Family Photos..

Good Morning all...How are you all this fine and dandy day!..We are good here in the north....We are in for ALOT of snow today up to 20 cms and then some...But it is a little milder which is really nice...We got our family pictures taken a week ago and it went fairly good....For a two and a half and four and a half year old to sit still and smile...Well our family pic Owen decided not to smile...But that was the best one to pick from...He did smile at first when we were taking pictures of just him and Jesse but I guess that was it for the smiles...lol...Here are a few pics from our photo shoot....

Our family photo ...As I said Owen was not smiling but everyone else was smiling and looking....:)) He was smiling here...Saying cheese as well.... My handsome Jesse....I think so but I am bias....:))) My two other handsome dudes...:))))) Two big smiling boys....So yes Owen did smile just not for the family one....:)))

Chistmas visiting and preperations....

Good Evening all...It is a cool - 16 tonight and going down to -21 overnight....Good ice making weather ...Says my hubby....Can you tell he is a true blue ice fisherman...My husbands favourite season!!!!!! ....Well we were in Southern Ontario this past weekend for the Dehaan family Christmas ...It was a great evening and really nice to see everyone...We also had a few other gatherings with family and friends...Was a great weekend had by all...The kids really enjoyed playing with their cousins...It was a busy week with Christmas parties and Jesse's last day of school...I volunteered at Jesse's school this past Wednesday...I had a lot of fun...There is about 16 children in his JK class..Well I can say that I will never complain about having to get 2 children ready to go outside to play in the winter...Getting 16 children ready is a challenge in itself...For 20 minutes of outside time...lol...Those teachers and helpers have their work cut out for them...lol...But yes we had a great day ...We baked cookies with the children and they decorated them...I am hoping to volunteer every Wednesday ...I am looking forward to working with the children and spending some time with Jesse in the classroom...He is now off for two weeks for the holidays...It will be nice to do some things with the kids over the holidays...We are getting some company up for New Years ...I am looking very forward to that...And we are not too busy otherwise...A little visiting here and there but we are just looking forward to some time together as a family...Daddy has some time off over the holidays...Well hope that you are all doing well and until next time.....

Getting Our Christmas Tree

Good Evening all ...It was a crisp - 10 here today and a little colder with the wind...We went to Trout Creek today to get our Christmas tree...There is a farm there...They have a really nice set up...With sleigh rides and toboggans for the kids and a big campfire and hot chocolate...It was really cold so we did not stay too long but we got our tree and went for a sleigh ride....Jesse just loved it...Owen was just not too sure especially with those big ol horsies...lol...They were Clydesdale's....Just beautiful horses...It was a very nice time....Jacob our friends son came with us as well...Here is a few pics...

We found a tree...Will is just going to cut it down...The snow is really deep as you can see ...You had to remember that when looking at the trees....The trees were a foot or so taller than appeared....lol...Jacob (Santa) and Jesse with a funny hat...They had a old antique sleigh set up with a bunch of funny hats to put on for picture taking....This is before we went for a sleigh ride around the farm...Owie was not too sure of that big ol horsie...lol...Was a really fun time...Looking forward to decorating it now....Brought it in and set it up ...Such a wonderful smell...Just love it....Well have a great rest of the weekend and until next time....

Lotsa snow here in the north...!!!

Hi there all...It has been a while....We have all been a little under the weather the past week...Sort of passed the bug along to each other one at a time...Now its Daddy's turn...He is not feeling so well today...We have had ALOT of snow here lately, it has snowed just about every day and there is still lots in the forecast for the next little while...We got about a foot or more at least...It has been very mild and it is very beautiful....We will definitely have a white Christmas this year...But up here I do not think we have to worry about that....:)))...Well I have been giving the house a good clean and putting up some festive decorations...Got some Christmas shopping done...Not quite finished yet...But getting there....We are coming to the south in a few weeks for some Christmas festivities.....Looking really forward to seeing everyone then...Jesse has some thing happening at school...I am going to start next month to volunteer at his school once a week...Help out with his class...I think that he will like that...Little ones always find it so special when their mom and dads are there...So hopefully it goes well..Will has not been hunting lately he would like to get out a few more times before the end of the season...Which I think ends in a few weeks and a two week break and fishing season begins....Of course weather and ice thickness factor into that....The lake is frozen but probably not too thick yet....Well that's about all here new in the north....Will talk to you all soon...Until next time....

