Christmas

Good Evening all....Hope you all had a wonderful Chistmas together...We had a very nice Christmas ..We got together Christmas eve with our good friends Beth and John...Their first Christmas together as a married couple...We had a great evening..We had a dinner called Gourmet..You sort of cook your food with these little pans and bunson burners..You make like stir frys and wraps with beef or chicken or pork and veggies...It was really fun ....Christmas day we opened presents with the boys in the morning and later in the day we headed to my sister and brother-in-laws for dinner and the evening...The boys got spoiled ....My hubby LOVED his fish camera and can not wait to put it to good use ice fishing...Which officially opens the 1st of January ...Or when the ice is frozen enough to be safe...Which my safe and the guys safe are two different things lol ..So needless to say we had a nice Christmas and are ready for some company in a few days who are coming for New Years to visit...Can not wait to see everyone...!!! Have a nice evening and until next time...

Our basement...

Hello all...Just wanted to share our basment that is currently under construction...Well it all began in June of this year...We had a partial basment that was unfinished...Our house was a cottage at one time and was only about 700 square feet ...15 years ago they added an addition and basment ..So there was a crawl space under the back end of the house..Soooooooo..My constuction husband decided to dig out the crawl space and add a full walkout basement..Well it was quite and undertaking and experience and let me tell you a few sleepless nights...When they dug they hit a main water source and it was a little scary for a few days with our house up on (I call stilts) and the ground eroding underneath...Yes scary..But now its all done and all went well...Needless to say...So now it is strapping it out and building interior walls ..We hope to have a sort of utility room for freezers washer dryer etc...A spare bedroom for when we have company..(well needed)..A bathroom, and family room..And the old existing part is going to be a MUDROOM..Well needed in this house for boots and snowmobile suits and ETC.......And the furnace room for storage wood etc..So yes it is adding alot of extra space..I am REALLY excited for the extra space...So my hubby has been working on it all week...He is very determined when he puts his mind to somethingand we might even be using it before this winter is over...Now that is exciting....Well I posted a few pictures of when it was being dug out his past summer and the current pictures of the work right now...Have a wonderful day and weekend.....Till next time...

Snowing Again...!!!!

Good day all....Yes thats right it is snowing again...The faithful weather man predicted 4 cms ...But I think its more like 6 inches...lol..But yes we have gotten ALOT of snow so far this year ...I think if it keeps going we will break some records for snowfall ..My hubby took the snowmobile out for a little run Monday and he got stuck about 3 times...The snow on the lake is about 3 feet deep..He was trying to make a path out back down to the lake but the snow is just too deep...Will have to figure out a way to get the ice hut out this year...He will find a way I am sure....I bought him ..(He does not read my blog..) a fish camera for ice fishing...You can actually see the fish swim up to the lines and see how big they are and when they are biting...He will be very excited..I am a little worried it might keep him awake at night thinking about that the big ONE got away..Now that he will actually be able to see it...lol..Oh well I am officially done shopping ..Went to Walmart this morning at about 630am and got some odds and ends and then I did my groceries and do not have to got back to town again..YEAH..!!!!!!!!!..I have some baking to do and some housecleaning ..But thats OK..I bought the game Cranium to play when we have company for New Years...It looks like a lot of fun...Well I had better get busy while my littlest man is still asleep...But have a great Wednesday...And 5 more days till Christmas....Till next time...

So excited..!!!!!

Good Evening all...We here in the North are doing great...It is VERY snowy here...We have about 8-10 inches already and it is still snowing...But so pretty...Not so pretty maybe when we got stuck in the driveway on our way home from church...lol..but me trying to be optimistic I said to Will well at least we are home and its after church and not on the way...He said Yes Momma and smiled..And the car is still exactly where we left it at the end of the driveway and in about a foot and a half of snow...Tomorrow we dig ...lol..Well I wanted to post some VERY exciting news about a REALLY special friend of mine..My good friend Carolyn got engaged on Friday night...Her awesome man Grant proposed and she is officially engaged..Now this gal is sooooo great...She is one of those people who is just so giving and kind and fun and just wonderful....We have been good friends now for quite a few years ...5or 6 actually I think already...How time flies...Well she is so deserving of such a wonderful man and to be married and have someone to share her life with...She is a wonderful cook and baker...If you have had any of her goodies you will agree...lol..She has taught me lots and not just about cooking ,but about life and always has been there for us .. A true friend ...Grant is a very special man and we wish you both a lifetime of happiness together....Congratulations......MUCH LOVE and BEST WISHES the Dehaans......

