A break here....

I do not anticipate doing any posts here until 2015 (DV)!!
I tried to post some photos here from our summer Algonquin trip but was having some technical difficulties.......
For now I plan to focus on our travel blog, documenting the anticipation and planning....as we are due to leave in 50 DAYS!
After our Birchbank cottage week the first week of September we have been going full tilt with schoolwork and the like.
More planning to be done, etc.
Tootles!

It has been exactly two years.......

Check out the new side bar photos......

A bit more of the cottage fun.....

Rainy day viewing of world cup soccer projected on a white sheet.

Big boat action.

Fire wood collecting.

Friends.

One minor injury.

Water filming.

Small boat action.

Little people water fun.

Fishing.

Canada Day Celebrations.

Big group game fun.

And critter catching fun.

The creative juices of my oldest son........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy9eONfeciI&feature=share

Birchbank June/July 2014

We enjoyed a delightful week up North last week!

Some of us moms were chatting and were having a hard time coming up with words to describe this week....

There were friends joined together by years of history, there were friends joined by common struggles and joys, there were NEW friends just meeting and seeming to chat as if they were in fact "old friends"....

There were many many children, and although a final count was not made it was over 50!

It was pure delight to watch friendships develop, and to see older ones carry and nurture younger ones.  

It just seemed to bring out a "precious sweetness" in many children that never even knew each other before this week.

There were unique adventures and laughter.....practical jokes gone wrong, Canada Celebrations (including fireworks - some going astray- thankfully no one was hurt), new endearing nicknames for children under 3 (chicklet and marshmellow),  a brave friend conquering her fears and tubing with her friend, massive 3 team photo scavenger hunt with many children of the camp (in drizzling rain), the strongest man of the camp (I'll just say that since he's my husband), piggy-backing a boat load of adults to shore in order to keep their feet dry resulting deep belly laughter, shared "cottage" coffee times, games and much much more.

There are many photos to share, but for now, I'll post the seven Valk children all enjoying water sports behind the "new" (to us!) family boat.  Even Malachi was insisting to go by himself!  

(His photos are a bit blurry as they were taken with Macayla's camera from the shore- still cute!)

Bike-A-Thon 2014

"Team Valk"

(Missing one....Jacob had to work that day!)

Malachi testing Opa and Oma's super cool bike!

Eric is about to begin the ride with the three youngest Valks.

It was an easy ride for Malachi.....

It was a gorgeous day!

We pray that God will use the money raised (an all time high of $73,000) to further His Kingdom!

Zooz

Our homeschool group enjoyed a beautiful day at Safari Niagara (formally known as Zooz).   

Jacob and Macayla were not interested so it was just myself and these monkeys boys.

 It has been years since we have been and they added this exciting ropes course.  The interest definitely switched from animals to this attraction.....

Swings are always a favourite of Malachi's.  Although he was equally determined to be included in the ropes course fun!  Thankfully they had a version that was only 2 feet off of the ground.  He was by far the youngest doing his thing "climbing." 

We all enjoyed the tram ride around the park....but Malachi was most thrilled driving his boat.   He took the task quite seriously...unlike the brother beside him!

Three amigos.

Sunday School Graduation

Justin and Kadin recently celebrated a milestone in their life in regards to their church life.

Our church has Sunday School from 5 years old until grade 6.  When they are in grade 7 they have a different material to study -  pre-catechism.   These classes are all held after the morning service at church while the parents enjoy coffee together.

 The students all sit at a "head table" and enjoy the meal together.

Cake with coffee.

Justin and Kadin are congratulated by their pre-catechism teacher, where each student is given a study Bible and encouraged to continue studying God's Word.

They will now attend Catechism on a week-night evening with the two oldest Valks.

Justin and Kadin are both a delight to see grow and mature.  

They are our hard working young men, and we pray that the Lord will also work in their hearts and draw them closer to Him as the years go by.

LOVE YOU BOYS!