Cards for Papa

After the birthday dinner, the grands proudly came around to watch Papa
open the cards they had each prepared without families talking about it.
I can imagine the quiet moments in those houselholds as everyone was busy "creating".

From the youngest to the oldest ...
well the very youngest brought herself.

Evy had him admire her "card" but the picture that caught my atteniton was this one!

Teddy could hardly wait to see Papa's reaction.
She and Lacey had dipped into their piggy banks
and made little pockets with money in their cards.

In my distraction about them giving up something special
 I did not get a picture of Lacey, but I can still imagine her smile
when Papa told her he could get two coffees with that money!
I think he'll be taking them for their own drinks.

Koey  worked hard

as he used his Kindergarten skills to write his own words!

Landon drew  a man and a boy playing ball.

Something Papa usually takes time for.

Makenna 

added a few layers of loving expressions 

and shared her excitement for a game she is looking forward to.

Nat also used her best art skills 

with glued in insets of her fun expressions

and a relaxing scene with a palm tree.

Paet used some fancy pop up artwork on his card.

and Tehya did some beautiful lettering on hers!

 

Each card - a token of  loving, detailed time spent

to show their papa that he is special!

And that he is!

Best Canada Day!

A melting pot of ethnicity within our family, 

but no one missed out on the Mennonite part of lunch

There were slide races . . .

 Spitz to be spat,

and sharing of life jackets for rides on water toys . . .

I watched from a distance and noticed how they worked it all out among themselves.

Uncle Bob's kyak gets used more than he knows about.

I wonder where they learned this game? 

Boys were boys . . . checking to see if damp cattails would ignite

and out of the same stuff the girls made bread 

while the big kids . . . rested?

Dinner was hamburgers and salads . . .

they disappeared before I thought to take a picture.

And the day ended with a family sleepover

that will be remembered for a long time to come!

Baby Shower Blessings

This post has nothing to do with Canada Day

but I could say that I'm thankful for my dad bringing us to this country

so that his children could have a better future.

This will be dad's and mom's 20th great-grandchild!

He only met the first three.

So we are back to my side of the family and

a baby shower for my youngest niece was a fun excuse to get together!

Kristal offered her home and, among other things, 

made the most amazing brownies.

Julene filled pretty fruit tarts, hosted and planned games . . .

and Kari brought over a car-load of decor to set up

as well as bunches of sweet scented roses from her dad's secret garden.

The huge coffee table held a display of tiny thrift store jars filled with roses (to take home)
as well as an array of vintage baby toys and books.

A mirror from her Oma made a pretty table runner.

And since I had the camera in hand when  everyone started coming . . .

I clicked away.

Mom with grand-daughters . . .

sisters (in-law)

and daughters (cousins)

Mom with her oldest great-granddaughter   

This day was about moms and daughters in many ways.

There was cake  . . .

Carmen's favorite

and a variety of other treats!

After we ate, we played a game

and watched the gifts being opened.

It was sweet to have Carmen's sister-in-law and mom-in-law join us.

As well as Carmen's mom, who is not usually with us.

Naomi (married to Carmen's brother)

 came from Seattle with MacKenzie for this occasion.

Weddings and babies are a such great time for families

to celebrate what we have in common.

May the Lord bless you, Carmen and Pierre

as you welcome your little one

and may he/she always know the blessing and the love 

of uncles, aunties, cousins and grandparents.