tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312707272024-03-07T21:01:03.899+00:00The Coutts Family in ScotlandJon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-35155778871433634132010-11-17T14:11:00.003+00:002010-11-17T14:16:26.364+00:00I've moved<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyEciomwNJxLvN0seOtHznNo2lZDTO4t4PfDZNvf_6Tup-RWTvXpbdqWFuaW0C7GG9M3bWAMUXBItwERbHQRC8b9WfE-xiPoOIBJfm8L3n-geZQQKUWnLFjiwgHBC7BHNuJ8kPQ/s1600/IMG_5742.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyEciomwNJxLvN0seOtHznNo2lZDTO4t4PfDZNvf_6Tup-RWTvXpbdqWFuaW0C7GG9M3bWAMUXBItwERbHQRC8b9WfE-xiPoOIBJfm8L3n-geZQQKUWnLFjiwgHBC7BHNuJ8kPQ/s320/IMG_5742.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540521845141212290" /></a><br />So awhile ago I started blogging elsewhere. But I didn't tell anyone. Nobody really reads this thing anyway, so I was doing it just for me. But yesterday I posted some pictures of Jesse and Matty (They turn 2 on Saturday!) and thought I'd mention it.<div><br /></div><div>So you can find my new blog at: <a href="http://flowersintheseweeds.wordpress.com">flowersintheseweeds.wordpress.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://flowersintheseweeds.wordpress.com"></a><br /><br /></div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-45296328645167506482010-03-20T20:37:00.015+00:002010-03-20T21:28:44.664+00:00On A Lighter Note...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kqVDnFok39Srufwpy0lrfi7sfbsMEcxAbDMpWcp5Q5rdW1wDCNz0WNcFs8rXuWoFfpl6vPG1CtLteg_9NqvNdx6S_p4Nmpd-UCYFDuXsuSlyroyPN74Z1S5Mt7klFJPvIa1gaw/s1600-h/IMG_2729.JPG"></a><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Last Saturday my friend, </span><a href="http://rophoto.wordpress.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Rachel Owens</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">, agreed to do a family photo shoot. It was chaos, but a fun time. She sent us a few pictures to preview and they look great. Above is a sample (our lovely new "The Coutts Family in Scotland" header). I am sooooo excited about them. I will be sure to share more when I get them!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Later that day we were playing in the backyard. For some crazy reason I decided I wanted to get a shot of the 4 boys. Here they are, in order:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kqVDnFok39Srufwpy0lrfi7sfbsMEcxAbDMpWcp5Q5rdW1wDCNz0WNcFs8rXuWoFfpl6vPG1CtLteg_9NqvNdx6S_p4Nmpd-UCYFDuXsuSlyroyPN74Z1S5Mt7klFJPvIa1gaw/s1600-h/IMG_2729.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kqVDnFok39Srufwpy0lrfi7sfbsMEcxAbDMpWcp5Q5rdW1wDCNz0WNcFs8rXuWoFfpl6vPG1CtLteg_9NqvNdx6S_p4Nmpd-UCYFDuXsuSlyroyPN74Z1S5Mt7klFJPvIa1gaw/s320/IMG_2729.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450826651531268610" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Elijah: "Mom! Matty's got dirt all over his face! Is he trying to eat another rock?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Jesse: "Let me in here!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Mattias & Brady: "Cheese!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmAZnU-rXXHsc4pn6OYj-rQgXoJHtaQqjF8M1wGaWJG6nNke1LWRF3_NXkiATESf4yus_LdxfjwzXjkndR4irWYxUvLLX3aD6Sj03PaSMLm1dXDdi5uUglIAvhECFkBy1dkhZFQ/s1600-h/IMG_2730.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmAZnU-rXXHsc4pn6OYj-rQgXoJHtaQqjF8M1wGaWJG6nNke1LWRF3_NXkiATESf4yus_LdxfjwzXjkndR4irWYxUvLLX3aD6Sj03PaSMLm1dXDdi5uUglIAvhECFkBy1dkhZFQ/s320/IMG_2730.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450820553592032786" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Me: "Elijah, don't worry about it, just hold onto Jesse and smile nice for the camera!"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Jesse to Elijah: "Mmmmah! Mmmmah!" (he loves giving kisses)<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Matty & Brady: "Are we done yet?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyf8DgdiQOCRF9Cv5WXZeYnsnfO6jf1a45MJLUdBRuaMOhfUnKRk9LPuTHzjEBlPqvrnFqyR878b6J8pOcw9yjKFtFBxxW520PgxiT3SRjLzBShyKAvAoSmEHbNlZbMsLt_BSwYg/s320/IMG_2731.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450819035107505458" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Me: "Come on, let's try one more time."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Elijah: "How's this, Mom?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Jesse: "I'm outta here!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Matty: "Come on, Mom"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Brady: "Cheese!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6meTPCKMbecSLuOYrquGnEFSHcrgUOQN1dDUf0A9lptycgsaNs8-kv7DufiflandK9CEEW0JRcB5kBaWAScbfOvdgjhbgKxbrSSqZFqfpVhR35DZmDfFRcOKwFNodkOQ4ClOXQ/s1600-h/IMG_2732.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6meTPCKMbecSLuOYrquGnEFSHcrgUOQN1dDUf0A9lptycgsaNs8-kv7DufiflandK9CEEW0JRcB5kBaWAScbfOvdgjhbgKxbrSSqZFqfpVhR35DZmDfFRcOKwFNodkOQ4ClOXQ/s320/IMG_2732.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450819046216602610" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Jon: "Come on now, Elijah & Jesse! Mom wants one nice picture of you guys!"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Brady: "I'm going to lose it, Mom. I can only smile for so long."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Matty: "Look! I have fingers!"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGm8JnTas6H5NVE2N77kv9cfqREGUYbe9eqvYmE8VjwplhAr9h_u-uIl3L55P5NNBcGSOoR_TpfTGjmJTGDSGC44Iq2MZgq7LUg9i9t8riQQ3KcyAPTTeSNwimyR1gz3nxq1Se3g/s320/IMG_2733.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450819062430493858" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Me: "Okay, last try. For real."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Elijah: "Cheese."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Jesse: "Mmmah!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Matty: "Is that a rock?"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Brady: "Cheese!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">And so it goes. Luckily we have some better shots from Rachel!</span></span></div></div></div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-88971388532727681972010-03-19T13:05:00.000+00:002010-03-20T20:36:54.291+00:00loving anyway<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHsjQZQ_4Eiiax5L0xfXoIz56rzU2RGnKhiAGnvepmZYjmn62Uv9n-p1Ba-_Ref4n6QrDFPaFC0t1xLGvxHunl2tfeg_TloCmPkY0B7Zyx_mEAvjC-SFIGdZbZDb1Pb4swZWizw/s1600-h/IMG_0189.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHsjQZQ_4Eiiax5L0xfXoIz56rzU2RGnKhiAGnvepmZYjmn62Uv9n-p1Ba-_Ref4n6QrDFPaFC0t1xLGvxHunl2tfeg_TloCmPkY0B7Zyx_mEAvjC-SFIGdZbZDb1Pb4swZWizw/s320/IMG_0189.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450346075527039554" /></a>It is difficult to raise children on the best days. I somehow thought that perhaps once my kids grew up enough to go to school, things might get a bit easier. I was wrong. Instead I have come to the realization that it is getting (in many ways) much more difficult. And I think a big reason has to do with the introduction of different worldviews into my boys' lines of sight. Suddenly, the way we see things is not the only way, and most times it isn't the best/funnest/easiest way, either.<div><br /></div><div>I was really struck by this when we had a classmate over after school a few weeks back. It was so very evident that the structure of his upbringing was vastly different than that of our sons. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the walk home he asked me if I watch a certain show (a British soap) that I would never ever consider letting my kids watch. He said he watches it all the time with his mom. I was shocked and slightly taken aback. Why would his mom let him watch that kind of show?</div><div><br /></div><div>But as I thought about it, I realized that this boy, who is like my own in so many ways, is growing up with a completely different set of standards and as a result, he is very different than they are. He has a completely different set of values. A completely different way of viewing the world. Who am I to say it is wrong of his parents to allow him to watch something that has questionable (to me) subject matter? He comes from a family with their own set of standards that are not guided by Scripture. Trying to thrust my standards upon them and then judging them based on those standards is not only a waste of time but a way to alienate me (and my kids) from them.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is one thing for us to discuss such issues with fellow believers. Once someone has accepted and believes that Jesus died for them and is desiring to follow him, then as brothers and sisters in Christ we are to "exhort one another and build each other up" (which I sometimes think we don't do enough of, but that's another subject that I'll save for another post). But until then, I believe that judging a non-believer's actions based on biblical standards is wrong. I need to love and accept this boy and his mom as they are. