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!!!

Thanksgiving weekend!

Aaron and I went Apple picking at Hall's Apple Market here in Brockville on Saturday afternoon.  We picked 11 lbs and had a lot of fun.  After we picked the apples we went to the Hall's Market and bought some apple cider. 

We came home and boy were we disappointed!  I was pouring Aaron a glass and it smelled like apple cider vinegar.  I tasted it and thought gross I've never tasted apple cider this bad!!!  I called up the store and asked if it was suppose to taste like fermented apples.  She said well because we make it from fresh apples its more tart than other apple cider.  I thought this isn't tart its is disgusting.  She says, "heat it up and add some brown sugar!"  To be honest it was that much better.

With the apples we picked I made an AWESOME apple pie.  I am hoping to make some applesauce as well.

Saturday evening Aaron and I watched our friends Kate and Mike's dog, Sherlock. 

On Sunday Aaron and I headed to Shawville for thanksgiving weekend.  The drive up was just absolutely  beautiful.

 We stopped in Ottawa to meet up with Paul.  We stopped in at Constance Bay to visit some cousins then took the ferry over to Quebec.

Paul's car on the ferry

Aaron and I had a fabulous weekend with family.

Since the Last post...

Lets see...

Monday 10-4:  I spent the morning at Vanier with Ms. Campbell and her class.  I am really enjoying volunteering at the school.  We  read the book "Stone Soup" and did some activities to go along with it.  I helped the students spell and sound out words to write in their paper soup bowls. 

In the evening Aaron and I taught our Crown Financial Small group.  This group is really interesting.  Our group consists of parents and their teenage children.  Its really awesome to see that these parents learn about finances with their teens.

Tuesday 10-5:  Aaron and I had a lunch meeting with a women who leads a small group at the Brockville county Jail.  We were both encouraged. 

Every Tuesday I volunteer at the church answering phones from 12pm to 3pm.  Then from 3pm til about 4pm I volunteer with Kidstuf.  I get together the activities that the children will be doing on sunday morning.  I do a sample craft if there is one.  I've enjoyed this as well.

Tuesday evenings are girl nights at the Hopkins house.  We watch So You Think You Can Dance Canada and eat lots of snacks.  Aaron had a boys night at our place to watch some hockey. 

Wednesday 10-5:
Today I was at Vanier from 9am to 2pm.  I had an awesome day working with the kids.  We made our "Stone Soup" .  The kids helped me peel the vegetables and peeleds the onions.  I also finished their turkey crafts.  We have been talking about Thanksgiving.  Which seems out of place for me since I am used to having Thanksgiving in November.  In the afternoon I had to do some math testing.  I would call over the kids individually and test them on some of their counting skills and recognizing numbers and there orders.

After school I walked to the Goodwill.  One day a week they have 50% off days and today happened to be that day.  I found a pair of A.E. Jeans for $5!!!  Then I walked over to the mall and walked around for a bit.  When I walked outside to walk home it was pouring rain.  So my wonderful husband came and picked me up.

Welp, Aaron just walked through the door and its time for dinner.

Our first Visitors!

Aaron and I were very glad to entertain our first guests to come visit us here in Brockville.  Mom, Dad, Heidi, and Luke arrived on Saturday.  We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at our apartment and played a game of Sequence. Unfortanetly the boys won both games...

Then Heidi, Mom, and Luke made some homemade salsa and guacamole.  It was AWESOME!!!

On Sunday I got up early to make breakfast for the family.  Aaron preached and played the drums for worship.  He did an amazing job!!!  I took the family through the Garden of Hope and faith walk.

After church we went to lunch at Sante Fe's.  Then took a walk down to the river. Here are some of my favorite photos.

Mom, Heidi and me in the First Tunnel in Canada.

Library Cards

Aaron and I took a walk to our public library yesterday to get our library cards!! 

           Aaron is excited to have the library cards so that he can get inter-loan library books.  I am excited to have it because we can loan out 2 DVD's at a time!  With all of my free time I am looking forward to watching movies and reading a lot of books.