Celebrating 3!!

Ranen turned 3 on Saturday!!

She was probably the most excited that she has ever been...

So fun to watch and enjoy!

She actually understood it all this year...

 

3 years ago we were blessed

with our precious daughter

7:02 pm on a Tuesday night, July 27...

Oh I remember the joy to hearing her first cries...

Love - it is a beautiful thing!

 

First birthday:

 

Second birthday:

 

 

Now she has grown so much...

friendly,

a little shy,

loves to bike,

swimming - her favourite,

talks a lot (maybe like her mom!)

says Cayden is her favourite

(but that I am still her favourite mommy (lol))

enjoys being mommy for her dolls

loves to sing,

still attached to her teddy/soother for bed

strong willed

loves to help...

 

Saturday morning Auntie Erica and Auntie Reina

came over for a bike ride and coffee... 

 

Ranen had to wait until Daddy came in from the barn

to open up our present...

 So our girl...

Then we had the Lindhout's over at night for a bbq/swim:

 Oh, I love you so much...

 



 

What a great evening!

Ranen was spoiled... it was fun!

 

Now today, we have some friends coming this morning

and the Korporaal's come tonight for a swim...

Better go get some stuff done :)

 

Corina - her and Cooper just got hitched!!

Love it - what a great buy!! 

Love you sis!

 

Tomorrow - off camping to Cultus for 2 nights :)

Hoping for a fabulous week!

 

(hopefully more posts coming soon...  1 for family pics,

1 for our fence project, 1 for Ben's father's day surprise that arrived in the mail...)

but it will for sure be after camping!!

xo

Larissa's Grad

Larissa graduated with Ivan

and I took some pictures of her

with her boyfriend, Stephen...

finally putting a few up on the blog!!

 

Hope you like them Larissa!

Thanks so much for asking me to take your pictures...

love working with you - so photogenic!!

...and such a gorgeous dress - you look stunning!!

 Hope you enjoy working for DeVry!! - wish you all the best!!

Playing Catch-up!

Seems like I am typically trying

to accomplish what should have been done

yesterday or the day before!

 

...

Such goes my life - so instead of apologizing for

it or saying it is going to change (because it probably wont!!)

- I am just going to relish in the fact

that I can admit to my weaknesses

and soldier on!!  :)

 

Yesterday, it was brought up by 2 special people,

that I have forgotten to blog on a few important occasions!!

(thanks hubby and sis!)

Ben - he will forgive me when the mail arrives

and then I can share my surprise with you all...

a father's day surprise!

Finished and ordered... a little late but better than never!

but apparently I still should have blogged!! xo

Love you Ben!!

 

Warm summer evening walks/bike:

 

 

 Falling off bike comforting...

Love working at your side... so many projects to do around here!

Raised beds, gardening, picket fence...

I love the days we work side by side!

 

You are a fabulous Daddy - the kids adore you (me too!)

We love you to the moon and back!

 

A few birthdays to mention...

On Sunday, Chris turned 29 and Opa Lindhout 75!

Opa's first grandchild was born on his birthday - he is so proud of that!

(and over the years 2 more also share their special day!)

Monday we all gathered at the school to celebrate!

So nice to have everyone together!

A little story behind this gift... just over a month ago Opa asked me to please

watch Craigslist for a camera... he says his was no good anymore but Oma

was not letting him buy a new one cause he has 5 already!

(to Oma nothing is garbage till it is broken into pieces!!:)

So I talked to all the teen and older grandkids if they would like to pitch

in and buy him a new one!!  He was SO pleased!!

but with the shake of the finger I was called a 'dirty bugger' for

organizing a gift like this!! love it!

(and around noon on Monday - just before party - Opa phoned me

to see if I had found one yet, so I said no but I would keep looking :) 

LOVE you Opa!

 

Opa also got a new trailer for behind his lawn mower from his kids...

Aunt Wendy - playing with Cody... just heard yesterday that

she is an Oma again!!  Tom and Janice are expecting!!!

SO SO HAPPY FOR THEM!

 

Mom doting on Owen... love to see this!

You are such a fabulous Oma!! LOVE YOU!

 

Chris is such a great dad... also present with his kids,

quick to lie on the floor and join in their fun!

He recently started a new job which he is really enjoying...

working together with farmers daily - right up his alley!

 

Yesterday, Ivan celebrated his 18th birthday...

such a charming, loving uncle and brother!

Has a little temper but usually keeps it in check :)

Him and Ranen having this things going - making up

and saying a select few unique words like

meshi, mahaboni, chicolza, bababopie, formadubly....

 

Off to help put up the picket fence!!

(IF Dad and Ben knew I was finishing this blog quickly -

was waiting for pics to upload - I don't think they would be impressed!! lol)