While My Family was Here...

At long last, the day arrived...my family from Alberta arrived. :)

Excited is only part of the emotions I felt - so lovely to see them all, and hug them in reality.

The next week and a half were full and fun days. We all did fit into our little home, and it was cozy.

Here's a smattering or rather a smashing of pictures from their time with us.

(sorry - it is rather a lot of photos - I couldn't decide which ones were keepers...when my family is here, all pictures are keepers) :)

Playing with bubbles with Grandma.

My family brought such a lovely array of gifts or hand-me-down's for us that it was rather like Christmas for the first couple hours. :) The bubbles were from Grandma. :)

 Watching the little destroyer come to view their hard work. :)

I just love watching my dad play with our little children. So special. 

Just checking it out to make sure it was well built. :)

On a walk to the Windmill. All three sisters (and a coupel of darling munchkins) together again.

While they were here, we went on a tour of the Toyota plant in Cambridge - they also have a plant in Woodstock but they don't give tours there - well, that's what I found out when we arrived for our booked tour....but that's another embarrasing story....regardless, we did get a tour on the day we planned....cough...cough... And it was interesting - an incredible display of the mere works of men. Incredible organization, diligence and creativity.

We girls and the kiddos went to visit James in Burlington at the market before Thanksgiving. Anne-Marie and Charissa each took a turn helping James out, while the other went shopping for a bit with me at the mall. We all got something we needed, and had a lovely Greek lunch as we dashed back home to make it time for the girls to leave for another concert. They had 5 concerts in the time they were here. (and if you don't know - they are doing a music tour across Canada - from Sask. to PEI - a two month trip!

So glad I'm on the way!!!)

After a concert in Brantford - at our church - I got to be a part of a couple songs with them, which was special - like old times again. :)

Singing in Waterford with them as well...

 Charissa handling the soundboard, playing bass all at the same time - that girl is amazing. 

Anne-Marie and her neat mandolin playing- so proud of her, in that good kinda way. :)

Shantel giving a hand. I love this picture of her. :)

 Auntie Deanna and Katelyn helping during teardown.

 The three cousins. Katelyn was pretty proud of herself to hold baby Hudson alone

 - and Auntie Dee was there to catch the babe at the right moment. :)

Mom Heikoop playing the church organ after the concert, and Dad watching.

I like this picture - quite sweet.

Me and chubby after bathtime one night.

Thanksgiving Monday.

We joined ALL the Heikoop's for the day and went bike-riding 10 miles. All 30 some of us.

A fun experiance.

 There's just something so neat about this picture... the motion, maybe a bit "Sound of Music" ish. :)

(btw - all bike riding pictures were captured by my Mom and Charissa)

My two favorite men.

I couldn't get over how absolutely adorable Erik was in the Ergo - hat on backwards, and just chilling with James... I got in trouble for saying how cute Erik was that day. :)

A bunch of us on the way.\

Most of the group.

Thanksgiving dinner. Each of us was responsibile for bringing part of the meal.

Mom and Dad Heikoop did the turkey and stuffing.

Brad and Diane did the vegetables

Ben and Deanna  & Sarah did the mashed potatoes

Henry and Heather did the awesome green bean casserole

Us - Fehrs and Heikoops :) did the sweet taters and my mom's famous jello

Nelly and William did rolls and more, but I can't remember :)

Mark and Rob did the dessert (pumpkin, peach and pecan pie)

(now, not that you really cared to know what we ate...it's more for my memory and for generations to come to know what we ate, and how we did it with so many family present... :)

Afterward the comforting dinner, James, Mark, Anne-Marie, Charissa and myself left to watch "Courageous" (most of the others had watched it already so they did the piles of dishes. :) and my parents watched the kids)

It was so good. About two minutes into the film I was crying - and pretty much cried the whole time. I think it helps if you're a parent when you watch it...as in...you'll cry more. :) Or maybe that's just me. :)

An excellent movie, and so thankful that it is still playing in many theatres!

We went for a tour of the locks near Niagara - the Welland Canal.

A friend of ours, Arthur Taylor, is the chaplain for the canal - a neat, Christian man. He comes and speaks at our church every so often. The stories he tells are incredible...

His wife watched our little ones while we went up and down the canal roadway.

 One of our first stops was the kissing rock - where sailors wave goodbye to their wives or sweethearts.

So, we had to do what the rock said to do...of course. :)

 Arthur Taylor telling us how someone was saved...      Went to a little cafe for lunch.

Touring St.Catherines musuem. Pretty fun.

Sis and the favorite brother in law. :)

From the canal we went on to see Henry and Heather's place in Lewiston.

Erik is getting close to standing by himself. :)

Katelyn getting a ride with daddy in the warehouse.

Then we left mom and dad in Niagara Falls for a night away, while we went to play volleyball at the chapel with a bunch of the family. Lots of fun.

 Mom and Dad blessed us by taking us all out for Chinese the night before they left. It was amazing...sigh... : )

My two youthful parents whom I love and respect sooo much.

Then the next morning they started the rest of their trip to PEI and back. It wasn't too hard of a goodbye, as we'll be seeing them on their way back. :) I'm glad.

Our house was quiet after they left, but it's also good to get back into normality for a bit...

Thankful for the memories, but wish time didn't fly by so much when we're having such fun. :)