What did we do before cell phones?

We are camping this week with my parents.  The kids and I have loved every minute of it!  After a week at Nana and Papa's hanging out, then a week for Kyler at FCC with Amber and a week for Q and Lisa to hang out with Nana and Papa it was a good change.

The boys and I are in our "12 man tent" and the girls are with Nana and Papa in the rv.  Its been alot of fun.  We have had craft time, two libraries were built in the RV complete with sign out sheets, we have rainbow loomed, played games, played in the sand and had lots of food and campfires!

FYI Thank you Joanie for introducing my mom to "happy hour"!!

One thing I have noticed is the amount of people walking around with cell phones.  Please don't get me wrong!  I'm one of them!  But I'm surprised how many people don't look up anymore, smile at their neighbours or as how their day is going.  Now a simple run to the bathroom includes checking your phone on the way there and the way back and making sure nothing has changed.

I'm just as bad.  I'm always texting Arnold or checking up on something we feel we need to " Google ".  But I'm sure I had just as much fun, if not more, before cell phones.

Maybe next time, I need to make the time to unplug and enjoy nature. 

Happy May!!

I realize I am a day late but Happy May Day! It's such a busy month for us!

Today I had my final blood test and thankfully my levels are back to normal!
Tonight we are taking the boys to the zoo to see the white Tigers, new to the zoo this year!
Tomorrow Arnold and the boys are going to a musical after school. They are going to see "In the woods" that is being put on by the school.

Friday, Arnold is taking the van to work and then picking up his parents at the airport!   We are SUPER excited to have them visit us on their fly-over to Holland.  One of the bonus points of living in Toronto is that they can stop by to see us before they fly over.  We are excited to have them staying with us until Monday.  Our big plans, so far, are going to St. Jacobs (don't worry I'll take pictures) and then maybe on Sunday do the Africian Lion Safari!  Arnold and I haven't been there since we got married 8 years ago and Q and K have never been there!

The weekend after Kyler has a birthday party to go to (still need to stop at Toys'R'Us and pick something up) and while he is at the party I"m going to be at a bridal shower for one of the ladies at our church.
Sunday is MOTHERS DAY!  (please take a moment to remind my husband if you see him)

The weekend after we are heading to Sarnia to help my parents open up their pool.  We are also going to snag Amber and Lisa on the way down so we can have someone else for the kiddos to play with!  That and I"m sure they miss their Nana and Papa too!

The weekend after is the last weekend in May and Arnold and I have some plans, nothing big but plans none-the-less. 

Also this month Arnold and I will have been married for 8 years!  I can't believe it's been that long :)  I have a babysitter for our anniversary and I think we are going to celebrate at The Keg for dinner!  Can't wait!

I'll be back with pictures soon I promise.  For now enjoy the nice weather!

Christmas Tree Cutting!

Last weekend we went to my parents house. We stayed the night on Saturday and headed out in the morning and got our Christmas trees. IT's always something exciting for us. Here's a photo idea of how it went:

July 23rd - Saturday - inbetween day

Saturday morning was busy here! We made bacon and eggs for breakfast and then it was alot of prepping around here. I had the 3 kids packing their bags and one in my arms (ahhh baby love *heart* ) While our 3 were doing that Jenn and Jason were packing themselves up and getting showered and ready to go. All of us had our cars packed and were on the road by 10am or so (maybe even earlier?)

I had to do a quick come back because I forgot Kyler and Quinton's bikes and helmets!

We had the kids with their MP3 players on their head and off we went! We didn't stop until we got to Sarnia. As soon as we did the kids got in the pool and didn't get out until almost supper time. It was so fun.

Dad made burgers for supper and we got out in time to have supper in the gazzebo and then back in the pool for a bit. Out for a bath (since they didn't have one all week) and PJ's and bed time.

Tree Decorating/Gift Opening

On Sunday after our Christmas Tree Cutting was over we had a busy evening.

We got home around 6pm and had supper (McDonalds food). While they were eating supper I had a shower to get that smoke smell off. Then we pushed the boys into the tub and got them clean. Arnold and I got the tree set up and ready to go for the boys. Once they got out of the tub the boys found that Sinterklaas came to visit.

















After the Dutch Christmas gifts we did the ones from Nana and Papa:











And even more gifts! These are from Aunt Becca, Uncle James, Amber and Lisa:













Once all the gifts were opened we began decorating the tree:

Q had the honour of putting on the first decoration and the star on the big tree this year:












Blessing: We as a family are blessed by the public library. I used to go alot with the kids but stopped. Since Kyler started his Keli school we have been going once a week. I love it! I love having new books going through our house that didn't cost me anything (but late fees)

December Game: I love the kids playing outside. But my favourite part has to be watching them make Snow Angels: