More pictures, more pictures
I should almost be writing a little more often, because by now I have so many pictures that I want to share it ends up being a long post! Anyway, here goes, along with our events of the last couple weeks!
A couple weekends ago I went to a faith exploration course at our church (United), so Ian took the kids on a whirlwind of a weekend with dad! I came home to find our furniture all rearranged and this beautiful ‘helmet’ cast aside. Ian also planned a sledding outing with the kids that I ended up going along with since I got out early. Isn’t it a blessing when there’s two parents to input different ideas & styles into our kids’ lives! I think the kids had a blast with Ian.
Then this last weekend Karen & Brent stopped by on their way out snowboarding. We would have loved to join them but couldn’t arrange babysitting this time; instead we enjoyed a nice dinner & game with them (did you know Brent likes pickle & peanutbutter sandwiches?) The following day friends from Drayton Valley (our last home) came up to visit along with their two kids. We headed out to the playground.
(Breanna & Stevie - and yes, we tape Breanna’s mittens on…it is so hard to find a decent pair!!!) Since it’s been a lot nicer here and the girls are walking a lot more now, it is much easier to get outside to play. We’ve scraped off our slide and pulled out a bunch of toys so we are back in outdoor play times!
We’ve also started up a new project (yes, I say we, but so far I’m pretty much just the muscle for lifting boards on the ceiling) of giving our garage a new look. We are getting rid of the saggy, old drywall and covering everything up with OSB (Ian got a good deal from work). Then I’m going to paint it all and Ian’s going to build some new shelving. It’s our evening/weekend project, and Ian has been very dedicated to keep working at it (you know those evenings where you just want to sit on your butt…)
Here’s a mid-way picture. We still have a long way to go!
You can also see our triple stroller on the bottom there…I LOVE that thing.
The girls of our family (Breanna, me, Stevie)
Then tonight we were just playing around with the camera a bit and accidentally took this scary picture:
But don’t worry; pictures can lie. Here’s one to prove Breanna is actually healthy!
A couple more cute ones:
No place better than box to hide in (this is Rory’s favourite thing lately…I’m just waiting for the day it happens when we’re out somewhere…I’m keeping an extra eye on him. Unfortunately, I still have not grown those eyes on the back of my head that my mom always told me mom’s have (or was she LYING!!!)
Dad’s new boots!
Well, that is all. We have plans to go to a couple dinner theatre’s in the next few weeks, and Ian has a volleyball tournament coming up too. So on goes the fun! I love hearing from you all, and I’m very intrigued about the can…
February 6th, 2007 at 11:04 am
I love the pictures of you and the girls and the one with Rory in the boots! Of course they’re all really cute though…how they can keep getting cuter just makes me wonder! Me and Brent had fun staying at your place this weekend…although maybe you should have explained the peanut butter and pickle sandwich thing a little more!
February 6th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Great pictures again Helena! By the way you look wonderful!! I guess running after those little tykes must keep you in excellent shape. As for the can - it’s back! Back in the exact spot - only one thing the villan forgot to do was put the clear plastic tray back under the can (the milk can tends to leave a rust spot so I bought a flower pot tray to go underneath it to save the carpet) - but no harm was done. Apparently, the culprit was seen at Williamsburg CRC (the week-end we were gone to Deb and Brian’s) and after hearing a straight-laced sermon (probably on the 8th commandment), went directly to our house that Sunday (can you imagine!)and for some reason found an unlocked door (or maybe it was a case of a little breaking and entering, as I was pretty sure we locked the place up solid) and neatly put the can back where it was taken from on December 27. Maybe next VanderVeen Christmas will be hosted by a certain young man……You just never know what might go missing at a family get together right??? Anyway, all is well, and my family room looks great again!!! It was a hoot.
February 6th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Cute stories and cute pictures too!! I can’t believe how fast your kids seem to be growing. It’s crazy, eh? It looks like you’re having lots of fun with those little ones!!
Good luck with your garage renos! When you guys are finished, feel free to come out our way…we could some handy people like you around our place!
February 6th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Ooh, we need some handy people too…c’mon help us with some of our houses, they need some H.E.L.P! Bonus: vacation in MN!
I love the pictures, especially the one of the 3 girls, you guys are going to have some major shopping event when they get to teenagehood! So much fun!! Have fun at your dinner theatres, I have never been to one but it sounds very exciting!
February 8th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Love the pictures, your kids are pretty cute, it’s good to see them having so much fun! The one of Rory and his helmet reminds me of our boys - cereal boxes, kleenex boxes, etc. become hats and helmets (and sometimes shoes!)
February 9th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Hi Helena
Those are some super cute pictures. Good to know that things are going well for you and your cute family! And Jen says to say hello to you! Bye, Anne
February 13th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Helena & Ian: Great pictures! We should check the VanderVeen website more often. The pictures make me want to reach out and hug all of you.
Love, Mom and Dad