John and Sara Paterson: August 2009

Sierra's 'cat' while we were away on holidays

Just a cute little guy she found while 'pouting' on the beach...he cheered her up (as long as she didn't try to pick him up with her fingers as his hair had quite the sharpness to it. He became our 'horse' in our castle corral.

Camping Trip August 2009

Well we missed out on any pictures from our actual "goertz" famil reunion...guess we were too busy having fun, playing baseball, eating, swimming, diving off high diving boards, sleeping, eating, singing, visiting etc. etc. It was good! But we caught some pics from our way home. We spent 2 nights in Salmon Arm, B.C. beside a lake. That was also good and relaxing and our Korean 'sons' were excellent travellers. No complaining, set up there own tent and took it down (very precisely) helped out with the kids and endured LONG drives in the truck with those same kids!! Well done guys :)

The Sandcastles. We started with just the kids building a small one each, then I got bored and joined in the fun...continue on for just what we were able to create with sand, an icecream pail, lake water and natures decorations.

The kids got bored of it long before I did...but being a tad OCD I kept them on task and working!! :) catipillars and food brought them back on board full swing in no time.

Finally the men arrive to help finish the moat...filling it with water was quite the challenge.

Finished Product. Not a bad job if I do say so myself. It was a lot of fun for me to do...with everyone helping :)

MORAINE LAKE, BANFF

Stopped in here on our way home (it was a looooong way home...just ask the boys!!) What a beautiful spot.

Paul's Birthday...better late than never :)

Birthday supper with family and even our old homestay student "Nelson" who we got to have stay with us for a couple of weeks at school years end. It was great having our old 'son' home again.

Presents and again kids around to offer LOTS of help unwrapping and sampling!

friends/family attending our party time and of course some of the gifts!! Nice big rice cooker for those hungry times :)

Finally the cake...tried for a soccer theme as he's a great player and lover of the game.

And last but not least we used his new cards to play some games...can't remember who won, but I know it WASN'T me :(

Happy Birthday Paul! We adore your smile and personality!!

Brian's Birthday Pictures

These are very delayed pictures, but I am a procrastinator. Sorry. click on the collages to see the pictures up closer :)

John and Paul hung out on the couch watching the festivities and John helped decipher one of the Canadian 'jokes' in a birthday card.

We had a dance party at the beginning of Brians Birthday party...we didn't make them dance (well Paul did humble himself and did a few moves) but Brian showed us a few of his Korean Martial Arts training moves.

Presents...snacks and gift cards and a bunch of kids to share them with :) Brian is a very good big brother to the kids and is patient and very kind with them.

Casendra stealing the wrapping paper and the show :)

Reading the various cards with Sierra's help.

Brians Birthday cake. We tricked him into trying to blow out the sparklers...he knew what we were doing but good naturedly played along...such a great sport!