The Koobs Klan

December Rewind - Part Two

2012-02-04T04:22:00.000-08:00

We spent Christmas Day with our own little family.

It sure was swell :)

Christmas cuties all ready for church

Home from an awesome service (we celebrated
communion together - SO good!) and enjoying
a delicious Christmas brunch. Yum!!!

After naps the big kids went out to the barn and
Jude stayed inside with Mommy to 'help' make
the frosting for Jesus' birthday cake which was
a surprise for later that night.

Out in the barn, Gracie fed her bull calves...

then joined the boys out for some fun on the
propane tanks. Yes, I know, we're so country ;)

Back to the barn to check on Dad.

More helpers in the parlour.

And then it started to snow...

The fresh powder called for snow angels. The kids
made the entire chorus to 'sing to the shepherds' :)

It was perfect packing snow and these four trooped
around together outside making snowmen until
chores were all finished.

Back to the house for some hot chocolate, warm jammies
and birthday cake

Happy birthday, dear Jesus.
Happy birthday, tooooooo you!!!

It was a very different Christmas day this year.
No travelling, no extended family, no gifts.
It did feel a little strange and yet I think that,
more than ever before, in our time together worshiping,
remembering, working and playing we were able
to celebrate our Saviour's birth a very meaningful way
for where our little family is at right now.
I'm excited about the little traditions that were started
this year. And I continue to be overwhelmed at how our attempts
to give thanks for such a precious offering are such a meager
offering compared to the gifts we receive in return.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15

December Rewind - Part One

2012-01-24T04:16:00.000-08:00

So, I'm a little bit behind but we really did have a lovely
December and I don't want to forget any of these fun
and precious memories. Here goes an attempt at catching
up on what we were doing last month!

First up, was Palmerston' Christmas Parade.
We got there a bit early to stake out a good spot and
I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take some
quick family pics while we waited. Unfortunately, as with
99% of the shots we take of all 6 of us, we didn't get any
winners. But the outtakes are pretty funny (and
probably a better depiction of real life anyways - hee!)

(click on this photo to get a close-up of Pete's expression
Hil-ar-i-ous!!!)

Things quickly got underway and while the parade didn't
consist of much more than the fire department and some
blinged up transport trucks from local businesses, the
kids had a blast. Jude, especially, loved the lights and
sirens on all the emergency response vehicles.

Another big hit were the people throwing out handfuls
of candy canes. Kids everywhere were running out
into the street (completely blissful of the transport
trucks coming next in line) to stuff their pockets full.

Aunt Michelle was home for the weekend and surprised us
at the parade. The kiddies were so excited to have her there.
Thanks, Tante Mic!!

The following week we celebrated Sinterklaas with
Oma and Opa. We don't follow the exact Dutch
tradition of this holiday, but we've really enjoyed
separating presents from Christmas and teaching
the kids more about their Dutch heritage.

Opa and Jude get a little snuggle time in before breakfast.

Levi and Oma waiting for the present opening to start.

What is it, Dad???
We had lots of little helpers opening our gifts with us :)

Oma is the master thrift store shopper. She's always
finding the best treasures! We all agreed, this one
is going to be hard to beat - Jude LOVES his new
John Deere pedal tractor!

This was only the second time since we've been married
that we've had a Christmas tree - and a first for all our
boys. The kids loved having the tree in the house and
all the decorations we had made for it.

The kids also got lots of extra baking time in this month.
They really are becoming quite the pros!
(both in the baking AND eating department)

Lastly, here's the song the kids learned for Sinterklaas.
They had made some cards and decorations and we had
a lot of fun going around on the 5th sharing them and
singing to our neighbours, friends and family.

A Year in Pictures: 2011

2012-01-01T14:41:00.001-08:00

~January~

This boy started walking :)

And this boy turned 3!

We started a year-long love affair with homemade pizza.

Birthday flowers from our dearest friends

~February~

...was beautiful and COLD!!

A beautiful smile

Happy Valentines Day!

A little lovin' from the oven

Cutest patient Sick Kids has ever seen :)

A successful surgery, amputating Jude's hypoplastic thumb.

Quickly back to the regular shenanigans

Although there were some glitches with Jude's
recovery post-surgery, he really was such a
happy little trooper.

