The Year the Friesens Rented a Villa

Maybe one day we will look back on this year 

as a year that stands out with changes,

or maybe as a year that changed everything.

This is also the year we celebrate our 45th Anniversary

and so, by request of our kids, we booked camping spots in Washington,

a favorite summer holiday place of their childhood.

When we realized that this was not going to happen,

they began looking for another option.

Being busy with moving and settling into our house,

we were not involved as much. 

I saw floor plans, lots of bedrooms,

but never thought to check out what the house actually looked like. 

That's not really like us, but we were just so happy to find a place 

that could house us all.

We left caravan style last Sunday morning,

vehicles full of groceries, sports equipment, bikes and luggage. 

You can only imagine how excitement had built up by this time.

We couldn't check in till four, 

so we dragged out the drive with stops. 

When we came upon the complex in Kelowna,

and drove around to park,

my H just said, "this must be the place!"

It took more than that phrase to convince me ..

and I'm sure there were screams in the other cars. 

A hostess met our ueber excited clan and decided to give us a tour.

A large kitchen with an adjoining deck.

There were sitting corners in several places.

The views were amazing through all the weather changes.

 Bedrooms all had white linens.

There was a floor we dedicated just to the girls.

They took three bedrooms and shared a bathroom.

Wouldn't you take special note of doors like this? 

They led into the boys' room on the main floor.

The moms and dads got rooms on that floor as well.

The hallway by the kitchen was fine enough to roller blade 

and there was also a pool table and games room.

 The rooftop patio housed the hottub, a sitting area with lounge chairs and 

our bedroom and bath. 

Monday, after breakfast, we headed to the beach.

It looks nicer than it was because

you can't see the mosquitos that soon chased us away. 

For a little while, though, we tried to make the best of it.

I was reminded that

the first big family vacation we took with married kids was in 2004.

How special it felt, and how hard I worked to be organized.

Tehya was almost two and Paeton not born yet ...

the year that they headed overseas. 

This week Tehya told me that this could be the last vacation

with all the grands being "children." 

And that's how fast it goes ...

a few holidays and trips ... and they are grown.

I see our own kids taking charge as we begin to slow down.

 In the afternoon, as we sat on our rooftop patio,

I heard loud laughter downstairs.

I peered over the railing and saw the theme to the dinner that was being prepared.

Wouldn't you know it, Kristal had found sombreros in their bedroom. 

 We had fun trying them on.

  Shaun and Kristal served up a yummy dinner of pork carnitas.

We were serenaded with Mariachi music 

and finished off with a pinata party.

Such a fun evening!

The deck really became the happening place for all kinds of activity ...

to spy out the land,

paint

color

skateboard
games

hide and seek

and eat

Ben and Kari were not to be outdone!

We soon saw hints of a Hawaiian theme ....

leis, pina caladas and Hawaiian music.

They served a delicious meal of 

grilled teriyaki chicken with carmelized pineapple,

rice and grilled vegetables.

Dessert was a deconstructed hula pie! 

On Wednesday Chris and Julene whipped up a tasty "Diner" style dinner,

complete with deep fried fries and lots of burger toppings.

After dinner there was a cook off that I will tell about in the next post.

And that was our dessert. 

During the day, the kids enjoyed the pool,

bike rides and pickle ball. 

Covid rules made pool times a bit more difficult, 

but everyone was fine with whatever time they could get. 

I'll leave now with a clue to something the grands 

invited us all to share in.

There was quite some built up anticipation for this evening
and there were those that could hardly wait. 

More Joys

 Since some of the kids missed getting into the last post,

I decided to add them now.

It was Lacey and Teddy's  turn for a sleep-over.

 We had burgers for supper and watched Christopher Robin.

Papa's bedtime story was about attending boarding school as a boy.

 I love that the kids all share a love for fluffy, sticky dough,

with some of them almost always mentioning that they like the scent.

Add butter, cinnamon, sugar 

 and runny icing ... what's not to like!

And last, but not least, this beautiful girl

finished Middle School!

There's a part of me that wants to keep her little -

like how she's loved after school pick-ups, 

declaring Thursdays to be her favorite day because of it.

Her bubbly entrance into the car 

with stories about her day 

or hoping we could go to the candy store or playground,

made the rides endearing and entertaining.

You add up the years, one by one,

and here you are, Natalie -

responsible, tender, caring and smart -

ready to begin high school.

These few pictures remind me again 

how quickly they grow

and how blessed I am to be their Mimi. 

June Joys

My photo file for June is called June Joys -

and there really are too many to post -

but here are a few related to some first in this house.

Makenna finished her schooling early and was free as a bird.



I love seeing her enthusiasm for baking.

It is sad that she cannot make or meet new friends at this time,

but she is always happy to come over to help.

Paeton and his dad put up a basketball hoop and 

built skate board ramps to make a quarter half pipe - 

fun investments for the cousins too.

I've enjoyed seeing them interact.

These two had their very own sleepover -

to say they were excited is an understatement.

In the morning they wanted to mix pancakes themselves ...

and suddenly they are at an age where they entertain themselves.

Jack seemed happy to see the old toy box made it here.

I had saved one large cardboard box 

and we had fun building and decorating another house.

I picked my first bouquets from the garden,

enjoyed time to relax,

and reasons to set the table again.

To sum it up,
I'll just say what we've heard a lot,
"Be kind, be calm and be safe."
We have so much to be thankful for.

Class of 2020

We were invited to watch Tehya's grad ceremony on Zoom -

with her sitting beside us!

And I want to say that being part of this celebration 

was a blessing we had not anticipated!

When they were home last summer Tehya bought her dress,

not knowing the circumstances we'd be in this year.

And when they hurriedly packed up to come home this Spring,

her school sent her grad gown and cap with her. 

So when we stepped into the home they are staying at now 

you can only imagine how it felt to see her like this.

I admire how schools have made the best of what they can do,

and in this case, including the students who left the country

by zooming them in from around the world.

We listened to an amazing commencement speech 

and exceptional challenge to the Class of 2020.

It was a pandemic that gave us this opportunity to celebrate with her in person,

but I felt for her missing her friends, 

hearing their names called and watching them walk the stage. 

A memorable grad celebration for a special generation

who will go from here,

able to improvise, see opportunities and make the best of them.

These students could not give specifics about their next year 

and it hit me that in reality we never really know ...

we assume we know.

We are all learning to place our lives into the hands

of One who knows 

and desires to give us hope and a future.

May God guide you and prepare the way He has for you,

dear Tehya. 

We love you and are so proud of you.

Papa and Grammy

Celebrating Papa

Father's Day here gets celebrated with lots of cards

and beautiful sentiments written out by the kids. 

 No greater gifts! 

We had a beautiful evening outside ...

a long table full ...

and everyone in a comfy place.

My heart is full! 

I am thankful for this season of family togetherness

and for a husband, Dad and Papa

whose smile, teasing, hard work, pursuit for excellence and selfless giving

continues to win the hearts of us all.