Ladies Prayer Breakfast

Time again for our bi-annual Ladies Prayer Breakfast, organized by Georgie and her husband.

As always the food was incredible, and we had nice times of visiting, before Krissy gave her testimony and we had some prayer time together.

 I love how Katie is on her own at this table with a few friends, her Sunday School Teacher Barb, and Winnifred. :) She enjoyed the morning - especially the Christmas craft that Georgie prepared.

 Sarah and her youngest Reece - "cheese"!

Dear Amber

Hardworking Steph.

Cousins, Friend's and Twirls

In the middle of an apple snack.

Glenda came over, and the kids got her to read them a story in the middle of our visit. She's always so obliging - they love it when she comes over! 

Hudson and Reuben stayed overnight last weekend, and this was at our pancake breakfast (made by James) the next morning.

Love this one of Roobs - he's rearing to go! 

The other two on the other side of the table.

It was quick a little circus -like two sets of twins at once, plus Katy. But we had fun. :)  

Laura trying to twirl and dance with Katy.

Katy, wanting me to take a picture of her - posed for me. :)

She was in her favorite dress, that she can't wear outside to church any more since it's too cold.

So, she enjoys it for twirling. :)

 

Volleyball with the Westerners

Amanda and Crystal Daae came out for a special visit, and I got to see them a few times while they were out, which was quite nice. We had a couple suppers together, games and a great volleyball night with other family members and friends.  

After supper, William obliged the kids by coloring, and Amanda and James joined in.

Starting to play "Qwirkle" - Katelyn was quite glad to be on Amanda's team, and trying to beat everyone. :) I think William was actually the winner.

Little Miss Laura in the middle of her wanderings.

Playing volleyball at the chapel. Such great games.

Everyone tried quite hard. :)

Opa and Oma came to watch, and to keep an eye on the younger ones which was appreciated.

Crystal and James in the middle of a spike war.

Sweet Step

Shantel serving away.

A fuzzy shot, but I loved the action going on in the right corner - Greg on the ground, and Will and James giving it all they had.

Well, my team totally won. ;) Most of the games too...It was pretty close a few times, but I loved the score on this one. :)

11 Months!

Laura's latest:

-Walking since 10.5 months

-Says "hi" (and a bit of dada, moma)

-Is into everything...especially loves the toilet...oh my.

-Love to pull the grate covers off, and take dust/dirt out. (even getting inside one of the cold air returns - sitting in it, and stuck)

-Has started to twirl with Katy when she dances

-Holds out her hands when she wants to be picked up - especially out of the crib

-Has had a few, but especially one, fierce will-power struggle with Daddy, about wanting to feed herself.

-Plays in her crib for a while after naptime.

-Has started to love looking at books - and occasionally pulling the odd page out.

-Gets so happy when daddy comes home from work. 

 Only one more month, and we can retire the puppy dog for a few months. She's at the stage, where it takes ages to get her and the dog to stay on the couch at the same time... a little workout for me.

Sisters 

I love this one - in the middle of an expression... 

Doing what babies do best. :)

Pigtails & Friends

We did it! At only 10.5 months, Laura has two pigtails. :)

Such a difference from Katy who was two years old. 

Cutie pie.

Amber came over for a day to spend some time with me and the kids, (she's amazing with the little ones - she's from our church) and while I had a quick nap, she put these adorable pigtails in Laura's hair! I loved it! 

 Cuteness

 Avia came over for a couple hours, and the three of them made leaf covered candle jars. (using silk leaves and modge podge). It kinda worked - may do it a bit different if there's a next time.

Katy working on her craft. 

Amber. 

Dear Avia. 

A fun day with the girls, getting to know Amber a bit more, and having fun together.

Heikoop Thanksgiving

Before heading off to the Thanksgiving afternoon at Diane and Brad's, James suggested we do something together with our little (but growing) family. :) And so, off we went to Brantwood Farms - just a few minutes from our place, and the location I use for many of my photo shoots. They had a whole Fall Festival Setup - pony rides, straw castle, face painting, food, hay rides, and the corn maze. And that's what we went for - the corn maze.

My first ever. I've been waiting for years to go through one...and we did it. :)

Which is why after Katie went around in circles for a while, and James thought we were done by going through the "entrance"  I persuaded them to go through again, so we could do it properly. :) I just had to experience it right. Which we did - in all of five minutes. :)

It was fun. And the kids -especially Katelyn - loved it. Erik got a bit self-conscious with the other people walking by, and Laura just fell asleep in the Ergo.

 

 Katie and the "cowboy" girl.

 Before Laura fell asleep.

 Ta-da-da

 Almost at the end of the maze.

 Good scarecrow friend.

 It took a while to get Erik to pose in there...but we got it. :)

 Isn't that look wonderful... such good food we're blessed with. Each couple/member, was responsible to bring one or two dishes, which worked out beautifully. I made the jello salad - using my mom's traditional delicious holiday jello. Special to bring in some of the Fehr traditions to the Heikoop side.

 The table - laden with much blessings. :)

 Her first Thanksgiving dinner. :)

 Erik was quite thrilled to sit at the little table all by himself. :) While the other kids sat outside on Brad's new in the works deck.

 Sarah and Jonathon

 Heather (with her darling haircut) and Diane.

Katelyn with the bigger kids outside. 

Micah, still recovering from his broken leg. 

The guys - seems like they have to have one picture of them attempting coolness or something "hoodie" like... :) Well, it was an attempt.

Nathan and Katie having a blast together. (by William)

I also took a quick photoshoot of Reuben's - his 1 year old - cake smash pictures. :)  

Then all outside and to the nearby trail for the walk. :) It was beautiful. Lots of good conversations. 

Erik getting his piggyback ride from Dad. 

 Nathan and Katie running.

 William took this shot of James and I with his iphone. :) I was glad to get it! 

Another (adorable) shot of Katelyn and Nathan.
They had a blast throwing corn kernals at the uncles... 

Walking together (another William shot)

And to end - another shot from William - sooo pretty!

After our walk we went back to Brad and Diane's for dessert and more visiting. A lovely day to spend with so many loved ones. I did call our family in Alberta, and they all shouted "Happy Thanksgiving" which made me a touch sentimental, but so nice to know they all love me. :)

Very thankful. For my Savior, husband, children, family on both sides, church family, and the place God has put me. Don't know why God had such mercy on me, but I'm forever grateful.