You Can Dress SOME People Up...

Every once in awhile, Mom and Dad Vanderkruk take us all out for dinner. Laughter seems to be on the menu and there's always silliness for dessert. When you get this family together, you never know what might happen (besides Nursery business talk). You can dress some people up but you can't (or shouldn't) take them out :)

Mom and Dad

Oldest sister, Linda and husband, Martin

Next sibling, Rob and wife, Trish

Kim and husband, Ed

Us

Next in line is Leanne, who is a little busy at the moment

Yes, this is all IN the restaurant (way to go Dad!)

A sympathetic hand from Mom on her shoulder

...and her husband, Mike... but don't let his nice smile fool you. He's also a jokester.

Oh, and then there's Kevin, who's always up for a good time

And just when we get out into the parking lot to leave, Leanne is back at it, shooting the worst tasting mints at all of us (she thinks that warrants the firing).

You don't want to know what we do with our water glasses. Yes, the staff at these places now know us but do look forward to our visits :)

Lovin' the in-laws in a really big way.

Ninety-Seven Years Young

She's an independent and strong lady; she's healthy and vibrant. She's a gardener and puzzle-artist, great-grandmother and still occasionally helps out at her late husband's seed company. She's ninety-seven this month and is the youngest one you'll meet who's that close to one hundred. With a very large family, we all wear name tags to keep track of the ones we lose touch with over the long year between family reunions... but she doesn't forget. She knows every one's name and has little treats labeled with our names each Christmas. Oma is Maria Dam from Holland and she has served the Lord her whole life. We're grateful to be a part of the legacy this woman has created on earth. Happy birthday, Oma. We praise God for your life. (Gratitude #456)

Beautiful, classy lady

reading her cards

457. knowing where you come from (Terry and Oma)

458. for large families

459. for teenagers--cool nieces and nephews

460. for creative people who bring face paints to the celebration
461. for helping cousins

462. for boys who will still get their faces painted--nice look, guys

463. for super-hero excitement

464. for little boys who are just big enough to want to join in the festivities now

465. for a girl who looks for fun everywhere we take her

466. for mothers and daughters and granddaughters and great-granddaughters

467. for sparklers in the Fall

468. for the number 97 being swirled in the air by this sparkler (and I love her hand in the opposite pocket)

469. observing Oma take joy in watching the kids with their sparklers

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life. Proverbs 16:31

Dancing In The Minefields

Terry, that's what the promise is for. I love you.

Favourite Fall Place

We live similar lives, Sandee and I. Beside the fact that she is pregnant with her fifth, so much of our journeys intertwine. Today we set out to adventure at Springridge, our favourite annual Fall-ish place. We've been coming here together since our first-borns were babies and we were ambitious mommies, pushing strollers with little ones too small to truly take this place in. But a tradition had begun anyway. With the first week of the season offering us warm temperatures and scenery wrapped in brightly coloured ribbons, we joined our families at the playground and breathed in the balmy escarpment air.

Girl, I love you. You are always there for me and are a never-ending source of inspiraton. You make this journey so worthwhile.

Many photos by Meghan