Tippie Toes!! Tippie Toes!!!

Ethan is showing us his new way of walking - on his tippie toes. I don't know if you can tell by this photo, but Ethan is right on his toes while walking towards me. It is amazing how well he walks on his toes - all I can think of is "ouch!" His sister Sierra does that walk some times too.


While dessert was getting ready, Ethan found something to amuse himself with - to find out what was in Megan's purse. Found her wallet and her coins too. This pic shows him taking off the lid for lip chapstick. 

Thank you Andy and Char

Tonight at Chestermere Christian Fellowship, we celebrated as a church family thanking Andy and Char for their service to the congregation at CCF. Andy with the love and support of Char and his family founded CCF in 1992 when they moved from Dorion, ON to be the camp director at Camp Chestermere. Sunday morning gatherings were small in the beginning, meeting at the dining hall at Camp Chestermere. Over the years the congregation has flourished to having their own church building. Andy shared through his sharing time on how Christ worked in his life or those around him. In the past, he shared his journey from as a lad in England to belonging to the Chestermere Fellowship and community. Char shared herself by working with the young people of CCF - she has seen so many grow physically but grow in their own personal walk with Christ. Thanks Char for writing up the curriculum for this year's Sunday school - looks like exciting times ahead for both teachers and children too. They will both be missed at Chestermere Christian Fellowship as they gave so much of themselves physically but spiritually as well.

Personal note - As some know, Andy and Char are two special people in my life. Andy has known me since I was a primary camper (7) at Dorion Bible Camp. Char has known me later as a kitchen helper with Millie at the Bible Camp. Spending time at camp I became friends with their children. In Sept 1991 when they moved out to Chestermere, despite me living in Toronto for college, it was sad to hear they were moving. Meeting at the flag pole at Dorion Bible Camp listening to Andy read us verses from Proverbs - camp would not be the same for me with them no longer there. So as a graduation gift in June of 1992, I treated myself to a trip to Calgary for a visit. Since that first visit, I have come out at least one a year for a visit until I eventually found an opportunity and moved here myself. During those years, not only did I enjoy my time with the James kids, but a special friendship with Andy and Char emerged. Simply - they all became my second family - accepting me for who I was (inside and out). Andy and Char, thank you for always being there for me in all the great times and rough times that I have experienced so far. Your friendship, encouragement, support and love means so much to me then and now too. It has been so cool to be closer to you geographically, so we can share more laughs, talks and other little moments. Thank you for including me into your family. I wish you well on your next chapter, wherever it may lead to. Know that you are loved by your family and so many more that you have touched over the years.

Celebration Night for Andy and Char James

Getting ready to cut the cake - Andy and Char's granddaughter Sierra is right there to give any help they need in cutting the cake.


What a beautiful cake!!! A member from the Chestermere Christian Fellowship, Evelyn Miller (lady with the yellow top) made this beautiful cake for Andy and Char. Andy remembered that Evelyn had made the cake for her daughter's wedding earlier this summer. It looks too good to eat it. Harry (white shirt) was the MC for the evening and he did a wonderful job as the whole evening went smoothly. 

Time with family and friends

Andy, Char, Peter Amanda, John P, Sara and family friend Terra


Andy, family friend Paul and Char


Paul and Char


Family friend Megan, her husband Mike is behind her in the checker shirt

 

Solomon at 3 months and 15 days

While we enjoying the meal that Char made, I found time to take this photo of Solomon. It amazes me how each time I see him, he has changed on me. He is on its way to be tall like his dad Garron. Solomon is also smiling more and doing that baby talking. He sure can get on a roll. It has been fun being a part of these little changes and of course when it's near bedtime and you get to cuddle. Those are the best for sure. 

Laura's Birthday Party

When it came to opening gifts, I had 3 great helps - Ocean (l), Journey (m) and Sierra (r). Here I am holding the key chain watch that Ocean and Sierra picked out when they went shopping with Grandma Char. I have it on my car keychain so no matter where I go, I will know what the time is as I don't wear a watch. Journey and her mom Amy made me yummy chocolate cookies. The pink cloth is a sweater as well as a nightgown from the James family. Sara and John will be treating me to "Dinner and a Movie" - we will be seeing the new film "The Guardian" with Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher. Looks like a great action movie.


With the number we had, we ended up having a gals table and a guys table. From my table, I took this photo of the guys (Andy, Jon K and Ethan). Thanks Jon for being a sport and let me take the photo. The other guy at the table was Garron. Char put on a great meal - even cooked boneless, skinless chicken just for me (and Bradley too). Thanks for thinking of me Char. Peter was able to join us later in the evening. Before the evening ended, Sara, Jon K, Peter and I played a few rounds of the card game, Golf. I would have been the winner if the goal of the game was to have the highest score which of course is the opposite. We will have to verify with our scorekeeper, but I believe Peter was the big winner. Unfortunately, John P and Jon J were out of town so they weren't able to be at the party. Next birthday is in November - Bradley's. 

