Special June Moments

This family picture shows how these grands have grown!

To tell the truth, one little cousin burst into tears when she saw them so grown up.

Somehow she had kept them small in her mind ..

but it did not take long to become best friends again.

One Sunday afternoon we went to see the old Othello Tunnels -

a series of train tunnels, constructed in the early 1900's,

cut through solid rock walls and

 connected by bridges to cross the Coquihalla River.

It's hard to even imagine the challenges those miners and builders took on.

Today they are not in use, the tracks have been taken out and 

some parts have been restored for safety. 

I found it beautiful how a tunnel, with the right lighting

can end up looking like a cathedral.

We went to see Oma and she surprised us all 

by saying, "of course I recognize you!" 

It was a good day.

She was delighted to see her oldest great-grand kids

whom she has prayed for, sent parcels to and even visited in Indonesia.

White Rock Beach was a fun walk, followed by fish and chips on a patio by the ocean.

The little cousins who regularly come over

had bonus fun times with the older ones here.

I took this through the sliding door - smiling - 

those nails were special.

Ten grand kids came and went that day and it hardly fazed me

with all the help I had. 

We got ready for family photos ... which also was an event.

I came out of my bedroom to see this view -

the bathroom we planned with double sinks 31 years ago -

who would have known? 

And here's a random peek at the girls in white 

the boys

 and Tehya and Natalie, growing into beautiful young ladies.

There are moments when I could just pinch myself -

not only for the fact that we can be together,

but that we are family and that we can live apart
and still be family.