Yeah, so I've Been Busy

It's been a long time since I've posted but we've been so busy over here that I haven't really had a chance. It feels like we've barely been home! We had a wonderful time visiting in Hamilton at the end of September, when all of my Mom's brothers and sisters were visiting from Holland. Wow! It was an exciting visit and very special, as we have never had them all over and will most likely not be able to enjoy such a visit again. It was hard to keep some of this information secret from my poor mother, but the surprises all worked out very well and we had a wonderful time. Mike and I had an additional surprise to share with them all... we are expecting a little brother or sister for Peter in April next year. (some of you may have noticed the subtle addition to the top of the blog) So far everything is going very well, and we feel very blessed with our little family. It will be interesting to see how having two kids in this little house works out, but hopefully they will be able to sleep through each other's crying fairly soon, as they will be sleeping in close quarters!
On to the pictures... I have some random ones to share...

On September 19, Danielle got possession of her new house!
We helped to pack up her stuff and move it to the new place,
and getting her settled in. It is a cozy little place and it has
been exciting to see it being transformed into a home. Here
she is raising the flag...we'll just pretend it didn't get
stuck at half-mast... Peter got a new helmet
Playing with a flashlight
Mom and Danielle enjoying the sunshine and some of the Dutch
company. Oom Klaas and Tante Willie had already arrived earlier
in the week. I think this was right after Tanani arrived along with
*surprise!* Oom Ruurd and Tante Gerda. Oom Johan and
Tante Tineke came the next afternoon, also a surprise. So much fun!
We didn't figure out what the official name of this game was
but we enjoyed playing it all weekend
Three excited sisters got a hold of everyone's cameras and
were playing with the timer options, haha
We went to the Lord Byron Steak and Seafood Restaurant for
dinner on Saturday evening. These are all my Mom's siblings
together in front of the restaurant before eating.
Heather and Shirley came last week visiting with their little ones,
Emma and Alexander. We had a great afternoon of visiting and catching up.
Shirley and Alexander
Hmmm... it appears that someone has inherited a love of
chocolate from one of his parents...
More Mom? Do you have more for me?
Although not very flattering at all, I think this picture is hilarious...
a look of somewhat gluttonous satisfaction
Finally! I was walking across the bridge and there was some action
at the fire station! Well, I thought there was anyways. I watched
for a few minutes and then thought, hey they'll be here still when I get
back from the library. On my way back from the library, there was still
a truck or two there, and there was some smoke coming from the back
of the building but they were done their fire-fighting practice.
A little disappointing...
But then the NEXT week on another walk across the bridge,
they were practicing climbing up and down the building, which was
kind of neat. They climbed up one side...
...and then down the other side upside-down. Not something I'd
particularly want to try, but it was interesting nonetheless.

The next three pictures were emailed (thanks Mom and Dad VD) so they
might not be as clear as the previous ones. They were taken by either
Mom VD or Karen. Here is Uncle Dave with Robert and PeterA family Thanksgiving Day picture with the lovely fall coloursPeter enjoying the tall grass