Blessing #1: with our darling baby boy. Granted, he is fussier as of late. I blame it on his newly discovered freedom and his way of expressing frustration when that freedom is being restricted. (he just discovered there is such a thing as a toilet, with water in it for playing with...and makes a beeline for it whenever he can and isn't impressed when his plans are foiled) But still, such a little darling. 
Blessing #2: with the greatest friends we could ever hope for, far beyond what we deserve. God has blessed us so richly with the people that surround us!! We've had some sweeet visits lately, and tonight our first ever gourmetten!! only missing was Mike, on his birthday :( ...oh hey, its birthday season!! birthday greetings to Mike, Sarah, Steve & Rachel & also a message to Wilf & Sharon that we miss you & can't wait to visit with you again!! :)
thanks SO MUCH for coming guys, such a fun time...
...for us and the kiddies :) ..I'm sad its over!
Blessing #3: we are also blessed to have great ministers of the Word, and to know many personally. God bless you Curt, Jeremy, Pete, Greg, and our own dear Pastors A & B :) (and any others I am forgetting, its always risky to make lists and forget people) . Always a great time with Greg & Charity :)
Blessing #4: we used to be blessed with great neighbors. Sadly they have since moved 2 borders south and we miss them!! Thankfully we still have great other neighbors :)
Sorry Pastor Rich, I had to cut you out b/c you looked so tired. I had to decide whether to insult you by cutting you out or by posting a picture where you didn't quite look your normal handsome self. i could have left it out altogether and not insulted you at all, but i thought Ange is so stunningly beautiful she absolutely must be posted. :)
Blessing #5: a homeschooler with a great attitude!! :) Keep it up darling Ashleigh!! I will miss her when I send her to school!! (I know, thats no reason to keep her home :) )
Blessing #6: as previously mentioned, it is a blessing to know Rob (especially a blessing for Louise, but also for us)...and he is a talented hanger of doors no less :) 
Blessing #7: wonderful family on both sides (not all pictured here but loved just the same)
finally some thanksgiving pics!! what nice weather we had eh??
Blessing #8: Life.
Blessing #9: Love.
Blessing #10: Laughter.
Psalm 103 comes to mind...1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
the kids running around in these wild pajamas always remind me of thing 1 and thing 2 (...or maybe its the messes they are making while running... :) )
Kev's cousins on his mom's side, Mark Scott & Brent
credit to 
Ashleigh was very thrilled to try everything but surprisingly it was Jaden who couldn't lose the worried face and was too scared to do anything without being forced. He kept saying "where's my mommy" :) He loves fire trucks so much this was surprising, but i think he was just overwhelmed by it all.
The unorganization of this post from now on might be annoying but Blogger hasn't been cooperating with me, so here goes...annual dinner at the Mandarin with my whole family, in honour of my Mom's birthday Dec. 29. a treat just to be all together again, much less all that food. yum yum. :)
one stinky Christmas...
