Family Photos

A few weeks back we met up with a photographer that lives just down the road from our new house to have some family pictures taken for our Christmas card. We wanted to include a photo of us in front of our new house, so our out-of-town friends and family could get a sneak peak at where we will be living. As of this weekend we will be all moved in! We are so excited to have our place after four months of living with Greg's parents. It's gone fast and slow at the same time, if that's possible!

 



More catchup

I'm not entirely sure how October and November both slipped away without even a single blog post, but here I am... squeaking one in, just in the nick of time. We've been busy here, preparing for our move in a week and a half, and keeping busy with Christmas crafting (Lynette), hockey (Greg), and enjoying the few small snowfalls we've had (Kenzie and Liam). Here are a few photos of what October and November held for us.

 

 

In the beginning of October, Greg and I made a quick weekend trip down to the Fraser Valley to purchase a new vehicle. That vehicle, we decided, best be a minivan. It's a good thing minivans have come a long way.... ie DVD players, stow 'n go seats, and remote sliding doors. This baby will serve us well, especially with the winter tires we just put on her a few weeks back.

 

 

While in Langley we would be remiss not to spend some quality time with good friends. We were lucky enough to meet little Miss Hadley for the first time, what a blessing! How I miss her lovely mama whom I have shared so much with over the last 10 years. I miss her daily.

 

The whole gang, reunited, plus a couple new additions. Miss Emery is already 2 months old in this shot! I'm blessed enough to call these fabulous ladies my friends, even though many miles separate us... when we get together it's like I haven't even been gone.

 

On our drive back to Smithers we stopped in at my parents' place in Vernon for two nights to spend Thanksgiving with my family. We spent the days relaxing, eating, playing games, and sharing in each others' company. It felt strange to be there without our kiddies, but we enjoyed the quality alone time with my siblings and their kids. Baby Kasia was the center of attention with her funny noises and adorableness.

 

Living at Greg's parents' house has come with its share of positive aspects. Uncle Mike is always on the ready to entertain the kids, and they absolutely adore him. We will miss the free babysitting when we move out!

 

Grandpa always knows how to show the grandkids a good time! They love going for rides on the quad or golf cart, and no doubt when more snow arrives he'll be taking them for spins on his "sled" (for non-Smithers folk, that's a snowmobile). :) I'm learning!

 

 

A couple weeks ago we met with a local photographer who will actually be our new neighbour in a couple short weeks, and had some family photos taken by and around our new house. I wanted some updated family photos to use on our Christmas cards, as well as have some printed for our new house. She did a fabulous job and I had a hard time picking a favourite.

 

 

Birthday Boy

Happy 2nd birthday to our little man, Liam!

It's been a whirlwind two years since this little gaffer showed up... he brings so much energy and craziness to our family. As if we needed any more!! :)

 

We spent the day enjoying cupcakes, a lunch with Daddy and Grandpa, and playing with all the new sweet toys that were sent from near and far (thanks everyone!). A car mat, a wooden truck that doubles as a tool set, a nerf gun, a Diego DVD, a couple tractors, and a run bike from Mommy and Daddy.

 

Liam, I hope the next years with you are just as fun as the last two, and that you continue to bless our hearts with your cheerful smile and endless energy. We love you so much little guy!

 



A weekend at Tseax

On the Labour Day long weekend we took Mom and Dad Vandergaag's motorhome and headed east past Terrace, to the the Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park for some fishing and camping to round out the summer. We had an awesome time, and the fishing was good too. Greg caught a 23-lb steelhead, and we also explored a natural hotsprings that the kids just loved.

Big changes

Welcome to my new blog!

Even though I resolved to post more frequently back in February, we've faced a few key changes that have made that more difficult than I originally anticipated! The first and major change we experienced was our decision to make the 1,000-km move to Smithers, BC. After a lot of praying, talking, thinking, and mulling.... Greg informed his dad that he would join him at Vandergaag & Bakker.

That was in June.

We are now coming up to September, and we have settled in with Greg's parents in their ginormous house. In between June and now, there was a ton of stuff to accomplish. And we couldn't have done any of it without our Heavenly Father guiding our feet. From listing and selling our house in less than a week of each other, to flying up to Smithers over a whirlwind weekend and looking at houses and properties, to packing up our entire house in between multiple camping trips.... He saw us through it all, and everything went very smoothly with the move.
Physically speaking.

Emotionally it was like we were being thrown about in a tumultuous ocean of feelings and experiences. We were happy with the decision we made, but we faced a lot of sadness and anxiety when it came to telling our friends and family, and eventually bidding them farewell at the end of July.

We've gotten into a bit of a routine here in Smithers, and we have been anything but bored. The excitement began with brother Brad's wedding to Vanessa, with Kenzie being a flower girl and Greg being a groomsman. We loved having "out-of-town" visitors, although to us we still felt like the out-of-towners. The Vandergaag house was bustling and bursting, but we wouldn't have had it any other way.

We've done a ton of visiting, thanks to the hospitality of friends and family here in Smithers. Part of what made our decision "easy" (I use that term loosely!) was that we had already established some friendships here during our past visits over the years. The church community here is awesome, and we have been welcomed with open arms.












We've spent a lot of time outside, exploring the vast spaces here in the Bulkley Valley. Tyhee Lake,
Driftwood Canyon, and this weekend we hope to head out for a fishing trip this long weekend with friends and family.

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying lunch in the back yard. Note the awesome playground that Grandpa Vdg built for the kiddos! It's been used daily since our arrival.

 

Liam has a deep love for all things moving. The golf cart at Uncle Pete's was no exception. He begged for rides from whoever would take him!

 

Liam and Tianna (Rob and Becky Vandergaag's little girl... she and Liam are weeks apart in age) chowing down on some fresh fruit. Yum!

 

Brad and Vanessa's wedding day! Such a happy and fun day celebrating these two with so many friends and family.

 

 

Our little "flower girl princess"

 

 

The handsome lads. Those Vandergaag men....

 

This past weekend the kids had an absolute BALL at the BVX (aka Fall Fair). Kenzie has not stopped talking about all the different rides she went on. I think we have a little thrill-seeker on our hands (not unlike her adventurous Uncle Brad)!

 

 

 

 

That is all for now... I will share a few more photos from the wedding as soon as my lovely SIL is done editing. I hope this post finds you all in good health, and I look forward to hearing back from you! Welcome along on our new adventure in the wonderful Bulkley Valley!