Suzanne's birthday

Suzanne celebrated her 20th birthday on the 16th - with her last exam at college, and then a Thursday evening with our family, and dinner & presents on Friday evening, then a party with friends on Friday. Busy, busy!

The cake that JAMES made!

The evening before - the cake that mom made!

Engagement Celebration

We had both families together on Saturday to celebrate Andrew & Angela's engagement.  We were waiting until Angela's mom had delivered their new baby and until she was back into routine a bit before we had our party - and Saturday was the day.  We had a really good time together - with Angela's paternal grandma (her maternal grandparents were not able to make it) as well as Andrew's paternal grandparents.  But baby RUTH was there as well as Angela's other siblings and Andrew's friend (and best man!) Jon. 

Andrew & Angela have set their wedding date for Friday, July 27, 2012, DV.

Autumn Getaway Pics

I'll let the pics speak for themselves - we're back from a short autumn getaway in Northern

Ontario, just Andrew & myself and Alyssa ... lots of fishing & relaxing

and all sorts of weather ... and a little taste of the winter to come!

Engaged!

We are excited with Andrew Peter & Angela's news that they are engaged to be married! Andrew popped the question on Saturday evening and Angela said "yes" ... so the "big day" is hopefully some time in August, 2012.

Also, congratulations to Andrew's neice, Michelle and husband Mark and boys (and grandparents Henry & Mary) on the birth of baby #4 - a GIRL named Amber Mary!  That's 12 grandchildren for Henry & Mary - 6 boys and 6 girls.

GOD IS GOOD!

Vacation 2011

Family news: This past month Andrew & I had two aunts and one uncle pass away: First my Aunt Doris (mom's SIL), then my Uncle Reg (mom's brother) and then Andrew's Tante Anna (Dad's sister). Time is flying by and we're starting to really see that in the passing of older family members.

~~~

Our vacation this year started off with a bang - literally...in the first 1/2 hour of travel, Suzanne rear-ended another vehicle on the QEW and, well, her car didn't fare very well. It was a stressful day for all of us, but thankfully everything turned out well - the girls were both fine as well as the other driver. It could have been much worse. So Suzanne is now learning bus routes and is carless - which means that our van looks much more appealing to her now...

The kids and cousins Shannon & Laura joined us for the weekend - and Andrew's girlfriend, Angela came up on Saturday & Monday and James came up with Angela on Saturday. We had a nice time together! A smaller group from previous years, but still fun!

An "active bear" was in the park - we heard about it but didn't see it (although I did keep my camera ready! ;) ) ... the bear wasn't as pretty as this one here...

It's impossible to really capture the sunset - but I try!

Lots of activity - walking, biking, and canoeing!

My best garage sale "find" of 2011 - a "Novacraft" 16' canoe! http://www.novacraft.com/canoe_tripper16.htm

We really enjoyed it.

Jumping off the rocks - of course!

(Suzanne)

Our little spot in the water...ahhhh.

Canoeing to the sunsets.

My fav pic. It says it all. A well-deserved vacation.

The beach at Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park -

a park that I haven't been to since my childhood.

Lots of memories!

My brother, Darren & I used to use these (maybe older ones?) teeter-totters...

over & over...such fun!

Best friends!

Andrew rigged some wheels for taking the canoe to the water.

Worked great!

Andrew caught four fish - and honestly, my camera battery

went dead just prior to him getting the best fish! Ugh.

AND there was a rainbow in the sky.

A perfect end to each day!