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>But that doesn't make parenting my boys right now, with their non-believing friends, an easy task. Because just as I desire relationships with their parents, I want my boys to desire real relationships with their classmates. I don't want them to see themselves as somehow less than the other kids, nor do I want them to think themselves better. How do we go about instilling strong ethical principles in our children that are not laced with judgement and/or a feeling that they somehow have it better/worse than others? I feel like I am constantly telling my boys things like: "It doesn't matter that so-and-so does that. That is not something that I want you to do." Or, "just because his mom said it's okay for him, doesn't mean that it is okay for you." I hate it when I say things like that. But I'm not sure what other choice I have.</div><div><br /></div><div>I want my kids to love as Jesus loved. Sure he was aware of the sin around him, but that didn't stop him from living with and loving those around him. And then change happened in those lives. Jesus' love and forgiveness broke through and changed hearts. </div><div><br /></div><div>Change <i>my</i> heart, oh God. Help me to love like Jesus.</div></div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-5670437410157475062010-03-01T23:21:00.012+00:002010-03-02T00:34:29.511+00:00Learning to Trust<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKXcg92i511YE_sX95asy7K4Y1OL6PvcDH-Ncitibs9TP84HZfGpc5B_QRM-J_Njy__XV6crIkwJMIe4puM9an72f0PwyqIuMXxi5ix3E5164xJGxrfZOYu4rehfv3IrmW7CU1g/s1600-h/IMG_2466.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Z_Y-3XjvfjDx5msT22_KjX3w4uW4d-Oxvrt1NskTV_QW16zr0QuuGWkWzDIA8wyOoxypIQJBP-D9ml8hEQZ_pGvP8CUbiHkf9knsSwTz3xMvrtH_x5Zo68lP63phDKiyDAzgAg/s1600-h/IMG_2182.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Z_Y-3XjvfjDx5msT22_KjX3w4uW4d-Oxvrt1NskTV_QW16zr0QuuGWkWzDIA8wyOoxypIQJBP-D9ml8hEQZ_pGvP8CUbiHkf9knsSwTz3xMvrtH_x5Zo68lP63phDKiyDAzgAg/s320/IMG_2182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443828082281295234" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>I've been thinking about trust. What does it really mean to trust someone? And at what point in life does trust develop? <div><br /></div><div>I've heard it said that babies trust their parents. But do they really? I'm not so sure. I think to say they trust their parents implies they recognize that those parents might let them down. <div><br /></div><div>When I am holding a baby or two and things get precarious, as worried as I might be that I could drop one or both of them, they are oblivious. I don't think they are trusting me to keep them from a long and hard tumble to the ground. They can't imagine that I am anything but in complete control. So much so, that they often squirm and make things even more difficult! It's not even a matter of confidence. It's just fact: Mommy is holding me and so we're good!<br /><div><br /></div><div>Saying that, though, I think that Jesse and Matty, now 15 months old, are beginning to learn trust. Up until rather recently, when I would quickly run upstairs to grab the laundry basket or to go pee and I left them locked downstairs I knew they were okay because I could hear them crying. They would follow me to the stairs and looked longingly up through the mesh of the gate as they cried. I wonder what they were thinking? Were they worried that I was gone for good? Or just mad that I didn't take them up with me?</div><div><br /></div><div>Lately, though, they still often end up following me to the bottom of the stairs when I make my mad dash. But instead of crying, I can hear them talking or playing with the toys that they brought along. If I wait long enough, I might hear Matty calling for me or Jesse yelling at me (yep, they are 2 very different boys!). When I head down the stairs and they catch sight of me, Jesse will give me his goofy grin and maybe say "hi" before heading back to play. On the other hand, Matty often gives me a very sad look and starts to cry, letting me know that he was not impressed with my decision to leave him. But it is completely different than it used to be when those cries really seemed to imply that neither of them thought I was ever coming back. Me reappearing seemed as much of a surprise as me leaving them was.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, yeah. Object permanence, blah, blah, blah. But do you see what I'm getting at? I think they are learning about trust and learning to trust me.</div><div><br /></div><div>The crappy thing is that I will let them down. It's only a matter of time before I drop them in one way or another. I already have! How many times have I said or done something that has been the opposite of what Elijah and/or Brady expected? Or the opposite of what I told them I would do? And still they love me. And forgive me. And trust me. What a blessing and a challenge it is to raise kids!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKXcg92i511YE_sX95asy7K4Y1OL6PvcDH-Ncitibs9TP84HZfGpc5B_QRM-J_Njy__XV6crIkwJMIe4puM9an72f0PwyqIuMXxi5ix3E5164xJGxrfZOYu4rehfv3IrmW7CU1g/s320/IMG_2466.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443828097222080098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div></div></div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-66376936498376590142010-02-09T21:50:00.000+00:002010-02-09T22:37:45.912+00:00Our first Christmas in Scotland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9-sjGgFTB4zzgSz7j60K6bqf2f3aIUlD0vY73z1JBD_G3MIcqGdLhU4pkrv0ECkKF_nmkjSbmkBpqcCOefRlwvKLdmu73pQLMepcJWEthv2XeBt-j57N7C0rPykY_xkS_4rhVQ/s1600-h/IMG_2009.JPG"></a>Our first Christmas in Scotland was great. We were blessed with three special visitors: Grandpa and Grandma Coutts and Uncle Jeff! We had lots of fun, despite the unexpected ice and snow that kept us from sharing our "normal" life with them. Here we are at Dunnottar Castle on the North Sea.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwljMWwxETfEf4ZQNCYuIxSR0w3u9JyVoUHEQ0jNcSR9WDM9qMzPcN5KXvMEYK7-Zs7a9Sa6MOcImE4cpEIXZAo8_Vi0DcPS9chgf86cusGPOwuyVLDKXULdmaiB9B2MwNaL8ig/s1600-h/IMG_1907.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwljMWwxETfEf4ZQNCYuIxSR0w3u9JyVoUHEQ0jNcSR9WDM9qMzPcN5KXvMEYK7-Zs7a9Sa6MOcImE4cpEIXZAo8_Vi0DcPS9chgf86cusGPOwuyVLDKXULdmaiB9B2MwNaL8ig/s400/IMG_1907.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436360093917120370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqjuc1iQrwiFw2uoWNW4AQN3jMquyUdjCnys6HnqEsc5tiQBktlCFIZEfahwR2S_4ax93Pr64zanQdJXbJKywvTsFsvPtnhjNbbHwzuxn2WDHHv4uoaJa0EWyUsdbTQx5ZlEgmw/s1600-h/IMG_1551.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqjuc1iQrwiFw2uoWNW4AQN3jMquyUdjCnys6HnqEsc5tiQBktlCFIZEfahwR2S_4ax93Pr64zanQdJXbJKywvTsFsvPtnhjNbbHwzuxn2WDHHv4uoaJa0EWyUsdbTQx5ZlEgmw/s320/IMG_1551.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430057021414354354" /></a><div>Christmas holidays began with a bang! Not only was December 18th the last day of school, Brady's birthday and birthday party, but it was also the day it started to snow! It snowed and snowed and snowed. We ended up with ice and snow on the ground for over 4 weeks (apparently this doesn't happen often) and it seemed that nobody here knew what to do with it. The boys were due back at school on January 5th but school was cancelled because of the snow that was on the ground. They did get to go to school on the 6th, but they weren't allowed to have recess outside until the snow was gone, which was more than a bit frustrating for them, especially for Elijah!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJBzTR2yEJOBlC9GbOI9fuJk5-3DgU3x55Tk3p2my5cPtm9thpKBs9HzJ3jmAFt92O_VBbzpWdQpijmpeOsbqj6XYkY1I_zPsrWp6TdcGm3EOnvbEhB5Gh6KM8cQQpW1LmU301Q/s320/IMG_1646.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436368716145224242" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div>December 23rd: We took the bus downtown and managed to shuffle-skate our way around a bit. Here is a shot of the boys with Grandpa (and Uncle Jeff and Jesse behind) at the end of Union Street.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk-w1bHQM3wZ4Jt8zcjWxZvTxP1omBO8briaJfR0qDJZ7FlMGYWLFzR8X0Xtpk-QB9oixfQ69GwQHiEtGU3kIOZtSC9I_75l6n07r8RKLMNWTwml66JzB5wFNTaxXcMbjvC0I0g/s1600-h/IMG_1670.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk-w1bHQM3wZ4Jt8zcjWxZvTxP1omBO8briaJfR0qDJZ7FlMGYWLFzR8X0Xtpk-QB9oixfQ69GwQHiEtGU3kIOZtSC9I_75l6n07r8RKLMNWTwml66JzB5wFNTaxXcMbjvC0I0g/s320/IMG_1670.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430057026145545474" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>December 24th: Here we are in our annual Christmas pyjamas, sent from Grandpa and Grandma Zed. <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8uDtS3fhUN-Rd64x1RkcNlVOcTKrBobtMtpG9XEtXsh91x_SYzsIDPyTuSlB8fNp-7F44JaD4UNwc_i2J3i9-UmJZ4SSMyAnpJzQdtUUPcs5XhGXsPtXNzlZNrTuhKi2cHP1_A/s320/IMG_1813.