A Family Moment

Our little family of three.

A Father's Love

"I loved her first and I held her first

And a place in my heart will always be hers

From the first breath she breathed

When she first smiled at me

I knew the love of a father runs deep

And I prayed that she'd find you someday

But it still hard to give her away

I loved her first "

- I Loved Her First-

Julie and Jerrit's Wedding!

On Saturday we went to Julie and Jerrit's wedding up in Walkerton - northwest of here by 2 1/2 hours. :) I did have the alarm set to get up at 6:30, but we slept through...and woke up 20 after 7 a.m. ....and we had to leave in 30 min. :) So we dashed, and I got ready on the way. We got lost a bit too, but we actually made it to the wedding early. :) It was a beautiful wedding - the ceremony was lovely, and the program was meaningful. Rarely do I leave a wedding reception/program uplifted - as silly, or unedifying comments/jokes are often made, but this one was wonderful...Congratulations to Julie and Jerrit.
These first three pictures are taken by my brother in law - Tim H. :)

The bridesmaids in red. :)

The married couple during the final prayer.

The entire wedding party.

Us two sisters. :)

A very fuzzy picture of the bridal party getting a quick indoor shot before they left for the outdoors. Just so you can get an idea of what it looked like. I loved the bridesmaid's dresses! So gorgeous!!!! With their hair the way it was it reminded me of a dress from a "Little Woman" era.

The cake - as you know, I like to look at cakes. :)

At the start of the program, all of Julie's nieces and nephews (she has 23, and all of them are under 6 or so. :) sang a song, recited a verse and said "let the program of Uncle Jerrit and Aunt Julie begin. :) Very cute.... :)

Julie in the middle with two of her sisters singing the old song "Sisters". Very cute. :)

Julie looked lovely. :)

Three girls, one already been a bride, one hoping to be a bride one day, and the other, a radiant bride. :)

Daddy and Kate eating the same plate.

Cutting of the cake...

Five Months!!!

Another month flew by...and here's the growth....

...still cute as ever!

Katelyn's Baby Dedication

At last we had our little girl publicly dedicated to the Lord at our home church in Brantford. The week before there were two other baby dedications - so it was really neat. It was more of a whole 'family' dedication than just for Katelyn. Our three elders led the time together.
Listening to some thoughts up front...

One of the elders reading some applicable verses for us.

And our last elder, praying for us as a family - Katelyn was so good up there, and even when he put his hand on our her head, she just stared the whole time. :)

Katelyn and her 'friend' - Avia. :) They are a month apart.

Almost look like they're holding hands... :)

First Bites!

I'm sitting up now and oh so big. :) (with hands on the ready to catch a falling baby) She is doing really well now, sitting up by herself and hardly ever falls over. So fun to watch these stages in her life

Our grown up dolly face. We gave her her first rice cereal a week ago, and she loved it right from the start! She couldn't get enough, and seemed to get the whole thing quickly. Opens her mouth wide, swallows pretty good, and spits some out too. :)

Miss Independant with her spoon.

Katelyn waiting for more. She is now in her own room and crib - it was kind of hard to let her go out of my reach :) but also good too. She is almost sleeping through the night again- still have to work on that part a bit, but there's progress.

The second night of feeding... :) With her favorite guy.

Daddyand Katelyn competely relaxed after a long day.

Bits and Pieces

Just thought I'd quickly post a few pictures from November that have no specific topic to them... :) Trying to catch up. :) Working around the home with my little muffin.

Training Katelyn to do all of mommy's dirty dishes...

Once while visiting Tim in the hospital in London, we took him out for a wheelchair and walking walk :) - Katelyn got to ride in the wheelchair too. :)

A Monday Together

It has been so wonderful to spend a bit more time with James lately, and this weekend was lovely. After celebrating his birthday on Saturday, Diane's birthday on Sunday, we got to spend Monday doing a few odds and ends around the house and Brantford.
I went to get my hair cut, and when I came back to the car, I found a little tyke had taken my spot beside Daddy. :) They were just waiting around for me... :)

And at last, we got a haircutting set, so here is the 'before' picture - James, his longer hair, and instructions how to cut. :) This time was the third time I've cut James' hair- or anyone's hair for that matter...so he's pretty brave.

And the after picture. :) It turned out alright - praise the Lord for that! And I am blessed, because as James say's, most cut hair looks good under a hairnet. :)

And here's the two of us - with our hair cut.

Giving Katelyn a bath. She still loves water.

Daddy reading her a bedtime story.....

...which was quickly abandoned to do something more visual....a teddy bear dancing around pleased her much more. :) I love her expression!

Then it was to bedtime, and she just looked angelic, so I had to take some pictures of our little girl.

Our sweetheart - 5 months...in 3 days. It's going too fast.

James' 25th Birthday

James birthday - November 14th - (same as Anne-Marie's birthday - Happy Birthday sis!) came, and it made me so excited! :) - probably more excited than James. :) I was just so glad to celebrate his birthday with him.
We had breakfast together at the Windmill. (with his breakfast on 'the red plate'!)

Daddy and Daughter. I put the balloons on the stroller to celebrate, and dressed Katelyn in a cute party looking outfit. :)

All smiles for the special day.

James, Katelyn and the blown out birthday cake, after our special romantic dinner together.
Katelyn loved opening the presents as much as James did. Of course, the wrapping paper, card and envelopes were the best things ever.

One of the birthday gifts, and the birthday guy. :) I sure loved spending James' birthday with him, and in our home!

Church Banquet

Our church had their annual banquet for 'sending kids to camp' fundraiser. Diane did the dinner, and Nelly, a friend Rebecca and I did all the decorations/centerpieces. It turned out to be so lovely, and the meal was very gourmet! The menu: Butter Chicken, delicious salad, Bean Pecan Medley, two choices of soup - Cream of Tomato, or Dutch Meatball, with rolls,drinks and for dessert - chocolate or raspberry mousse.

Mrs.Cooper and Katelyn. :)

An activity that night, was three of the men had to arrange a floral centerpiece, and everyone voted (by clapping) for what they thought was the best one. :)

The happy family. :) It was formal night - so great fun to dress up a bit.