Winter storm coming our way!!!!

Good Morning all...It is a grey day here in the North...We are in for a winter storm starting later this afternoon some time ...Snow, freezing rain...10-15 cms they are predicting....Will left early this morning to go hunting...Last day of rifle...He will be gone for the day ...In hopes to get that big ol buck...He still has about of month of bow season left so his chances are not up yet...Especially with Johnny getting a very nice 10 point buck it gives him some initiative...lol...Well I am just doing some organizing and getting Jesse room back together ...I painted it last week ...Now I hope to paint Owens next week...I have collected some neat things in the last few years for the boys rooms...Now I can decorate them..Sort of an outdoors theme...Will post some pics when I am done...My sister Debbie here for a few days..The boys just love her and have so much fun with her...Well that's about all new here in the north..Will post if any news on any deer ...lol....Until next time....( Wanted to wish Wills brother Andrew a VERY HAPPY 30th BELATED BIRTHDAY....Best Wishes to you!!!!)......

How precious life really is....

Good day all....It is about -1 here in the North and it is a overcast kind of grey day...Winter is approaching...We got home last night from Southern Ontario...We attended the funeral of Arlene Brokking...A couple very close in age to us...She was a kind gentle person and always nice to visit with...Will has been friends with Philip her husband for many years and grew up together going to the same church and school...Both love hunting and fishing...She passed away last Thursday at the age of 34 ..A young mother to three precious children...Being there and seeing this family just broke my heart and really put into perspective..How precious life really is...God gives life and God takes away..Our lives are all planned and the number of years, months, days and hours are pre-planned by Him...Arlenes time was done here on earth and God wanted her to come home...Such a comfort to her husband Phil that she was a Christian ...It will be very hard for him and the children in the coming weeks and months....Time does heal...And we must trust in God that He will look after them ...Please keep them all in your prayers ...Until next time....

Pumpkin Carving, Trick or Treating and Some Hunting has begun...

Good Day all...it is about + 5 here and raining....We had a fun weekend..Friday evening we went to Aunt Colleen and Uncle Mitchs for supper and carved a pumpkin...The kids then got some costumes on and we went trick or treating with Miriam and Jacob in Trout Creek....We went to about 5-6 houses and that was enough for the kids...But they got plenty of candy just with those few houses...People gave out lots...lol..We had a fun night and then went back to Miriam and Nandors for some goodies...

This is Jesse our fireman...With real soot on his face and all..... Here is our little hunter....A little Davey Crockett/ Daniel Boon..... Carving a pumpkin with Uncle Mitch..... And like I had said it is officially rifle season here...My hubby was target shooting today and scaring the jeepers out of our dog and now has gone to Trout Creek to my sisters to hunt...He has a tree stand set up there...So I will keep you posted on his adventures and he does have a doe tag for that area so he has options a doe or a big ol buck...Apparently there is a BIG OL BUCK down there that the locals have been trying to catch for about 7 years ..A 8-9 point...So if that big ol buck comes in range ..He might be in our freezer and mounted on our wall.....Oh boy....Have a great rest of the day and until next time....

Our house

Good morning all...It is a crispy -3 here this morning and yes the snow is still here....It did not melt....It is sunny today and it looks just beautiful actually

It is very pretty.... This is a picture of the new siding going on our house....It looks like wood but its siding and maintenance free....We are doing hunter green trim and sofit and fascia....Exciting to see the changes.....And of course our dog Hunter posing for the picture...Is he not cute...lol...Well have a GREAT day wherever you may be...Until next time...

Winter Wonderland

Yes that's right folks....You heard it right...A Winter Wonderland...This is what we woke up to this morning....SNOW....

We probably got about 2-4 inches of snow in total.....The snow was so heavy and wet it bent the trees ...As you can see in this photo....Yes it was quite surprising to wake up to snow...This is definitely the earliest we have seen snow since we have moved here...Two years ago we had a snowstorm on October 28th...But last year it was later in November when we had our first snowfall...Oh well it will probably melt...It does look very pretty though....I am told that it will get those deer frisky ...If you know what I mean....lol....Good for hunting this weather ....My hunting hubby say...lol..So well that's about all new here in the north..Until next time....

