Home At Last!

On Wednesday, Greg & Becky brought Isaiah home - what joy! We had a celebration at their house (don't worry, we brought the food) & everyone got a chance to share the love.

Isaiah got his very first bath ever from his Daddy - lots of stickiness from all the tape in the hospital. It was sort of a love-hate bath; sometimes he complained, then it was like "oh, this is kinda nice"

Kinda glad to be back in my cozy warm sleeper again

Oooh Grandpa...you are so good-lookin'. A mutual admiration society - feel the love!!

Introducing Isaiah Cameron Falk!

We've waited a week to post this blog - for numerous reasons - but we are SO happy to tell the world that we have a beautiful new grandson. These four pictures, in a small way, document his first week of life which has been quite an experience.

Isaiah was born last saturday morning - looking the picture of health. It was soon apparent, however, that this was not the case...

...by saturday evening he had been taken by ambulance to Childrens' Hospital & was in surgery. For details, please link to Greg & Becky's blog.

Wednesday, it was a delight to see him without the ventilator tube in his mouth...such a little fighter!!

And today, the absolute joy of holding him for the first time & seeing him eat. We are grateful beyond words to God for His gracious healing hand & for the prayers, love & concern of our dear family & friends.

We now have five grandchildren!! The first four were born without any thought of medical problems or health issues - we just kind of took for granted that they would be healthy & were naturally grateful that they were. This past week we have experienced a different look at a newborn - the absolute complexity of the human body - how intricate a tiny baby is - & we marvel at a God who designed us & is never surprised by how we turn out. What we perceive to be a fault is still His design & He has a purpose for everything He does.

We stand in awe of our own tiny miracle - and know that God has great things in store for Isaiah. Please praise God with us & continue to uphold Isaiah in your prayers as you are reminded of him.

(Old) McDondalds

Who knew Friday night could be this much fun...just hanging around...

...being a monkey in a cage...

...taking a little nap...

...or spying on Grandma!

Project Done

Today I finished the refinishing of the chest of drawers and as promised here is a picture. I know it dosn't look a whole lot different but I didn't want to change the look, just take off the old finish and put a new finish coat on it.

WHAT ??? March 1!!!

So this is what we woke up to this morning. So instead of going out to do yard work at our customers places I had a "snow day". And we are suposed to get a little more snow tonite. Gord I know it is nothing like your ice pictures from Toronto but for us this is most unusual. This is the week we typically start mowing, aerating and power raking, I guess it will be postponed for a few days.

Old Table

We've had this old table/desk around our place for the last 25+ years and it was old when we got it. It was an ugly red color and the top was warped and split.( I should have taken a "before" picture") So I finally decided it was time to "tackle" it. I took it all apart, stripped all the old finishes off, planed the boards true, glued the top back together and then spent a lot time sanding and refinishing. I think it turned out quite nice, so now it is in our computer room as a spare desk.

This is my next project. I actually thot to take a "before" picture of this old chest of drawers which we picked up at a garage sale a few years ago. It reminded me of the furniture we had at home when I was growing up. I will let you know what it turns out like.

Tracks

The real reason for this blog is just to make sure it works as I switched to the "new" blog. After my appointment at the cancer clinic last week Vange and I went to the Boat House in White Rock for a nice relaxing lunch sitting at a window seat looking at the ocean. We then spent some time on the walkway along the tracks. A very pleasant afternoon after a not so pleasant morning.

IT'S SUNNY OUT!!!

After grocery shopping this morning...it was just too nice out to go inside, so we made some fun in the sun in our front yard (the back was in shade)
...pretty sure it'll hold us all...
...."me too?"
...the boys are more persistent than the girls...read on to see if they made it up. 

Fitness is Fun!

Olivia likes to run everyone through their paces periodically...gotta keep in shape! Here the kids are doing some pushups, bicycles, crunches & wall scaling. 

Precious!

Malcolm had a chance to crawl around outside today...he discovered a twig!!
Sabrina was mixing drinks for us, because we got quite thirsty in the hot sun!
Olivia, as she likes to do, was showing us some of her dance moves...very artisitic!
Noah... just before he climbed the light standard; impressive! 

New Years Day (Portzelky Day)

This morning, I dragged myself out of bed to mix up some sweet raisin fritter batter (otherwise known as portzelky or new years cookies or oly bolen or any number of other names). We had "seen in" the new year with my (Vange) brothers & sisters, consequently I was greatly tired, but rise to the occasion I did! Rick assisted me, and by 9:30 AM I was back in bed while the batter rose. (I'll spare you THAT picture). Back up @ 10:30 to start the deep frying......
...actually, Rick did the frying & I did the dough-drops into the oil. This is the pot with various stages of doneness....
...and this is the finished product! They may not look like much, but are they ever tasty dipped in suger! Not to brag, but definitely my best ever! It was a good start to the new year. Now, sadly, it's almost time to take down all the Christmas decor and start looking forward to next Christmas :) HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! MAY WE ALL EXPERIENCE GOD'S GRACE & PEACE IN THE COMING MONTHS!! 

Enjoying the fruits (and grease) of our labor. As you can see, everyone chowed down ALOT!! 

Falk Family

Dec 29th found us at Rick's parents' place for the extended Falk family gathering...I can honestly say, I did NOT get tired of turkey. It's always good (especially when Mom adds her yummy cabbage rolls to the menu) 

Finally, Family Christmas!

We had to wait until Dec 28th this year to have our own little family christmas celebration, but it was well worth the wait. We are SO blessed with our children & grandchildren!! 

Boxing Day

Dec 26th we spent @ Ron & Viv's with the Boschman family (at least most of it) Good times! 

Christmas morning

Santa did not disappoint! We missed Greg, Becky & Noah who were in Summerland :(
But Dobby's mom, Doris, who lives in Birch Hills, Sask., spent Christmas with them (&us) :)