Surprise 60th Birthday

Mom invited 60 guests to the farm for a surprise party for Dad's 60th birthday.  In order to get him out of the house that morning, so everything could be prepared and allow family and friends arrive, Daniel and I (the Sons) were to take Dad out for Brunch and flying in the morning.  It's our serious efforts that allowed everyone to fully prepare everything for the party, while we were lounging, eating, and having a heck of an adventure watching all the hard work from the air.  On a serious note, Daniel and I really enjoyed our morning with Dad, just the three of us guys.

 flying in a Cessna 172 Airplane which in this picture you can barely see, but the plane is circling over the farm.  Dad did not see everyone from the air and the surprise was not spoiled.

Everyone waited along the lane way to
greet Dad when we drove in from our Brunch/Flight.

Stephen Hollema (Son in-law) personally made sure Dad had a hat for
the occasion. 

These are not all of Dad's children.

Is she standing on Joe??

The garage made a useful space for the
wonderful buffet.

How picture perfect, the grandkids sit around Grandpa while he opens gifts!

Our week at the cottage

Beautiful Breakfast every morning overlooking the beach

200 feet of beach front

Coffee, DVD's, and lot's of time to relax!

Kick Ass Coffee in the press.

In memory of the Vancouver Olympics

A Kodak moment at the lighthouse. 

Let's see how this turns out:  never used a charcoal grill to BBQ salmon before, didn't know how long it would take, dinner was late!  We almost decided to just turn on the oven in the house and cook it there as we were 40 minutes past when we planned to have dinner.  The charcoal brisquits were finally starting to ember and without knowing how long it should grill for we decided to try it anyways.  We are both very satisfied that we stuck with the plan.

Charcoal grilled Salmon is by far the greatest tasting salmon we both have tried.
With homemade Fetticini pasta and spicy Alfredo sauce which Lissa experimented with.  This was also perfect!

6:00AM we woke up to a cricket chirping very loudly
in our cottage.  While searching we found it behind the stove.
The bugger stopped chirping as soon as the
counter was pulled awayand he could be seen.  

Kayaks were provided and once Lissa got convinced to try
it, she was sold.  What an amazing time we had, until we tried to
kayak across the bay to the local beach and hit white cap waves which tossed us onto the beach that nobody was on.  We found out why: it was covered in sludge and bird poop.  Once we got back into the water Lissa was so determined to get home I could barely catch up with her.  She was paddling with authority, determination and adrenaline strength. I understand she was mortified.  Other then this terrible experience, the kayaks were still a blast, as long as we stayed clear of that disgusting beach.

Two full dishes of butter chicken!!!!!  Home made Naan bread.  The wine is one of our favourites as well.  It is  called Masi Campofiorin.  

Had to go apple picking since we were right on the apple trail.

Notice Lissa's hat.  Perfect for working hard under
the sun during harvest season.

Literally 2 minutes and we filled a small basket.
The trees were packed with apples.

Charcoal BBQ homemade burgers with smoked bacon.
We ate very well the week at the cottage.

Yep I'm reading

Beautiful wife, homemade cookies, Coffee
and enough citronella candles to keep all those gross bugs away!

Our last night at the cottage.  

Morning Conversations

A typical daily conversation in the Bootsma household...

A Spring Tea

A little Girly get together for a Spring Tea in April

Carrot Cupcakes, the old fashioned, definitely not healthy, way

Cucumber Lemon Water

All the pretty tea cups that arrived.

Someone was outside and found the mud.

A Family Glimpse Back

Just before leaving for our trip to Europe Jays side of the family all got together for a picnic and a fire. It was some good family time before heading off on our adventures.

This is one of my all time favorite pictures, this little nephew is priceless! 

Yes we had popsicles, it was bliss!

Little Anna with Aunty Jennifer

Zachary and Grandma

Evelyn having a hoot with cousin Serena

Lucy and Joe, Joe kept the fire going.

Anna and Evelyn, when we came home from our trip they were not just walking but running.

Buddys

Lucy had had 9, yes 9, of the rolliest, polliest puppies you had seen. SO FLIPPIN CUTE. If we hadn't been leaving on our trip, we would have taken one home.

Little Man

He's definitely one of the cooler babies out there, always has a big smile and laugh for you, and is genuinely happy to see you...especially when in the kitchen preparing food. In which he climbs your leg and 'coos' at you.

We were left in charge for a few minutes and Bethany had two rules: NO TV, NO sugar.

He LOVED it though! They were watching Bambi.

Mini Wellies. 

Proof plug covers work.

HIs old man hat. Love this thing.

Upside Down man.