Fall Fun

Good Morning all....It is a cool 3 degrees here in the North and rain and wet flurries in the forecast..BRRRR...Oh well...Time for snugly fires and cosy clothes...Fall is such a nice time of the year....We had a very nice Thanksgiving weekend....We had supper on Saturday at our friends Miriam and Nandors....Her sister Christina and hubby Ryan were there as well and their 3 adorable kiddies....As well as her Aunt from Switzerland was visiting ...We had a very nice afternoon ...Went for a walk to enjoy the fall colours and the kids played in the leaves...We had a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixins....Was a great time had by all....Monday we went to my sister and brother-in-laws for another nice chicken dinner also with all the fixins...It was exceptionally warm ..The kids played outside and flew their kite that Uncle Mitch had got them...But we were dressed in shorts and sandals....Just a beautiful weekend...We are still in reno mode..The new siding is starting to go on and new windows soon...I did some major well needed cleaning in the basement ...we are getting the wires and plumbing done soon...So we are progressing.....Will post pics of the house when more siding has been put on....Well have a great day and until next time....Here's a few pics of Thanksgiving weekend....

Christina, Aleisha and Jesse playin in the leaves Having fun playin in the leaves.... Owen hiding out...lol Pointing to his bellybutton... Going for a walk...Jesse pulling Sarah and Owen... Enjoying our walk... Aleisha is pushing baby Keith...

Happy Thanksgiving....

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL......This picture was taken last fall of Jesse at my sisters...It is a beautiful 18 degrees here today and looks like a very nice weekend....We are having two get togethers..One tomorrow at our friends Nandor and Miriams...And Monday at my sister and brother-in-laws...I just made 2 pumpkin pies for the dinners....YUMMY!!!!!...Well have a blessed weekend with family and friends.....Until next time.....

It just may snow today...!!!!!

Good Morning all...Yes thats right SNOW!!!...It is about 1 degree here and the sky looks very threatening...There are flurries in the forecast the next few days but its supposed to get a little warmer on the weekend and go back to normal temperatures...but really for up North what is that....lol..Well Will went out hunting on opening day and came back with nothing...He is trying again this morning at my sisters place...After that big ol buck...But he has a doe tag for that area for this year as well...So its having to choose ...Because even though he has a tag he can only get one...If he chooses a buck then he has to tag it with the doe tag but I guess does have the option....This is what I am told anyways...lol...So yes I guess Fall has officially arrived..One by the weather and two by Hunting season here...Where oh where did the summer go....Before I know it it will be time to ice fish...BRRRR...I will take hunting season for now...Well I am going to go and get myself a camoflauge jacket for the winter...May as well fit right in, in the redneck country...lol...But seriously ...I wore Wills a couple times to get wood last winter and it was so warm..And I am always cold!!!...Not sure if I am going to get the matching pants or not might just stick to something solid...lol..Well have a great day and until next time....!!

The beauties of the North...

Good Morning all...It is a beautiful sunny day here....This morning about 730 we had a big bull moose in our backyard...Will said he looked fairly young ..Maybe 3 or 4...He came right up close to the house until our dog Hunter started to bark and he got scared and ran off down to the lake....But what big graceful animals....

We are under construction...

Good Evening all..It was a beautiful 24 degrees here today and sunny...All week actually it has been very nice...We are doing some home renovations...The old siding on our house has been taken off and new is going on ...Some windows and doors are being replaced ...Our deck is going back on....Very exciting....It is exciting to see the progress...I have been staining boards for the deck all week...Lots of decisions to make ...Colours, type of siding, windows...etc...We hope to get some work done in the basement as well...Get some insulation and floors done hopefully..!!.I am looking forward to having the basement as extra space...Busy place here in the North...lol.....Hunting season officially opens next Wed Oct 1..Soooo..My hubby is looking forward to that especially that he got a doe tag this year...Its just bow season first then rifle is some time late October or November..So time for me to paint the boys rooms...Been going to do that for a while...Well that's about all new here in the North...I will post some photos of the house as things progress along....Have a GREAT weekend and until next time.....

Jesse's First Day of School..

