A Meme

I've read these things on other blogs...sort of a random "get to know the person" list.  I wouldn't have a clue what "meme" actually means.   Anyone?  Anyways...this one is easy because you just have to put in bold all the applies.....so here I go!

(The instructions with this are to bold the ones you've done, leave the others in normal type.)
1. Started your own blog


2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii (only briefly changing planes, but we were there!)

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/world

8. Climbed a mountain. (sort of, in NZ, everything is like a mountain!)
9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris (on honeymoon!)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables


19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train (I don't think, mom?)

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29 Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run  (Not a fan of baseball!)

32. Been on a cruise  (small one!)

33 Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community


36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied


38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing


40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41 Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant

44. Visited Africa
45 Walked on a beach by moonlight


46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris  (not quite...we walked half way up, too cheap to go on the elevator!)

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling


52. Kissed in the rain  (probably)

53. Played in the mud


54. Gone to a drive-in theater


55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia

60 Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Gotten flowers for no reason

64 Donated blood, platelets, or plasma

65. Gone sky diving
66 Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67 Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79 Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a lawsuit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

That was kind of fun!   Jacob was reading this over my shoulder and is a bit creeped out by #26.  He asked if I was 6 years old or something.   HA!  Nope!  It was all is good taste.  My dearest friend, who for the moment will remain nameless and I were "house-sitting" a house (with a pool) during our later teen years.   A private backyard, with trees all around.   Just the squealing two of us!    We HAD to say we did that at least once!  

Fun memories!

Catching up.....

 On June 10, a local college offered a fun "Pirate Cruise" on Lake Ontario.  (Yes, my Kiwi friends, that IS a lake!  BIG!!)    There were games, food and just generally a fun trip.    It was a bit cool...but we managed.

 Macayla also celebrated her birthday that day!  She is 12 years old now!  WOW!  Such a blessing to have this helpful daugther.   Notice a little twinkle in her ear?   She got her ears pierced for her birthday!

 Our friend Rosanna is expected their first child, and heard about trip on the high "seas" so she joined us!  She was a great sport , complete with the moustache and all!   And even dancing (to keep warm) at 8+ months pregnant!

 Our cottage week was wonderful.   Although the weather didn't fair too great (a couple days of rain), we enjoyed the quiet lake and slower pace of cottage life.   We also did a day trip (3 hr) boat cruise on Georgian Bay (30,000 islands).  Most of those photos are on Macayla's camera, so I may have to post some later.   It was well worth it!

 Our cottage had a paddleboat and canoe for our use.   These were great to all the fishermen!

 Gideon enjoyed some moments in the water as well!

 It took me awhile, but I did convince a few brave Valks that swimming in the rain really was fun!  It is a bit hard to tell in the photo, but it is poaring down!

 On their little fishing excursions, the children found this rock ledge that they claimed was great for jumping off!   Well.....I decided a family outing was called for...safety and all that.   We all boated out there, and deemed everything a-okay.   This photo cracks me up everytime.  They were all going in various ways, but this was Kadin's "genie" pose!   He just looks like he is hovering!   Hilarious!

 Eric and Levi doing the big "1,2,3....."

And our cottage from the water.   It was not huge, but big windows in the front, that even if you were inside the children could all be seen.  Our own little dock and beach.   And memories made.......Eric was a champ and spoiled me with doing lots of cooking!   Dad's bacon and eggs are the best!

We would definately consider this place again for next year!

By the lake......

Well.  We are at a cottage near Parry Sound.   Back in the months of snow, Eric and I spent a few hours on the internet looking for a place to rent for the eight us.  

We are on a small lake called Star Lake about 20 minutes from Parry Sound.

Apart from a few minor changes we would make, should we actually own the place, it seems to be HIT!   The best part being that our little section of beach is within sight of our front deck and even from the inside of the cottage.  In fact, the little raft (photo above) is clearly visible from inside as well.  We enjoyed the first few days of sun, but having some rain today. 

 I brought my laptop to do some digital scrapbooking, and discovered that I can tap into someone's (?) internet connection....otherwise you wouldn't be hearing from me!

Enjoying the way time seems to slow down in cottage country.......games with the children....lounging around....reading....scrapbooking!

God is good.

Ava Adriana

This is my niece.

She only wanted to see the cows.

She did not want her aunts to take her two year old photos.

At all.

No smiles.

But still a cute little girl.

Add brown eyes and she is my brother all over.

Macayla's birthday post...and pirate cruise coming soon!

Milestone.

A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated with fellow homeschoolers our graduating students.   We are a low-key, non-traditional bunch, so a nice dinner at the Mandarin was enjoyed by all.

Jacob with his fellow graduates.

Each student was presented with a "certificate of congratualtions" from MP Dean Allison.  A nice touch!

Jacob with his four closest friends.  Jared, Andrew and Jesse.  

 All the oldest sons (and children) in their family.

I pray that God will continue to grow faith in Jacob (and his friends), that they may serve their Lord in all they do, becoming young men ready to fight for truth, and live a life of gratitute for the power of the Cross.

Tally-ho to highschool!

We love you and are very proud of you, Jacob!

Finish this sentence.....

I know there are some of you out there that can help me and add to this list.

You know you have many boys in the house wheeeeennnnnnn..........

Following a ground "scuffle," one boy requires a readily available steri-strip to the face, while another boy quickly points out, with great pride....."Well, that's cool!   Now you have a real facial wound for our pirate cruise on Friday!  Arrrr!"    Smiles all around follow.

Did I mention I think butterfly enclosures are a pretty cool invention?   Yep.   Ketchup and butterfly enclosures....I always make sure I have enough in supply.