Carolyn and Grant at John and Beths wedding October 2007...

Christmas Time is a comin.....

Good Morning you all...Hope you are all having a good week..We are great here in the North...It is very cold about -10 today but beautiful and sunny...I know that Christmas time is coming because in the last 24 hours my calender has begun to start to fill up with dinners and get togethers and such..But that is awesome..I do love to visit and spend time with family and friends...We did not go to Southern Ontario this year for our annual Christmas gatherings and I am sort of feeling a little sad as I LOVE to see everyone and get together for Christmas..But due to Wills work situation this year we had to miss out...But we are SO hoping to go and visit in January maybe as a family and see everyone...Can not wait..So we are getting some company over the holidays and have some fun things to do..This Saturday we are going to go and get our Christmas tree at a farm in Trout Creek and they have sleigh rides and events there...Should be fun for the boys...So I am making my lists for the different events..What I have to bring and my master grocery list ..I only want to have to go there once...lol..So yes it is a busy time of the year but so special..One of our families from church ...The Leighs might be home for a few days over Christmas..I have mentioned them in previous posts ..So that will be so special to see them and maybe have them in church for the first time in a few months...We miss them so much and pray for strength for them and for Daryls recovery...I am done my shopping for the kids..Which is so nice ...I just have to wrap and that is done...So some baking and some serious housecleaning...I figured I would wait for the cleaning until after we bring in the tree...lol..Very messy job...Actually taking it out is the messy part...lol Needles everywhere...Well I had better keep going and make my time use full well my littlest man is sleeping...Till next time...The Dehaans...

Walmart on a Saturday 2 weeks before Christmas

Good day ....Just wanted to say I braved Walmart today and did survive..I decided to just park right at the back as soon as I got there but there were NO SPOTS ANYWHERE..I had to wait for a spot to park and hike about 2 kms to the entrance..I was smiling though...Needless to say others were not so joyful...There were no carts to be had anywhere...The sweet little old lady usually handing out the carts was a meet and greeter...lol. Change of job description for her...So i got my things which were not very much and balanced them in my arms as I shuffled through the 1000's of people and some happy some not...Got to the counter and only had to wait 5 mintues and got out of there...But the parking lot to get out was another story...Trying to make a left hand turn took about ...No lie...15 minutes...Needess to say I am glad to be home and in one peice and I will return to Walmart but not on a Saturday...lol...Its open 24 hours so maybe at about 2am...lol..Tis the season...Have a great rest of the weekend....

Good Evening Everyone...How are ya all?? We are great here in the North..Daddy is home safe and sound but with a bad head cold and is early to bed tonight...We have had a bit of a calmer week ...Snow wise..But flurries every day and it is snowing again now..I think we are in for a real old fashioned winter...Lots of snow...Thats why I thought the perfect gift for Jesse is a toboggan..Well I am heading out to Walmart in the AM..The very AM..Walmart in North Bay is open 24 hours from now until Christmas...So I am heading out early to maybe miss some of the Saturday crowd...I do not have to much to buy but a few hours in Walmart should do it..And some time in the mall and I will hopefully be done..Some goodies...and chocolates to have in the house...Always a treat over the holidays...Tis the season to eat....lol..Well sorry to be short and sweet but it had been a long week and catching some zzzzz's early tonight would be good for Momma...Have a GREAT weekend and till next time....

