Memories

I've sat here at the computer many times over the last month and a half (has it really been that long?) trying to figure out how to move on with blogging.  Where to start?  What to say?  April 29 was not the day that we were expecting or hoping for.  However, we can rejoice in the knowledge that God has indeed answered our prayers for healing for Dad - not in the here and now, but eternal healing, and we know that he is now rejoicing with our Father in heaven.  During the week following his death, we spent a lot of time together as a family- talking, planning, reminiscing, looking through photo albums.  There are so many great memories of time we spent together, and we want to keep these memories alive as much as possible for our children.  I went through our pictures here at home and picked out a few favourites to post today. 

 June 2005

8 years ago today on our wedding day

May 2007

Just after we announced we were expecting Baby #1 with a wrapped up pair of baby socks

Nov 2007

Snuggling with newborn baby Peter

Three generations of Vander Deens

2008 January

Peter and Grandpa

2008 April

Grandpa and Mike trying to get Peter to laugh

2009 April

Grandpa with Peter and newborn baby Aaron

2009 December

Grandpa with Aaron and Matthew

Looks like a good chat around the table after church

Taking a tour of the pig barn

Grandpa showing Peter the pigs

2010 July 

Taking a ride on the 5¢ carousel

2010 October

Nathaniel's baptism

2010 December

Dad helping Mike with the upstairs bathroom reno

2011 April

Reading stories with the grandsons

Helping Aaron blow out his birthday candles

Having a good laugh together

2012 June

Out for a walk on the pier

Peter and Aaron had a sleepover in the RV

 2012 August

Walking along the shore at Rock Point

Going for a swim

Taking a walk with Nate

Father and son

2013 February

Reading a story with Nate

 Taking a ride down the tobogganing hill

 2013 April

Our last family visit with Grandpa