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436364647985271794" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">December 26th: A beautiful day at the sea.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPutyovZUaAGz2a7I1kBH_EgQxLev_KsP99Qbro9Ag1rxb7Kz4mNw6N5aiUkzWyj19RALtZ9uSgYLcH4ocSPJayDbxqxQESNyPHkQZJLxcS_PKP6JnVvsEBoXKHk2t4p_69XBwSA/s320/IMG_1922.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436364639594111506" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">December 29th: Here are the boys with Grandpa and Grandma Coutts on the train to Edinburgh. It was a fun trip (we love travelling by train) and it was nice to stay in a hotel for a night!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuS8JkqfAknwRiCap9R8RgQlK7-owE8QURr0MMO7AhyphenhyphenBStggtmygiSnazcoEcbBDkZvlaojFrmz4IyEr61qj0rUTUJ0klHbCezBaNc8prnkf9G7ivPT9luj-5PwrmOvlBOxBMBuQ/s320/IMG_1972.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436368729197773346" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Edinburgh Castle</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RJdp_9AyDr18mIQF4YZ-3VIprULamrc8jidvwk6D_ZtOyXTnKYrkGIXeLk2kde46Sne-YSvg30RdPzHeRCb2qFWGjbxei65Mcv3EarMo2DOgnydCIEQOpe9OoXQ4snHHwYGvGQ/s320/IMG_1983.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436368727535165090" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">As the sun was setting, Jesse and Matty were mesmerized by the lights. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9-sjGgFTB4zzgSz7j60K6bqf2f3aIUlD0vY73z1JBD_G3MIcqGdLhU4pkrv0ECkKF_nmkjSbmkBpqcCOefRlwvKLdmu73pQLMepcJWEthv2XeBt-j57N7C0rPykY_xkS_4rhVQ/s1600-h/IMG_2009.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9-sjGgFTB4zzgSz7j60K6bqf2f3aIUlD0vY73z1JBD_G3MIcqGdLhU4pkrv0ECkKF_nmkjSbmkBpqcCOefRlwvKLdmu73pQLMepcJWEthv2XeBt-j57N7C0rPykY_xkS_4rhVQ/s320/IMG_2009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436372146086180018" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The boys sure love their Uncle Jeff.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSQSbvYrfLCy8hQjDBOJtq7bBkKt4b1FoHlzByzMq7RMgO9KGwxuUZZjPIY-Vbwnob_VR6h2mOVrXTYfecxHPvb3IEaeuZK9rmoxYpPbKVeOokefKkgnNVjnU6PQClTxQKHwIKQ/s320/IMG_2007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436372138124846994" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div>Our last group photo (taken at the hotel the night before Jeff left for home). Matty was just so sad to say goodbye to Uncle Jeff!</div></div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-65144811640599586052010-01-24T19:35:00.002+00:002010-01-24T19:41:52.526+00:00Peanuts<div>A few weeks before the babies first birthday I did something dumb. I decided that they were close enough to one to have a <em>taste </em>of peanut butter. But I didn't limit it to a taste: I gave them each a piece of toast with peanut butter slathered on it. They LOVED it! </div><div><br /></div><div>Fairly quickly in, Mattias started rubbing his eyes and complaining a lot. But he kept eating. He hadn't napped well that day, so I assumed he was just tired and ready for an early trip to bed. When he was about half done, I clued in that, no, the whining and complaining and the face rubbing were not due to lack of sleep. His face was getting puffy and it was super red. He was having an allergic reaction to the peanut butter! </div><div><br /></div><div>I got the Children's Benadryl and Jon got him out of his seat and took him upstairs to wash him down. He was quite a sight. But the Benadryl kicked in pretty fast (I'm so glad we had it on hand!) and he calmed down fairly quickly. I wanted to share a picture of him while he is still looking yucky but not at his worst. Poor guy!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414745545685599890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5ztBCGyW3zpNrEIVGKbmz2DpRfbv7f5lnCeKbzor5gHzPvsIVLOs6wcvfvKJ_e-Nc4JMAuBAeY9I6Z_J0IUsrfoIw96p0VA1111MUu4TjggYiv0q2Bqlosmb5TKT4I94hvCadw/s320/IMG_0874.JPG" /><div><div><br /></div><div>It turns out that here they generally don't offer peanut products to kids under 5. I asked the paediatrician about it and he said it is due in part to cultural tendencies. Peanut butter just doesn't have the following here that it has in North America (here they seem to go for Nutella over PB). Take those two factors into consideration: late introduction of peanuts and general disinterest in peanut butter, and I guess that's why there is such a low number of kids with peanut allergies! There is not a single child in Elijah and Brady's entire school with a peanut allergy!</div><div><br /></div><div>So my advice, should you ever have a baby in your midst: don't bother with peanut butter for at least a few years.</div></div></div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-11505543104667056142010-01-24T08:05:00.000+00:002010-01-24T08:51:04.677+00:00Brady the Brave<div>We have had such a busy 6 weeks! There is so much I could tell you, so I will start with December 18th: Brady turned 5!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex1yU-hT5wcnruciMv7yAbmJ6fF67nHmPNLFk9h4i4NXtXkxkjgu3P5UvmKKtKPztb7htTMc7pLeDuvdkNXHIuHWISwSEEw1I0_T-pvSAmO7qeImOUTpugfCPVil_TQBj_UXh3w/s1600-h/IMG_0914.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex1yU-hT5wcnruciMv7yAbmJ6fF67nHmPNLFk9h4i4NXtXkxkjgu3P5UvmKKtKPztb7htTMc7pLeDuvdkNXHIuHWISwSEEw1I0_T-pvSAmO7qeImOUTpugfCPVil_TQBj_UXh3w/s200/IMG_0914.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430041302790613714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I can hardly believe how quickly the last 5 years have gone and how big and smart and wonderful Brady is. And so BRAVE! In the last 17 months we have had two big moves (the first from Caronport, Saskatchewan to Spruce Grove, Alberta and the second from the Grove to Aberdeen, Scotland) which can be trying on anyone. But especially trying for a very shy and introverted preschooler. Throw in the birth of your twin baby brothers and the decrease in parental involvement that forces on you, attending a number of different churches, losing your cousins when they move overseas, moving overseas, too, starting school fulltime within a week of that move, joining a football (soccer) team with a coach with a heavy Scottish accent, finding another church.... (Whew!) Brady has been so brave through it all!</div><div><br /></div><div>He is also very stubborn (which drives his mommy crazy sometimes) and it is almost impossible to get him to change his mind on things. Still, we are so proud of him for being true to himself even through his stubbornness. A quick example: He was struggling with understanding all the instructions as football practice and was the youngest and smallest boy on the team (which was for 5 to 8 year olds). He decided he didn't want to play anymore and no amount of requests or demands from me or Jon would make him budge. I was worried that he would regret his decision to quit but he is totally great with it, actually. He still loves football, but has decided to wait until next fall to try playing on the team again. </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex1yU-hT5wcnruciMv7yAbmJ6fF67nHmPNLFk9h4i4NXtXkxkjgu3P5UvmKKtKPztb7htTMc7pLeDuvdkNXHIuHWISwSEEw1I0_T-pvSAmO7qeImOUTpugfCPVil_TQBj_UXh3w/s1600-h/IMG_0914.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGkeF2EDQrFAtPjwpXm6S_jZy6eD0FhdXcOMp0rVsxMadQwhPvrMZw_2jfqVpOyLAv_YD0uol1CVna5CjTjuJl2-gFVUkoNTamKaIL2g-Rdc4O7C8rTGFEy8-8Y23WMqloS_w0Q/s1600-h/IMG_1501.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGkeF2EDQrFAtPjwpXm6S_jZy6eD0FhdXcOMp0rVsxMadQwhPvrMZw_2jfqVpOyLAv_YD0uol1CVna5CjTjuJl2-gFVUkoNTamKaIL2g-Rdc4O7C8rTGFEy8-8Y23WMqloS_w0Q/s200/IMG_1501.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430040645435911778" /></a>Here is the Birthday Boy opening gifts before school with the crew.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M3Hddxn9zeuqjaJdcPGjhKwSr1pVq8851a1wX44XNTnC3jXVxJROEU1lxqeMnT8d4l7qS_mSnB4WWl4V4qeRtW-A8XOX4wVllKcsUpxpPzEWTPg4Y9c0prbePHO8mXRIOHVefg/s1600-h/IMG_1521.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5M3Hddxn9zeuqjaJdcPGjhKwSr1pVq8851a1wX44XNTnC3jXVxJROEU1lxqeMnT8d4l7qS_mSnB4WWl4V4qeRtW-A8XOX4wVllKcsUpxpPzEWTPg4Y9c0prbePHO8mXRIOHVefg/s200/IMG_1521.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430040640697833570" /></a>And here he is at his long-awaited party! Brady was soooo excited to have his friends over to celebrate and decided months in advance that he wanted it to be a Wall*E party. (That really just meant that we did a Wall*E cake.) Because he was turning five we let him have 5 friends over (and didn't make him count brothers!). He chose 3 boys from school and 2 girls from church. They had lots of fun.