Tag Archive | Bella

Happy Canada Day!

July 1st is our yearly opportunity to be very visible and very Canadian. This year was a little different… Emanuel was still away at the Scout Camp with his friend Aidan until the evening. So we did our usual photo shoot with a twist.20170701_094925

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There was a meet up with our homeschool friends for some swimming or club (kid’s choice) with Nate and Bella as well. 20170701_105006

We TRIED to head to the zoo but apparently it was the day to go. So instead we turned around and headed to our favourite beach. Since the weather was a little on the cool side and cloudy it wasn’t packed. We didn’t spend much time in the water but really enjoyed the sand.

With Maple the Leaf

With Maple the Leaf

20170701_13072020170701_13300120170701_13370520170701_131403After the beach it was home for showers and then off to collect our absent Canadian. On the way there we stopped at our 3rd Tim Hortons so far. This one is rather close to the Novak’s house. I actually meet what I assume is an owner of one of the franchise. After a lovely conversation about the new stores and my coming from Canada to Minnesota he comped us 40 Tim Bits!!! So I left that store with 80 Tim Bits, an Ice Cap and a wonderful experience.IMG_20170701_162643_194

Snoopy!

Snoopy!

After a visit with the family and delivery of their Canadian goodies it was off to McDonald’s (Echo’s request after the aborted trip to the zoo).20170701_185250

We rounded off our Canada Day with a table of Canadian sweets. Ken made traditional and mint Nanaimo Bars (we had to order the custard powder off Amazon), Maple Cookies sent by a friend, and Tim Bits. Not bad! Next year buttertarts?IMG_20170701_211904_989

We redid our group photos on the 2nd to get a full group shot.20170702_095901

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Not bad for a Canada Day that wasn’t able to be celebrated IN Canada.20170701_095149

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This entry was posted on 05/07/2017, in Uncategorized. 2 Comments

A New Chapter For Two of Our Kids

Mid May marks the end of a new experience for Emanuel and Trinity, well a temporary end as we have already signed them up for the twice a week continuation in July.

We were lucky to have a new opportunity pop up at the local YMCA. A very talented sensei has decided to open classes (and maybe eventually a full on local dojo) for children ath our branch. Sensei Tom is AMAZING with the kids.20170518_183632

For 8 weeks, we have come out every Thursday with their homeschool buds Bella and Drew to start out learning all about karate.20170518_183820

On the 18th of May we marked the end of this first program with the receiving of their yellow stripe on their white belts. This also came with a lovely certificate we are going to frame and hang up here at home.20170518_204051

20170518_204043The kids were super pumped when we told them we had already registered them for the next sessions in July (Sensei has a June commitment, so we have a gap). And we are super proud of their willingness to jump full in on a new activity.20170518_185808

This entry was posted on 10/06/2017, in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Happy Easter All!

Our Easter was more of an Easter weekend. Just chock full of fun and activity. So much so that we were burned out and exhausted for school on Monday!DSCF6166

On Saturday all my hard work of stuffing Easter eggs was put to good use. We spent the morning at the YMCA. Well, some of us did. The door on the van was left ajar and the battery dead. So in between Ken smoking Sunday’s ham at the Schwartz’s (thanks so much for the loan of your smoker) I took Gavin, Echo and Trinity to the YMCA. Gavin and Trinity for club and Echo for swimming with Mommy.

Once the van was jumped and filled back up with kit and kids we headed off to visit our very amazing homeschool friends. Aimee had set up a rather amazing egg hunt all over their woodsy yard.20170415_142522

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IMG_20170415_211756_985We played, watched a movie, ate wonderful food and snacked happily while we visited. It is such an easy situation on all adults involved as the kids really do entertain themselves. Aimee and I even ducked out to Walmart to pick up a few things.

That had us home in the evening and into bed so that we could be fresh and pressed for Easter service. Trinity even had her first communion! Everyone clapped for her when they were told before service.20170416_115017

IMG_20170416_122008_696The girls had their usual fancy hats and new dresses. I think we all cleaned up rather nicely.20170416_091740

We had Easter baskets and goodies from the Easter Bunny to enjoy.20170415_235233

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20170416_093322We did our yearly photos, of course.IMG_20170416_094743_081

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Gavin, Zander

Gavin, Zander

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20170416_091641After church it was back to packing up the van and heading over to the Novak’s for dinner and ANOTHER egg hunt.20170416_152444

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20170416_152823We had so much fun there, as always. And it was ANOTHER day of easy supervision on the adults.20170416_165654_HDR

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20170416_132743It was a wonderful way to celebrate with friends who have become family. I don’t think we could have had a better plan… well except for having the battery in the van die.20170416_150132

The Easter corner for the kids to eat in.

The Easter corner for the kids to eat in.

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20170416_143035Christ is Risen

He is Risen indeed

Hallelujah

Now, enjoy the excessive amount of festive images!!!20170416_134728

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Snoopy

Snoopy

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Kiara

Kiara

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This entry was posted on 18/05/2017, in Uncategorized. 1 Comment