7

7 years ago today Spencer and I got married. 

Last night we went out to dinner and to Les Miserables to celebrate. We ate at Maria's in Kitsilano - the same restaurant that we had our first date. During our dinner Spencer said he thought our server was the same lady who served us on our first date -11 years ago. I was doubtful that this would be the same lady after 11 years. After talking with her, we discovered that she indeed was the same lady that served us on our first date!

I am incredibly grateful and humbled that God blessed me with Spencer as my husband. It is also always amazing when we hit a milestone and talk about what our lives looked like "then and now." God is good.

Kelowna

We spent a week in Kelowna with my family. We all had a great time swimming in the pool, visiting the Kangaroo Farm, playing Uno, and enjoying one another's company.

Lydia made her debut in Grandpa Clark's pool. She seemed to love the water. We had so much fun spending a week with our sweet niece.

Juliette was fearless in the pool. One time she actually forgot she wasn't wearing her lifejacket and jumped right in. Thankfully she was surrounded by adults and this was a good way for her to learn not to do that again!!

And Ella made huge progress in her swimming skills. She is now able to swim quite a distance without a lifejacket!

Juliette loved playing peek-a-boo with her little cousin.

Last year one of our memories from the Kangaroo farm was a goat eating Karis' tutu. We talked about it on our way into the farm. And this year, it happened again! The picture above is a goat eating Karis' favorite dress (it has several holes in it now) and below is a different goat eating Karis' tutu last year. Maybe next year she won't wear a dress or tutu to the kangaroo farm... but knowing Karis, that is very unlikely!

An intense game of Uno!

We had a nice visit with Ms. Eileen and Mr. Vic. It was also awesome to visit with my friend Megan, but somehow I didn't get any pictures with her.

A couple of nerds.

Around Home...

We have enjoyed some time around home before taking off to Kelowna.

The other morning the girls came out with bunny ears and name tags "Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail." And they posed for this picture with their little Peter rabbit.

Peter enjoys crawling after the baby bunnies in our yard.

We have also had a raccoon friend in our yard early in the mornings.

And while we were away camping, one of the llamas down the road had a baby!!! The girls are so excited. They have congratulated the mother several times. "Awww, congratulations, we are so proud of you, your baby is sooo cute!" And this means that we need to leave 5 minutes earlier than usual to go places in order to leave ample time to check out the llama and her cria.

The last couple of days of kid's camp Peter got sick. So I stayed home with the littles while Dadda took the big girls to camp. Peter took long morning naps which meant that Karis and I got lots of 1 on 1 time. I cherish these moments. She kept saying "just Karis and Momma, and no other persons."

We enjoyed playing in the pool and doing lots of sidewalk chalk. 

Last weekend the big girls went to Diya's gymnastics birthday party. They had a great time! Happy 6th birthday, Diya!

Daddy-daughter date at "Mon Ami". 

Pete's Moves

Pete is starting to bust out some pretty awesome dance moves. He especially likes this song called "Servant of All" by Seeds Family Worship. Every time it comes on he can't help but dance. The girls now call it "Pete's song". 

Wild Life

Last week our family took part in the kid's camp at our church. Ella and Juliette were camp participants, Peter and Karis were in the camp childcare, Spencer was a small group leader, and I worked at the games station.

Our girls LOVED camp. They came home excited everyday, sharing Biblical truths, favorite worship songs, and their excitement over how many unchurched kids participated in the camp.

Spencer was Ella and Juliette's small group leader. He did an amazing job. Here they are all ready to go for Hawaiian day. Don't miss the pineapple on Spencer's head :)

Ella was stoked to be chosen as a volunteer in the "eat a donut off a string" contest. She and Juju had been raising their hands all week in hopes to get on stage, and on the last day Ella got picked. Ella was thrilled, and Juju needed some consoling. 

Slip n Slide :)

Canoe Races

At the end of camp the girls took the initiative to put all their crafts on display on their bulletin boards.

Since camp Ella has been singing the song "Brave". It is about how God's love makes us brave. Juliette continues to say "Jesus is with us everywhere." And Karis has been asking people: "do you know who is the best person that ever lived? .... Jesus!!"

It was a great camp.