{Odds and Ends} Reading Week

This past week James had his reading break. Eager to fit in as much as we could, we ventured out to visit friends and family in Orangeville and Hamilton for a few days. Here are a few snippets from our time away from home:

Dave and Andrea's wedding on Friday. Friends since 1993!

Bath time at Grandpa and Nana's- after a late night explosion!

snug as a bug in a rug

visiting Great-Oma Groenwold 

Visiting Baba Solukub- 90 years between these two!

all the Groenwold cousins together

Three generations

Grandpa and Nana with the grandkids

We also managed to squeeze in a day with Grandpa and Grandma Kottelenberg, a visit to Uncle Keith and Aunt Nelly's, bowling with our old Growth Group, a visit to Calvin to see my old co-workers and students, a baby shower from my co-workers (thanks guys!), and a trip to Vaughan Mills- in five days. It was busy but Brynn did well and we survived! Now we are back at home eagerly awaiting spring- at least I am... anyone else?

My First Outing

Today was our first time venturing out after coming home. We didn't do anything very crazy, just a trip to the store to get some bananas and cereal, a haircut for James and a small visit to Tim's. Here is Brynn's "I'm going out" face:

Doesn't she seem so impressed? We got a good laugh out of that one. 

On another note, we had a really great experience at the hairdresser's. Another man was there getting his hair cut and he ended up paying for James' hair cut! The hairdresser told us he loved seeing our new family and wanted to do something kind. How awesome is that? Guess we'll have to pay it forward!

Tomorrow we are getting newborn pictures done (hence the haircut!). We are looking forward to having a professional document all the lovely little parts of Brynn! Can't wait.

Here's one last wonky-eyed picture of Brynn. Her favourite way to look at the world is through one eye. :)

{Brynn Aspen} Groenwold

Brynn Aspen Groenwold

February 8, 2014

10:52 am

7 lbs 12oz

Our darling baby girl was born on Saturday morning. We are so happy that everything went well, and we can't believe how perfect and amazing she is! Our midwives were amazing and made everything feel as smooth as we could hope for. They were great in helping us adjust to Brynn's arrival. We are already learning so much about her and are starting to forget what life was like before she came!

Brynn Aspen- February 8, 2014

Finally getting to hold her after being gone for a few hours!

Dad enjoying his new daughter

Grandpa K. holding his newest grandchild

Grandma K.- wild horses couldn't keep her away!

Aunt Shae singing to Brynn

Nana G. enjoying Brynn's glances

More pictures?

Grandpa and Nana with Brynn

Erin and Jaron also visited on Sunday with Hayden (who made a teeny-tiny biscuit for Brynn at suppertime :D), but we actually forgot to take pictures with our camera! Hopefully Erin and Jaron got some. Jared and Lawren popped by on their way home from Ottawa, and brought some Big Rig Ale to celebrate with James... I think it might have been his favourite gift! Bonnie and Chris came on Monday and we had a few visitors from our church small group drop in last night. We are so blessed to have visitors to share Brynn with! :) We are excited to see what comes in the next days, weeks, months... etc. Life has changed so much already!

Cross Country Skiing

James went cross-country skiing today after school. This may be his last chance for a while, so I'm glad he had such a good time! Here are a few of the pictures he captured down by the river:

This is not from today- but it capture the spirit of the outdoors!