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztt_C9LyIxJhbbeqxTF5s3kxLjHUSn1A0iXqaVkZ43hDTPi7781JuafrY_g16iprjWkvpUq2aHg_L88Cqz8kXkQqMhi9xUUUAW0aro4qx9P8hYSD1R1Ts-XQS4qJ3mtW9ySJ2Yw/s200/IMG_2129.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430040661971804370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On a different note, here is a picture of the boys all playing together. The big boys love making boats and airplanes and forts. Here they are on their fishing boat (using badminton racquets and blankets as fishing poles and nets). You probably can't tell, but Jesse and Matty were ecstatic when we actually let them join them on the boat instead of pretending they were fish swimming in the ocean.</div></div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-80318456115513387882009-12-13T21:14:00.009+00:002009-12-13T21:59:42.601+00:00Elijah the MarvelousElijah is an amazing boy. We discovered very early on that he is extremely bright and that God has blessed him with a kind and sensitive spirit. We <strong>love</strong> that about him. And those of you who know him will agree that with that sensitivity and concern for others, he also has a real dramatic side. That is something that we don't always know how to handle and neither does he.<br /><br />Elijah is very quickly growing up. And he is also growing more and more dramatic. Sometimes I wonder if at night when we've got him all tucked in and ready for bed if he lies awake planning his next big performance. Let me tell you, the other day was a doozy!<br /><br />As I recall we'd had a bit of a "rough" evening that included some reprimands from Mom and Dad. He and Brady were supposed to be getting ready for bed. Suddenly he bursts into the room and shrieks, "I know what you're doing!"<br /><br />I look at Jon who is looking at me with as much confusion as I am feeling. "What are you talking about, Elijah!?"<br /><br />"I know you are trying to kill us! Why do you have this knife up here!?" he exclaims as he pulls out from behind his back...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmwV9NLmzCPPZfen54QhsRdRc3wn1mrb_OfBsMqgc31kXSAJpy59-HR8gJ7vmw5yGrtk5j70dwDEYsmS90hbylNMNg_WXuBFMJPwbVZ7GPRNF0BhtVibL8sz7sPMffpnl9oHD6g/s1600-h/IMG_1267.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414835451164432722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmwV9NLmzCPPZfen54QhsRdRc3wn1mrb_OfBsMqgc31kXSAJpy59-HR8gJ7vmw5yGrtk5j70dwDEYsmS90hbylNMNg_WXuBFMJPwbVZ7GPRNF0BhtVibL8sz7sPMffpnl9oHD6g/s320/IMG_1267.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />my 2 inch metal nail file.<br /><br /><br /><br />After a quick explanation of what the <em>weapon </em>actually is, things return to normal. At least for a few minutes...Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-38398187786880664692009-12-10T20:18:00.012+00:002009-12-10T20:49:34.736+00:00Jesse & Matty are 1!I wanted to get something up here now that we've sent out Christmas letters saying we have this thing! So here are a few pictures of our sweet babies on their first birthday!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzu9wl9-ocC8uSe1uxpikjny-Y2odCiCElqIhWq0T2cEUa1nqDm_SBtEQy1tWhhGRXhLzrvb96svXfBPqFspsGrZUx0Kgvy6dmV2v_Ds94VKrRU8YX7M3FC4UTgSUS-tqqAvqVQ/s1600-h/IMG_1203.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: center; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413705592079528626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzu9wl9-ocC8uSe1uxpikjny-Y2odCiCElqIhWq0T2cEUa1nqDm_SBtEQy1tWhhGRXhLzrvb96svXfBPqFspsGrZUx0Kgvy6dmV2v_Ds94VKrRU8YX7M3FC4UTgSUS-tqqAvqVQ/s320/IMG_1203.JPG" /></a><br />While I don't love having Jesse and Mattias always matching, I must admit that it is pretty stinking adorable when they are!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkr8SpStig42Xt9d9zrtIS3iG2YELAQQlNeAEUDUOKSqypgxtzQrYqi13eJ5dSm6BWEa40qIvRPfEcVQi7hH9pV9ZG48XqiEWqFPFiZZUiFCa-x5q2pKJLfPo2oNbSEhY7DUX1g/s1600-h/IMG_1209.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: center; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413705598101901890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkr8SpStig42Xt9d9zrtIS3iG2YELAQQlNeAEUDUOKSqypgxtzQrYqi13eJ5dSm6BWEa40qIvRPfEcVQi7hH9pV9ZG48XqiEWqFPFiZZUiFCa-x5q2pKJLfPo2oNbSEhY7DUX1g/s320/IMG_1209.JPG" /></a><br />They were pretty confused when it came to cake time. They both reached for their cakes, grabbed hold of some icing, then looked confused and as if they wanted their hands washed. (Of course, Jon was the master cake decorator.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsbCZZtL2jViGSzi3FEyNU7WwBs7NNaenkUDQNwqafWBCtfoDtENhYeZlY4pEhVzZCwDjq_JQN4Ccy8bmc4FhBK5rUn9Wses-qW8qRtupS8Wnx-1zpnIuveZg0VMCiQSHXARd9Q/s1600-h/IMG_1314.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: center; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413705600451066274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsbCZZtL2jViGSzi3FEyNU7WwBs7NNaenkUDQNwqafWBCtfoDtENhYeZlY4pEhVzZCwDjq_JQN4Ccy8bmc4FhBK5rUn9Wses-qW8qRtupS8Wnx-1zpnIuveZg0VMCiQSHXARd9Q/s320/IMG_1314.JPG" /></a><br />The babies got the Little People garage from Grandpa & Grandma Zed. They love it! Many a morning has been spent happily dropping things down the lift and fishing them out, then throwing things down the circular exit ramp. Although they don't fully get it, they do love it!<br /><br /><br />Well, that's all for now. I need to go work. But I will be back to post and chat about other events that have happened, especially since moving to Aberdeen! (And I'll be sure to include pictures of Elijah and Brady, too!)Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-12887129262063052432008-01-12T19:43:00.000+00:002008-01-12T19:46:03.619+00:00New LocationIt is doubtful that we will be posting much here anymore. The last half-dozen times we've tried to post pictures here blogger has shut down on us and, frankly, it seems the best place for this these days might be facebook. So until the next one comes along, that's where we'll be. This website will remain as an archive of sorts.<br /><br />Thanks for meeting us here. See you wherever else the airwaves take us all!Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-9703403078031459402007-12-23T22:13:00.001+00:002007-12-23T22:18:00.603+00:00merry christmaswe have neglected our blog for a number of months. will try to update again soon and check in on others as well. til then, here's some fun pics we just took on uncle jeff's computer. we're in PA and headed to Spruce this evening. merry christmas all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqBynp2JQLMpuFXb6glAI3VRW3ugoimorISq0atQBx4qMuc9uVKnuy3-UH7m92HCSPA55ovnmG-LiYTGkylWQuAdUc64N2dvsbtQtB837Bd9IsU5zFzxgkop_7c6t3uCLp-dbFg/s1600-h/Photo+93.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqBynp2JQLMpuFXb6glAI3VRW3ugoimorISq0atQBx4qMuc9uVKnuy3-UH7m92HCSPA55ovnmG-LiYTGkylWQuAdUc64N2dvsbtQtB837Bd9IsU5zFzxgkop_7c6t3uCLp-dbFg/s320/Photo+93.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147295674830583986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBabAdog8eiizGls9YrN4601MGIVK7S0G2F8_4yjdcjR1c718Toyp4weLS7lkShciHl_MQ3xw7dijWBAwZB2aKY65LgxMBRdDWeJsbnL0Nf5rivJed0Dq45XvY8Ftx22tKCWzpQ/s1600-h/Photo+84.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBabAdog8eiizGls9YrN4601MGIVK7S0G2F8_4yjdcjR1c718Toyp4weLS7lkShciHl_MQ3xw7dijWBAwZB2aKY65LgxMBRdDWeJsbnL0Nf5rivJed0Dq45XvY8Ftx22tKCWzpQ/s320/Photo+84.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147295674830584002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmccQxhMcdKHG8aED8o9oVuWgEqZ_8VxOMkzq7pgBgvE6cxiI0oqe6qTv5S2tzOLxwa-iPhtmEfDCekAum9M-ud6uewu456z3zU07Ohs1zcp7Ije2wo7i6F_adBQjF2vvM-xWIQ/s1600-h/Photo+80.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmccQxhMcdKHG8aED8o9oVuWgEqZ_8VxOMkzq7pgBgvE6cxiI0oqe6qTv5S2tzOLxwa-iPhtmEfDCekAum9M-ud6uewu456z3zU07Ohs1zcp7Ije2wo7i6F_adBQjF2vvM-xWIQ/s320/Photo+80.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147295674830584018" border="0" /></a>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-85205202503906221132007-10-03T04:17:00.000+01:002007-10-05T18:13:36.632+01:00Jon's Birthday<div>Jon's 32nd birthday came and went with an inordinate amount of fanfare for such a "non-milestone" year. Angie and the boys gave me a great night at <em>Chez Nous</em> restaurant (our home), as you can see below. Elijah dressed up and was the waiter. It was amazing.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvPRHcTktWpCHZmYsnMsBgNNE4jyK7HuynrC0M_to8cuqgEZpaQqC81s4D6mXPdqGrmLbjUwpNmokv9O9FkHSOWapTjSmYP9MVXIwAi55WAMa18apWpSsTAfK7SiEA4ndvEbM2g/s1600-h/HPIM2583.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117896904140829106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvPRHcTktWpCHZmYsnMsBgNNE4jyK7HuynrC0M_to8cuqgEZpaQqC81s4D6mXPdqGrmLbjUwpNmokv9O9FkHSOWapTjSmYP9MVXIwAi55WAMa18apWpSsTAfK7SiEA4ndvEbM2g/s320/HPIM2583.