Introducing.....

Our 2 new additions.

We are just back from Lesotho, Africa with our boys.

Kamohelo and Rethabile 

Everyone is doing well.  Lots of activity.

More on our trip later.

when all else is failing.....

...go fishing.

Well that's not really my advice but that is what we did last weekend.  It is always good to go for a hike and enjoy nature.  The smells of fall, the beautiful colours it brings.  Did not bring anything home for dinner.  but oh well....

thanksgiving

Here is my list of things I am thankful for.  You might be thinking that it's late but really we need to be thankful every day.  

I am thankful for:

1.  The laundry that is piled high on the table because we have clothes to wear.

2.  Feeling the sunshine on my face and being able to see how it shines through    
     the trees in the morning.

3.  That I am still wearing flip flops and its mid October.

4.  My loving husband who makes me coffee every morning and sometimes 
     even delivers it to my bed.

5.  Family- and that they always want us to be closer to them.

6.  My kids and the range of emotions they let me experience every day.

7.  That my legs work and I can get up and walk and go where I want to go.

8.  Fresh clean Water that I can drink whenever I am thirsty and that it is so
     easily accessible to me and safe to drink.

9.  Fresh air that smells so sweet.  I can't get enough of it.

10.  This room.  It's ready to go and I am so thankful for the 2 boys that will
       fill it soon.  
       

another goal accomplished

In the beginning of the summer we, as a family, made a goal together to climb Mount Finlayson.  We've tried twice already.  The first time we made it up about halfway and somebody...we won't mention any names but she's the shortest one in our family....ran out of energy.
The next time we began with a big pep talk, lots of energy and a goal in mind.  Somehow we took a wrong path and ended up going around the mountain instead of up.

Saturday was the day. The conditions were perfect.   We had just finished a HUGE breakfast - waffles with peaches and ice-cream,  bacon and eggs.  The sun was shining, the air was fresh and you could feel the anticipation of a goal about to be accomplished.  


                                                             Our fearless leader.

                                                           Check out those roots.

 

Here is our view from the top of the mountain. 

Looking out at Bear Mountain.

We did it!  The Loewen's climbed a mountain.  Our time is not important.  No it's not Mt. Everest.

Ter and I preferred going up and the girls preferred down.  

Tofino 2013

BEST WEEKEND EVER!

I don't know what any of you were doing last weekend but I don't think you had as much fun as we did.
It seems we started a tradition and the weekend after school starts is when we head to Tofino to do some camping. Every year it gets better.  The first year we were NOT prepared for the cold nights but now we come equipped.  Layers of warm clothes, fuzzy socks, extra blankets and this year (thanks to a tip from a mom at school)  hot shots.  Yep, the same ones you we use in Manitoba to heat your hands in winter.  Stick them in your sleeping bag and you are toasty.  At one point I actually thought it was burning my back.  

We arrived late Friday night, started a fire and set up.  Had a bit of a mishap with the tent, the string that keeps the poles together came apart, but we pieced it back together and in no time were ready to go.  
We also had the coolest campground.  It was huge and surrounded by all these cool trees with huge roots.

 Saturday morning we awoke to a beautiful fresh day.  Cooked our breakfast and headed to Mackenzie Beach for a hike. 

 After lunch it was time.....time for Ter to get back to his true calling and surf.

He carved it up.  It was epic.

Saturday night, time to get back to the beach and watch the sunset.

the tide was out and Willow was able to walk out to an island and 

find some starfish.

Sundee decided that on Sunday morning we would go down to the

beach and have our breakfast.

Another best for the weekend.  Best idea ever!  And it was just so beautiful.

When we got there it was sunny and bright with a bit of fog in the distance.

Then the fog seemed to clear and it was so warm.

Suddenly the fog rolled in and you couldn't even see the water any more.

this was all in the span of half an hour.

 here is me.  enjoying my coffee, God's awesome creation and my incredible weekend.

**another thing to always bring on a chilly campout.  Uggs, or in my case "Uggs".  
    

Summer's End

I guess it's official.  School has started and summer has ended.
It's hard to believe, especially with this gorgeous weather that we've been having.  
It happened though.  Kids were up bright and early, eager to get into their new outfits and to start a new year.

Willow is moving on up to Highschool! 

Sundee will be an intermediate this year.  (meaning not a primary)  And the big thing about that is that she gets to use the "Intermediate Stairs".  

We are very excited as to what this new year will bring. 

Soccer Camp

Sundee has been in Soccer Camp all week.  We experienced some very hot weather this week (which I loved) and Sundee came home every afternoon tired and hot.  

Today we got to go and watch the "World Cup". 

So far in the week I've been dropping her off and picking her up and have not been staying to see any of the action.  I heard about the skills she was learning and even heard some comments on how well she was doing.  

When we got there I was a little confused.  What "skills" were they teaching?  What was the exact name of this camp?  Was there a side course that Sundee registered for without telling us?

Let me explain.  When we got there she was the only one on the field without a pinny on.  The game was starting (the whistle had been blown)  and the ref was telling Sundee to put on her red pinny.  So she picks it up off the field and pulls it on.  Here in pictures is what followed.

 She has pulled it over her head and is not happy with the "look"

 should she wear it behind her head like a shrug?

 or should she wear it like a halter top?

Have we put her in soccer camp or is this Fashion Camp?

"If you just adjust your shirt ......"

 "I hope this humidity hasn't wrecked my hair"

 "Ok people, the key here is accessorizing."

To be fair she did play some soccer (after she sorted out her uniform)

We watched her play goal, forward and a tough defence.

Notice her shirt matches her shin guards.

End of story.  Don't mess with Sundee whether it be in fashion or soccer.

14!!!!

Every year I get surprised that my kids get older.  I just can't get used to it. 

Another birthday for our daughter- 14 years!!  

We are very proud parents.  As well as growing taller every year she is also growing

more beautiful, more mature, more compassionate and mature.

Happy Birthday Willow!

 this photo was just to show you the length of her 14 year old limbs

she received her dream gift- a cell phone

she cried, she laughed, she jumped up and down

she texted the world

Summer Fun

Witty's Lagoon

Sombrio Beach

Do you think the water's cold?

Grandparents

Sandcastles at Parksville