Five! Cinq! Cinco! Vijf!

No matter what language you speak, there is no doubting it, this girl is now FIVE.

That means we have had 5 years with this beautiful creation of our God, watching her grow from this tiny 7 lb 5 oz baby girl to this full of life brown-eyed beauty.

Ahhhhhh! She was just so adorable as a baby! Let me tell you, it was VERY hard to pick a picture of her before she was one. Man, was she ever a cute baby!!

She had her birthday while we were camping, much to her delight! She tells everyone that fact! It was an enjoyable day, even though that is when we had that big storm and lost the power. But the day started off right - with good morning hugs.

And then straight into opening presents :o)

(Hmmmm, maybe I should get her eyes checked before school starts?!)

 

We were able to get in a walk before the storm came, and wouldn't you know it - she found a .5 coin on the path! Perfect for someone turning 5!!

 

Even though we were camping, she still received a birthday call from her Opa.

 

We decorated cookies for some fun!

 

And then the storm hit.......just after this picture:

 

You can see how dark it became through the window behind Lincoln. This was 3:30 in the afternoon! (the clock doesn't work :o). Thankfully, Keziah was given glow bracelets from a camping neighbour (the only gift she still talks about to this day...pfft :o), which came in handy when the power went out!

 

A few days later, she celebrated again when Oma and Opa came to visit.

 

And then, as if that wasn't enough, when we came home from holidays, my mom took her out for the day to buy her a school bag (ack! It's really going to happen, this school thing, isn't it??!) and took her to a craft store for her to pick something out. She came home with a birdhouse to paint, which she just did and is now in our tree, filled with leaves :o)

 

We have been so blessed to watch this little lamb of God grow and develop into the sweetheart that she is. Keziah has been through more than the average 5 year old, but you wouldn't know it when you meet her. Catch her in a good and chatty mood (she is a girl after all......unpredictable is the name of the game :o) and you will be taken in by those bright and expressive brown eyes.

 

We pray that she will continue to grow in her love for her Lord and Saviour, and that God will continue to give her what she needs to face what lies ahead. She will be having some big changes ahead, one of them being school as well as still some more surgeries. God has been by her side the last 5 years, and we have no doubt that He will remain there. We praise God for blessing us with this gift. Often people tell us that she is so blessed to have us as her parents. I correct them - it is us that are so blessed to be able to call her 'daughter'. The privilege is not lost on us. Thank you, Lord.

Camping Part Deux

So, where were we? Oh yes, the puddle. Sorry it took a few days for this to be continued - I've been busy picking and washing mud off me since Saturday. And no, it wasn't from camping, but from completing Tough Mudder (pictures coming soon! So FUN!!!!). Here I thought this next picture was a lot of mud on someone.....but oh how I am wrong!!

Puddles are so fun, not just for fishing, but for biking through as well :o
But it wasn't all puddles. We actually enjoyed some of the nicest weather we have had in a looong time for camping. And so we were able to spend plenty of time at the beach. This is when the kids learned that I actually know how to swim. They were quite surprised. It is very rare for me to swim in a lake, with such toes like mine that look like worms.....but I did it!! And loved spending that time with the kids.

This is really the only reason why Lincoln loves coming to the beach - for a drinking box and snacks. And if I have no more food left, he has no problems with going to whomever he sees digging in their coolers. Stinker :o)

Back at the campsite - see? Glamping at its finest - steak, baked potato and corn on the cob. Mmm! Food tastes so much better outside.

Lining up his cars was another activity that took up a lot of time. I have pictures of him doing this last year. Some things apparently haven't changed in over a year with this boy! The first picture is from last year, with the second one from this year.

Opa and Oma came to visit for a few days, which was enjoyable! They love spending time with their grandchildren, so much so, that we thought they would love to have the kids sleep in their trailer for the nights they were there. Yeah, no go. :o)

Our last night, we always go and enjoy an ice cream.

