Our trip to Texas

We had a wonderful time visiting Dave and Linda for Thanksgiving week. We flew down on Saturday and enjoyed an evening of catching up and swimming in the pool. The weather was nice during the day but the nights get cold. I am surprised how cold they do get.

Sunday~ we took off to Houston to see an Aero's hockey game. It was alot of fun and we enjoyed seeing the fast paced game. We ended the night eating our first of many BBQ dinners!

Monday~ Dave took us out on the sail boat. He has it at a marina near Galveston Bay. Took about an hour and a half to get there but OH what a day it was out there on the water. The wind was blowing enough that we were able to sail almost across the bay and back. Kaitlyn even got a lesson on "driving" the boat and took over for a while. It was SO peaceful out there laying on the front of the boat being rocked by the waves and letting the sun shine down on me.

Tuesday~ we took the drive up to Austin to see Brian, Karyn and Mia. It was SO good to see them and we were able to spend 4 short hours with them. We also got to be apart of Mia's first meal out at a restaurant. She did very well! The visit was way too fast but we are so thankful we were able to go!

Wednesday~ was a shopping day! The girls made a pumpkin pie with Grandpa for Thanksgiving then we headed out to the mall for a little retail therapy. That evening we did family pictures at the Mill that is right in their development. They turned out SO wonderful. Go to http://www.momentsintimefotos.com/ and you can see a sample of them.

Thursday~ was Thanksgiving and we had a nice lazy day of watch the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade and of course eating LOTS of turkey day food. We all ended the day playing in the pool and lounging in the hot tub.

Friday~ found us on the road again. We headed up to Waco to the Homestead Craft and Children's fair. What an awesome experience!!! It was very interesting to see how they made, grew and process everything themselves. We listened to their "band" and choirs which were some of the most inspiring and talented people I've every seen! And our last fun treat was that Anna Elhers, who is living in Waco now, came over to visit us at the fair. She is the daughter of good friends of ours from WA. What a treat it was to spend a little bit of time with her. We ended our evening eating Mexican, my favorite, and drinking too many margaritas. It was a wonderful way to end a great week.

Saturday morning found us up early and off to the airport. It was a full day getting back home, once in Detroit we had to make a few stops before we crossed the boarder.

All in all it was a wonderful time, one with many memories. Now we have 18 days before we head back to Detroit to fly out to Bremerton for our 2 weeks home for Christmas.

One Year Anniversary

Last Wednesday, Nov 11 marked our 1 year anniversary of moving to Canada. It was such a busy day and I find my days, weeks and months all molding into one another. I forgot to take a moment and reflect on this past year. Amazing how one year ago we had a foot of snow by now. Kaitlyn was upset with us for moving her away from her friends. Matt was busy trying to figure out his new job. Grace was just being Grace, the one we can plop anywhere and she would make a million friends and be totally content. And then there was me, trying to find my place in this new world of mine. I had some lonely days back then. Being the new kid on the block in a community where everyone knows EVERYONE was a bit hard.

Then we fast forward to a year later. Kaitlyn isn't mad at us any more, but she still does talk about her friends back in WA. She has made lots of good friends here who I know she will be mad at us again for having to leave them when ever we move again. She keeps herself busy with band, student council, horse back riding and drama club. Grace is still fun loving Grace who has sprouted into quite the hockey player. Her life evolves around hockey. She also is busy with her friends and drama club. Matt has "found his feet" out at the Bruce and is making a name for himself. He has accomplished SO much this past year and continues to set goals for himself and his team. Ones that they are exceeding on a weekly basis. It definitely has been a wonderful move career wise for Matt. And then there's me. I went from too much time on my hands to WAY too busy!!! I started a children's program at church that takes up a TON of my time organizing but it is SO worth it each week just seeing those kids excited about coming to church and learning what we have to teach them. I am also working part time for Babcock Service Inc ( the same company Matt works for ). I have been doing some administrative work for the guys up here. I am also involved in a weekly bible study that I really enjoy. Along with all the running around of kids that I do I find myself falling into bed exhausted each night.

Looking back this past year really did go by quickly. We are excited to see what God has in store for us this next year. Hopefully not as much snow! HA! Thanks to all our family and friends who have supported us in this adventure. It's hard being so far away but I am trulythankful that we get to come home like we are and share some special time with each of you.

See all you Western Washington family and friends in a month!!!

Halloween

Kaitlyn our gypsy and Gracie our 80's rocker went out trick or treating last night. Both of them had friends invite them over to trick or treat with them. Which was so good because we don't live where there are many people plus we don't know our neighbors that we do have very well. Gracie came back with 2 shopping bags full and Kaitlyn had one shopping bag. So now we have WAY too much candy, about 30 bags of chips and 9 cans of pop. Think I am going to freeze some of this candy for later.

With both kids gone last night Matt took me out to dinner. I had Tandori Salmon and Matt had a Lamb shank. Oh it was SO good! I was a very different night not having the kids around and it being Halloween. I guess this is the beginning of our kids growing up.

Anyway, it's hard to believe November is on us and in just 3 short weeks will be heading to Texas to visit Dave and Linda for Thanksgiving. I do have to say my holidays are all mixed up and those usual "feelings" you get around this time of year are just not there. I think this has to do with Canada celebrating Thanksgiving in October and then having Halloween. Just a bit backwards. Our trip to Texas is one we are looking VERY forward to. It's been about 6 or 7 years since we were down there last. Plus I think we are also looking forward to some warmer weather!

Well, over the next few months we have a lot planned and lots going on so stay tuned to all our adventures! And to our family and friends in WA~ we will be home for Christmas and can't wait to see you all. We miss you all very much and look forward to seeing you when we get there!