I tried to put more pictures on, but this time it is taking tooooo long, so I will have to add some more in the morning. Sorry about that! See you all in the morning!

Opa and Oma with the Aussie grandkids. Not bad eh!

Henri and Dwayne - cute aren't they!

Mary and Eric and their crew - lovely bunch, aren't they!

A pelican looking for some grub! Angelina wasn't a bit afraid. (see if you can spot the transvestite!)

Having a picnic by the ocean in Mandurah!

Lots of Aussie Water

Swimming in the ocean - off of a deep sea fishing boat - the fish weren't biting, so might as well go for a dip. The men all went fishing for a day and had a great time!

Launching the boat in the ocean!

Picking the boat up - great fun!

Visiting Ben and Marja for the afternoon!!!!

Taking a dip in the pool at the house Ben and Marja are staying at!

Christmas Day in Aussie!

Here Johnny was the Christmas clown - entertaining the kids and handing out lollies!

Some of the beach crowd!

Pap entertaining!!!!!!!

Ezra on an excursion!

Another picture of part of the crowd!!! Was heaps of fun - but sure different than the cozy white Christmas in Canada. Here we had a barbeque and a wonderful swim in the Ocean!!

At Henri & Dwayne's

On Monday - we travelled to Henri & Dwayne's in Albany for a few days, to check out their new place. Nice home - nice and roomy and much nicer then their last house. Was much cooler weather there, cloudy and it rained a bit. Much more lush, since they get more rain. Anyway, here is Henri with little Tess!

If you're small, you need lots of hugs and kisses.

Some of the rearranged livingroom - will have to take a picture of the finished result, we had lots of fun that day, the kitchen and livingroom were all upside down and at one point you think, are we getting somewhere or what. But it turned out good, don't you think?

Pap playing with Angelina (Thomas the train) in the playroom.

More of the wedding

Here Freek is with the bride and his two buddies - they were placed together at the supper table and were called the triplets. Can you see the resemblance?

Here they are - the three stooges - so neat that they just continue where they left off about 38 years ago!

The barbequers at the wedding - we were served steak, lamb chops and boerewors - it was delicious guys!

We had someone quickly take a picture of us after the wedding - only Vincy is peeking from behind Eric's back.

The happy couple - he was all dressed in his Marine regala - they were a stunning couple.

Some Updates from Australia

We went to a wedding and Skye and Kelita wanted to have a picture taken with Lalie Kampman who was a bridesmaid. Aren't they stunning?

Two old buddies - still catching up. They are having such a great time together.

Eric's new work truck - brilliant looking!!!!

Just like old times - hard at work in the 40 degree sun!!!!!!!!!!

The old ones at work and the young one resting - does that make sense?

In Australia!!!!

Kelita on the concert!

Skye singing her heart out!

The whole group - except the little ones, who are sitting down - notice the uniforms - looks wonderful, doesn't it!

Three little pigs in the tub - Angelina, Tess and Ezra!

Some pictures from Home Yet!

This was the family picture of Gerry and Karen from my camers - not bad eh! Gerrit Jan took this one!

This was the SinterKlaas evening at Ange and Wally's. It was sooooo much fun!

Sunset at the end of our driveway!

Our place w/beginnings of the addition!

In Australia

Hello everyone - sorry that I have no pictures to add, but hopefully, I'll be able to add some soon. We arrived in Perth Australia after a long, long trip from Edmonton-Vancouver-HongKong-Perth on Friday, December 10th and were very very warmly greeted by our daughters Mary and Henrietta and two grandsons, Vince and Niklaas. We were very thankful to our Heavenly Father for granting us travelling mercies! And it was very very exciting to see the children and grandchildren again.
We have now settled in quite nicely - and today moved to James and Leanne's place, as we had been staying at Mary and Erics till now. This morning Henrietta and her two girlies and Betty and Dawna left for Albany for a week so we moved into Moeskers' place to take care of the animals and whatever else there is to take care of here. We could also use their car, and we are also thankful for that! Next week Monday, Betty and Dawna will return here to Perth and Pap and I will head down to Albany for a few days, to return before Christmas - when we will all be together for the holidays. Pap hopes to take his motorbike back then, so we can bomb around on it as well (a little cheaper on fuel).
Eric and Mary are still in the midst of renovations (or addition) - the end is in sight. Very exciting for them. Tile is in, painting is near completion and carpet is going in tomorrow. They are adding a master bedroom with ensuite and closets and an office with desk and large closet. So there will be much to reorganize and redecorate. Right up my ally too - although I have to remember that it is not my place.
Anyway - just wanted to keep you all up to date and to let you know that we are having a wonderful time here and enjoying every minute.
So till next time!