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117900980064793090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FiYbmoL9POdi5Eo2EKaSGB0cAE3I9bVPDoA9pDG9NWV4e_YHD9FzFaqHRcMm-TgU9xWf3saSqwyPuKc9Kz8MnFV6SD08LlpWjhOOojpp1K9M39Gerf6Wj3bXtns0TgTX6M3c1Q/s320/HPIM2596.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUgdqi2S_USkpn8BfoaXxj9G490gkNO0HLBVfSW81NKXyvEFHFc5wqmhzYOsV9i26sVswiQqoATQmXBQxdRHqbh1n7lWRwOXQroiT8SgNPNOCeH4Tm_RBHu9ueQR_PeRavexRcg/s1600-h/HPIM2596.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-ukb0-3npjQdVSn84t4-CyeoGz0oB9rAbOPxlbxeiaw0RtZ7gD3xUtI4yvxafubOh_NJbQbAe1XvH-AMPARZNaVbT2FGOJOO8QrrZrTl6kamdDKv8JSM70zCYlfaPjNhBIAPzw/s1600-h/HPIM2598.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117896917025731026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-ukb0-3npjQdVSn84t4-CyeoGz0oB9rAbOPxlbxeiaw0RtZ7gD3xUtI4yvxafubOh_NJbQbAe1XvH-AMPARZNaVbT2FGOJOO8QrrZrTl6kamdDKv8JSM70zCYlfaPjNhBIAPzw/s320/HPIM2598.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>We also had a party at our place, seen below, with three families from seminary, Tuna, and the Beads. It was fun. We played football in the wind and at lots of chili. Notice I said the wind preceded the chili. Don't get all funny here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoZA1wplmtmfSuu6OY8tcbtkQw31GgMHRwmKkvDqaTUUjY2Xdi8qQSnr2RqT-1zewsVoPX8hnVdmtmVYTSDMA9VSibgg1cR4diJVQmKsseePcHolTd1wm0fOUJUdoKl5ODAKpmA/s1600-h/HPIM2609.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117896921320698338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoZA1wplmtmfSuu6OY8tcbtkQw31GgMHRwmKkvDqaTUUjY2Xdi8qQSnr2RqT-1zewsVoPX8hnVdmtmVYTSDMA9VSibgg1cR4diJVQmKsseePcHolTd1wm0fOUJUdoKl5ODAKpmA/s320/HPIM2609.JPG" border="0" /></a> At the party a great picture of Brady and Simon:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApPl0__Gb9ENpaTEDV715Rq8sCRrWMVvW8HgQf1p4Qf0kU23Cjd4S6liGkeOaF3vei6q__XfX_5YmS84Ukm-zodF9tEZ4TCIlrZGM0DOGUwL8lz1IMxF-D-xEKKFVZ57wv4UlNQ/s1600-h/HPIM2613.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117896929910632946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApPl0__Gb9ENpaTEDV715Rq8sCRrWMVvW8HgQf1p4Qf0kU23Cjd4S6liGkeOaF3vei6q__XfX_5YmS84Ukm-zodF9tEZ4TCIlrZGM0DOGUwL8lz1IMxF-D-xEKKFVZ57wv4UlNQ/s320/HPIM2613.JPG" border="0" /></a> Thanks for all the birthday wishes friends and fam.<br /><br /><div></div></div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-70508182784203218072007-09-14T22:50:00.000+01:002007-09-14T23:09:50.134+01:00First Days of SchoolFirst Day of School: TAKE ONE.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110183898140136626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSl5d0EiljHVtHA8RAZouqj61XN5eHIUSd45WJRjEJAaw3T5FlsQUys6ZOPclV_4ovXZ1cX10EeU68g_b0OroVpm1uUrutFzr-0bjtMv54To3i2ygI8UC_ykUTdbdre1KK6BzUA/s320/HPIM2496.JPG" border="0" />Here is Jon moments before heading over to the school for his first college class which he is taking for seminary credit. He arrives early. No one is there. He wanders around. Returns several times. 10 minutes after it should have started he finds one of the two or three people he knows in the college and asks what's the deal?<br /><br />Have you seen the modified schedule?<br /><br />What's that?<br /><br />Jon missed his first class.<br /><br />First Day of School: TAKE TWO.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RZS31lERFVWdOdrNsGMKR22DtMh3W9ddkLIE-9Pyt9-ubrIAVYEBR8fOHBLpymeoYzlkQN_6X3WJ54viwCdIlV2heMZW16dqqzWESxGiQGDVssuK8NzVsHjgreqHFwBpyrpkbw/s1600-h/HPIM2503.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110183911025038530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RZS31lERFVWdOdrNsGMKR22DtMh3W9ddkLIE-9Pyt9-ubrIAVYEBR8fOHBLpymeoYzlkQN_6X3WJ54viwCdIlV2heMZW16dqqzWESxGiQGDVssuK8NzVsHjgreqHFwBpyrpkbw/s320/HPIM2503.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110183915320005842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QcGP4Uvlc2Yv7hY9NPDN-Mo-E0lllsrBX0tZz9Kae-Yvih57uciPz5Fq9xDGzBuIZvnNhP8wL_FKdoridB59g6dB7VpXqIinW4VVgkPwY78rXCURYh7rT4laUAZxh2HwGbjhOQ/s320/HPIM2504.JPG" border="0" /> The following Monday was the first time Jon got his class right, and was also Elijah's first day back at preschool. He loved it! Way more than last year. Funny how it takes these milestones to realize how much the person is growing up. He was raving about all the things he did and the new friends he made. He also enjoys art class on Tuesdays, which he is loving as well.</p><p>Brady is a little sad about not having school yet, but he does get Moms & Tots on his own now, without Elijah (it is during preschool) and also is in Sunday School by himself (which he isn't too happy about, yet). He likes playing by himself at home though, and having his special time with Momma.<br /></p>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-81773630252410842572007-08-27T20:46:00.000+01:002007-08-27T22:05:08.806+01:00August and Everything AfterHey friends and family. If any of you still look here, here's some of the latest action:<br /><br />Elijah and Brady have been doing a lot of bike riding. They love it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9x6Ej9OIC5waSO52qK8UaPapa1VFQbEVe3Onh_4gav7-WhpVStyIV7wHp90CQ8T3hgCk0365vkddLBvO5MNkjD3A9Sq4FTtwqqXUb28qSjumS-Vy6PO4YppgDci37ZAIJLsTVLQ/s1600-h/HPIM2269.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103472722411349074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9x6Ej9OIC5waSO52qK8UaPapa1VFQbEVe3Onh_4gav7-WhpVStyIV7wHp90CQ8T3hgCk0365vkddLBvO5MNkjD3A9Sq4FTtwqqXUb28qSjumS-Vy6PO4YppgDci37ZAIJLsTVLQ/s320/HPIM2269.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here's a nice one of us we took while hanging around at the playground one fine summer evening.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiFJflVMdyblWI3BT8I9ybCho66I10m5jVVMFDbS0Gqf0SKQ7LIz6kqWP3fgSzYmsi-u8osGCY9uhuta6ZvmPYCehborBf32lRBIu2fTGoLhKVLKFaMQSBIXbwaymjc2EEV-abA/s1600-h/HPIM2290.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103472735296250978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiFJflVMdyblWI3BT8I9ybCho66I10m5jVVMFDbS0Gqf0SKQ7LIz6kqWP3fgSzYmsi-u8osGCY9uhuta6ZvmPYCehborBf32lRBIu2fTGoLhKVLKFaMQSBIXbwaymjc2EEV-abA/s320/HPIM2290.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here are the boys taking part in the group photo at the summer camp Jon spoke at:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYvZZCdhzKinNB09Y_NtMUwW5OZpGt4B_41lvPcb7ycxKmjHjWnbPm9DzfiKBxoXqP7iQ_tlYZAy7kDtD-LkgFRyc8UQHqNPHV4i4_JMViHbb2GSB5NEEteJ66M0nEs6D4RAJCg/s1600-h/HPIM2323.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103472752476120178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYvZZCdhzKinNB09Y_NtMUwW5OZpGt4B_41lvPcb7ycxKmjHjWnbPm9DzfiKBxoXqP7iQ_tlYZAy7kDtD-LkgFRyc8UQHqNPHV4i4_JMViHbb2GSB5NEEteJ66M0nEs6D4RAJCg/s320/HPIM2323.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here are the Zed-side cousins with their Grandma. Believe it or not this is the best shot we could get of them together.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirjiZAuPSnjOglQYWsMzEI1YMSPeLpVZzCcvi6McNAB8kv6hpjtXopRzSqwSyBicpGQK6CzyVvSZdkwKyz75_z1RQYoZSNvmW9dU9cbN0_P8OqcUtsB6_KDf5fl1JC1rvyWW11w/s1600-h/HPIM2371.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103472791130825858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirjiZAuPSnjOglQYWsMzEI1YMSPeLpVZzCcvi6McNAB8kv6hpjtXopRzSqwSyBicpGQK6CzyVvSZdkwKyz75_z1RQYoZSNvmW9dU9cbN0_P8OqcUtsB6_KDf5fl1JC1rvyWW11w/s320/HPIM2371.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is some produce from Angie's garden.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi3wj7X9fkjEAWw57R2NAXGcmaHE4YGbQ0Yhfop3I4p_77MTpo7mFzDunvAcdyzxsQjCVYIkPEy4FeeBoS-G9bLHEDBTJv4pVi9No2r0Ha_Rk_XLn5i667U8LNUP_s-Jfh3uzAw/s1600-h/HPIM2416.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103472834080498834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi3wj7X9fkjEAWw57R2NAXGcmaHE4YGbQ0Yhfop3I4p_77MTpo7mFzDunvAcdyzxsQjCVYIkPEy4FeeBoS-G9bLHEDBTJv4pVi9No2r0Ha_Rk_XLn5i667U8LNUP_s-Jfh3uzAw/s320/HPIM2416.JPG" border="0" /></a>Exciting huh?<br /><br />Crazy times are coming, it feels like the fall came all of a sudden and we are in over our head already! Jon is marking a Distance Learning class, doing some freelance writing, working on his thesis, teaching Sunday School with Terry (on Genesis), and taking three classes this fall. Angie is babysitting on Tuesdays, taking care of the boys (including Jon) every day, <div>helping with Children's Church and on a church committee, and looks to be taking part in a ladies group or two around the community. Elijah will be in preschool and also taking art classes. Brady is our free spirit, keeping us all entertained. </div><div> </div><div>These are the things we are <em>doing</em>, but of course, life is what happens in between all that. </div><div> </div><div>Thanks for checking in.