My 27th Birthday!

My birthday began with breakfast in bed, from my dear husband.

I got to sleep in a bit, which was really nice.

Erik playing with the heart balloons that James blew up for me. My darling man, went to town to buy decorations, and on the way home, blew up a ton of balloons. :)

Putting up streamers, and a nice banner that said "Happy Birthday Mama"!

At noon, we left the children with one of great babysitters at home, Shantel, and took off to Toronto. James took me to see "Mary Poppins", which was a special outing. It wasn't exactly as I had hoped, but it was well done, and as theater is, always interesting.

Then we went out for dinner, and some wonderful talking time, which I so appreciated.

Then back home, took Shantel home, and then Nelly appeared with Katelyn (whom she had kidnapped) with a couple gifts. One was a chocolate CD, and another real CD, with Katelyn's voice recorded on it. She sang "Jesus Loves Me" and "Have Patience". It was such a special gift. James got me a NKJ Bible, and Mom got me a platter and gravy set that coordinates with my dishes! Mom Heikoop got me a pitcher and cheese grater, and Rachel, a special friend, gave me a Reitmans gift card and chocolate bar. My sister Annie blessed me with a movie and some money to buy a special candle. :) So I was pretty blessed.

Katelyn, waiting to help me with my gifts. The little rascal - she brings me the gift from James, and says, "it's a Bible". :)

Erik and I.

Us two -right before Nel left.

Me and my favorite man.

Another one of our "timer" pictures of us two.

Amazing to think I'm 27. 3 more years til 30... :)

Hope to do a lot more growing in the coming year - changing, to be like my unchanging God.

Last Day Altogether

January 3rd was the last day we were all together. In the afternoon, our little family, Heather and her kids, Tim, and Marvin's kids all went swimming in the Wayne Gretzky Centre. We splashed around for an hour, and then headed next door to our church building, and the kids played some games, led by Ben and Deanna, until everyone came for take-out Chinese Food.

Duck duck goose.

That's Marvin flying around. He's a good sport.

After a great dinner, the brothers played volleyball and soccer. Then it was goodbyes to Marvin and Marlene, and everyone headed home. The holiday season, is kinda over. :)

2011 Heikoop Gift Exchange

January 2nd was when we all got together for our gift exchange. We had a turkey dinner, so it was like a belated Christmas. :)

Heather and her girls decorated the table. It was so gorgeous - I wish I could decorate like her!

There were set people who were in charge with helping with the dinner - which was so delicious.

We ate in the Windmill resturant, which worked out pefectly, and we all got around one table.

The individual place settings. Heather wrote a note to each of us.

All of us - I unfortunately had the wrong settings on the camera - my depth of field is pathetic for a group shot - everyone at the back are all fuzzy, but oh well. :)

Nathan and Katelyn - best buddies.

Sarah and I. It was such a treat to have her home from her midwifery placement in Cambridge. She was on call the night before, and had to be at a birth, but managed to come back for the day. It is neat to watch God leading her, and to see how much she is learning. I admire that gal!

Opa and all the grandsons. Erik kinda messed this shot up, but oh well.

Oma and the girls.

Snippets of gift giving...As you can see, both Will and Brad were given a crokinole board in keeping with the gaming season.

Rob had Erik's name for the Uncle-Nephew gift. He got him a John Deere Tractor to ride on. It was such a perfect gift for him. He loves it, and now doesn't need to try to ride on Katy's trike. :) He was pretty pleased.

Katelyn received a fuzzy dog in a cute little kennel from Hannah and Auntie Heather. Now she and the doggie are inseperable. The poor thing doesn't have a name, other than "doggie".

Mark had my name and got a magnifiying mirror and kitchen knives. A fun gift!

James' gift from Heather and me: a Giant bike.

We got it off Kijij. It was a crazy situation. I had been looking and trying to contact a seller for a month, but the guy only responded once. So I kept trying other sellers of Giant bikes in the area, and no one would contact me. So two days before the gift giving, both Heather (who had his name) and I were getting a bit nervous. William found this online, and in Brantford - perfect. The only thing was, we couldn't get it, or look at it, til Monday evening- when we were to open the gifts. So, Will slipped away during dinner, to look at it, buy it, and got back just as we were about to open the gifts. :) I was so thankful to God that it worked out, as we were cutting it close! :)

Dad and Mom got all the boys these Nike hoodies, and so they had to model them for us.

Seriously, I'm related to these guys???  :) That's why I love 'em. :) You never know what they'll do next!

And mom and dad got us girls all hoodies too! But we're a little more mature & pretty when we pose for the camera. :)

Now what are those grown up men looking at....?

....that... :) a car that drives on the ceiling. :) One of the kid's new toys.

Another game going on...

...and another. Everyone is trying out the new boards.

The squishable, riding his new tractor.

Just about to leave for home; Katelyn in her new "princess pajama's from Oma and Opa. :)

We were all blessed and had a great night, eating turtles, and Deanna's delicious chocolate mint bark stuff. :) I think my chocolate craving was satisfied for a day.

Second Haircut

Time for another haircut.

He must be a boy. Not even a year, and he has had two.

Katelyn is almost three, and she's never had one. :)

 Not too thrilled.

Even less thrilled. Oh well, it's done, and he looks more clean-cut. :)

New Years Eve

Our New Year's Eve "party" was small - just a few friends from church and family. We just played a few games, and had some snacks. James and I left around 11p.m., but did stay awake til Midnight, talking.

Before we left, Deanna's cousin Heather, showed us how to properly do nails. While Deanna was learning, Katy and I got the royal treatment. :)

2012...exciting.

Curious to see how God will work this year, and what changes will occur.

Thankful for an unchanging God!

Cookie Night

Having Marvin and Marlene here for a couple weeks, enabled me to get in an old Christmas tradition: Cookie Decorating. :) We had them over for supper, and then brought out the candy, icing and cookies. Everyone did a geat job, and we had fun. Marlene said it might even become one of their traditions. :)

Andrea helping Katelyn out with some cookies.

Little man Jordan.

Marvin took over my dad's tradition for me - :) Working on one creation during the whole evening.

Benjamin with one of his creations.

Sweet Valerie.

The boys climbing the stairs.

James was the judge on which cookie was the most creative and beautiful.

Marvin's masterpiece. :)

It was a fun evening.

Our Christmas Together

We had our own family Christmas on Boxing Day. Even though we were still under the weather, we had a fun day. We started with a special breakfast: hash brown casserole, sausages, and Christmas bread made by some friends.

Then after reading some of Luke 2, we opened the presents. :) It was fun. I still love gifts - and I think I always will. I got all of the children's gifts from garage sales in the summer. They loved them, and I hope to keep doing that, for a long time.

She's now being intoduced to "Anne of Green Gables" - from Grandma Fehr!

James opening his gift from my mom - some awesome shirts.

Katelyn with her doctor set from us. It was perfect, as she had just been for her first doctor's visit. Now, she is all about "listening to your heart".

Opening a gift from Shantel. :) After unwrapping a ton of layers, I found a fav. gift - Oreos!!!

Erik with his fire truck from us.

Playing with the percussion set together.

Auntie Anne-Marie got Katelyn her first game - a counting duck game.

Even James got into the music. :)

Our darling by the tree.

Then we headed over to the Windmill for an evening together.

Katelyn did some dress up time with Valerie, while we adults played Apples to Apples and Crokinole. In fact, Crokinole became the men's game for the whole time Marvin and Marlene were here.

Playing the game

Mark playing with some nephews.

Auntie Sarah and darling Benjamin. :)