Our first family visitors at our new house

Uncle Rod and Aunt Becky came to visit me on their way to Japan. It was great to spend some time with them before they left. I miss you!! Come home soon.

Ewok wanna-be...

This is the house coat that I got from mom and dad's Bible study in Korea. I'm finally big enough to wear it.

I am now "Forward Facing"

This is me in my car seat. I love being "forward facing" because I can see more. I can "vroom, vrooom" with all the cars I see and talk to the trees! I can also throw things at mom and dad if I don't want them anymore! BUT, I DO NOT like it when the sun shines on my face. It makes me quite grumpy.

Walking down the beach with Daddy

One afternoon before we moved to Langley we went to the Fraser River and walked along the path. It was Stephen's first time in sand (without shoes). He even ventured into the water (with some help) and splashed around with Daddy.

A busy month

Well, since our last post, a lot has happend. We packed up our apartment in Abbotsford and moved to a house in Langley. It feels huge and it is because our old place would fit in here at least twice! We really want to thank all those who helped us pack and unpack and settle in here.
Our first weekend here, Rod and Becky came to visit on their way to Japan. It was great to have them around and talk about life. We will miss them while they are gone but we know that God has great plans for them and we will see them again.
Since then, Jono has started school and tutoring. He is taking fewer classes than last semester but they have more work involved. He is also tutoring 4 times a week so he is quite busy. BUT, he doesn't have to spend an hour in the car everyday so that is great (especially with gas prices). Janice has started a class too. Phonetics. It is a night class so its not a great time commitment but it is a large brain commitment!!! Stephen loves to run around the house and make noise. He was working on a few teeth but seems to have taken a bit of a break. I think that may be good for all involved. Yesterday, he got his year shots and started crying as soon as he saw the nurse take the needle out of the drawer. That kid has a good memory.
My mom (Janice's mom) has been here for a week. She has been a great help and has been put to work. We have been able to can peaches and pears, make applesauce, bake, design and sew curtains, and do some shopping. Phew, all that in only a week. I stopped her from starting her Christmas baking!! Yesterday, as we were preparing the front window for its new curtains, Mom fell. I had visions of her being with us for 6 -8 weeks because of a broken hip. Thankfully, she is only bruised and sore. So, she will be going home today! I must also mention that my grandmother, Beppe, has also been here. It is amazing that she is still able to travel and spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandson!!! Praise the Lord!
When we get a cord for our camera, we will post some more pictures.

Happy Birthday Auntie Kendra

Kendra, we know you are far away but we didn't forget about your special day. Stephen wrote you a note and is wearing a special hat for you. Hope you have a wonderful day!
Its hard to believe that it was only a year ago that we moved out here and now you are gone!!!! Come back soon!

Hannah

No, she's not a boy, she's just wearing Stephen's clothes! This is Hannah. She loved to just sit in the hole and dig. She and Cara are moving to Nicaragua soon but that's okay since we get to move into their house.

Stephen Goes to the Beach

Here is Stephen and his friend, Cara, at Cresent Beach near Whiterock. It was a bit chilly with the wind so we didn't get to go swimming. But Stephen did get to chase seagulls! Too bad they kept flying away.

Aha!

So, after Stephen tried a bit of cake, he realized that it was actually better to see how much cake he could wear. It's a good thing we had the party outside.

Birthday Boy

Stephen is not sure what to do with his cake. He doesn't get cake ever so he wasn't sure whether or not it was going to be any good.

The sunset from the ferry.

Me sitting in the tree just like Daddy and Uncle Matt.

Daddy & Uncle Matt playing in a tree.

Uncle Matt & Aunt Steph at the Aquarium

Looking at ducks with Uncle Matt in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria.

Uncle Dave, Stephen and Janice waiting for family pictures to start.

Rocks are fun to throw and eat!

This is my throne from where I rule Opa and Oma's house.

See Opa, I'm just like Winti!

The Bride and Groom (Becky and Rod)

The Wedding

Yes, we know it has taken us over a month to get some pictures up. So, here they are.

The Father-of-the-Bride and the Bride

Stephen's Birthday!!!!

So, a year has passed. Where did it go? Auntie Karen gave Stephen a cake with "Happy Birthday" spelled out in candles. He wasn't sure what was going on but he enjoyed eating the cake.