Good Morning all....Here in the North it was a brisk +2 this morning....Frost was on the ground...Fall is here...The days have been beautiful...The trees are just starting to turn a little..Fall is such a beautiful season...Well today was Jesse's first day of school...He went on the bus for the first time...He did very good....Daddy, Owen and I were there for the big event...He got on and was grinning from ear to ear...With his big back pack on ..He looked too cute....Momma was a big girl too and did not cry....;)) I was a little teary eyed as I walked away but I did good...No ugly crying...:))

Can not ride your bike buddy ...You would get to school about 3...lol...He has about a half an hour bus ride..The bus driver lives just up the road so he one of the first ones on in the morning...And one of the last ones off at night...So we will see how his first day goes???...I think he will do fine...Well have a great day and until next time...

Our day away....Celebrating our 7th Anniversary...

Good Morning all...It is a beautiful sunny morning and going to be a high of 27 today....All the kiddies are on their way back to school...My BIG boy starts next Wednesday.....We met his school bus driver yesterday....She stopped in to introduce herself....She is really sweet....We went out for our anniversary this past weekend..We took a drive to Temagami...About an hour or so north of North Bay...It is beautiful...Lots of untouched wilderness and many, many little lakes...People there build houses on the islands and actually live there year round...So for about 2 weeks in the fall and two weeks in the spring they have no access to their houses...They have to wait for the ice to be safe to drive on and in the Spring for the ice to melt....Not for me...I am not that adventurous...lol...But it is beautiful...We climbed the fire tower and had a view over the whole town....I did make it to the top....My knees were a little wobbly but I was good.....It was about 75 feet up...But what a view....We then headed back to North Bay and had supper...It was a very nice day!!!!!.....

This is the fire tower we climbed up..... Will and I at the top...There were a few other people up there and they took our picture... Momma hanging on ...lol...What a view...!!!! All the lakes..... All the beautiful wilderness......

Our 2nd Annual bbq and camping weekend...!!!

Well it has been a while....We have been busy here in the North getting ready for our annual bbq and camp weekend..Needless to say it was a great weekend...We had about 60 visitors over the weekend ..Some started to arrive on Wednesday and the last of the campers left Tuesday...It was hot and sticky on Friday and Saturday and just about when supper was about to be served we had a very windy thunder storm and it poured buckets...lol...But the party went on and all had supper...!!!!..We had a great evening of good eats and a nice sing song...Our friends Miriam , Nandor and Aaron played some instruments for us ..It was awesome...Here are some pictures from the weekend....

Aaron strumming a tune and Lucas watching on....... Jerry, Wyatt, Lucas and Jared......Cooking up some breakfast..... Richard, Lucas, Sarah, Laura and Wyatt husking some corn..... All the cousins having lots of fun.....!!!!! Richard getting the piggie ready for the bbq......

Nicole holding a newt...... Jeff and Richard checking on the piggie..... Jesse having fun at the lake..... Jen, Mariah and Anna at the beach...... Owen posing beside the boat.......
Uncle Wim and cousin Jordan....... Supper is ready.....Right before the BIG STORM.....:)))) Dick and his catch of the day!!!! Our friends Miriam and Nandor cooking up some fish....!!! Beth and Carolyn having a BITE to eat.....:)))) We had a great time despite the rain and a special thank you to all those who helped out...Was much appreciated!!!!!Until next time......

Carolyn and Grants Wedding

Good evening all....It was a beautiful 24 degrees here today and was just a beautiful week....Hardly any rain ...Which is rare these days....Speaking of rain...Well the wedding was absolutely beautiful....It did pour buckets and when I say buckets I mean it RAINED!!!...Well right about 5 minutes before the outside ceremony was to begin it started to thunder and lightening and then it came down...We of course were soaked....lol...We laughed and ran and got hailed on...lol....But the bride and maid of honour were nicely dry in Ma and Pas car...Thankfully....lol...But needless to say the wedding went on and it was absolutely beautiful....The ceremony was beautiful ...The meal was absolutely delicious and the evening had lots of laughs....We are so happy for them and wish them Gods Blessing and they begin their lives together....The reception was at the Yeehaw adventure farm....It was really neat...A big ol barn and all little wood sheds...Really country....Here are some photos of the wonderful day.....

The happy couple........ Carolyn, Grant and Maid of honour Janet.......... Carolyn and her brother Albert and sister Wendy........Her immediate family, Albert and Yvonne, Grant and Carolyn, Wendy and Herman and Mom and Dad Boek..... The Pennings family (eating kabucias or however you spell yummy cakes in dutch....lol)