Camping!!

Sorry it's been so long for us to update this. We had a great time camping. Darren was a little young for it, and preferred to be on bikes and cars and strollers, so we did lots of walking. Evan loved every bit of it, including the food (big surprise!). We talk every day about what his favourite part was. Sometimes it was the beach, sometimes the tent... often just riding bikes with his friend.
The tent did very well for us. We had SO much space! There was only one rain storm, and that was enough. It rained for about an hour (in the evening, so we stayed in the tent). The boys slept through the thunder, surprisingly. I think the sound of so much rain falling on the tent deadend the sound of thunder. After the storm, I went out, and most sites, inlcuding half of ours, were ankle deep in water!! Our tent was on a high point, so it was fine. But other people weren't so lucky. The roads were rivers too. People who have camped there for years say they've never seen anything like it!!

The boys slept pretty well, but were up so early every morning - usually around 5:30. They weren't great at being quiet, so we would go for walks. This is a picture of a bridge taken around 5:45. Not many people around at that hour!

Leaving the campsite...
Arriving at home...exhausted!! (and this is BIG for Evan - he rarely sleeps in vehicles!)

BIG News!!

We posted our August picture early!

Happy Birthday dear Grandma!

Just to make you laugh

Auntie Jenn & Uncle Brian's dog - Izzy.

Grandma's Takin' Us to the Zoo Tomorrow...

Well, actually she took us to the zoo last week. But we've been talking about it every day since.Evan, Reuben, Nadine & Judah eating. Or, rather, Evan eating, and his cousins are watching!
Darren & Eli are about 6 months apart, but they got along quite well, and even seemed to look a little bit alike!
Sarah & Judah

The kids loved the splash pad (especially Darren...see video below)!

Rain, rain, go away!!

We have been singing a lot of rainy day songs this week, but it's not helping!! We had a HUGE rainstorm this afternoon (I can't tell you how much - my rain guage overflowed!). Wind, rain, thunder, lightning...and since we recently had water in our basement, I was concerned. I went to check, and that corner seemed fine. I happened to hear a sound of water trickling, so I looked in the big storage closet, and saw water pouring in through/around the (closed) window. I guess the rain came down so quickly that it filled up the window well, and had nowhere to go but in. Fortunately I was there when it started, so I was able to get a lot of it in buckets. Evan looks out the window and says, "Can we play outside? It's almost done raining!" Poor Evan.

p.s. I'll post zoo pictures and stories later. Darren is now growling like a tiger cub all day! Very cute.

Summer!!

The boys love our little pool. Evan wouldn't sit in it, he preferred to stand. Every now and then, when my back was turned, he would dump a bucket of water on his brother, who didn't seem to mind.

We were at a family picnic this weekend for my mom's side of the family. I think the red haired little ones out-numbered the blonds this year!! Here are Eli and Darren.
The Brouwer/VanBreda/Renkema part of the group that was able to make it.

Auntie Jenn, Eli and Reuben.
We had a great time and wonderful weather. I think Evan is going to enjoy the beach while camping!
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I apologize that I'm 9 days late in posting the July picture. I think we distracted everyone so much with that big tent that no one noticed (or at least didn't comment about my lateness!!) :)
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Our house has been busier than usual this week. We have had two extra children, who I will be babysitting for the next three weeks...so we have a 6 year old, a 3 year old, and three 1 year olds. It can be a long day, especially since the new little 1 year old is terrified of Darren. Every time he comes within 3 feet of him, this little guy starts screaming!! Not just crying. So my day is spent trying to keep a friendly, curious Darren away from a screaming child. I try carrying one or the other, feeding them snacks at alternate times, and I've even put Darren on the other side of the gate so he can play in the hall. I'm running out of options. I hope this little boy relaxes soon! Fortunately he sleeps SOOO much (1.5 hours in the morning and 3 in the afternoon!). Evan is having a great time with the 6 year old - she never stops talking, and neither does he!
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I tried "got your nose" with Evan today, and the poor guy actually gets concerned. I forgot that kids actually take that seriously! He enjoys singing to our Kids Praise CD (thanks Steve) and loves the song "Clap de hands, stomp de feet," except for him it's "Clap de hands, stonky feet."
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Darren is moving around on the furniture and walls, so I think that walking is not too far off! He knows a few more signs (all done, drink) and is still such a goof! He makes us smile!

Happy Birthday, Opa!