Christmas and New Years!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Our Christmas plans this year...  tonight we have 3 Christmas eve services at Centennial Road (4pm.,6pm.,and 8pm)  If the weather is clear this evening we will travel to Shawville.  If the weather isn't clear then we are going to spend some time with the Hopkins family and then leaving early Christmas morning for Shawville.

We are in Shawville til Monday.  Aaron is preaching on Sunday at his parents church.  We are in NY monday evening til January 2nd.

Update!

Well Clay, Jess, and baby Hugh Himmelberger came to visit me with my sister Heidi.  I had no idea that they were coming.  It was a total surprise.  Unfortenately I only have one photo to prove that they were hear.  Well actually maybe two or three.  The boys made us breakfast which has been a friend tradition for the last three years. (Heid and I celebrate our birthdays on December 9th and Jess's is on the 10th)  The boys like to collaborate.  It was awesome.  I loved having them here.

We are toasting to our birthdays! (Eggnog & OJ)

Very nice!!!  It tasted very good too.

Baby Hugh on his playmat, I was trying to get his adorable smiles...

This past week we've been looking at some houses but haven't found anything yet.  We have 2 on this Friday that we are going to see.  Maybe something will come out of these. 

Yesterday the Olympic torch for Vancouver 2010 came through Brockville, ON.  It was such an event.  We got some items to help cheer when the runners came in and we got some pretty neat cokes. 

Here are some photos from the Olympic Torch:

The Vancouver 2010 Bus.  It transports the runners from stop to stop. (When they are not running it of course)

Aaron and I waiting for the torch.

The crowd starting to gather!

The coke Zambonie...they passed out pennents and coke bottles.

Aaron got me a bottle and then I went over after the mob died down a bit.

Coke truck doing the coke cheer...GO Canada GO!!

If you look hard enough you can see the flame.  I was trying to get a photo as they passed but they were running and it proved to be a bit difficult.

This is me with Alissa Simpson.  She was the torchbearer through Brockville, ON.

It was a really neat experience.  I bet I was the only American there!!! ha.  I think I fit in just fine.  I even know the Athem and sang right along..even in french!!

Christmas Lane information will come later...I am hoping to get some photos up first.

Stay tuned...

Birthday!

WoW! 

The day has already started well.  Aaron woke me up with some kisses and sang me happy birthday.  Then he told me it was snowing lots!   I love snow and really wanted some on my birthday.  I hear they are calling for 10-15 centimeters!!  (6-9 inches)

I will report back later on how the rest of my day went...

So here is the report from the rest of my day...

Aaron planned a nice "family" dinner with a fellow pastor and his wife.  It was very nice.  I really enjoyed the family atmosphere because that is what I am used to.  I realized that yesterday Heidi and I celebrated our first birthday alone...we've been together for every birthday for the last 25 years!!!

After dinner we went over to Mark and Colleen Earle's house where I was surprised with some more friends and we ate some banana splits.  After that Aaron took me to go see The blind side.  We were the only ones in the theater.  It was an awesome movie!!

To say the least I had a very good evening.

Thank you Aaron!

A trip down memory lane...

1st photo together!  Sept. 04.06

The new dunkin donuts on Reynolds rd. We woke up early.  I think we got something for FREE!

We made our very first pumpkin pies together!

Oh! Crazy Davis Days!!

Destroying a building at Davis!  If I remember correctly that was pretty fun.

Oh how I loved these boys!  I really miss them now!

Ah, friends.  God is so good!

Tie sunday at Calvary Community Church

Apple picking is still one of my favorite fall activites

Betsie's graduation...2006

Santa Parade, Brockville, Ontario

Today was the local holiday parade.  Our church entered a float into the parade.  The theme was "Christmas Lane".  Christmas lane is a big outdoor production that the church puts on each year before Christmas that walks you through the Christmas Story.

Here as some photos from our Float...

A new passion?

Do you like to hike?  I never have really thought about that question.  To be honest I don't think it has ever come up in conversation.   To answer the question though, I do.  I am finding that it is a good time to be with Aaron and talk about the day, the next and our future.  During the last couple of days I have been searching the internet to find places to hike.  For free that is!!  Friends of ours from CRC told us about a wildlife area that has some walking and hiking trails.  Below are some photos from Mac Johnson Wildlife Area.  If you know of any good places to hike, please pass it on.

Since Nov. 3rd

Once again I have failed at keeping this blog updated.  So here is what we have been up to.
The weekend of Nov.6,7 &8 My parents came up to visit.  We had a wonderful visit.  While they were here we looked at a few houses.  The first was really small and it seemed like and expensive apartment rather than a house.  We even got Aaron's parents to come down and look at the house with us.  We have not done anything as far as an offer goes, but we might.  Who knows, we are very content where we are so there is no rush. 

On Tuesday Nov. 10th  I started a Beth Moore bible study called Living beyond yourself.  A study in the fruit of the spirit.  I am looking forward to this study the most because I've never been a part of just a ladies bible study.  We've got a group of nine women.  Some pastor's wives, staff wives from the church and new friends from church.  I do believe that God is going to allow major growth in my life and the other ladies as well.

On Wednesday Nov. 11th I attended "Ladies Night Out".  This is an event that Centennial Road has been putting on for years.  It is an event to allow women to just have the evening free and to be with other ladies and enjoy singing and a wonderful message.  This year the singer was Nancy DeMerchant (which happens to be Aaron's 1st cousin).  She has a wonderful voice and truly sings for the Lord.  The speaker was a lady from Alberta, Canada named Connie Cavenaugh.  She was really funny and I did enjoy her.

