Snow in August

The past weekend has been crazy hot here. Our house turns into a sauna when the temperature goes over 30 degrees. So, in order to escape the heat for a day, we decided to look for cooler temperatures. We piled in the van after church, crossed the border and headed up to Mt. Baker in search of snow! It was an absolutely beautiful drive and we made a few scenic stops along the way before our final stop.

This was a view of Mt. Baker from the back side. We stopped here for lunch but it was still very hot and there were lots of bugs so we didn't stay there long. Our next stop was at a place call Picture Lake. You can see why they call it that!

We tried for a family photo but Owen was having a 'moment' and refused to turn around!

We found some places around the lake where there was evidence of lava. Kendra found a small rock that she called her 'lava rock' to add to her collection and she wanted a picture of it! She is her father's daughter and has already started many collections (rocks, shells, snails, etc., etc., etc., )!

Another try at the family shot!

Finally, we reached our last stop, Artist Point, just past the Mt. Baker ski hill lodges. What an incredibly beautiful place. The kids were SOOOOO excited to see all the snow and we were very thankful that we decided to throw in the sled on the off chance that there would be enough snow to use it. And there was! Down the hill they went!

Kevin and Kendra go down!

Owen's turn!

Kendra and Quinn heading to the bigger hill. No fear in that child!

We thought it might be kinda fun to get a shot of all three kids in the sled in the summer in the snow but Jocelyn didn't think that was such a great idea!!

Finally, a quick stop on the way down for Kevin to capture this shot of Highwood Lake. Amazing!!

Jumpin' time!

After over 2 months of sitting in the box, we finally got the new trampoline set up! This took some 'sweet-talking' for me to convince Kevin to get one of these. I will admit that it does take up a large portion of our lawn but I think the kids will love it!! Looking forward to many hours of happy jumping and busy kids! Kendra practicing her start jumps!

Brandsma Reunion

Last weekend, 46 of the 55 Brandsma's met for a family reunion on Mayne Island. It was a wonderful weekend! There was lots of visiting, kids playing on swings and at the beach, frisbeer games, and just hangin' out together! The weather was beautiful which just helped to make it an even better time!

Rosalie took a few family pictures of us. This is about the best that we are going to get of us and our children!!!

One out of three is looking!!

Rosalie also did some crafts with the kids. (There were 16 kids there!) Kendra wore her visor hat all weekend and has her frame hanging in her room!

The places where we stayed were right on the beach of the ocean. It was a great place for the kids to play in the sand, throw rocks in the ocean and look for jellyfish on the rocks.

Sid had some kyaks that were used all weekend. The kids also had to get in on the action! Don't worry, they are only a few feet off shore and we were holding on to the rope on the end of the boat!

"You been farmin' long?"

This was Kendra's favourite thing to do there - play on the tree swing!!

Jocelyn, just lookin' cute!

We did a few hikes / walks on the weekend. Jocelyn was quite happy to come along on the backpack!

Camping at Kitsap

For a week in July, we headed out to Kitsap Memorial State Park, west of Seattle across Puget Sound, to do a week of camping. This was a beautiful little park that was very clean and quiet and perfect for our family. As we don't own a trailer and weren't crazy about tenting with 3 kids, we rented cabins. They had bunk beds, a futon, a table and a fridge. They overlooked a large open field with a park on the other side. As we were there during the week, it was not busy and we often felt like we were the only ones there. We had a fantastic week of enjoying the outdoors, seeing new places, watching our kids play and explore and relaxing by the fire.

The kids spent hours playing in the rocks at the park.

Zachary, Daniel and Owen filling up their buckets with rocks! It just never got old!

My little man!

Owen and his "mini-me", Jocelyn!

Our future traveller, with her guide book in hand!

Kevin and Owen, just chillin' with a snack and a book.

Jocelyn was a great little camper. She had mastered sitting a few weeks ago but had not figured out how to crawl yet. This meant that we could put her on a blanket with her bucket of toys and she was a happy as a clam!

Throwing rocks into the ocean.

Kendra making sand castles.

We spent an afternoon exploring the little town of Port Gamble.

Jocelyn managed to get a clover stuck to her cheek.

Just another picture of our little cutie!

A final family shot before we left.

A trip "home"

In the beginning of July, I took a little trip "home" to Smithers with the kids to celebrate my mom's birthday. (Kevin always corrects me when I say I'm going "home" when I go there because he figures that our home is 'home'. He is right, of course, but going to Smithers always still feels like returning home again!) We had a great time and the kids loved being at Grandma's house. We spent a hot afternoon at Auntie Tina and Uncle George's farm where the kids were thrilled to play with their cousins, who they hadn't seen since last summer. (Sorry Cody, I didn't get you on a picture but they had fun with you too!)

Jocelyn, just lookin' pretty cute!

For the last few days, Uncle Rich and Auntie Janelle were also there. It was great to see them and we can't wait to meet their newest family member in September!!

This was the Sunday afternoon of the big Dutch soccer game! Too bad about the outcome!