Christmas Supper 2008

Oma with Tristen - we were both so full from supper - we had to let it all sink for a while.
We had a wonderful time together. We have such an abundance to be thankful to our Heavenly Father for - especially that He sent His Son on this earth to be born and to die for our sins - what an awesome gift - Let us show thankfulness everyday for such a miracle!

Singing after supper - songs the children could sing along with.

Still singing - was quite a chorus!!

Loading up the plates at the island- we had a buffet style supper - the tables were so long, it would take all night to pass all the bowls.

Getting organized - before prayer.

More Christmas 2008

Brandi didn't want her picture taken, but pap did it anyway! Notice how I said Pap - he is the one who took most of the pictures - things are looking up! He even checked the e-mail yesterday by himself - with a little encouragement of course, but he did it anyway. Good on you Freek!

Little Freddie - enjoying all the activity!

Angie posing with little Hope. Hope never made a sound all night - she just watched everybody and took it all in!! Little Sweetie!

Not sure if pap wanted to take a picture of all the wine or what - but we ended up on the picture too!

Not sure who was more sleepy, Betty or Freddie - they were both relaxing in any case - despite all the noise around them.

Christmas in the Log House

Wally relaxing with little Hope

Angie, Brandi and Freek have a cupa and wine on the couch before supper!

Aunt Frieda taking in all the activity with the children.

Tristen helping Aunt Karen make punch - he is such a juice finatic!!

Freek, Betty-Anne and I would like to wish all who view this blog a Wonderful Holiday Season and a Blessed 2009. Some of our children and family and friends like in Australia, Holland and
South Africa as well as in Canada - we wish you all God's strength in the coming year. We have been so blessed in 2008 - we have 18 healthy grandchildren, the business has gone well, our children have received healthy children out of our Father's hand and we have been blessed with good health. We were even blest with the company of our oldest daughter from Australia recently for four weeks. We have an abundance to be thankful for. Despite the gloomy news we hear via the news, we can always trust that our Heavenly Father will take care of us- today, tomorrow and forever.

Fireplace in Perryvale

Freek, Ben and the owner of the house standing in front of the new fireplace.

The finished product - the opening above the fireplace is a bake oven for bread or baking turkey or other meat. It gets its heat from the fireplace.

Ben helped Freek on this job. It is a fireplace just like Gerry has in his house, except that Gerry's is in the middle of the house and therefore has 2 glass doors on either side and this one is against the wall. This is the first time they did a fireplace around a firebox like this one. The customer was real happy with the result.

Our new chairs finally arrived!!!

I came home from work today and noticed the old church bench was outside: I looked in the window and was so surprised to see our new chairs around the table! I bought them in August and they finally arrived - along with an extra chair, maybe that was for the long wait. I was so excited, that I thought I'd take a picture for all to see!!!!! This is the arm chair for the boss.

These are the side chairs, we have six of them. Pap thought I should order two more, so that we have ten chairs around the table. Makes the kitchen look smaller, because they take up more room then the benches, but they are much more comfortable. So come on over and try them out!

Still in Coaldale

Noah playing with his little brother Seth - he sure enjoys their company.

Noah trying to whistle - just couldn't get just quite right - and Seth is pondering why Noah is even trying.

Our son-in-law Paul and Tracy's love of her life.

In Coaldale for the Weekend

Little Seth, such a happy boy! Brown eyes and a happy smile are a great combination!

Opa taking a nap on the couch on a sleepy Sunday afternoon between church!

Mary working hard at the kitchen counter. She was so much enjoying all her sisters and brother and their families. And we were enjoying her being here just as much. Beautiful memories forever.

Tracy and Mary preparing Sunday night supper while Ethan is concentrating on putting his lego plane together.

Hunting 2008 by Mr. & Mrs. Breukelman

Not sure what happened here, but I have to learn to blog better, I did it backwards. Anyway, here the men are skinning the buck.

This one, should have turned it in "my pictures" first, but of course I didn't - so now it is on the blog like this. Not a bad buck eh!

The great hunters. I am the eyes and Freek took the shot. At 400 yards no less. Still a good shot at 55.

This is the Daddy he shot. Not a huge rack, but sure a thick one and thick tines too. Close to home and all. Was real exciting for a Saterday night. Great to go out together.

Going Out for Supper after a day of Shopping

Went to East Side Mario's for Supper in Spruce Grove before tackling Walmart. Was a great supper - we all had different pasta so we could taste everybody's. Had Ceasar Salad and Garlic loaves as well. And we all had a fresh drink because we were all parched - the air in the mall is so dry. Here Francine is sitting in the corner trying to console Janelle who was crying because she was so tired. Wasn't long before she was snoring!!!

Angie feeding hope and Mary holding baby Fredrick.

Karen sipping on her slushy margarita!! Yum, yum.

Mary giving Fredrick a great big Aussie Hug!!

Going to West Edmonton Mall for a Day w/Daughters

Betty did not want her picture taken AT ALL! She was not feeling well either - bad cold!

Angie and Francine with their babies and bags, shopping, shopping, shopping!!

Francine energetically pushing baby Janelle in the buggy. The three babies who came shopping were so good the whole day - easy as pie to take along. And when they needed feeding, it gave us a chance to get off our feet and relax with a wonderful cup of coffee.

Mary taking a break, leaning on the glass railing and watching the traffic go by - shoes off - sore feet. Karen was not interested in the store either, so she watched the babies. I held up traffic taking pictures. Not that good at taking pictures, but at least I took some.

Mary "Finally" Arrived

Giving Karen a hug

and then Betty

and then Francine while Caden cried because some stranger was hugging his mom

Jayda saying Welcome to Canada

Summer escaping to her mom because she really didn't know Aunt Mary!

We arrived at the airport on time, but had to park about a mile away. Mary arrived somewhat early, but being the smarties that we are, we, that is Angela and I, both left our cameras in the car. We were so happy that Mary arrived safely. Left the airport and had lunch together in Devon and arrived home at around 4:30. Karen and Francine had prepared a wonderful supper of Lasagne and Chicken Broccoli Rice which we all shared together. After cleaning up and having a glass of Wally's lovely homemade wine, we took Mary home so she could try to go to bed for a sleep, since she didn't sleep at all during the whole flight. We pray that she can sleep for a long time!

Betty and her team "The Stingers" volleyball tournament

I took Betty and some of her team mates to

Swan Hills for a volleyball tournament, their

first one ever. They won 4th out of 6 teams.

It sure taught them that you can't win without

"teamwork". It was good for them. We stayed

overnight, slept on the classroom floor. Was

hard on my old bones - but the girls had fun!!

Cleaning Up the Yard

Moved the gas tanks and the old granery and

took the coral out and cleaned up all the stuff

by the old fence. Things are going to look different soon!