APRIL 2022 Edition

Happy Spring, everyone! It’s so nice seeing a bit more of the sun and enjoying the longer evenings. Here’s what’s been happening with the K-Team:

Where Did The Money Go?

Have you ever noticed how one decision can deplete your bank account for years to come? I decided years ago that a great way to connect with the kids would be to do some dirt biking together. So, I bought a used dirt bike for myself and two smaller dirt bikes for the kids to share. Then, I had to buy a small utility trailer. A few years later, I ended up buying a new bike for me. I kept the old one, and then added an additional dirt bike and a quad for the kids to use; and hopefully one day Cindy too. So, I was then “forced” to upgrade my utility trailer to a 14’ cargo trailer – Cindy calls it a horse trailer. Of course, our VW Atlas SUV didn’t have the pulling power to tow the loaded cargo trailer, despite the advertisements that it can. So, necessity required me to buy a new 2022 Toyota Tundra pickup truck to tow the cargo trailer. Unfortunately, Cindy is starting to ask questions that I’m struggling to find answers for, like how is it I’m doing all of this “for the kids”, but I now have a new Toyota Tundra pickup truck, a new Husqvarna TE 300 dirt bike (so happy to hear that 2-stroke Braap), and a cargo trailer? I just don’t think Cindy appreciates the sacrifices I make for this family. And I really hope she forgets the deal we made at the start of all of this that whatever I spend on dirt biking, she gets to spend an equivalent amount on new furniture.

Home Sweat (not a misprint) Home

By the end of June, we expect to be in our new house. We are building just one block west of where we currently live, and are excited to be getting into a house with a basement. It’s been a lot of planning over the past year, but it’s been a great refresh for Cindy and me as we last built in 2000, even though we completely renovated our current house in about 2012. I’m proud of the fact that Cindy and I haven’t got into any arguments about specifications or finishes for the house. We actually built our first house in about 1998, and we had more challenges back then. Probably because I actually thought I had a say in things. This time around, I’m much wiser! Cindy had given me full and unrestricted freedom to design what she calls the important areas of the house, like the garage, shed, basement storage room, and my home office. And she says that because I’m in charge of these “important” areas of the house, she’ll take charge over the other areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and living areas… The older kids are excited about having rooms in the basement and all the kids are looking forward to a bit more bathroom space, a larger kitchen, and a hot tub! 

Road Trip

During Spring Break, I took Adrianna, Mireya, and Andy out to Kelowna to visit our good friends Derek and Jenn Van Ryckeghem and their kids Brison and Makana. Derek and Jenn founded Hope For The Island Ministries in the Philippines, and our family has been out to help with that ministry on multiple occasions. With the Van Ryckeghems now residing in Kelowna, and with our kids and their kids long time friends, we like to connect families when possible. So, on a road trip we went, with the new pickup, I might add. We enjoyed a few days hanging out, hiking, walking the Kelowna lakeshore, going on Tim Hortons runs, delighting in good food, and appreciating good fellowship. Unfortunately, Andy especially got along fabulously with the Van Ryckeghem family dog, Daisy. That might lead to some long-term implications as you can just guess what the most popular questions from the kids is right now around the house…

FEBRUARY 2022 Edition

CHRISTMAS

Christmas 2021 was the usual mix of noise, food, games, and fun. This year was especially fun with snow on the ground, a rare “White Christmas”. We once again had a ‘real’ Christmas tree too! My highlights:

• Watching Elf with the family (again).
• My Terry’s Chocolate Orange.
• Toblerone chocolate.
• Christmas Eve service at church.
• Glow.
• Light show at Williams Park.
• Family time!

SKI TRIP

Between Christmas and New Year’s, I took Adrianna, Nicole, and Andy on a ski holiday to Sun Peaks. We had to take the ‘long way’ around as the Coquihalla was closed to non-commercial traffic; and who doesn’t want to drive the Princeton this time of year? My favourite memories:

• Beautiful ski conditions with -30° temperatures.
• The kids’ first exposure to ‘frost nip’.
• Strolling in the village.
• Hot tubbing. 
• Great food from the local cafés.
• Movie nights. 
• Views from the top of Tod mountain. Wow!

NEW HOUSE

We are in the process of building a new house only 1 block away from where we currently live. The kids are looking forward to a basement, Cindy is looking forward to a proper dining area/great room, and I’m looking forward to not being in my new house because I’m out working to pay for it all . Actually, Cindy is letting me get a hot tub and the kids and I are pretty excited about that. We’re also putting in a home gym we can use for the first 6 months and after that have a place to hang laundry and store stuff. Andy and the girls have picked their rooms, and I’m just waiting for Cindy to let me know where I get to sleep!