When In Canada, Do As Canadians Do

Yesterday, some of us met up at a local arena and did some skating.
I think Hadassah was here wishing for her basketball:

Josiah and Caleb inching along the sides:

Good thing Aunt Sue was ready and willing to help them!

And More Family !

Now in Canada, we are spending some time with my side of the family. Here are all the cousins together:
Shifrah's in a giggling mood and Paul is happy to oblige:

Shifrah's finally figuring out what presents are all about and now she can't wait:

Ben, Erin and Danielle (and Nicolas too!):

Hadassah with her cousin, Mia:

Princess Savannah:

Serena is only a few months older than Shifrah but didn't really want to play with her because "Shifrah doesn't talk", she said.

Family, Family, Family

Here we are - much of Paul's family all gathered together at our house for fun, food and fellowship. We missed Steve, Yolanda and Lucas as well as Lawrence, Ellen, Malachi, Justus and Ezra but we did get to visit them on skype.
Sheri made everyone a beautiful calendar to remember our summer 2009 vacation together:
Boden is even photogenic upsidedown: Phil just can't get enough of home renovations. He brought his own spackle and tools and fixed up some of our walls. Thanks, Phil!

Here is Tess, Hadassah and McKenna showing off part of my present.

Tirzah enjoys her mom's new soft rug:Dave and Sheri conspiring:

Nellie and Shifrah

It's so nice for Shifrah to have a cousin only 18 days older than her.
Getting along great and even taking turns. It was cute to hear the one say to the other, "Okay, it's your turn now."

So glad that we have two fridge toys to play with!

Winter Wonderland

Saturday night we got our first snowstorm and Hadassah and Josiah had some fun clearing the driveway late in the evening: And this morning, Shifrah had some fun in it too. And look, she's wearing a coat. Hat and gloves even.

Trying to lick the snow off her face:

A better idea:

Psalm 126:1-3

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad.

Mild Monday

Today was a mild day so Shifrah enjoyed some time playing in the snow on the deck outside:
Even the trouble she caused today was mild. When I lost her today (somewhere in the house), I found her in a basement toy closet fully clothed and playing:

Precious In His Sight

Dress Shoe Basketball

It was the kids who thought to bring the basketball for Thanksgiving dinner but it was the men who mostly played. Not very well prepared for such a sport but that didn't stop them from some healthy competition.

Duane momentarily gets basketball confused with snowboarding:

I . . . got . . . it . . .

Who's got the ball?!!

Pilgrims and Indians

Here's the 10 and under clan from Thanksgiving dinner (minus Ezra, the napper):

Make a joyful noise to the

LORD, all the earth!

Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come into His presence with singing!

Know that that LORD, he is God!

It is He who made us, and we are his;

we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving,

and His courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless His name!

For the LORD is good;

His steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

.

I Always Wanted A Pile of Kids

The Bug Has Been Named

And the honor goes to Aunt Helen who identified the bug as a Western Conifer Seed Bug and even provided us with a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_conifer_seed_bug

The Western Confier Seed Bug was originally native to the warm temperate western USA but has steadily expanded eastward - even being found as far north as Maine. When on a solid surface, these bugs move infrequently, and will sometimes stand still for hours on end - which makes them such an easy subject for photography.

Name That Bug