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.