Daddy and his boys - a whole lotta love!

~March~

Gracie designs Lego 'for fashion'

Jude discovers how to climb

Lots of little helpers in the barn

Levi falls in love with puzzles (and all things superhero)

~April~

Fun on the trampoline no matter what the weather

Another move...back to where it all began

Best Mother's Day present ever!

Excited to help Daddy spread manure

~May~

Moving back to the home farm put us in a new school
district. Instead of switching schools at the end of the
year, we made the (terrifying) decision to finish the
school year at home...this opened a brand new door
for us and turned out to be a huge blessing in disguise!
Thank you, Lord!

Springtime = growing like weeds!

Planting starts late after a very wet April

We celebrated Grandpa's 80th birthday with family
from near and far. Here are Grandma and Grandpa
with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
(missing were Ken, Cam and his (and Sherry's) 3 children)

Best family picture ever?

While the 'West Coast' family was down, we got together
as much as possible and had some great visits.

Cousins playing croquet

~June~

Growin' up country

We almost didn't put in a garden this year...but our last
minute efforts ended up being surprisingly fruitful.
I guess you can't fight your genetics :)

Our first cut.
The harvests were great this year and nothing got rained on!

A special visit with Uncle Will and Aunt Katie.

The chicks are here!

Father's Day at the beach...a new tradition is started!

Lots of coffee times outside

Oma and Opa took the two oldest camping for the weekend.
We were able to go up with the little boys and spend a
super fun day with our Forestview friends.

~July~

Canola love

More camping with Oma and Opa for the big kids and
an awesome beach day on a Sunday afternoon off chores.

July was HOT! Lots of time in the sprinkler.

A wonderful raspberry crop made for delicious fun

Our precious girl turned 7!

Jude gets his first tractor ride...he is officially obsessed
with John Deere green. His second word is 'tractor'.

Keeping cool any way possible.
Lots of fun in the cow's water trough.

Our sweet Silas turns 5. He's becoming such a big boy.

A very special trip to visit Aunt Michelle at Camp Shalom

~August~

The soybeans are growing...and so is this little boy!

Butchering chickens while 9 weeks (secretly) pregnant,
was one of the worst/best memories of the summer!

We were able to watch the metamorphosis of all four
of our monarchs. Amazing!!

~August~

2 weeks of swimming lessons at the local pool meant
lots of play time in the splash pad for Levi and Jude...

...a timid Silas into a courageous water rat...

...and Gracie Jo's favorite class - with Dad on Family Day.

A trip to the Bruce County Museum to kick-start our
school year. The Grossology exhibit was a huge hit!

~September~

A peek inside our school room

The apple trees from 'The Pig Farm' had a great crop
and led to lots of delicious applesauce this year.

We are all SO excited to meet our new nephew/cousin!!

Horseback riding with friends - a first for the kids.
Gracie Jo was a natural and we're hoping to send her
here for lessons in the new year.

Emmanuel Joshua Koobs born September 17, 2011
Congratulations, Greg and Alex!!
Manny, we just love you to pieces!
xoxo

~October~

The birthday boy!!
Praising God for this precious gift.
Happy 2nd birthday, Ju-Jube!

Grandpa (who you'll remember turned 80 this Spring)
drove the harvester for 12 hours straight during
the corn silage harvest. What a man!

Cousin love

Our first family vacation ever.
One week at a cottage in beautiful Bancroft.

Despite rain every day, we made lots of great memories
and were so thankful for the time away together.

~November~

We had a great time putting our shoe boxes together
for Operation Christmas Child this year.

First snow!!!

Country boys

Happy birthday, Mama-Mama!!

~December~

Sinterklaas fun.
Jude must have been good this year :)

We loved having a house big enough for a Christmas
tree this year. A first for all the boys.

Making this house our HOME.

There were always lots of helpers for all the
extra Christmas baking.

Another new tradition this year - Happy Birthday, Jesus!!

The Kingston 'cousins' come to the farm.
What a fun couple of days!

What a year this has been! Another move, farming at home full-time,
a new church, homeschooling, building relationships - old and new,
starting new traditions, and in between the work and play
lots of reasons for celebration with family. We were so blessed
to share parts of our testimony with our church family on
Thanksgiving Sunday. Looking back, we were overwhelmed
by God's goodness as He's guided us through so many
difficult seasons and unknowns.

