From our House to Yours.....

 

Merry Christmas!

And the Lord's blessings for 2013!

Much love from,

Eric and Christine

Jacob, Macayla, Justin, Kadin,

Gideon, Levi & Malachi

Man on a mission.

 

We currently have our third crawler in this home. We have one set of stairs that goes to the basement. There is a door....we make sure that it is closed. The other set of stairs goes up and because of the railing it is hard to use a baby gate. So....as with the two other brothers for the months of "danger baby that can't get down stairs" we move a loveseat that sits in the foyer to cover the stairs as it fits perfectly.

This worked fine for the years gone by....until the current resident TEN (and a half) MONTH OLD!

This baby is just WAY too smart!
(Kerri, has Ty been talking to him?  :)

I assure you that noone taught this little guy how to do this, expect that perhaps he saw others gain access to the stairs in such a manner.

He is just way too cute!

Time to teach him how to go DOWN the stairs by himself......or we'll just have to TIE the seat to the railing.

Genius - The Movie

I'm still contemplating the overall approach of this presentation of the gospel in such a manner (ie. how heartfelt and long lasting are some of the final responses hear the end of the clip), however this line of logic appeals to me....and was worth the 30 minutes to watch.

15

 

Where did the years go?

The first Valk grandson.

The first grandchildren (on my side).

The first great grandchild (on my side).

Our first baby.

Such a blessing!

This guy is one of a kind.

We continually pray that God will turn his heart to Him more and more each day.

We love you Jacob and think you are smart fine young man!

HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY!

Just some sentences.

It's Wednesday afternoon. 

I like Wednesdays, we usually do not have to go anywhere.

No driving.

This is the season of my life now.  Driving.  Among other things, but some of you will know.  It's all good.  It will also be good when we have some more drivers in the house.

Malachi is nearly ten months old.

Wow.

He is crawling everywhere, walking around the table and just generally making everyone smile!

Jacob and Macayla have joined fellow homeschoolers to create teams and compete at four annual Bible Quiz Meets.  They memorize nearly a whole book of the Bible (as a team), and are asked questions (factual) on their memory.  They went last week, and both had a wonderful time.  The quizzing and the socializing make it a great day all around!

They are memorizing the book of Matthew.  Next year:  Romans!

Justin and Kadin are steady workers with their school, and love Lego and Cadets.  They are always working on new badges to earn.

Levi is my piano player, and does seem to have a ear for music.

Gideon is just a general crack-up with four year old comments...quite random at times.

My sister and I were photographers at another wedding this past week-end.  We knew that we would be up against a dimly lit church, a tight time frame, and fast fading daylight.  We think we pulled it off.

Go to this link if you'd like to take a look:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.424645240923437.98587.168211636566800&type=1&l=f857fa022a

I have a baby moaning beside me for no reason that I can figure out.  I might go and see if he wants another drink.

Everyone is chugging along with their schoolwork.  I have lots of marking to do.  That is a challenge to keep up with!

Eric has been blessed with steady work all year.  This is alot to be thankful for.

We are having Christmas early in December with my family.  I better get shopping!

I made a cabbage/meat casserole last night.  It brought back memories of when my mom regularly made something similar when I was growing up.  I wasn't much of a fan back then (sorry Mom!), and I'm still not much of a fan.  Don't tell my kids.  Eric and a few of the children had seconds so at least some of us were pleased, I guess.

Ok....time to really go.  I think I had more to say, but I who knows!

Was that Air NewZealand/Hobbit thing just the best?  (see below)

Toodles.



A good chuckle.

Air NewZealand has always been tops for service in our books.   They get bonus points for this!

Once upon a time.....

....in a land far far away....the land of cardboard. 

Sir Black Diamond rose to the challenge of a battle!

The warriors compared their weapons, which were created with only the natural resources of the land.  

Cardboard, packing tape....and imagination! 

The object of the games?  Through various rounds of play the challengers had to smash each other's eggs!

 After weeks of preparations.....the result was this fine display of manhood!

 

 

The crowd was quite impressed with the products of creativity!  This included virtually no assistance from their authorities, apart from transport seeing as none of these young lads own horses

(or driver's licenses).

 

CHARGE!!!

 



 

 

 

Linkie.....

I really appreciated this timely blog post.....

http://www.challies.com/christian-living/im-not-busy

There's a lot to think about there.

A poster.

 

 

I entered this photo into a competition.   The deadline is not until the end of the month, but we just got an email from the marketing committee for the Toronto Boat Show, and they are using my photo in some of their promotional material!   This was the sample poster that we were sent.   Maybe this means we have a good shot at winning!  The top three prizes are admission to the show and $1000 to spend there.  10 honourable mentions will get $100 to spend.

We'll see what happens.......FUN!



Guess who?

The simple things......

 

They break,

They get dull.

They get lost.

This one says ten years!

Maybe this design of yesteryears will do the trick!

Here's hoping......