</div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-12683112360381523792007-08-21T18:24:00.000+01:002007-08-21T18:38:33.443+01:00It's Been AwhileWe've been lazy with the family blog over the summer. There should be some pictures up here eventually of Elijah and Brady riding bikes or maybe some of us at camp. Anyway, how about a short update for now.<br /><br />After the July holidays we relaxed as best we could in the Caronport heat. It is a pretty lonesome town these days, but the neighbors have a pool, and Jon got lots of work done on his last 2006-2007 class, preached twice in Moose Jaw toward the end of the month, and prepared for a camp speaking engagement. Angie's gardening prowess has produced a flourish of tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, and so on.<br /><br />We just finished this AWANA camp near Elk Point, Alberta, and it was 7 days with 100 people between grade 6 and 12 as well as another 30 or so staffers. It was a different sort of camp in that it was a scholarship camp, which meant mostly the best of the best AWANAers were there, which meant that it was largely a "discipleship" camp. The boys came with us and we stayed in an 18 foot trailer all together until Grandma and Grandpa Zed took them on the weekend, leaving us to finish off ourselves. All in all it went pretty well. We took the boys canoeing for the first time, and Angie found the camper that has always been inside of her. Jon survived.<br /><br />Now that all of that is done, we're kicking back in the Edmonton area for a couple days before the 2007-2008 school year gets going. This coming semester, whilst working away at his thesis Jon will also be taking (and helping with) a literature class on GK Chesterton and also taking two classes in October: "Life in the Mess: The Theology of Forgiveness and Reconciliation"; and "The Reformation Era".<br /><br />At church Angie will be helping with Children's Church and Jon will teach Sunday School again. We also will both be on the upstart Social Justice and Action Committee at our church. Elijah will hopefully be in preschool and both he and Brady look forward to hanging out with their friends again. As do we.<br /><br />That's about where it is at these days. Thanks for checking in.Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-84984356943753454892007-07-31T17:15:00.000+01:002007-07-31T17:20:40.050+01:00In RemembranceAnother South Korean hostage died at the hands of the Taliban yesterday. He was 29. In this act of murder one man has become more truly demonic and another has been released from this fallen world and is finally truly human. May we all have the courage and compassion of these hostages. They are in our thoughts.<br /><br />Ingmar Bergman also died yesterday. His films have left a legacy. He was 89.<br /><p>I have names and photos and links to their stories on my <a href="http://www.thissideofsunday.blogspot.com/">blog</a>.</p>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-75874452110071596582007-07-23T16:42:00.000+01:002007-07-23T18:03:59.743+01:00BC Holiday Phase 3: KelownaOur last week of holidays was spent in Kelowna with the Zed family. Here are the cousins all over Grandma as she looks at our pictures from phases one and two of our vacation.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090422456125485202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhAkivCYRGzFLm7yhK3V2k5KEnCuAblzniz94cTPNEn0-77xF5VodIGktJ2x1S0NoFeOOSu_aDnyxOQGe4prH1VKvdj2XMQynC5pm9NI7id_sZIzmd6rTHBqtUZtM9IbHNZzCgg/s320/HPIM1955.JPG" border="0" />After the vacation we asked Brady and Elijah about their favourite part. They said it was the waterpark; more specifically the waterslide at the waterpark. Truly, they just kept going up and down the thing. Sometimes waiting in line for quite a while. It was great to watch. This isn't the waterpark but shows them in all their wet and wacky glory. <span style="font-size:78%;">(I am hesitant/paranoid about posting pictures of kids (or anyone) in bathing suits online. There are a lot of creeps out there)<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkSa31WAtFWHOHMCuYSjU3TkS2MfIJCUfq97kzcSSo5sW3twuNaUGTpufuOIUDTxFpXzli2CTnL2kC1xHezxpEBfYGijr0D-WmaLIuGXdKeFEacc6FY8Cwt_JT8CAPf95aPUABg/s1600-h/HPIM2079.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090430633743216898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkSa31WAtFWHOHMCuYSjU3TkS2MfIJCUfq97kzcSSo5sW3twuNaUGTpufuOIUDTxFpXzli2CTnL2kC1xHezxpEBfYGijr0D-WmaLIuGXdKeFEacc6FY8Cwt_JT8CAPf95aPUABg/s320/HPIM2079.JPG" border="0" /></a> Liana and Brady got on each other's nerves at times, but got along grand at others. Here we caught Brady in the act of "sharing" with Liana while we sat in the shade during the scorching heat of the Farmer's Market.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIaCKFHhQXdY9g1xuI2GNYdk5jGNayGhkfwYCX3xd1z9gBkeNC2My2J_2RKsEzpfjOIbOrGH-8W6wolMGixssIcBL_27WGEUfisq7inb_e6rQJPB7pfEEErcl0qTYzZQXq84F_Q/s1600-h/HPIM2062.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090430642333151506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIaCKFHhQXdY9g1xuI2GNYdk5jGNayGhkfwYCX3xd1z9gBkeNC2My2J_2RKsEzpfjOIbOrGH-8W6wolMGixssIcBL_27WGEUfisq7inb_e6rQJPB7pfEEErcl0qTYzZQXq84F_Q/s320/HPIM2062.JPG" border="0" /></a> Elijah has really taken to Ethan and has a definite soft spot and tenderness toward babies. He held Ethan often.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090430620858314978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBHC2aAN0xgBVZ3h2nsYymsT2RKnGKPZWxOduzv_EivupEwsEt8JlIXqrkwjoY173-jrBDA0udTyoMHUCxn0LBpV6R04OAQTEUNsWrNGbt-qSM8qSXAHJrkMrcEIA0rt9U8WzDw/s320/HPIM1957.JPG" border="0" /><br />It wasn't just kids and Grandma on this holiday. Here's the whole lot of us at a bird santuary off the beach. It was sunny and hot all week.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090422481895288994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWG1HfBqMamSgGrE_eMcZa0qbuAWFEuRZxXgXgXDjJcxiGTt0sfzBB65EYLHxASYoEe1GBgT65aAKnuN7ycQa7IUGHZWK62SEaXcOu9pZr608JlbmkIZwtnM0l44P5rPd5zcNhxg/s320/HPIM1971.JPG" border="0" /><br />Maybe the funnest thing all week was watching these four cousins dance at the "Jazz in the Park" thing we went to. Brady was raising the roof while Elijah, Micah and Liana did some magnificent twirls and jukes.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090422486190256306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvIeqn8GDXoN2BaCPEg5lLbN0th4HSZzEFF-Ky1jpP9CzesqBCWceWpeHpW9XISY-QGa6qpikczUTeisoyWy7OhOsPtNzEHWDO2S2ULTtYpHuYqnvJyoj8wR6owoPxgCHPiw9DQ/s320/HPIM2034.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>This became a common gathering point for Jon and the cousins (minus Ethan) as all the kids seats ended up in the W's van and we drove this way to the beach and everywhere all week. Andy and Angie were in the front. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090422507665092818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFFBoplRFJZYSyJ7m84FctUhz_buLPO_5m2kz_wXuPAyloRiY2eID263_r5_c2CJsgNY_MJ4rFiJYyEnEG5TGUvG5Vzd4u82qrNkif4MQ5bfUzHiCG9QyY9snSMb4I9Q5-5V5bw/s320/HPIM1988.JPG" border="0" />We enjoyed going to Scandia Amusement park and doing some mini-golfing. Here Richard (the eventual winner on the evening) is teaching Elijah how to putt.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090430629448249586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwgVKDx8mhBm0mIaO65fLngFw_oL-SLW-REosYaTVvhy7nCGvPQLUqYNtyqoNLS6uzArRbmfB9-kBLpzJQo5pJr0BTuIo44yHn24np6IXx3-6T02jLaoKOEJ-G8lbxbu1jgqQ3g/s320/HPIM2100.JPG" border="0" />Here is the group shot at the end of the golf. Almost looks like Disneyland.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9BDmpNpYKTVuE1LX1LIzyyfOwvPpHaOxlxKSC1RVFe1-9HwMCq631YH2xbrocP5mvQBkxezX6brz9FFbMuobqBZHDPDiVFe-4Oo8gOKXD-1ZScVD_5r-hthuCVnMj7UWi_OIiw/s1600-h/HPIM2118.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090422499075158210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9BDmpNpYKTVuE1LX1LIzyyfOwvPpHaOxlxKSC1RVFe1-9HwMCq631YH2xbrocP5mvQBkxezX6brz9FFbMuobqBZHDPDiVFe-4Oo8gOKXD-1ZScVD_5r-hthuCVnMj7UWi_OIiw/s320/HPIM2118.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It was a good, and relaxing, time with family. On the way home with Richard and Laurie we stopped at the world's largest dump truck off the Crowsnest Highway. Here's your family photo for the day. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090430646628118818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaq3OMxHYlQe0SXreypYb7ErHtN7ATKsuL1i4VNX-JOa5QZYHSlTL-cySFNeTzMTZ8qZRcFHLKiAYioXIrhHzA46jfteRDITYUr_B_NxSb2CWMuPwx20xbaoeBWaRY7VOVW-UQg/s320/HPIM2215.JPG" border="0" /> <div>There were lots more pictures from holidays, but that is a smattering of good ones. Sure was fun. It was nice to be home, but Caronport sure feels desolate and boring right now, after all that excitement.