and Breanne came to visit us one last time before heading back to Alberta. It seemed strange that we won't be seeing them as often, watching each other's little girls grow up. So we relished in our time together, making a few more memories to store in our minds. :)

Kilmeny and Katelyn climbing the stairs - they were able to do more things as friends this time.

Each of them, growing up a bit more. It was neat to watch Kilmeny take more steps on her own.
Muchin' on the duplo blocks.

Breanne reading the girls a story.

Watching Jared pack the van.

With our girls.

The family heading out on their travel home. It will be exciting to see where God will lead them in the next couple months. :)

Filipino Dinner

Sarah hosted a Filipino dinner at our church one evening, and showed some pictures/video of her two years in the Philippines. One grandson of a man that goes to our church, was also working in a different part of the Philippines came and shared what he's been doing as well.

Katelyn and a friend on the ride-on toys.
The menu:
Noodles and carrots
Rice
Vegetables in a soup type sauce (to go over the rice)
Chicken and potatoes
Mango float
Brianna serving the chicken and potato gumbo. :) Bri was a classmate of Sarah's in the Philippines and also lives not far away. :) Another qualified midwife. :)

Tim helping serve.

Katelyn loved the noodles. A fun evening.

Snapshots of Katie

Katelyn loves wearing other people's shoes....shoe shopping with her is messy,

with shoes that she's tried on left strewn in her wake. :) She is pretty cute.

Sleeping babe... in a few weeks Lord-willing, we'll have two babies. :) God was so good to make children (and adults) look peaceful and angelic at night - it inspires us to keep going for the next day. :)

Smiling at mommy from the upstairs railing. Love her crossed ankles.

Me and Strudel at 33 weeks. :)

Pennslyvania Visitors!

In the beginning of December, John and Ashley and their little guy came up to visit us on the way up from the states. It had been over a year since we had seen them (Ashley and I've known each other from Alberta days :) - we both married eastern men :) and had lots to catch up with them. I think it's so neat that little old me in the middle of no-where (kinda) :) gets to see so many friends from the 'olden' days. :)

Joshua and Katelyn - Joshua very sweetly shared his trains with Katelyn.
Sorry Ash...it had to go on the blog. :)
We all went to the Windmill for an early breakfast before they left to go up north.
There we are - so much better. :)
Ashley and John were a great encouragement to us; and in the short time we had together we got a nice deal of visiting in. Love you guys lots. :)

Happy Birthday Tim!!!

It's my little brother's birthday today - Happy Birthday Timothy!! We hope you're having a super day, and are so thankful for you!

Katelyn wants you to know that she loves you, and thinks that her Calgary Flames toque is the coolest thing ever - she wants you to be the one to teach her how to play hockey, and how to work computers, and how to play games other than "Match the Penguins" (cause that's all mommy know's how to play), and how to play classical piano, how to draw funny cartoons, how to find the best deals and give the neatest presents, and how to say funny jokes, and how to memorize 1,2 and 3rd John really really fast. :)
Look forward to seeing how God will continue to use the many gifts He has given you - You're a talented and skilled man. :) Love you!

Christmas has Come to Ellis Ave

Our living room with our cute Christmas tree.
Silver and White is the theme this year I guess. :)

With my ornaments from Anne-Marie gracing our entry table again this year.

Our first nativity set. :) I was quite excited to get this. We bought it from a speaker that came for our youth conference at our church. He is a saved Jew and works with people from Israel to support orphans - among one of his many ministries... This was carved by a 13-14 yr. old to support himself at the place where he is living. The only thing we realized after we got it and set up a couple days ago, is that we're missing a Joseph! :) It didn't get packed in with the set I guess. Oh well; one of the shepherds is going to be playing Joseph for a few years. :) It's neat to have something from Israel, as well as something that's not elaborate for a nativity set.

A close up of Baby Jesus - amazing workmanship. (and I can draw stick figures!)

Turtles in the process of being made...

Our kitchen. :)

Katelyn and I were coloring together this morning. :)

A stack of presents and giftwrap to be dealt with later on today. :) I'm almost done Christmas shopping, which feels lovely, but almost like I'm cheating. :)