Summer's Nearly Over...

So as of today, Nate's been gone for 9 days, and I still have 5 more to go... (And I hope the next 5 fly by... we miss him so much!!!) Although it's been a long stretch, I am proud of the fact we've kept ourselves busy and productive. Checked off the "to do" list is installing a countertop & reorganizing the laundry area, completing many, many loads of laundry (which is quickly re-piling up), a trip to Chilliwack to visit my good friend Jackie, picking up and freezing 40 pounds of blueberries, picking apricots (which still need to be cleaned & de-hydrated... tomorrow I hope), painting & purging Katie's room, got Devun new hockey skates & a stick, took the kids for haircuts, worked 3 shifts and have 3 more to go, a number of visits to great Grandma, babysat for my wonderful sister-in-law who's been helping me out so graciously, and now finally I've updated the bog. I'm feeling so blessed to reflect on our summer and the amazing times we had :) Here's a picture of Devun with his new haircut, while shopping for his new skates:

Bridal Falls Waterslides

While in Chilliwack, I took the kids to the Bridal Falls waterslides. It was a lot of fun!

The kids' tube slide:
Katie just liked to float:

Treat time:



Devun, showing off for the camera:Katie, trying to keep her face out of the splash :)

Our group photo:

Cultus Lake with Jackie

I made a quick trip down to Chilliwack last week to see my wonderful friend Jackie, who was in town visiting her parents. We were able to squeeze in a visit at Cultus Lake, a spray park and of a wonderful evening of visiting, without the kids, at Earls.

Katie, Lauren & Devun

Jackie & Lauren:

Camping with the Cousins

We were so excited to spend some time with Nate's cousin Matt, his wife Michelle and their kids Jaina & Lewis. They had booked a week camping at Bear Creek campsite, and I was very lucky that my work schedule allowed us to join them for three nights. Devun had been begging to go camping, so it couldn't have come at a better time. We had a wonderful time visiting with Matt & Michelle and the kids had a blast. Here are a couple photos from the beach & the campsite:

Devun & Lewis:
Katie:
Nothing better than hotdogs over the fire while camping......until s'more time:

The Exceptional Ernsts :)

August brought a wonderful visit from Murray, Jannelle and their three boys. It felt like we were on vacation with them and we played tourist here at home.

Hiked up Hardy Falls:


Morning hike up the back hill behind our house:The four boys:
One of our new favorite wineries near OK Falls... Kraze Legz

Katie made a new friend:A stop for the kids at Tickleberry's:
Time at the beach:

Devun & Koy:
At the end of our "vacation" together we celebrated with a wonderful dinner together at Chop. It was amazing... And so were the chairs in the washroom: (thanks to my little photographer Katie)

Here are the mini Ernsts & Olferts:
And the aging parents:
Thanks again for the wonderful memories... we look forward to doing it again!

Catching Up July...

I can't believe how fast this summer is flying by... Work has been busy for both Nate and myself. Nate has spent a number of weeks in Alberta helping with the summer workload of hail and storm claims. I have finally taken a few minutes to upload some of the pictures from this summer and will share a few:

As we try every July, all the Schultz siblings, families & mom & dad made it up to the cabin. We also decided to do a belated Easter egg hunt as we didn't get together for Easter and it is always a fun event at the cabin. Here are the kids with their "Easter buckets":


Devun really looked forward to doing some fishing this summer. He made it out on the boat a couple nights with Grandpa, Uncle Dustin, Auntie Kendra and myself. Devun even was able to reel a couple fish in:


I LOVE this picture (sorry Kendra!)

Also at the cabin, there is a new floating towable for the kids... the EZ Ski. The kids had a blast on it... Here is Devun & Katie trying it out:
Fun on the tube with the kids:
Nate and I also made a quickie trip to Calgary for our friend's wedding...

We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful place, and we have made sure to hit the beach many times this summer... Here are a few pictures of our kids enjoying life: