Trick or Treat Fun

The excitement grew as the day passed, finally at 6:00, we ventured out into the crisp evening air and watched the kids have a ball filling their bags with CANDY!

The self proclaimed "crazy clown" Maggie, the "mad" policeman Trent, the

chef Kelsey and below the cat burglar Connor :).

Trent made us howl with his angry policeman look, eyebrows and all!

SUNDAY IN STRATHROY...

We spent Sunday afternoon in Strathroy with Oma and Opa. They treated us to a delicious roast beef dinner and a good game of Skip-Bo! They even sent us home with delicious homemade applesauce to boot! Mmmm! Thanks so much for a lovely afternoon...we're so thankful that you are both so healthy and active. Hope to see you soon!

Mags and Trent in the leaves behind our house

SKIP-BO!

3 Generations of handsome Ruessink men (& beautiful women...we have to teach one little woman that it isn't acceptable to pick one's nose, especially when getting one's picture taken! lol) After Oma and Opa's we headed to John and Ev's. They (& Courtney too) watched the kids so Bri and I could go to a Reformation Service in the Strath CRC, a combined service with 5-6 other local CRC churches. We went back to their house for a SPICY chili supper and a nice evening of conversation and games. Unfortunately the time went by so quickly I didn't the camera out for pics. I'll get you next time Roffels!!

The beauty of fall! There is nothing like the smell of fall leaves...today was an absolutely GORGEOUS day! The sunshine warmed the day (15 degrees), no rain(!), the leaves were dancing around on the ground, the kids were jumping in the leaves and on the trampoline, etc. It was even enjoyable raking the backyard! Hopefully tomorrow if the rain holds off we can go to the orchard and pick some fresh, crisp apples. Oh, another great fall scent...apple crisp or apple pie bubbling away in the oven!

CHEESE!

PUMPKIN CARVIN'

Good old pumpkin carving...boys vs. girls...you be the judge!

Way to go boys! (Trent headed to bed before the final masterpiece was finished). The kids thank you (Aunt Nicole and Wade) for a very enjoyable evening!

Memory Game Match - in attendance Maggie, Ashleigh (paper plate), Keegan (paper plate as well), Trent and myself. Mags and Trent made "them" at Storytime and used their imaginations to include their beloved cousins in the game...yup, everyone took their own turns!!

My turn to bake for Coffee Break Tuesday morning...a no-fail recipe that is always a hit!

Mmmm!

A cute little creature that Kels and Connor met on their way home from their paper route. They bounded in the door excitedly describing an animal that looked like a "beaver with a skinny tail"...a muskrat I believe. When we moved into our present house there was a big corn field backing onto our property. This past spring they began to develop the field into a neighbourhood and dug a huge drainage pond directly behind our hedge (50 feet x 400 feet). Since then we have noticed alot of changes to our scenery...Canadian Geese swimming there, oodles of toads jumping around (Maggie was thrilled), dragonflies gliding by and now a little muskrat calling it home...we hope to call it our skating rink come winter!!

Kelsey and Connor bring "breakfast in bed" Saturday morning, so sweet! Thanks guys...

Aunt Mare's Birthday Celebration

Aunt Mare celebrated her 51st birthday today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! She graciously invited a bunch of women from our church over for coffee and dutch pasteries! It was so cozy and enjoyable. Thanks for a most enjoyable morning. May God bless you with many more years of health and happiness!

Liz, Linda, Marg and Val (sorry for the dark pics but the room was dimly lit (ambiance)) enjoying eachother's company

Karen, Mare, Marg and Lucy

Sister-in-laws Julie and Nancy

Aunt Mare and I

X-Country Results...& this & that

Out of 160 runners in his division, Connor placed 72nd!! Way to go Con-man you did wonderfully! This ends the X-Country season...now onto volleyball...Kels made the team! Her first game is this Tuesday. Above was Connor's cheering section (Aunt Nicole absent - she was in transit but made it for the race) Thanks Dad and Nic!

WOO HOO!!

Kelsey has taken an interest in photography...some of her recent shots...

And yes...he still takes a suckie to bed!

Just goofing around

Visiting Mom at the home

THAMES VALLEY X-COUNTRY MEET TODAY!

Today is the big day for the X-Country Finals. I heard on the news this morning that 1800 kids will be running in this event (probably twice the number of parents/grandparents etc. spectating!!) So, it should be exciting! This morning when Con came upstairs for breakfast I asked him if he was nervous..."No, why would I be? It's fun." Well, I'll tell you one thing, I'm taking all the nervousness on for him, butterflies and everything, how ridiculous huh? Anyways, hope to update everyone with the results tonight. I applaud anyone that finishes the course, it's tough! To top it off it rained for about 12 hours yesterday so the trails should be nice and muddy with wet, slippery leaves to boot! However...GO HUSKIES GO!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY SISTER!

October 13th, 2006

Happy 23rd Birthday Nic, may you be blessed with many more years of health and happiness! (The twins insisted on putting the numbers "27" on the cake even though she is only 23). Nic is in her final year of school @ Althouse, soon to be a teacher. Keep on plugging Nicole, we're very proud of you. FYI - Congrats to Wade for getting the job at the private golf course!!

Thanksgiving 2006

Give thanks to God...His love endures forever!

What a blessed Thanksgiving we were indeed given! As you can see our table was ladened with delicious food, we were surrounded by loving family, were blessed with the gift(s) of music, had the opportunity to go to church in freedom, were able to enjoy the gorgeous weather, the list goes on...

Steve, Brian, Aunt Mare and Cousin Greg playing horse shoes and shooting the breeze

On the other side of the pits, Kevin, Dad and Wade (Nic's new beau - just like one of the gang)

Our "oh-so-talented" photographer of the family, Carole. Always capturing amazing shots, but rarely on the other side of the camera. GOTCHA! Check out her site (above link) for beautiful pics...mine don't hold a candle to yours Carole!

Some of the little people

More of the little people eating dessert

Brian, Colleen, our dear Mom and Nicole taken in some fresh air

Thanks for coming everyone! It was so nice to have cousin Kate here (she' s been in the States for the past 5 years) and graced us with her presence and humour. Welcome home Kate! Unfortunately Kate and Doug had to leave before I had the camera out so I stole this pic from Carole! We hope you all had a good time, thanks to everyone who helped out and looking forward to the next get together...Christmas???

Sweet Baby Jaden

Maggie and Trent couldn't get enough of their adorable new cousin Jaden! Trent must of held onto him for 20 minutes! It was so nice to have them (Kev, Carole and family) down for the Thanksgiving weekend. We all enjoyed eachother's company tremendously! What a good little guy he is!

Awww!