Apparently, Lincoln didn't think enjoying ice cream on the last night was exciting enough. And so, right before bed, he managed to lock himself into the trailer bathroom. After a number of minutes, we were able to get him out. He looks so innocent, eh?! Not.

And the 10 days came to a close, filled with so many memories! I really noticed this year that we don't have a 'baby' with us - only one nap, and one that can be moved around. Last year, Lincoln was still sleeping twice a day, and Keziah also was still napping, which made things quite schedule-y.  It was such a fun 10 days and we are so thankful to the Lord that we were given this opportunity to be together as a family.

I think the most amazing thing is that we left with a 4 year old and came home with a 5 year old!! More on that next time :o)

 

Blogging? What's That?!

Tap, tap, tap. This thing working?

Hello!!

It sure has felt like awhile since I've posted here. I hope you are all doing well.

The blog has been quiet lately - but not due to lack of thoughts. Speaking of thoughts, is it just me or is everyone noticing the Rising Cost of The Grocery Bill?! I guess what gets me is that the prices are rising, yet the content in the packages are getting smaller. So you think  you are getting a good deal, but if you look closely, the product is smaller!! Grrrrr.

Anyway, other than trying to get a grip on rising prices of food, we have been enjoying some much needed family time so far in August, in the way of camping, er, glamping.

Yes, that's right. We can't really say we camp anymore. Not with the trailer we have. And so, we have become one of those people - glampers. Glamour and camping. And let me tell you - it is soooo worth it!!

We left for Arrowhead Provincial Park on August 4th, to set up glamp for 10 days. Arrowhead is not only a beautiful "northern" park, but one that holds some very special memories for us. It is that park that we were staying at 5 years ago when we got a call that turned our family of two into a family of three. Our little girl was born! We have never taken down our tents faster than that day. Now, every time we camp at Arrowhead, we always make a stop at site 497 in Roe, standing there and reminiscing over that very, very special call.

During our camping trips the last few years, the weather has been, shall we say.....wet and cool. But not this time! While we did have quite a storm that knocked out our power for 3 hours (so much for glamping....) and a bit of rain near the end of our 10 days, we had nothing but sun for 5 straight days!! That was oh so wonderful!

But enough words. Time for some pictures. I have a few a lot to share, and so I will split it up into two posts. That way you will be able to get some things done today yet yourselves. You're welcome :o)

First things first, as any camper or glamper knows, it is very important to set up tarps. And no branch is too high to get that rope over! The axe is not only needed for chopping wood.....

The kids were absolutely amazed that Chippy from home had followed us all the way up here to camp with us!

The 10 days were filled with lots of biking, hiking, climbing rocks and of course, reading!

Arrowhead is home to Stubb's Falls, something that Lincoln was quite amazed at, and Kez didn't want anything to do with, which is why there is no picture of her near it.

As I mentioned above, we did experience quite a storm - true Arrowhead style. This one came in the middle of the afternoon and left us with lots of water!

This picture below demonstrates exactly why we don't camp anymore.....

......and while our campsite itself didn't look better, the fact that we glamp now, made sure we were at least off the ground and dry (well, once we actually got to the trailer..)

Thankfully it is mostly sand and so most of it drained away in a few hours, but not before we had some fun in it!

It did take almost 5 days for the deepest part of the large puddle to be gone though, but it sure provided lots of entertainment for the kids. Keziah received a fishing pole for her birthday, and once put together we noticed there was no hook. But she didn't care!! She spent many hours at this large puddle, fishing, becoming absolutely thrilled when she caught leaves. Her brother was just as happy with using a large stick as a fishing pole. :o) I must say, the following pictures are some of my most favourite. To me, they show the epitome of childhood. And if I wasn't careful and keep my emotions in check, we would have had even more puddles on our site!

To be continued......need to go get a Kleenex. How blessed I am to witness such simplistic contentment in my children.