Mom's Backyard Garden

When I arrived in Thunder Bay last Friday it was beautiful (+21c), so my mom and I took the opportunity to enjoy the weather and her gardens in the backyard. That is the one thing I do miss when I look at my house - lack of flowers. I am always in awe of how well my mom's gardens turn out each year. Being September, the blooming is over and hibernation is beginning, so I took of few photos of the flowers that are still in colour. It was just like ole times, sitting in the back with our drinks chatting away. 

Time with good friends

On Sunday night (Birthday night), family friends Jan and Gary hosted dinner for my mom and I. Her sister Nancy and her husband Don were there too. As always we received a wonderful greeting from Jan's westies Keltie (forefront) and Moose (side profile) along with Nancy's Cricket. At one point I had all 3 at my feet wanted to be petted. They are lovable dogs. It was wonderful spending some time with everyone. Jan and Gary have known me since I was like 4 or 5 years old so they are very special people in my life. I am sure they are stories they can share with you about me growing up. They have been so supportive and encouraging through all the peaks and valleys that I have experienced so far - it has meant alot to me. Thank you Jan and Gary for being there for me. Love ya both!! 

The Sleeping Giant

On Monday morning before leaving Thunder Bay, I drove to the Sunken Gardens and was able to take this photo of one of Thunder Bay's famous landmarks - The Sleeping Giant or in the Ojibway language "Nanabijou". It was overcast so it gives the photo abit of a haunting look to it. Aside from visiting with my mom and going to the Great Big Sea concert, I was able to see a few friends on the Saturday. When I do this whirlwind trips, it is difficult to see everyone I wish to see and spend time with family too, but I make due though. Was able to pop into the old office and see some familar faces that I used to work with. It was good seeing them. Sunday I was able to see a bunch of people at once at church. Rev Mark was funny with his welcome "visitors" greeting as he said anyone looking for a loan should see me as I am from Alberta. We all had a good laugh. After church we went to see my mom's friend Lois for lunch and I left with some antiques - a gold teapot (I think she said was over 100 years old) and some "Cross and Olive" crystal liquor glasses, and my mom added a few more C&O glasses she had. They made it fine back to Calgary - not one broken. Thank you Lois - a wonderful addition to my collectible collection. 

THANK YOU MOM!!!!

In May, my mom and I were talking on the phone and she asked me to guess what tickets she was going to pick up the next day? The first group that popped into my head was "Great Big Sea" (the band is from the province of Newfoundland). Must have been psychic - those were the tickets she was going to pick up. Well, long story short, when I found out they were going to play on Friday, Sept 15th - I had told my mom that I had enough points to fly back to Thunder Bay to go to the concert with her. Being my birthday weekend, my mom generously purchased me a ticket with her points and a ticket for GBS. Hard to believe it was just a week ago. The concert was great and as the concerts previously it was Sold Out!!! (the auditorium holds 1500 seats). Admittingly, I forgot to prewarnl my mom and her friends about what occurs at a GBS concert - need to wear comfortable shoes and get ready to stand up and clap - the concert was 2.5 hrs and we stood clapping and moving our feet for all but around 20 minutes when we sat (excluding the intermission) when they played their slower songs. The first half were songs off their new album - Hard and the Easy and the second half were basically their Top 40 songs. The two lead singers Alan Doyle and Sean McCann have great chemistry and got us laughing on more than a few occassions. Thunder Bay did not disappoint GBS in audience participation - we sang back many of their songs and passed the quiz of other past Top 40 songs. We sang the first stanza of Bryan Adams "The Summer of '69" - it was cool to listen. They played many of my favourite songs, but it is their accappalla songs that are my fav. The last encore song they sang was "Old Brown's Daughter", done accapalla and without mikes - it was awesome. Thanks mom for taking me to an awesome concert and giving me a wonderful birthday weekend too. Love you!!! 

Lego Towers

Sunday morning, Ethan and Journey showed me their building talents with the legos in the nursery. Those two are drawn to those building legos. Always creating something new. Plus they love having the chalkboard in the room - another way to express their creativity. I think Ethan is going to be a great mover too - he helped me move the drawers from the bedside endtables from my basement to his dad's car. He handled those drawers like a pro. I was quite impressed actually, especially knowing he will only be turning 3 in December. It has been fun getting to know Ethan and Journey more this summer in the nursery at church. Now I know what type of toys I will need to get for my place so they will have something to keep them occupied while I visit with their parents.