A Busy July

Its been a busy time since we've come back from Ontario. Jono started TAing and Janice started taking that same course. Stephen has even been sitting in on some of the classes. I think he is the youngest student at CanIL ever!! The professor even wrote one of his "answers" on the board.
Many of you have received our first "unofficial" newsletter by now. The newsletter took a while to create, edit, and send out, but alas, there are still mistakes in it. If you did not receive a copy and would like one, just let us know.
We seem to be getting closer to membership! Praise the Lord! Once that happens, we will send out "official" newsletters and be able to raise financial and prayer support full force.
We found out last night that Janice's brother Matt and his girlfriend, Steph, are coming out in August for a week. It will be great to spend some time with them and maybe they'll help pack a few boxes!
Yikes, I almost forgot. Stephen is WALKING!!!!! He hasn't quite figured out how to stand up by himself but he gets around even quicker now. Life will never be the same. :)

Hi Mom!

This is for our moms! Thanks for all you did for us while we were in Ontario. Its great to have a place to crash when we are there. Sorry Mom, (Beppe) that Stephen threw up on you. He only does it to people he loves! Mom (Oma), we hope that you and dad are recuperating from the wedding and aren't too bored with all your kids gone again.

Like Son

Like Father....

Mommy and Me!

I am trying to dodge Aunt Kendra and her camera. Why does she take so many pictures of me? Oh yeah, its because I am so cute.
Did you know that I can walk all by myself? BUT, I am too shy to do it in front of others. Only Mom and Dad get to see me do it!

Home again!

This is me and Aunt Kendra. She stopped by to see me after we got back from Ontario. I just had a bath and my hair went curly! NO Mom!! Don't cut it!

Stephen had his first big fall on Friday. He got a huge bump on his forehead. You can see the bruise pretty well in this picture. Fortunately the swelling has gone down, but I wonder if people think we're bad parents. 

Here I am eating rice and carrots in the living room. Boy did I make a mess. 

Happy 28th Birthday Jono

Jono got a webcam for his birthday...he has been busy trying it out. Hopefully we can use it to post more pictures on a regular basis. He won't have a lot of time as he is working construction all day and tutors in the evenings. Someone's gotta bring home the bacon. We have the countdown on til June 15 and we go back to Ontario for 12 days. Less than a month Bec. We also want to send out our prayers for little Evan and his parents. May God give all of you strength and His peace during this time.

This is my Uncle Matt. He came out here to come and visit me. One day maybe mom will let me go for a ride on his motorbike. 

Asher and Zachary come to my house to play almost everyday. We like to play in forts. 

Not my fault mom. I didn't do it. 

This is my Auntie Kendra. I try to see her every Thursday and I even get to sleep in her bed. We both are cool because we have red hair. 

This is my new friend Jabin. His mom [Sarah] and my mom went to high school together. 

Phew...I made it. I can get around pretty fast these days. Now I just need to figure out how to run. 

I'm coming Daddy... 

These are all my stuffed animals that I sleep with every night. 

Here I am, drinking from Mommy's cup. 

Here I am, eating away again. 

We're back....

Well, we're finally back online. After a two month break, thanks to Vincent, we are able to access the internet again. Hopefully it will last this time. In Jono's words, "Never buy a cheap computer." They are just too frustrating. And the computer store was basically no help. Oh well. The numbers on the keyboard still don't work either.
Jono has finished his first year at CanIL and will start work on Tuesday. He is enjoying the break from classes and looks forward to doing some "real" work. He will be TAing for July and August and looks forward to the new challenges that will bring.
Janice is still babysitting. She has also started to tutor a Korean student here in Abbotsford. It has been refreshing to read a book that doesn't relate to Thomas the Tank Engine or Little Monster. The beautiful spring weather has allowed her to go for more walks with the boys and she can let them play outside.
Stephen is still growing and amazing us everyday. This morning he learned that he could walk behind his "car" and get around that way. He has four teeth and loves to grind them to hear the sound that it makes. He has overcome his fear of grass and never stays in one place very long.
We all look forward to heading back to Ontario in June for Rod and Becky's wedding. It will be good to see family and friends again and spend some quality time with them.
We have submitted our initial application to Wycliffe Bible Translators and look forward to hearing back from them. Be forewarned that we will keep you involved as that progresses.
We have also decided to make the move into Langley in the fall. We have been very blessed by Brad and Judy and their boys but feel that we will be able to be more involved in "school life" if we move. We are excited that we will be able to live in an upstairs apartment. [We're thankful that God is calling Nathan and Kim to Nicaragua for a couple years.] Stephen will be able to look out the window without being held. The one catch is that in order to finance the move we will need to have a couple of homestay students in our third bedroom. We're hoping that with our contacts we will be able to find two great students who won't mind sharing a room. We will see what God has in store for us. We know it's going to be exciting.