For God has said,
“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you."
⁶ So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper,
so I will have no fear.
~Hebrews 13:5-6~

As we enter another new year, full of possibility, change and growth
-including the addition of another little Koobster in April :) -
we can't help but be overwhelmingly grateful for the
blessings He gives us every single day.

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us!
Just look at it!"
(1 John 3:1)

God's richest blessings to you and your families in 2010!
Love,
The Koobs Klan
xoxo

Getting caught up:: August 6th-13th

2011-08-20T04:41:00.000-07:00

Saturday

Started combining!!!

Sunday

When we can't go to the beach,
we bring the beach to us.
The sand pile (we use sand bedding in our
barn) has provided HOURS of entertainment
this summer. So much fun!!

Monday

The kitchen table is always full these days.
Multi-tasking central!

Tuesday

The Summer Reading Program at our local
library has been a huge hit with the kids.
They love earning their 'Book Bucks' and trading
them in for little prizes. We go to the library
at least twice a week. Here's Gracie and Silas
with the fish bowls (the theme this summer
was water fun) they created from recycled
items around the house. They did such a great
job and were so excited when they got prizes :)

Wednesday

Jude loves bedtime.
We love it too...for many reasons ;)
One of them, though, is definitely the
sweet kisses he gives out so eagerly.
He's just so sweet.

Thursday

The last time my cousin Janine and I got
together we had 3 kids between the two of us.
Fast forward 6 1/2 years and now look at this crew!
Including two sets of twins, Janine and Jonathan get
to take credit for 7 of the 11 kiddos in this shot.
What a beautiful family - we were so blessed by our time
together with them! Thanks for making the trip to come
see us. Your visit, with all the "cousin lovin'"
will definitely be a highlight of this summer.
xo

Friday

The day finally arrived.
Our sweet, fuzzy chicks were sweet, fuzzy
chicks no more and it was time to get them
in the freezer!! Thankfully, Pete's dad had
the honour of wielding the axe :P
I learned a lot over the next two days and
I'm so grateful to my mother-in-law for her
patience and help as I muddled my way through
the processes of hanging, plucking and
butchering. She was the BEST teacher!
If you had asked me, before I married Peter,
if this would be something I would do I'm
pretty sure the answer would have been a
resounding 'NEVER!' It's amazing what
a few years can do :)

Saturday

The guys ended another busy week by
bringing in around 400 big square bales
off of the 60 acres. Between the wheat and
the straw it was an incredible harvest.

Our bodies are tired, but our hearts
are so grateful.

“From the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth,
may God always give you abundant harvests of
grain and bountiful new wine."
~Genesis 27:28~

Be blessed!
The Koobs family
xo

Project : Life

2011-08-08T04:40:00.000-07:00

I've decided to stop calling this 'Friday Favorites' because I hardly ever get our daily pictures posted on Friday. I don't know why? (sarcasm definitely intended {grin}) Anyways, here's a little peek at the happenings around here from last week...

Saturday

Driving in the truck, with the windows down,
listening to Pink Floyd.
Do you feel like I do? If the answer is 'awesome',
then, yes :)

Sunday

My awesomeness on Saturday took a major turn
for the worse later in the afternoon when I got
these crazy hives. I can't think of anything I
touched/ate/smelled that wasn't normal.
Also, I've never had hives in my
entire life. What the heck in the world??

Monday

These lillies are blooming out in the garden
right now, despite the fact that we've haven't
had any rain to speak of. Amazing!

Tuesday

This girl loves to keep everyone company.
If she's not physically helping, she's
chattering your ear off. Either way,
she's a big help :)

Last summer, we were at a nice restaurant
and instead of a big hunk of celery in Pete's
caesar, there was a very refined 'green bean'.
We thought it was kind of weird, until Pete
took a bite and found out it wasn't any
ordinary bean. It was a delightful, crunchy,
dill-pickley bean. So, I tried to make some.
I really had no idea what I was doing.
Hopefully they turn out because I have about
two dozen pints of them...