Throught out the whole week we've been working on the finalizing of my immigration.  It feels so good to have some of this stuff done!  I can not imagine when it is all finished.

Yesterday we went to Paul's in Ottawa.  It was his birthday so Aaron and I planned a birthday party for him.  He had some of his friends come over and we played Cranium WOW and last word.  We had a bunch of fun.

So here we are...Saturday Nov. 14th.  Aaron is currently working at a work bee and I'm going to clean around the house...

Aaron is preaching tomorrow!!!

God Bless...

A True Blessing!

God is good, all the time.   I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends.  Even though we are far away God is still good. 

Thank you Jess and Clay for giving Aaron and I the opportunity of being Hugh Henry's Godparents.  What an amazing chance to pour into a young life and to see Hugh grow and encourage him to be more Christ like. 

We love you guys!

Trunk or Treat...

Our Church(Centennial Road Church) had its first ever Trunk or Treat this past weekend. The turn out was good for both trunks and treaters. 

Aaron and I decorated our trunk in Pittsburgh Steeler items...

We went skating...

learning to skate backwards...

Aaron skating off the rink...

Our friends Cory & Julia...

(Julia is in the white jacket, Cory is on the right side of Julia all in black)

Recently I've been taking photos of our dinners...maybe its because I think they are pretty or that the presentation looks good...

 take a look for yourselves...

preparations for a beef stir fry

Red, yellow, green peppers and onions sauted and placed over a nicely grilled pork chop.  Oven roasted potatoes, a side of broccoli, and creamed corn.  We made a nice orange and spritz up punch.

Aarons favorite season is the fall...we have some beautiful trees just outside our apartment.

can you see our little black friend?

We had a little run in with some Brockville locals...

Last night we got to met our very first Golden doodle...

That is all for now...til next time.

"Open Apartment"

Aaron and I decided that we'd try and meet some of our neighbours in our apartment building.  We made an invitation and hand delivered them to our neighbours.  We had some punch and snacks to enjoy will getting to know our new friends.

We had a large vegetable tray to feast on, some chips and salsa (our favorite snack) and some brownie bites with reese's peanut butter cup crumbled on top.  Our neighbour across the hall James brought over a plate to join in on the snacks.  It was very thoughtful. 

Now, here is a photo of a wishbone from our Thanksgiving turkey.  What does it mean when this happens?

Its been a while...

Although its been less than a week since our last blog it feels a bit longer.  This is what Aaron and I have been up to since the last blog.

October 15- (Thursday) Normal day around Brockville.  I did some volunteering at the church that involved some more raking and some reorganizing of chairs in the Sanctuary.  Aaron went to a Sens game with a guy from our church.

October 16-(Friday) Was pretty uneventful, I cleaned the apartment, worked at the church for a bit, then stayed in for the evening with Aaron.

October 17-(Saturday)  What a crazy day!  Aaron had a Men's Breakfast at 730 am then Christmas Lane work bee at 830am.  I had a pampered chef party at 945am, then we left around 10:45am to get to Bristol, Quebec for Uncle Hugh and Aunt Norma's 50th Wedding Anniversary which started at 1:30pm.  We both enjoyed seeing cousins, family and friends.  We left the party around 4:15 to head back toward Ottawa to go to Paul's Concert.  Paul (Aaron's brother) sings in a Mens quartet called The Bridge Builders.  He did a wonderful job. His group opened for the Easter's.  It was a good concert.  We left Ottawa around 10.  Stopped for a snack and got home around 12am. 

October 18- (Sunday) Church was really good.  Pastor Eric started a campaign on Stewardship called "Giving and Growing in Faith".  There was also a baby dedication which was very nice.  After church Aaron, myself ,Pastor Mike and his wife Kate went to Jannies House for lunch (She is a lady that attends our church).  It was a great time of good food and fellowship.  In the evening Aaron and I went to Sunday Night Remix.  Which is a time for adults to get together and have some fun and eat great food.  This week we did some trivia games.  (there was an object given and we had to guess the name of the painting that clue went along with.

October 19- (Monday) I volunteer at Vanier and was able to get really involved with the kids.  Its really awesome to see how much kids can grow to like someone that they've only known for a few weeks.  The kids are calling out my name for help and to show me something.  ( I like that!)  I helped Ms. Campbell with Math skills evaluations.  That involved me sitting down one on one with the kids and asking them to do certain tasks involving numbers and counting.  We had a fire drill that day as well.  So far I've been able to experience a bus evacuation and a fire drill.  I wonder what is next.
Monday evenings are busy for Aaron and I as well.  We teach Crown Financial and we just have a superb group.  We went a little bit late last night due to great conversation and having to do two weeks in one. (because of Thanksgiving).

Today!  Right now I am at the church volunteering.  I answer phones from noon til 3pm.  Once I am done here I help Pastor Mike get things ready for Kidstuf.  Its pretty fun, I get to make sample crafts and organize the activities.  Aaron is currently out on a Pastoral visit.  Later this evening I go to Cathy Hopkins (Pastor Randy's wife) house for So You Think You Can Dance Canada.  We have a good time! 

Leaves, Leaves, and more Leaves...

Today I raked leaves at the church...

My friend Kate brought me coffee...

All done!!

I had a total of 8 bags!  Big Bags!!!