Ebony-Anne Breukelman

With all thanks to our Heavenly Father, who provides All gifts - we would like to announce the birth of our 23rd grandchild, Ebony Anne Breukelman, who weighed in at 7 lbs. 7 oz., daughter of Gerry and Karen Breukelman and sister for Iris, Jayda and Fredrik.
"Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known amoung the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him, tell of all His wonderful acts."........Ps. 105: 1 + 2.

The Beginning of the Long Awaited Addition

We have finally started on our addition - Richard and his crew and David and Gerry and Pap, so it shouldn't take very long to get it up. I can hardly believe it - I thought it wouldn't happen for a long time. But........once again, what do I know. The weather is still pretty warm, considering it is already Remembrance Day - the nights are very frosty, but the sun is still warm, so it warms up during the day. Above, Caden is helping with his part of the addition!

This is the wall facing north, where the fireplace is going and the chimney on the outside.

This is the west wall - with the bay window.

Here is the south wall, which will have a large window and french doors.

This is the famous west wall that has been a thorn in my side for 25 years b/c nothing was ever done to it. So to keep the original memory - I requested that they take the porch roof off very carefully and Pap will make an arbor out of it for me by the garden. That way we still keep a piece of the original house!

Back Home Again

So..........back home again and into the swing of things. Just wanted to post one picture of the boys on dress-up day - aren't they th cutest! Of course, I post the picture where Ethan has his eyes closed, how handy, but you get the idea anyway! Yes it was a busy three weeks in Coaldale, but it gave me a whole new perception of what raising a family is all about - but it's different as an Oma........disciplining and all! We were blessed with7 children of our own, but it sure is weird how quickly you forget how much work it is. But it was fun all the same......at least for me, not sure about the boys though! Being back home with my loving hubby is wonderful too, along with Betty! They are still busy with work, the weather has been fantastic for them, considering it is already November. But soon it will be getting colder, and things will be slowing down. And then.............we're off to Australia, so see the children and grandchildren there D.V. And for three months at that - youwho!!!!!!!!!!!! We have indeed been blessed!

Coaldale Cartoons

Sorry about not having any pictures, but it seems when there is a picture to be taken, I don`t have my camera with me!! Typical - oh well, I`m not much of a photographer anyway.
Being here in Coaldale is sure different - seems so far away from home and I miss Pap sooooooo much. Other than that - all is well on the home front, Tracy. Just thought I`d tell you some of the things that we`ve done:

Had a picnic outside, the weather was so beautiful, only there were a few bees pestering us, and kind-of freaking the boys out, but it was fun all the same.
Attend Women`s Society with the boys - and enjoy that very much!
I`m sure the boys will be looking forward to mom`s cooking again, because Oma cooks different than mom - it doesn`t taste the same. But to compensate, we get an icecream dessert every night - sometimes milkshakes, sometimes banana splits, sometimes just plain old icecream.
The boys enjoy watching Pluto or Mickey Mouse video clips on u-tube, keeps them calm just before supper.
We do their home shared readers every day and sing the song they have to learn and Ethan does his spelling and studying other homework. (Can`t believe what they have to study already in Grade one)
Go for walks and play in the park.
Watch a movie on Friday night while Oma makes us popcorn - what a hoot! and we get to go to bed late.
Anyway, just wanted to keep you all up to date with what I`m doing - the kids are sure looking forward to mom coming home - I told them only 7 more days!! THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!!!!

Ethan - The NHL Hockey Star

Doesn`t he look fantastic - he was a bit disappointed at first, because there were kids smaller than him that could skate better than him - but I assured him that this was his first time on skates this year and that with practice, he would get just as good. So he went back on the ice, determined to do better!!!!!

Skating Party in Lethbridge

Look mom, I can do it! Does that sound familiar Tracy?

Yah, right - this was supposed to be a picture of Ethan - and this little stinker shows up again - wouldn`t you know it!

Back in Coaldale - Saturday Skating

Oops!!!!

Seth on skates - what an unbelievable little boy - he was certainly determined. Paul took the boys to Lethbridge this morning and bought an new hockey bag for Noah and a skating helmet for Seth.

Noah proudly balancing on his skates while posing for the camera!

Seth in action - such determination!!!!