</div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-49949450084542709042007-07-16T17:47:00.000+01:002007-07-16T18:50:35.970+01:00BC Holiday Phase 2: Lower MainlandPhase two of our holiday to BC was spent in the lower mainland. This was essentially four days and we filled them up so much we were exhausted by the time the last day rolled around. But there were some great times.<br /><br />First off we went to Stanley Park with Mom and Dad, Uncle Cliff and Jordan, and Jeff. It was a marvelously gorgeous day out. Soon as we got there everyone had their cameras out and there aren't many pictures that don't have other camers clicking in them. Below is a case in point.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFiQIpfZVWpoNI-k7WE7TpUlnMfGp_5IDzmDeLPdNgWSssRkp5oMxyHY2jm9yIRWbEuVEpoNIPJv3P2NNJWk_lEX-iwSfSNcPR1nG_jo3lfI2L-ulP6_SJtX3HCUDwVxaIj-YLA/s1600-h/HPIM1637.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087847325638847522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFiQIpfZVWpoNI-k7WE7TpUlnMfGp_5IDzmDeLPdNgWSssRkp5oMxyHY2jm9yIRWbEuVEpoNIPJv3P2NNJWk_lEX-iwSfSNcPR1nG_jo3lfI2L-ulP6_SJtX3HCUDwVxaIj-YLA/s320/HPIM1637.JPG" border="0" /></a> The boys are still talking about the starfish they saw and held, not to mention the crabs and the blue heron that spent the beach day with us.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBixfECwedFwY0ej_7un4a0ifdq5J_s7HKgbROdNqgwhSlJwFYRDqXhRJBTK5uUMBNlllgzKM2i7zM36QhrkZEm7ydPWuOkYisxFeC1JEUvWvynNbvUdC44XFd1211kEaz3rLRJA/s1600-h/HPIM1656.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087841686346787778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBixfECwedFwY0ej_7un4a0ifdq5J_s7HKgbROdNqgwhSlJwFYRDqXhRJBTK5uUMBNlllgzKM2i7zM36QhrkZEm7ydPWuOkYisxFeC1JEUvWvynNbvUdC44XFd1211kEaz3rLRJA/s320/HPIM1656.JPG" border="0" /></a> What a nice day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcwIgxYLwc2hARS7EiCzuS2uyBunXqLUPJr_6H97Cpzj1W-Y8mTIT0Yz3uchZsyQpHOfxwRhVZZrOHYEL-03TnJcXYtsMp4kYnIXy6O3WO91CrUGAjEYBod4qrUhvHmC8rCMBAA/s1600-h/HPIM1648.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087841694936722386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcwIgxYLwc2hARS7EiCzuS2uyBunXqLUPJr_6H97Cpzj1W-Y8mTIT0Yz3uchZsyQpHOfxwRhVZZrOHYEL-03TnJcXYtsMp4kYnIXy6O3WO91CrUGAjEYBod4qrUhvHmC8rCMBAA/s320/HPIM1648.JPG" border="0" /></a> A young boy took this shot of us on the tree at Second Beach.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHylgHtigUd1cTHM_UJmmr1zDQ8pMeDmYAGfgoJm79RAwEOhyphenhyphenpKvseO6bLqTmiPbVf4hbrxe7YhhHdpv7NgxkXCZoYhgfBV15Xz6Az_ISY4Y9VlTSMLk-n6ZbL4PVa8OyUaDQVA/s1600-h/HPIM1686.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087841703526656994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHylgHtigUd1cTHM_UJmmr1zDQ8pMeDmYAGfgoJm79RAwEOhyphenhyphenpKvseO6bLqTmiPbVf4hbrxe7YhhHdpv7NgxkXCZoYhgfBV15Xz6Az_ISY4Y9VlTSMLk-n6ZbL4PVa8OyUaDQVA/s320/HPIM1686.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Our other day with this crew was spent at White Rock. Here is the classic pier-walking scene. Didn't work out so well but it is a must to include it. It was another beautiful day.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087847317048912914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrEt_xQpv5DgztZ6Nxm0RWRZ32KxngmxsL4OzmzVqcPcyfYLW7fAqYKrKjV8w5p7A4IMGEmA1LDaRo9JUKsavdAvxKxOOQ1FBDHLtIvnjCY51bCVbti-z7otsieusXysuJYS6IQ/s320/HPIM1794.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>It was a dreamy morning walk, favourite coffees in hand. The boys would later have pennies squished on these tracks.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087841707821624306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiymDPbSVaHzVCEZ0hZDqpdsNJlOXmiIyX2PKjXZNcyvsJEzoCnToS9YLVPAfY8x_zMfdWGAi8fEiKJHM_M6aDd5OPQJ-p-gjd9gyXRCtlQi6yQSRJot2iX3D2rAVyrXzt7pVHA/s320/HPIM1782.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>On the White Rock day we had supper at Brad and Julia's. Here are the boys having dessert with their new friends Kezia and Linnea.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087849696460794978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuW1qjbChVgfX4E1QWX7PclxWoJgBkyliHnPAhCwXQYwqqDxNSUT9NXg1SOV3f4jIfQI_r3p-HrxNvm-FCxyd-iU7AlsbPWjk6O7MahGPbW4tESVLbviQX_oCjo5W-eSVMD6jsQ/s320/HPIM1849.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Here they are with their "old friend", Josiah. We had a nice visit with he and his sister Abby, who we had not yet met, if you can believe it. It was really good to catch up with their parents Jen and Dwayne, who have been great friends to us over the years. </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087849705050729586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMm3bBIIB8KIYNCGh8NHVL14w3es38KNlCJJ3769hMewRvMOxZ_fb8OUG54uaWk462bejVnva74KIHYwgetcxXXTtu0a5waB_niLtFxWa8UkNhwBVG_NYm5Aso1I7zJpst_gGnA/s320/HPIM1753.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>One of the other highlights of the week, for Jon, was going to the Spain v. Zambia U-20 World Cup game in Burnaby with Zach (thanks for the tix), Dwayne, and Jeff. Spain won but Zambia were impressive. Zach knew everyone at the stadium of course. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087847334228782130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSsq9seiB5fNWjp4GjtaeJq8fCcUK_eiXQW-QcP-JEBt11oXZiwQeVS0jdkP322aoaYYPgwssuFk3933e592WX5IXjvfooie7ya3szOEffb6bI5mVKmF732HiUTWP-uXznDS4fQ/s320/HPIM1781.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>Mike and Erin were our gracious hosts in Abbotsford. It was awesome staying with them and renewing our friendship. They have been friends of ours for 12 years. Isn't that amazing? Here now are our children hanging out like we always have. Aidan and Becca are very good kids and were really nice to our boys. Thanks for having us you guys.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087849713640664194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHGTWwocUQsPz-F4YHE959-bXRom1qLE1eymuhkFjkf8Zdz7XvpNcuui4htyTwROnXt11O6I7OqBlbqYXKy37m2E5eivk3FYHvtEQXs8Wg9tmpngikLgDJMJymz_aIf9RGXj1Jw/s320/HPIM1867.JPG" border="0" />The visit to the Lower Mainland was fast and full. But phase three was yet to come ...</div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-5449388164110480492007-07-09T15:46:00.000+01:002007-07-09T16:27:57.052+01:00BC Holiday Phase 1: FairmontPart one of our BC holiday was at Fairmont Hot Springs in the Rocky Mountains, where we celebrated a partial family reunion and Jon's Grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. Here are Mel and Lois at the banquet: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynaEdzFoJRO5GHq-Qz2N_PL7_MXHjIvT2G4hhy-ur-zhj4_9AvqPf3Pijk1efFNPNvthWU3oj7DVtaDSeoZIaIt2zjhv4p31aIDZM0yE8QSN6ARfevH6A1mTu-mEa6U2HUOBSbA/s1600-h/HPIM1470.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085214997101735154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynaEdzFoJRO5GHq-Qz2N_PL7_MXHjIvT2G4hhy-ur-zhj4_9AvqPf3Pijk1efFNPNvthWU3oj7DVtaDSeoZIaIt2zjhv4p31aIDZM0yE8QSN6ARfevH6A1mTu-mEa6U2HUOBSbA/s320/HPIM1470.JPG" border="0" /></a> And here is the haiku which Jon wrote for his tribute (in an effort to be brief):<br /><div align="center">Sweet kiss on the mouth</div><div align="center">While the grandchildren look on</div><div align="center">Here I learned of love</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">But if we back up a second, we must include a shot from the Frank Slide off the Crowsnest Pass, where we hung out for awhile on the way to BC.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJujpm_FMJqQ8aWZfMTJTzs46h0b7gEKdLodL4StQ0KLaSM3lkvVbaDX2oikN-dRMmw5jgPL_rjunoazvQA1_QVYpsDOfswT0XqvetQWWBHAI5WvqrC6LL-8wvipiUzJrgFTMnow/s1600-h/HPIM1383.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085212458776063074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJujpm_FMJqQ8aWZfMTJTzs46h0b7gEKdLodL4StQ0KLaSM3lkvVbaDX2oikN-dRMmw5jgPL_rjunoazvQA1_QVYpsDOfswT0XqvetQWWBHAI5WvqrC6LL-8wvipiUzJrgFTMnow/s320/HPIM1383.JPG" border="0" /></a> Fairmont had one of the most beautiful little waterfalls, here seen from above:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXM__tnY6p4q3tMo2rUx42Tuu2MMxFqfTtgTA5h9mtWlCdJg3a50zgYkdhSQvUSEmahuz3fEr6XozJJrsKX_PZBl_L6I3LC91mmdzGKwTpVVeub9gvh7opruYvM1kJ9rB1L9lYzA/s1600-h/HPIM1445.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085212467365997682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXM__tnY6p4q3tMo2rUx42Tuu2MMxFqfTtgTA5h9mtWlCdJg3a50zgYkdhSQvUSEmahuz3fEr6XozJJrsKX_PZBl_L6I3LC91mmdzGKwTpVVeub9gvh7opruYvM1kJ9rB1L9lYzA/s320/HPIM1445.JPG" border="0" /></a> Below the waterfall were these terraced pools, and since the water was actually the run off from the hot springs, the water was quite warm. There were two hot-tub sized pools and a larger pool, as well as dozens of puddles for kids to sit in. The view was gorgeous and the water was clear and warm. We spent as much time there as possible.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5PEeaUATDjGo_IFJgmGyW6cP-5xKmPByli_2M83_PF3ToJpQ7ZyS0tTwtEhkGvE_DlIPP11xVUayo1EdMCuO_n_lWFSWH986UXQHzhwaqrqEp4-kA-YxyBk9_Jn059nCf7vWuA/s1600-h/HPIM1426.