All in a Saturday...

Kevin, Carole, sweet Ashleigh and Baby Jaden were down for the weekend. It was nice to see them again, boy did Jaden ever grow since Thanksgiving! As you can see for yourself (above) he is SO cute! A replica of his beautiful sister Ash. Nicole and Dad joined us all for pizza for supper - thanks Dad...and Kev and Carole!

The kids hanging with Aunt Nicole. Nicole was whipped after working all day and then graciously helped me clean my office...as did my helpful bro Kev. Thanks so much guys!!

Getting the house all ready for Christmas

Mags, Trent and I made up 5 urns with winter greens and the "fresh" spruce wreath on the hosue...we were impressed with how they turned out!

More pics to follow tomorrow...Aunt Mare has invited us all over for turkey dinner...can't wait Mare!

How true...

Waiting is the decision to trust God even though the circumstances are not turning out the way we want, and may never turn out the way we would choose.

-John Ortberg

Leaves, leaves and more leaves!!!

Maggie performing amazing stunts...as I was raking leaves up for the kids to jump in I realized how much fun kids (we) have with the simplest things in life (in nature I should say)...a pile of leaves, a climbing tree, a sandbox, a foot of snow, water!! The kids (cousins Jordan, Kenzie and Keegan too) played for at least 3 hours in that monstrous pile of leaves and are eagerly awaiting the chance to spend countless hours in the"soon to come" snow...all too soon lol! and on the ice rink. Well, I'll gladly let the Playstation and toys collect dust if they are outside, actively enjoying eachother's company, imaginations and best of all the fresh air!! (no offense Kate - she's in the toy industry ;))

"Air Jordan"

"Superfly Connor"

"Wonderwoman Kelsey"

Trent living dangerously...

In Memory of our Dear Grandpa...

November 1920 - November 1, 2005

We miss you.

 

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!!