Raspberry Picking

This year I actually did what I wanted to do...U-Pick!  We are trying to be a bit more frugal this year and so instead of paying someone else to pick my berries I figured there wasn't any reason why I couldn't do it myself...and with a little help by the boys.  We chose to pick at Willowview Farm at the south end of McCallum Road.  We really like that place for pumpkins too.  The rows were beautifully maintained and there were very few people.  The bushes were loaded and we picked three pails in around 25 minutes or so.  It was very nostalgic as I picked berries for many summers as a child.  I absolutely hated it and made my mother miserable with all my moaning about it.  My kids enjoyed it but it was just a wee sampling of berry picking!

ACT ~ That's A Wrap!

 Well, we had a pretty good fan base for the final performance with A.C.T!  We really appreciated all the support from friends and family.

 My parents, Uncle Andrew and their friends, Bill & Ella.

 The renowned 'Miss Smiff'.

 Our international contingent, Daisy and William.  Oh and 'hi' Keith!

 Auntie Tracy, Heather (aka Miss Smiff) and 'the mom'!

 Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Murray.

 And Auntie Tracy even brought her mom, Lynne.

 The show was great and Chad did a bang up job with the lead role of Aladdin.  What a lot of lines he memorized!  How many people get their school principal coming out to support them?  Nice!

 Daisy needed a shot with the star.

 Chad's bride...the princess.  Very nice choice for your first proposal, Chad!

 So proud of my two self-confident and self-assured boys.  They definitely did not inherit any of these qualities from moi!

 The whole cast...such terrific kids!

 Liam loved the show and was really into it.  Sadly, he faded fast after the curtain closed due to after affects from a booster shot the day before.  Ugh....poor guy.

I won a raffle basket this year!  Yippee!  It was packed with all sorts of baking equipment which was really appreciated as I rarely treat myself to new items. 

 

The following photos are not mine.  These were posted photos that one could order but we just took pictures of them.  I guess that's sort of cheating....yikes.

 

 

 

 

And now we move onto a new chapter in our lives.  Saturdays without waking up to get to rehearsal at 8:45 am.  Oh what bliss.  What joy!  What freedom!  The boys still have the acting bug...look for them in school productions in the near future.

Wee College Grad #8

I do believe we may have just attended our final Wee College graduation.  Even though this is only Liam's second year he won't be able to finish up the three year program as the church has shut it down.  It's too bad but he definitely learned a lot of solid Christian doctrine in those two years!

 Liam made plenty of amusing faces during the program.  The kids were all cute and very enthusiastic.

 He was very proud of himself and certainly should be.  He has a lot of Bible knowledge in his head!

And dear teacher Shirley who is done after 38 years of faithful service.  Talk about a committed lady!  What a fantastic example to us all.  We appreciate all the love and time she put into our kids lives.

Fluff and Stuff

I think I like my new camera just about as much as these guys!  Nice clear shots in our recent snowfall.  They played while it lasted and in a few days it will be gone, gone, gone.

Next up...spring please!

Frosty

In our neck of the woods you must enjoy it while it lasts!

Catching Up & Winding Down

 Hey friends.  It's been a while...sorry!  I'll just bring you up to date with a few snippets of the past week or so.

 Our new electric fireplace was looking pretty empty but I wasn't sure what to decorate the mantle with.  A few days ago I went down the Christmas aisle at Costco and these little owls spoke to me.  I find that it's the 'Year of the Owl' in decor and while I am not generally a trendy gal I just loved these pieces.  And they were very affordable.  They like their new home.  They told me.

On Remembrance Day we went to support Keith and remember the soldiers at the local Cenotaph.  It was a fairly balmy day...dry and around 14 degrees.  Liam was very restless but it was a meaningful ceremony none-the-less and I'm glad we went.

Kori and Heather must have made some secret plans and left me out.  NOT nice!  Actually we find that unintentional matching days happen more often than not in our office.  It's a sign we're all bonded and like-minded!  In case you were curious, Kori is doing incredibly well in her new position at MEI.  I'm super proud of her!

1980's & Nerd Day at work was so fun.  We are all of fairly similar age so we were nice and comfortable with our outfits, mannerism and have fun playing the top hits over the internet.  Like, totally rad!

 Liam is keeping us on our toes and constantly entertained with his hilarious one-liners and funny stories.  He's become quite 'infamous' at school and he's endeared himself to the office staff, admin and teachers at both the elementary AND middle school.  

Ah yes....the traumatized child.  Liam watched the movie 'Charlotte's Web' for the first time and was beside himself with grief once the movie was over.  Charlotte died and Liam could not be consoled.  Poor tender-hearted little lamb.  The same thing happened to Nathan 10 years ago!  

And now for the winding down news.  I have lost my bloggy mojo.  I am finding it rather a chore than a pleasure.  I already post most of my current events on facebook so to duplicate my photos and updates is rather tedious.  My readership is way down, my picture taking is also rather dismal (crappy camera to blame?), my time on the computer is shorter and well, it's just not like it used to be.  I will most likely discontinue regular posting after Christmas.  I will keep the blog open and perhaps will post 'big events' as they happen but the day to day 'stuff' of life will not be recorded on this medium.  

It's been a good ride!  

Feels Good to Give

All ready to drop off their Samaritan's Purse shoe boxes at church this morning!

The First...

 

Lots of milestones around here this week!  Liam's FIRST day of Kindergarten.  No tears from this mama...just smiles all around!

 

Chad started grade 7....he's grown 4 inches in just a few months and is taller than most kids in his class and I think his teacher too!

 

 Nate started 10th grade and is just shy of six feet tall now.  My boys are turning into men! 

 And they are off.....do your best lads, that's all we ask!

Checking Out the Newest

Did you know that Abbotsford has a new library?  It's in the new Abby Senior Secondary school and replaces the old Centennial Library in downtown. 
It's a spiffy new library, full of natural light and high ceilings.  Mind you, Liam was much more enthralled with the toys than the books.  Not sure this is really my child!

Labour

My mom has a very large garden plot out in the surrounding farmland to our city.  My uncle owns a hobby farm and gives her and my Oma space to grow their beloved veggies.  Liam, Nate and Chad are all a part of keeping the weeds at bay.  And yes...they do enjoy it very much!  Nana has lovely incentives for them such as cash and food.  I look forward to being rewarded with fresh produce for lending out my hard-working boys!

Offical Lego Masters

While I was away last weekend, Keith took the boys to Oakridge Centre to check out the only official Lego store in BC.  We had promised  Chad a bit of a shopping spree in lieu of having a birthday party. It just so happened that there was also a Lego Building event happening that day with a 'Master' Lego builder who was working on an 8 foot high Yoda.  The boys were able to assist in the building and receive certificates for their efforts.  Because it was Chad's birthday (sort of) he received a whole bunch of free goodies and Liam got stuff simply for being cute and eager.  This is the kind of day that put smiles on their faces and mine too...because I didn't have to go with them!

 

*PS.  Excuse the skewed photos.  They were taken with an I-pod I can't seem to improve them.