Family Photo shoot

Photos by Lisa Haywood

India

Ray's trip to India was life changing, amazing and yet he is still "processing" it all. This is something I didn't not feel I should be blogging about as it was not my trip. Here are just a few pictures of his time there...

Scrabbler

Scrabble is a game I don't play much. There are a few in my family that love this game. I myself am an increablably awful speller. I get intimidated playing with some but I do enjoy the game enough to play.

Last night, I played Scrabble with my mom and my mother-in-law. I can say the game was close. I knew my mom was playing so I had the Official Scrabble Dictionary ready for this game. Normally Trudy does not play with this book, but she was willing this time to humor us.

For my game, I might not have the correct definition but I can come up with a word. Sometimes I even have the correct spelling - if I"m lucky.

I for some reason was on an "ER" frame of mind. Luckily I found myself having the "ER" letters almost every time I picked up. I played words like "sitter" which you may laugh but I actually had the correct definition without looking it up ! - "one that sits". I played "winger" but I thought it was hockey not soccer - oops...oh yeah and my mom played that word (oops) but we didn't allow "yaada" as in "yaada yaada".
I came up with "QAT" but didn't know the definition...for those of you who are interested it means an evergreen shrub. I even got to play it on a triple word spot.
I'll know the definition next time if Trudy will allow it (it can only be found it the Scrabble dictionary)!

Thanks ladies for a great game!!

ps...When I do my spell check for this blog...QAT does not register as a word nor does YAADA YAADA!!!

A photo shoot

KVR

The chance to enjoy a beautiful fall day up a mountain...who would pass this up?









We spontaneously agreed to go up to the KVR...aka...Kettle Valley Railroad. As the 2 Dads and 4 kids took off riding bikes I was able to walk along the path with our respite girl at a much slower pace. I would say it was quiet and but it wasn't but it sure was peaceful.
We took time to look out and enjoy the view, stop at benches, point out the chip monks, birds and squirrels.



At the 10th bridge we finally caught up to the bike riders. If you look closely you can see one running towards me on the bridge.
I walked about 7 1/2 km and the bike riders went further than that.

We passed through 2 tunnels and over 10 bridges.
Great job kido's!

visiting Dad

I had a great time surprising Dad for his birthday. Thanks to Jessica and Mikaela (and Norm) we pulled it off.











Dad and Carolyn and I went for a walk and toured a small village.

I got to hang out with all of them and meet Phil. I loved just being there. Apart of the everyday things and helping around. I loved seeing my dad's face when we surprised him and I loved just being with him for his birthday!

I got to met his house group and see them bless him.

I was blessed being there as much as I hope I blessed you Dad by coming! Your words to me will never be forgotten. Thanks!

this picture was for the kids...they wanted to say hi to Nala, Teddy and Cloe!

Dad and Carolyn spend much time preparing the healthy drinks. Shoping, preping and then of course Dad has to drink them.

The green one tasted like drinking liquid grass. I tried both green and orange. We're praying they work for you Dad as that's gross to drink every day.

I had fun playing with Dad and the old train. He's getting ready for 3 grandsons to come and play with. What great memories were shared and moments together!

Thanks again girls and Carolyn for helping this surprise happen. And I love you Dad!!

school starts

Kyla is entering Kindergarden and Mark is entering grade 2.

September long camping

Camping this September long was so much fun. We had great time with friends in two different sites. We walked and played games. The kids spent most of their time on bikes or the playground.

We also had great fun cooking food. Pancakes with faces...
and we actually made home made peach crisp from scratch and baked in in the trailer oven. This will be hard for us to beat!

The nature was all around us. The deer right in our site was incredibly mesmerizing to watch!

what a great time to get away just before the crazy fall begins!

A garden for Giants

Our garden is a blessing this year.
A plot of earth that transforms seeds to amazing wonders.
God's creations come alive as each day, week and month passes we watch the transformations.


We planted our garden full of squash last year and flowers with little to maintain.

This year we enjoyed so many strawberries we ate them each day. We have loved our flowers and are quite proud of our rows that are beautifully providing gracious amounts of veggies. Carrots have already been eaten with many more to come, onions, peppers, and cucumbers. Our zucchini, and squash are out of control but our watermelon and cantaloupe did not seem to thrive for some reason.
However...

We noticed one day that Mark's choice seeds (sunflowers) had reached over the chain link fence. The kids were already in their p'j but came out for the picture.


We planted zucchini that seems to be growing for giants. We have eaten zucchini almost every meal and I have made a number of chocolate zucchini loaves.











Ray working hard pulling weeds or just training the vines...











Now wait until you see how huge these sunflowers were when we came home from camping...

more at Shuswap

much of our time was spent biking, but when we were actually relaxing we spent much time at the playground area. I took the picture of the playground with a quick reaction from Kyla of "Mom I need to take a picture of what you guys are always doing!". I'm really enjoying this girls love of looking at books and she has just pulled up a chair beside looking at books and magazines.

Our children we're lucky to be in the right place at the right time...while Mom and Dad sat enjoying our morning coffee at the local camp store we happen to be pausing on the bench outside the door. Low and behold the chip truck is in the process of being unloaded...Kyla joyfully points out it's her favorite chips on the boxes.

The next thing we know the man asks the kids what their favorite types of chips are and generously gives each of them a bag to enjoy. They were THRILLED! The only negative was that I had just finished telling them while inside the store, they didn't need to buy any chips as we had some still back at the camp site - "but not my favorite mommy"

our kids took in the Jerry Ranger program and learned a lot. It so happened when Ray got back to work the following week, his newly acquired knowledge of Owls came in handy as their company discovered a nest in the attic from an unknown large bird.

We loved and valued the opportunity to see two young fawns roaming around our campsite. What an amazing sight to see these two wondering around alone. We did find out they were born in the park and mom was close nearby but allowing space.

Ray once again aged while camping. Each year he his thrilled to be spending his birthday while camping. This summer has been a disappointing year in the golfing department.. As you can see from this lovely photograph of his impressive only golfing of year as per date.


Mark is starting to notice that I love taking pictures of our food these days...He must of thought he had a bit of an odd mother until we recently watched Grandpa and Gramma's pictures from their holidays and he noticed the pictures Gramma has of their food too! Don't worry Mark, you'll never be asked to fully understand women and the obsession with food.

Once again Mark found something to jump off of and he needed it recorded...