Bob and I biked the terrific trail around the south end of the Island...gorgeous!

This was our last night in Kauai....dinner at an amazing restaurant on the beach.

We felt very blessed to spend time enjoying this Island paradise with such great friends.
Thanks Steve and Marilyn for sharing!

Robin's Nest

We have been hosts to a robin's family for the second year in a row....I love that they thought it a good enough housing arrangement to return to it again this year.
I love God's creation.
God is good.  All the time.

Bob's Birthday

Wow....it really has been a while since I recorded some of the happenings in our life....this was back in March.  We had a relaxed celebration at Paul and Shawna's....always a good time.

Wishing my hubby a year full of God's richest blessings!

Be still your heart.....I'm finally back from my long, unintentional hiatus.  I have lots to catch you up on....so stay close.

While Bob was away in Zambia on a Missions trip (more on that later), we celebrated Mother's Day with our traditional brunch at Fort Langley Golf Club.  It was even better than usual....food was incredible, the atmosphere was relaxed, and the company delightful. 

I was spoiled with gifts....I am blessed and thank God for my dear family.

And a photo of me and my missing husband.....although I missed having him there, I knew he was having a terrific time in Zambia.

Jacob'c 5th Birthday

I can hardly believe it's been five years since this dear boy was born!  We  had a terrific time celebrating his big day.....thanks, Shawna for being such a great hostess.

Grammie loves you, Jay!to

Women's Retreat 2011

It's been YEARS since I have attended a ladies retreat....and I wasn't too sure if it would still be "my cuppa tea", but I brought along my SIL and headed out the valley to Harrison Hot Springs. 

It is a lovely spot to get away from it all.....so serene and peaceful.

Shawna did a workshop on cake decorating.....she did a stellar job!

 

Lois brought along her SIL Lyla.....the four of us had a great time together....out for a walk in the afternoon.  I love when an organizing committee plans specific down time for everyone to "just be".

Our nighttime "party-in-a-bag" to take back to our room....we laughed 'til we cried.

Jewelry confession is good for the soul....

On the bed ~ Lyla's must-haves she brought "just in case" for the weekend....In the box ~ Lois's weekend collection.

We shared communion during the Sunday morning session

 

At our PJ party we discussed the usual ladies stuff...clothes, our aging bodies...hair and make-up.  We also discussed (aka mocked and laughed 'til we cried) our vanity and that of someone else who always insisted on draping her hand across her neck to "hide" her age....thus the photo below.....us'all trying to hide our age!

Did it work?? 

Line dancing for exercise...great fun even if I'm VERY uncoordinated!

 

It ended up being a wonderful weekend spent with women I love...we topped it off with lunch and shopping on our way back home.....lovely!

I need to make a point of setting aside time to glean from and pour into other women in my life...very worthwhile!

Blessings to y'all and hope you have time to spend with a friend real soon!

Bob....

the dog whisperer.
Talk about an entourage!

The Girlies

Raced over to the Island for a quick visit before we took off for a vacation down south in January.

Look at those faces ~ no words required

Always a warm welcome from the Island chapter of the Mac Clan.

Blessed.

The Dirty Dozen

Our annual Six Pack Christmas gathering includes our dear husbands - thus the name - The Dirty Dozen

Ken and Evie hosted a fabulous dinner this year.  An evening to look forward to.....great friends, lots of laughs, a feeling of comfort and belonging.  Wonderful.

The boys - take one and then take two

The girls - take...well, maybe....five

The girls - take....I lost count....too fun!

Hmmm.....I think it's time for a six-pack dinner again real soon.

Grampy's helper - Coley

Grampy was finishing up with the Cranberry Creek stuff and Cole was a big helper.

Christmas 2011 - Let the making merry begin!

Trevor and Christy came over the weekend before Christmas.....so we began a full-on family celebration time that continued right through to the New Year. 

Grandma Rosie and GG got some cuddle time with the latest and greatest g-babies.

Oh, dear Paisley....you are sweetness itself!

Having tea at Grammies......Shawna had tea at Grandma Rosie's in that very same cup and saucer.

Jacob was not too enthusiastic about his part in the Christmas concert....a grave understatement! 

He called out to his Mommy during a quiet part...."Mom!  Do you have my present?"  He had been to Cole's concert a few days before, and knew that a present was forthcoming.....he just wanted to make sure his torture would be rewarded.

 

So great to have BOTH uncles there to see the concert.

We made our trip to downtown Spaghetti Factory and then on to the Stanley Park Train.....such fun!

What is it about boys and trains?  We picked a terrific dry evening to go downtown which is hard to do in Vancouver in December.....we felt very blessed to be able to spend such good times together as a family.

With having a business that ramps up right before Christmas, it is a joy to come home, sit under the tree and take time to reflect on the gift of Christ to us.

Crazy friends and family times....laughing, playing games, and eating, of course!

~I just simply LOVE Christmas~

The family times ~ The fellowship with friends

~The way the carols cause my heart to sing~

God's son came down from His heavenly home for me

~I am thankful~

The big 3-0

This was a milestone year for Shawna.....WOW....my girlie is 30!

So her dear friend Lisa planned a surprise brunch.....and we were all surprised when we actually succeeded in surprising her....she is so nosey and perceptive!

(click on the photo - check out her stunned look - she was really confused!)

Paul planned another dinner event in the evening with a whole different group of friends.....so needless to say she was well celebrated and loved-on this year.

Sorry, I don't really know what I was thinking, but I didn't take a single photo of the lovely group of ladies.
We had a wonderful time together....thanks Lisa, for hosting such a lovely brunch!

My lovely girlie.....she is such a delightful daughter!