Limberlost 2012

 

This baby sure loved to splash in the water!

 

Enjoying supper on the deck!  We had wonderful weather all week!

 



 

Kadin demonstrating a new way to feed the friendly critters!   

More time at the beach!

 Most days the children all packed lunches and eat in their forts in the woods or head out with kayaks to the island for a picnic!   Such fun!

 

Macayla was excited to get up on skis again this year.

 

 

The four year old are starting to realize all the "freedom" that the big kids have.  I told Gideon that we would have a special "trip" for them!  Shane, Gideon and Rosie were so excited to go to the island with their moms and have their own picnic!    I think we might have started a tradition there!

 

 

This is the best story!  Many years ago, when Sarah was 4 she wanted to go skiing.  Since she was so little her Dad took her on his back!  (I would love to see photos of that!)   The present four year old of the family was not so keen to follow in his sister's adventuresome behaviours.....so......11 years later this spunky young lady wanted to try again!   I just love the faces!  They sure did try......just not quite as successful!

 

 

Levi loving the water sports as well! 

 And here is our four year old!   Knee-boarding for the first time!   He just loved it!

And just looks like a wee dot out there on the lake.

 

What a wonderful week we shared with friends!

 

Whoa!

Where did that summer just go!!
It's been wonderful....restful....and I'm ready to roll for the new year.
But first....one more week up North!
What a life!
Must be off to bed before the last day of packing.....
But first, a post would not be complete with a cute baby with two teeth.....oh!  And I have one of those.   The baby that is.  Thankfully I have more than two teeth.
Sheesh.
Time for bed.

John Branyan - The Three Little Pigs

Two in one week.

Evelyn and I had two photo sessions in one week!  Busy! (For us freelancers that is!)  It was hot hauling straw bales around, and chasing a three year old boy whose main goal was to avoid the camera.   But we think we pulled it off.  It is a fun way to enjoy time together particularly in the summer months!

ENJOY!

The King of Random.

This guy is quite the crack-up.

Jacob has been quite good at documenting (on his blog) the random conversation of his brother.

I've borrowed some from his blog for your enjoyment.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Again at supper......

Out of the blue.

Gideon: Dad, why do people always call me shrimp?
The rest of us: *smothered laughter*
Gideon: I don't fink I want to be called shrimp.....
Dad: Yyeaahhh.....
Gideon: I fink I want to be called pickle.
The rest of us: ...................

Just a normal day at the Valk supper table.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Gideon:Hoooo!
Guys whadidnt it be funny if we put a ticktick bomb (time bomb???) in da lawn and if a lion ora mouse came and day stayed by the ticktick bomb and the bomb went "tick tick tick ticktickticktick BOOOOOOMMM!!!" Dat would be soooooooo funny!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Gideon: dad, I fink I should get a pistol.
Dad: ..... why?
Gideon: Because little boys should have one.

Gideon: dad, when I grow up can I have a hang glider?
Dad: um.... sure.
Gideon: do dey cost alot of money?
Dad: yeah they do.
Gideon: well I dont have any money...
Dad: well then you need to earn some.
Gideon: oh......
Gideon: dad does Vineland sell hang gliders?
Dad: um...i do not think so....
Gideon: oh...
Gideon: dad?
Dad: *sigghhhh* yes.
Gideon: does Vineland sell leafblowers?
Dad: yeah i think so.
Gideon: oh.....
Gideon: how much does leafblowers cost?

What a guy!

Baby update!

Well....it is about time for some stats!

Age:   6 months

Overall demeanour:  Happy, happy boy!

Drool Factor:  9/10- One tooth through!  Working on tooth #2

Food time:  Still nursing, but enjoys three meals per day of baby food. (Not a fan of beans.)

Handsome Factor:  10/10   We see different brothers evident...but he is his own special boy who looks like he might be sporting a dimple!

Sleeptime:  2 naps per day, plus 10-12 hours THROUGH the night!   One of our top sleepers!  Although I won't mention any names (achem, look at posts about 4 years ago), we are grateful that he doesn't take after a certain other brother.   I think the fact that he sucks two fingers (no finding soothers in the night) helps the "self-settling" aspect.

Doctor report:  He looks GREAT!  All 18+pounds of him!

Movement:  He rolls back to tummy and back again.  Also swivls around (on tummy) to try and reach toys.

We are so thankful to God for adding this new little man to our family!   What a joy he is!

And us....

So....
I've been taking photos of so many other families.  It was about time to update our own! 
Check out the sidebar photos!

Photoshoots.

My sister and I (Yellow Box Photography) have had a few families (big and small) to capture moments with!  Such fun!  We even had some "elements" to brave.   The first family is was VERY hot....and our expecting couple?  Not that you can see it in the photos, but it was bucketing down with rain the WHOLE time!

The first four and the last three are different families (of course).......and for anyone that knows the pregnant mother....baby is here! 

We are presently setting up a time to take photos of baby Liam.