A Birthday!

There is always a good excuse to have a great celebration and June (and July) bring a number of birthdays.  It was a lavish cake that Grandma Julie made to celebrate Carrie's birthday.  It was fun to get everyone together and enjoy the "par-tay," as Grandpa Barrie's card said.

Cousins

 

It is hard to over-state the fun the kids have when they get back together with their cousins.  Reeve is off with Michael and Jacob having a great time for long hours at a time.  The girls get together and hair styles change, fashions are updated (note the lens-less glasses!), and lots of fun time to play. 

And when they get all together, it is even more wild stories, usually led by the eldest cousin in some imaginary battle involving all. 

VBS Starts!

Our kids jumped right into VBS, and did amazingly well considering how hard jetlag hit the parents.

It was a great theme: Kingdom Rocks, and the kids were excited to be in the same group as friends.  All three of the older cousins were in the same group, and Rania was paired up with Kaiden, so it was an exciting start to the week.  The kids were sure tired when they got home, but mighty happy and thrilled from the first day's activities.

Quockert Abode

On our first day back in the States, we had the chance to quickly visit the Quockert Abode and see their new digs.  We'd heard about the large yard, but not until you see the expanse and the access to water do you realize the beauty.

It is quite a picturesque setting.  Here are two pictures from the back yard.

We will look forward to some cookouts, picnics, play times, baseball games, and fun times at their house this summer.  You can sure see how ice skating, hockey, and sledding would be pretty incredible in winter. 

Moving On Photos

As part of the Moving On Ceremony, the professional photography also included some of the pictures, which we belatedly received.  Here are a few of them, including Reeve's class before the Ceremony.

 The official handshake from the principal, Mr. Harduar.

The cake (complete with Panther Paws), which along with many cupcakes made up the food for the after party.

Moving On Song

As part of a tribute to their parents, the class of 2020 sang a song.  This is an excerpt of the exceptional job that the class did. 

Reeve Moving On

Reeve participated in the Moving On Ceremony for the Grade 5 students.  It was fun to see all of them preparing for middle school.  Each student wrote a "highlight memory" which Ms. Cheng, the assistant-principal, read as they walked across the stage.  Reeve's memory was from the Night of the Notables, which was a popular memory for many of the students.

Reeve was also recognized as one of the few who had been at ISKL for six years, since prep-senior (kindergarten).

Dad's Final Preaching in St. Andrew's

As Pastor Bob rightly says, "Pastors never retire."  But it is with mixed emotions that I got to hear my dad's final sermon at St. Andrews.  It was a joy, as always to hear dad give his sermon, and I had the privilege of being the service leader for the 8:30 am service.  But it was also sad not knowing when I will again have the chance to hear dad preach. 

As my camera battery was dead, the photo credits are to grandma and grandpa and their blog.

Top of the Twin Towers

It was a great last venture for Doug's parents as they went to the top of the Petronas Towers.  We made our way with them (thanks to them being in line early to get to the top).  Recently, the observation deck was opened and you can now get to the top of the towers in addition to the sky bridge. 

It was quite a wonderful view, and we could not have asked for more perfect weather for an afternoon visit.  Little haze, and thankfully no storms!