Also on today's schedule: pickled beets.
Sweet, jeweled bites of goodness :)

Wednesday

We've been keeping our eye on the butterfly bush
all summer and suddenly this week we found three
hungry, hungry caterpillars! Science class has
officially begun! Can you find all 3?

Thursday

Our little baby is officially not a baby anymore...
Okay, so he's still totally our baby. But
he's sleeping in a big boy bed now!

Friday

There's a new biker gang in town.
And, if I do say so myself, they're
pretty much the cutest little gang
I've ever seen :)

There were some real ups and downs this week,
but through them all we continue to see God's
hand carrying us through...

As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
~Psalm 71:14~

Praying that your summer adventures are finding your
hearts full of hope, wherever you may be.
Lots of love,
The Koobs Klan

The Birthday Boy

2011-08-04T04:13:00.000-07:00

Silas John
Silas comes from the Latin for 'tree'.
His life verses, from Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

This sweet lad is indeed growing like a tree.
Maybe not in stature *yet*, his younger brothers
are quickly catching up to him. Oh my!
But within his strong and stealthy frame is
a heart for the Lord that is thriving.
We have been so blessed to watch the Lord work
in his young heart! We love you Silas John,
may your life continue to abound in delight,
love, compassion and knowledge. You bring
us so much joy and we treasured celebrating
you with our family today.

Let the cupcake making begin!

Even Jude got in on the action :)

Blueberry cream cupcakes with fresh
whipped cream and raspberries straight
from the bush, picked by the birthday boy
himself. *Berry* deeeelicious!

Grandma is quickly becoming famous for her
birthday bouquets. They just keep getting better
and better! We think she should start her
own business :)

Celebrating with four generations around
the table put a big smile on this sweet
little man's face.

And the Lego adventures begin...

Heart-shaped pancakes for supper

And the perfect end to a five-year old's
birthday? Riding his bike...without
training wheels!!! Gooooooo, Silas!

Happy birthday to our precious boy.
We love you so much!
xoxo

Friday Favorites...on Saturday

2011-07-30T03:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday

Still trying to keep cool.
I'm not sure which is awesomer, little boys running around in their broekies or in their bare bums. Either way, so cute!!

Sunday

We gave Gracie Jo her first Bible on her birthday.
Now, most mornings, this is how I find her.
She's such an example to me.

Monday

Still hot.
Still trying to stay cool.
Strawberry/banana/blueberry popsicles help for a little bit!

Tuesday

The 'Sweet Millions' are just starting to ripen.
Seriously, nothing is better than tomatoes fresh out
of the garden. Yum!!!

Wednesday

This young man turned 5 today.
Good thing he's still so sweet, I don't
feel like I'm losing one of my babies...yet.

Thursday

We visited Michelle at Camp Shalom today.
It was amazing watching her in action - she is
such an incredible counsellor! Her campers will
be truly blessed this summer.

We couldn't resist taking a self-portrait out on the
basketball court...back where it all began when we
were just DID's in grade 10! I think Camp will forever
be one of my most favorite places in the whole world :)

Friday

Gracie Jo went to Uncle Simon's with Grandma today
to pick black currants. She might not be a master picker
yet but we heard she was good company for everyone involved :)
I looked through Oma V.'s old recipe book and sure enough found,
in her own handwriting, the recipe for her 'bessensap'.

I've never made it before, so I wasn't quite sure
how it would turn out. Wanna know a little secret though?
I may or may not have gotten a little watery-eyed
when I tasted my first spoonful :)
I can honestly close my eyes and remember the cool, darkness of Oma's fruit cellar. I even remember the musty smell and the way we would swing our arm up around our head in the dark to try and find the string from the pull-chain that hung down from the light bulb, always keeping our other hand on the door frame so we didn't get lost in the pitch blackness of the room. Love how the smell and taste of the black currant syrup immediately brought back memories of sitting with our cousins at the small wooden 'kids' table, each with our own sweating, glass cup filled with ice cubes, 7-Up and Oma's 'bessensap'. It was such a treat! I so look forward to making these memories with our own family and friends. Thanks so much, Uncle Simon and Nancy, for sharing those berries and bring us so much joy!!

Hope you're having a 'berry' wonderful summer (HA!)
and finding the time to make special moments and memories
with your own friends and families. Be blessed!
The Koobs Klan