Winter Storm

Good Morning You All...We are all well here in the North...A little buried under some serious snow...We got about a foot and a half maybe...Well it was up to my knees when shoveling yesterday...Our really nice snowplow man came and dug us out ...So I can now drive my car out the driveway...My hubby has a 4 wheel drive truck and I have a grand prix..Does not do well in a foot and a half snow...lol..My hubby just drove right out yesterday ..No Problem..Momma needs a 4 wheel drive too..In time..We had a great weekend..Just a relaxing one actually..Not too much going on right now...Thats Ok because the holiday season is coming and busyness too...But thats Ok ..Its such a nice time of the year to visit with family and friends...We usually have a New Years get together ....Which is so much fun..We have friends up from the South and we eat and visit and eat...Did I mention eat...lol..Always so many goodies ...But tis the season to eat right...Then tis the season for the treadmill..Actually I am starting that NOW..Gettin ahead of the eatin...lol..Well I was going to start yesterday and I ended up shoveling snow f0r about 45 minutes so I thought that counted for some physical activity..Well I am going to put up a few Christmas decorations this week and hopefully get some shopping done on the weekend..Time is ticking...Have a great Tuesday and till next time...

Cosy Winter Days, Jammies and Haircuts...

Happy Friday You All...We here in the North are gettting quite a bit of snow...Every day this week and in for more this weekend and next week...It is quite early to have this much snow...I think that it is so cosy to be inside on a cold winter day ...The lights and candles that we tend to burn at Christmas and in the winter is so cosy..Here is a photo I took this morning as the snow was falling...

It is a little grey out but it was quite pretty to see... On Saturday morning the boys were in their jammies for a little longer than usual ...They just look so cute in their big fleece jammies with the feet..Owen had just discovered that he could fit in the little cupboard..Well he could get in but did get stuck coming out.....Jesse has a wooden train that he loves to play with but the parts are a little too small for Owen yet and he just messes up the track and steals all the trains...To Jesses dismay.....lol..So Jesse gets to play with the train when Owen is napping..He got a haircut today before he was allowed to play with his train..Needless to say it was a quick haircut..Good thing its a buzz cut and it takes about 5 minutes..But long overdue...He has very thick hair and its always better to keep it cut about once a month but it has been two...So well needed...So yes he did get to play AFTER his haircut and he is still playing with it now ...Owie is still sleeping..So thats pretty much whats new at the Dehaans this week..Snow, jammies and haircuts..And looking forward to seeing DADDY tonight...Yeah!!!!!!!!!!Next week is decorating for Christmas...I must get that done...On the agenda...And some shopping as well...Well have a wonderful snowy weekend and till next time....

Frozen Lakes and Ice Fishing Dreams......

Good Morning ALL...How are you all doing?..We here in the North are good...Got lots of snow last night about 5-10 cms and are in for about 5-10 cms today again...Looks very pretty though with the sunshine this morning and the crisp snow...A low of -18 last night..Our coldest night yet..As my hubby would say good cold temperatures to freeze the lake..We are not only a hunting family ..My hubby is an AVID icefisherman...Well and I have to admit that I do love to icefish too...CRAZY I know...But there is something about being out in the freezing cold all bundled up in an ice hut that has a fire burning drinking coffee or hot chocolate and catching fish...lol Fun Fun..Thats what we do in the North to pass the long winter...But really its pretty much the norm here...If you go for a drive to Callander Bay about January 2..Considering the lakes are frozen well...Its a little city if ice huts out there...I will have to post a picture when it becomes a little city...It is a sight to see...There is ice roads and they drive their cars right out on the ice...There has to be at least 12 inches of ice to do that...Well I am not convinced..I like about 3 feet at all times...But apparently they say its safe to walk on when there is 3 inches...Oh My....But needless to say we are an icefishing family..My hubby built an ice hut the first year we moved here...Well it is quite big and very cosy...Here are some photos of the building of the ice hut and fishing and fish caught....Now Jesse is going to be an icefisherman too.. and no doubt Owen...Jesses favourite thing last winter was the snowmobile ..He loved going for a ride on the snowmobile...Owen I think is going to follow suit as he is very adventurous as well...He LOVES it outdoors as well and all the boy things that Daddy and Jesse enjoy..So yes I am out numbered...So I say If you cant beat them join them so thats what I do...Our Ice fishing family...!!!!!!!!!...Well thats all for now and let me just say...Its 26 days till Christmas..Have a wondeful day .....Till next time...

