This Foursome

Putting together a band in the morning - while playing along with Kevin William's guitar CD. 

The island is a perfect spot for the kids to sit. :)

Notice the bowls for banging on? All put together by this little group. (and Katy earlier)

The ruffians having book time - not sure if I was reading to them, or they just sat there....which would've been a neat miracle. :) 

Beach Day with the Daaes

This is so out of order - as date-wise - this was right after William and Amanda's wedding reception, but here it is anyways - good times with the Daaes.

Totally neat to have them around here, and get to spend time with Shannon - in our home! Never thought this would happen, but thankfully, I've now got a Daae sister in law, and connections are so great to have. :) 

They all sang at our church in the morning, and then in the evening, we had most of them over (Lauren and Dan were visiting family) and had some supper and games. 

All the kids had fun playing together downstairs while we conquered Qwirkle.

Then we made plans for a day at the beach the next day. 

Eden finding the treats. Such a cutie with her pigtails. 

Attempting volleyball with a yucky puddle right beside it...which is where the ball liked to be. 

Laura enjoying the water.

She's so good in the lake - not reckless but just splashes around. 

Our little beach setup. :) 

Katelyn fell in love with Shaya - Michael and Shannon's girl. Leaving her was pretty hard. 

Amy totally conked out on Auntie Dee. 

And then she woke up. :) 

Trying to get a few drops out of an emptyish can. 

And my favorite picture. 

Shannon and I. Glad we were able to spend some time together before they headed home.

At the end of the day, we had an accident on the water - poor Dan hurt his leg while wake boarding. It was so too bad - right at the end, as we were packing up, and he ended up having to head to emerg. here and even to the hospital when back in SK for a couple days. Praying it heals fast. 

Their Cake Contest

The contestants:

So a couple days prior, the kids thought they should make a cake and have a contest. 

They made these cakes pretty much alone, and then, had their decorating contest. 

The finished product, and now for the judging.

Daddy was the judge. :) 

Winner of the best tasting cake: Erik Heikoop

Winner of the prettiest cake: Katelyn Heikoop

Everyone was happy. 

Then a quick bite and to bed. 

Our Airshow

The Airshow came to Brantford, and after hearing about these planes, Erik couldn't wait to go.
It was my first time going to an air show, and apart from the whole being rained out (thankfully we were in the car when those two pour downs occurred) for a while, it was great. A bunch of the airshow had to be cancelled while we waited for the rain to clear, but we still go some neat stuff at the beginning and the snowbirds at the end. 

We spotted Mark, Jenelle, (special friend from Zambia :) Nelly and Amir in the crowd - fun surprise, and joined them for the rest of the show. 

Glad James thought I should bring my camera - and thankful for him lugging it out around for me. 

And here's some of the pilots of the snowbirds. And yes, the second from left one is a girl. :) 

Some guts and accuracy needed to be one of these pilots. 

Neat experience. 

Tricycles & Little Girls

Katy taking Amy for a ride - big sister on a too-small trike. 

Cuties.

You make my mommy heart skip beats. A lot. 

And yet you're so confidant, mostly careful,  and just love climbing high.

I do feel like a bad parent at the park, when you're climbing those monkey bars with no problem - and the other mom's are wondering why I let you do this... :) 

You're a fourth born, and you just have to keep up. 

Sunshine bringer - that's what you are, little Laura. 

Nelly's Goodbye Party

Diane and Brad hosted a goodbye party for Nelly - it was a perfect night, with a good amount of people. 

There was a Japan Trivia Quiz - so here's some of the teams working on their paper. 

Nelly and good friend Andrea. 

Krissy and Dee

Sylvia and Galen with Nel. 

Good Auntie feeds little Eden.

Ahh - love these two. Going to miss her so much. 

It hasn't really sunk in that she is leaving - for good. Yes, there will be furloughs, but this is what she's been preparing for, for the last seven years. It's exciting - but the loss is hard. 

Practicing for Asia :) The lady on the left has been helping Nel with some language lessons.