Retirement Party

A big "Thank You" to everyone for coming out to celebrate Dad's Retirement!  50 Years of farming is quite an accomplishment and something worth celebrating.  God has richly blessed Dad with health and safety and we are thankful for all his many years of hard work as a wonderful provider for our family and a godly example to us all.

We had a lovely time of fellowship and enjoyed lots of delicious food.  The chocolate fountain malfunction may have let me down, but the melted chocolate was still delicious to eat!

I thank the Lord for my parents and pray He will continue to bless them with many years of health as they enjoy their retirement and continue to serve God during these exciting years.

WE LOVE YOU!

Teenager #3

Last week our Levi turned 13.  We had been so busy with school and sports stuff, that by the time his special day came last Sunday, we were seriously ready to relax and party.  We enjoyed a lovely day together as a family with a special visit from Grandma and Grandpa too.

Niagara Get-away

Rick and I managed to find a couple days to get-away without the kids before he had to be back at school...the kids stayed with Grandpa and Grandma.  We took a different route to our destination and started our visit in Niagara-on-the-lake.  We enjoyed a lovely Timmies lunch by the lake and drove through town taking in the gorgeous gardens.  I didn't take one picture because I just wanted to take it all in.  (Those flower gardens really have to be seen up close and personal.)  They always have incredible floral displays...absolutely beautiful!
We spent a night at our favourite Sterling Inn in Niagara Falls and we had a great time walking everywhere and enjoying the wonderful weather.  Our anniversary dinner was at the Fallsview Keg (again)...amazing food and a lovely view. 
This year we made a stop at the Butterfly Conservatory and I had a great time snapping shots, until my camera batteries gave out.  What a lovely relaxing environment to be in...(if you're not freaked out by all the flying creatures.)  I didn't have any butterflies land on me, but Rick had the pleasure of being a taxi for a little while...(X-rated picture below explains the giggles he was hearing from the people all around him.)
I was quite pleased with some of the pictures, so I hope you enjoy them.  They are a wonderful display of God's creativity.  If you're a butterfly lover, I highly recommend a visit! Oh ya, and the Yogen Fruz was a nice way to end the trip.

The Pinery ~ August 2011

We just came back from our two week camping trip.  This year we ventured to a different park.  The Pinery was our home for 14 days and nights and we absolutely loved it!  Loved the campsite, loved the trails, loved the sand, loved the weather (most of the time) and loved the beach.

I believe this trip is going down in the Schenk history book as being the camping trip with the most rainy moments.  For the summer that was supposed to be hot and dry......ahem......we probably got rain on almost half of the days we were there......not all-day rain, but enough to make things wet and damp.  We had one good serious down-pour complete with thunder and lightning, but thankfully our tents were on high ground and we stayed dry. 

This year we rented a 5x8 U-Haul trailer and stuffed it to the roof.  We were able to take all six bikes as well as the fishing rods.  Good times!  The kids loved being able to bike all over and take trips to the camp store for treats (and the odd carton of milk and loaf of bread).  Most of our time was spent at the park, but we did visit Grand Bend on a few occasions to pick up some groceries, do a little window shopping, get our email, make use of  7 washing machines at one time at Angie's Laundromat, and play a little mini-golf.  Grandpa and Grandma were visiting family in Wyoming, so they came to visit us for a day as well.

I am so very thankful to God for blessing us with two weeks of wonderful family time.  It was great to enjoy one another and His creation in a new location.  It is hard to believe that summer is coming to a swift end.  (Rick will be back in the office next week......sniff......sniff.)

So, here are a bunch of pictures, and by a bunch I mean quite a few.  I had so many I couldn't decide which ones to post......Well, this is enough for today!

Searching for special rocks.

One of many farms we passed on the way to Forest Baptist Church.

The branch that crashed down on our tent...yes, while we were in there!!!

The tree from which it fell.

Cool, windy and very wavy.

My necessities: hat, sunglasses and beach blanket.

Taking shelter from the wind...and snorfing snacks of course!!

Last sunset...

All packed up and heading home.