Slept in...!!!!!!!!!!

Good afternoon...Y'all..Hope everyone is well..I have to admit that I am still in my pajamas...lol..Its about 130 pm..Well let me explain..Its not that I have not accomplished anything this morning but if you read my previous few days ..Owen has been getting up REALLY early and this morning he slept in until 930am..Yes that is right 930..He was awake at 5 ..The usual but went back and slept in..Well I had to check him a 830 and make sure he was OK..Yes he was just fine and sleeping peacefully..To all the Moms out there ..How cute and precious it is to see your little ones sleeping...So I have got things done this morning..I talked to my good friend and sister-in-law Deb for about an hour or maybe a little longer...We had a nice chat and it was good to catch up..I did some laundry and some housecleaning and baking...And now Owen is ready for a nap and me a shower....lol..Daddy is coming home tonight and we are looking VERY forward to seeing him...Have a great weekend and stay in your jammies as long as possible....Till next time...

Our First Big Snowfall and a few other events...

Good Morning..When we got up this morning at 6am, Owen and me...There was a nice blanket of snow on the ground and big white flakes coming down...So pretty..There is such a nice feeling of the first snowfall and just the crisp white look of everything..By about March I am ready to see the grass.But thats one thing about living in Northern Ontario is the beautiful winter ...Lots of snow and beautiful scenery...Well I have to say I like looking and being in the snow but not driving in it..I let my hubby drive when we go out and if I have to I do, but will stay home if its snowing...lol..Fortunately being a stay at home mom I have that option.. I had some pictures that I wanted to post from last week already..We went out for my brother-in-laws 50th Birthday ..Mithc turned the big 5-0..We went out to East Side Marios for supper..Needless to say it was an adventure..We took the kids..So Owen was very grumpy and Jesse could not sit still...Usual kids in a restaurant..Other than Mcd's..lol..But we took a few photos when we came back here after for coffee..Family photo..Or I should say trying to take a family photo..I was holding Jesse down as you may see..lol..Owen finally sat nice and Jesse was antsy..lol...This is Uncle Mitch and Owen playing airplane..Not too sure who is having more fun ...lol I also have some photos from a get together we had at Carolyn Boeks a few weeks ago already...Its called Gourmet..Its where you cook with little pans over a bunson burner and you make chicken and pasta or steak or pork and veggies and bacon...Its really fun and really YUMMY..It sone of those thigns where you can just eat and eat and eat..We had 16 people together for dinner that night...Carolyn ( the host), Pete Brokking, Albert Wassink, Joanne Vanderbeek, Jen and Neil Fraser, Tim and Clara Brokking, Pete and Cindy Procee, Richard and Laura Salmon, Deb and Jerry Dehaan( Wills brother and his sweet wife) and Will and myself...We had a great time and it was so nice to see everyone and THANKS so much to Carolyn for hosting us and for being such a good friend...Well its now sunny and white in Northern Ontario..I started this blog this morning and am now into the afternoon..So its sunny now ..The snow has stopped..Well thats all for now ..Have a wondeful rest of the day..

Good Evening Y'All.....

Well good evening to you all..We here in the North are good..Getting some rain this evening and it is quite cold and damp...But we are in for some of that white stuff in the next few days..Maybe then I will feel like putting up some Christmas decorations and playing some nice Christmas music...It is such a nice time of the year...Well Hunting season if officially over..Or I should say rifle season..Apparently they can stil hunt that big ol buck with a bow and arrow..But he is still out there outsmarting them all..He knows that when the hunting season is over he will come out and say Hello...lol..Jesse is in speech therapy and he is learnig new words all the time..This is week 5 and he is enjoying it very much..Owen( my little hurricane)..Is busy as ever learning to climb on every peice of furniture he can ...Our living room looks like a gym with mats in front of the couch and the coffee table had to go ...Just for a little while..So needless to say ..Life is busy ...But good..We have very dear friends of ours that last month the husband Daryl was in a very bad car accident..Please keep them in our thoughts and prayers as he recovers in Sudbury hospital and has many months ahead of rehabilitation...They are just a wonderful family and are so sincere and caring...We miss them ...Well thats all for now ...Till next time...

Up and at it early!!!!!

It is hunting season...If you may or may not know...Well it is in our house anyways and with my hubby being an avid hunter we are up at all hours..If anyone knows me well I like to sleep in ....Now thats not until 10 or anything but between 7 and 8 is good...lol..Well this morning he jumped and I mean jumped out of bed at 445am and was off to my sisters to go hunting...He has buck fever...Well Owen was also up at about 5am...I was laying in bed hoping he might go back to sleep...No such luck...So we started our day at 530....Jesse on the other hand is like his mother and is still asleep and probably will be until 8 or so...Oh how I am jealous...lol..But I do realize just how much I can get done around the house in a few wee hours of the morning..I posted a picture of Owen and we call it his bed head...His curls are a little wild in the morning before I tame them down with some water....Well ..Have a great morning and I will keep everyone posted about that big ol buck ..Thats still out there...Its about -3 today .

My Family

Hi there ..Hope everyone is well..We here in the North are doing very well..Enjoying a nice sunny November day..A high 9 today ..I would like to post a few pictures of our family..The picture above is is a recent family photo.. This is Owen playing outside this past summer...A usual grin with his tongue sticking out..He LOVED to play outside in the sand..Along with his big brother Jesse..He loves it outside as well and he loves mud and trucks and 4 wheelers and snowmobiles...and ..and ..and..He is a true boy..My hubby..Very proud of his catch...One of his favourite pastimes...Ice fishing...He also loves the outdoors and likes to hunt, fish and work outdoors..This is Will and I this past Spring in Hawaii...We went on a cruise to Hawaii it was amazing and the sights were amazing..This was taken at the volcano.. So thats a few pictures of my hubby and children..I just love taking pictures so I will post lots more in the future..I love to scrapbook ...One of my many hobbies...Well thats all for now ..Have a great day...!!!!!!!!!!

Friday November 10

Good Morning...Have been very busy the last few days..We woke up yesterday morning and were out of water..Actually our water line froze and yes NO WATER...Well of course the only morning that I have to be out of the house by 830am and get two boys ready and etc..etc..Well needless to say no shower for me but we dont realize how much we take for granted having running water..Good thing for bottled water to brush our teeth and good thing for wet wipes to wipe faces along with other parts of the body...lol..We we did some renovations in the summer and when we dug out the basement we hit the water line and we had to get a trench dug and put the water line down below the frost line..But time flies and of course the snow is flying and the ground was frozen yesterday morning..So the big ol backhoe is here today digging the trench and hopefully we will have water soon....But had a good few days..We have not had any more deer in the back we put out some apples and feed but have not seen anything so far..Will saw a big buck yesterday but when he was driving..It has snowed on and off the past few days..The boys are glued to the window watching the big backhoe ..They are facinated with machines of any kind..4 wheelers, snowmobiles, big machines, trucks..Anything that moves really..lol..Had a really nice day yesterday..Went to Huntsville for the morning to a ladies morning with ladies from the Highview Baptist church..We had a bible study and lunch and some nice fellowship...Miriam and Jacob came with and Jesse and Owen had lots of fun with the other kids...Was a nice day..Today is doing some well needed house cleaning and hopefully some laundry and dishwashing..When our water returns..But until next time...

Tuesday November 6

Today is my first day as a blogger...How fun..Well in Northern Ontario right now it is snowing and staying on the ground and about zero degrees..Winter is coming quickly..We had four deer nicely grazing in the back of our property this evening about 1 hour before dark...My hunter husband was very excited but they were all does..No big ol buck yet..Its hunting season here if you might be wondering and my hubby is an avid hunter..He has just been hunting for 1 year now and he really enjoys it..He has buck fever ..So they call it...I am just learning all these things..But its fun..Well my good friend Beth introduced me to blogging...Her sister and sister in law are having fun at this and I thought I would give it a try..Well thats all for this evening but stay tuned ...