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085212475955932290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5PEeaUATDjGo_IFJgmGyW6cP-5xKmPByli_2M83_PF3ToJpQ7ZyS0tTwtEhkGvE_DlIPP11xVUayo1EdMCuO_n_lWFSWH986UXQHzhwaqrqEp4-kA-YxyBk9_Jn059nCf7vWuA/s320/HPIM1426.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085214967036964018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOAxOQunAO8zUI42Nj_PUPnrjpHL_uwCHIonZzOwdXZAGYu-nDfwhy-Lhz1E-y5I00TgDHIoYnbH3Bed_LFcvIr8vKL_oTnLRqIQWheYaeU7p3khZ_99ObMa_xeOfzf5b_FvZ_Q/s320/HPIM1412.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085214975626898626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQXmqwNlBqmWHUae2FxiVQ-jnEVbmIroBQqpHVMW1LkTn_LdygqFtHp7g6nMjUNFIbQkZRmcuEd6woc0TeMNdnvbEQ9Yq-70rGCXaRQ0N-tnNx1I1x1_fsbHzhKLbf_XXCDDtUg/s320/HPIM1437.JPG" border="0" />At the banquet, many tributes were given and a few songs were sung. Jeff wrote, played and sang a great number and Angie proved harmony. It was quite moving (more than the haiku at least). The honour went to the ones who have shown us "a love that is true".<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEjn79A__Az8iEJfAe3IwCj1cusY49WtpxA9dsmLhTgqFJJqlgWPFAUNeL3nJkSiUE27ZpB-e5mAIonoKRKgDOyTW7yyMpagxOe8RJ681Tyo98scl0dU8No5sugCff6C40YpkNQ/s1600-h/HPIM1503.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085212480250899602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEjn79A__Az8iEJfAe3IwCj1cusY49WtpxA9dsmLhTgqFJJqlgWPFAUNeL3nJkSiUE27ZpB-e5mAIonoKRKgDOyTW7yyMpagxOe8RJ681Tyo98scl0dU8No5sugCff6C40YpkNQ/s320/HPIM1503.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here are Elijah and Brady with their Great Grandparents. There was a lot of goofing around going on in the vicinity, which explains the smiles.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085214984216833234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdrzURXvJDaPjTigW4mzhmwRhyphenhyphenPPkBDeNtGOolIveFArZy0OX4jW9pbV4BQtjqPSJ1A2UHft1vShHaFta1Oz-lAlL2J567UwsrWFX4mN_75ayh9Px-g7h_eB6Z86E0P0QlQU6DA/s320/HPIM1534.JPG" border="0" />Here they are with Kezia, Linnea, and Ellice, who are the cute daughters of Jon's cousin Brad and his wife Julia. They got a long grand and had a blast.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipktDWryMfCfyykRge0TVMzJgpk04VY6TwPWLPAq0nCEKXkybU-b44g7frgiOYZCVfk09x8P20M8X6qrtV-gFaMTuectpd7Y27Q8xijPRtW82wxunZ7BsrytV45j8f2P6Qx3l2_A/s1600-h/HPIM1541.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085212488840834210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipktDWryMfCfyykRge0TVMzJgpk04VY6TwPWLPAq0nCEKXkybU-b44g7frgiOYZCVfk09x8P20M8X6qrtV-gFaMTuectpd7Y27Q8xijPRtW82wxunZ7BsrytV45j8f2P6Qx3l2_A/s320/HPIM1541.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here are the relatives awaiting the Canada Day fireworks, which were quite good. It capped off a nice visit in a beautiful location. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085214988511800546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFYvHpV9CzhLB2VbnU4VEk9VkY-grBTEh-E9CJ3A8FZXjMdFvic_jVjiRml31mnmO2xyU8FgCcU0GLwZpcL35jAD58t9AA7hhXjK3Ztr9C3jIEZElPjS0G5JcxFhpzMx-mrS-2w/s320/HPIM1592.JPG" border="0" />After this it was off to phase two of the holiday, to be posted later.....Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-39687385979882126322007-06-26T16:51:00.000+01:002007-06-26T17:31:17.063+01:00Angie is 30Angie turned 30 this month. She is a wonderful woman, mother, wife, friend. Here is a small birthday tribute to her, with some sights from some of the festivities surrounding her recent milestone.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080404751994798690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjkCLS91B6FQY7mFkPVSQjSqOslhv-KTPROQ3gfy-InvHYmEc0IoKGwDmBPw9VDqBihrBgFuuIWEb_4vXaCCDsiUr8Zp4NP0acJg5ZrBJNmLQwlzO5P4RlNRIG6w3tOzXEXRJDQ/s320/HPIM1091.JPG" border="0" /><br />These first two shots are of her birthday celebration at the Pudd's in Caronport. Tony and Gwen babysat all our boys so Tamara and Clay could treat us to supper in the Jaw. It was real nice! Then we came back for cake, which I had made (and nearly subsequently destroyed) at the Pudd's that afternoon. Below is a shot of Angie with her friend Tam from that evening.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnQmerpt29yBA-XqzltNaBk0QbSs4bSX-7bhJG7y4HPBGuK4tn1ywudTdvxD1Csrn5zNu2RzAoifjxi7mKjc4DDdw4AFs-LETP7uX4Wb8CbNYTuscMSaDul6GFrFUnTvnYtfIVA/s1600-h/HPIM1105.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080408187968635506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnQmerpt29yBA-XqzltNaBk0QbSs4bSX-7bhJG7y4HPBGuK4tn1ywudTdvxD1Csrn5zNu2RzAoifjxi7mKjc4DDdw4AFs-LETP7uX4Wb8CbNYTuscMSaDul6GFrFUnTvnYtfIVA/s320/HPIM1105.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu05YTvk7Gy5X965fZLTUA2AzydyxyMoDCBE2_J_f6HRDLD9By8Go9nZh-RjeuZk07vso6WBEghQ32YKr6MAAI3KM3TBQgsT-MwMmt8U7k10RpuXoGHM8xWHs5tuk32KaC2MykuA/s1600-h/HPIM1106.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080408196558570114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu05YTvk7Gy5X965fZLTUA2AzydyxyMoDCBE2_J_f6HRDLD9By8Go9nZh-RjeuZk07vso6WBEghQ32YKr6MAAI3KM3TBQgsT-MwMmt8U7k10RpuXoGHM8xWHs5tuk32KaC2MykuA/s320/HPIM1106.JPG" border="0" /></a> These few shots are from brief get-togethers with friends in Selkirk. First with Helen, then with Tasha, Julie and Lorena, and then another with Tasha. Wish we could have taken pictures with everyone at church too but there wasn't time. Isn't Ang looking radiant?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sgVharSTvRZUQrSlnuVViYb2fHeWXiMcMU2C4Ra1wmoR3xeEe71ovRHcKzWGxjSsDM8ZmVKYERirxJdJxJnS3SlU1_-O9Wo0siGEpu5CiDvYR-fTi8xjkm9XT5MNT2ncZokqYQ/s1600-h/HPIM1136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080408205148504722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sgVharSTvRZUQrSlnuVViYb2fHeWXiMcMU2C4Ra1wmoR3xeEe71ovRHcKzWGxjSsDM8ZmVKYERirxJdJxJnS3SlU1_-O9Wo0siGEpu5CiDvYR-fTi8xjkm9XT5MNT2ncZokqYQ/s320/HPIM1136.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080404743404864082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LTEzyzMXNPEOqwN3yd-AMveooMf5StQcNq8BXMBgcLCWNouiXivsroS9KrSQAXdLUxF6rhuI-_WXGxFWQ02aAw3XjwEgdG9ZWebmdDe2oDpdgPbco8noh7b-FBnTUpBfgWn_Jg/s320/Angie+and+Tasha+sepia.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080404734814929474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq67o8UkFIXIimh47sWPDw4ky-d2cTlat3Edjus4DiXEI-cLczcZCbZaOxI_qeh2PfUyzhEuXNfaI2ARxHiRJ4FM93Yo55MLxhR-v8VdbQlj-bOsdUaE4vU_xpqzrBs0iascK2yQ/s320/27_061807.jpg" border="0" />And here she is with her family, who loves and appreciates her very much. The above was taken by Tasha of course. Below was a self-timer over the bacon and french toast breakfast we boys made for her (and nearly subsequently destroyed) on her actual birthday.<br /><br />Happy 30th Angie! You are a beautiful person and we're glad you were born!<br /><br />Jon<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iqpl4RMq1OIQTp7NcAWoJEAA6_rCSxkzivqKFEVrVA12maxaVZvjb6_Ieoqg9r3uSwtz1AQwqpCyI3VHDrLxXmEN1jGWLcLwpOfIB_2VfaJnVOEcmSnnw6Qkx8HUbucsfd4x_Q/s1600-h/HPIM1089.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhSPfg6lnn8G8UHh2ENn1lchEFxCSsPYtNJn7YHOd1OYZALi94TGI7jnpvsRcpNKvAxELxzwm_Q-AuI48b0h2oqwMWeVv8uDykW_1PwFnij2qA8dwD6hh2dCKZccbq3w2OJ2t9Q/s1600-h/HPIM1217.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080404730519962162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhSPfg6lnn8G8UHh2ENn1lchEFxCSsPYtNJn7YHOd1OYZALi94TGI7jnpvsRcpNKvAxELxzwm_Q-AuI48b0h2oqwMWeVv8uDykW_1PwFnij2qA8dwD6hh2dCKZccbq3w2OJ2t9Q/s320/HPIM1217.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-66643131767117930492007-06-23T21:59:00.000+01:002007-06-23T22:35:44.747+01:00A Voyage EastLast weekend we made it "out east" to Manitoba for the first time in over a year since we moved away from there and went back to school.<br /><br />On his way to the GK Chesterton conference in St. Paul Minnesota Jon dropped of Angie and the boys at Colin and Tasha's late Wednesday night. They spent a few days visiting old haunts such as Oak Hammock Marsh and the Zoo, and then when Jon returned we saw the church folk from Selkirk on a busy Sunday before going home.<br /><br /><div align="center">Below you'll see Elijah and Brady at the zoo, first with Colin and Tasha, and then with Jorja. They loved it. We've been to a few zoos, and Winnipeg's is easily the best bang for your buck.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079371756525535746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAMFXmJaqjMhQvD_B8h7ekTCe_fgqBQhuix644obYqlSG8SBMfF25nBqTzTPJIX3WFfTx7mJYP2AuAjPY4BRRI-BgnNaTo4jH43IpuzPUld5tb7BwNGO9_Rc8ApoI8cwpODpfuA/s320/HPIM1131.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079371747935601138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_lPMors4dwF_CTzVVP2UI50xq9waIsqR5XxsedUpPPyC8SwwrsQbn5f65eBrTS0QrWQvpN8cS2lkf784imM7eFbMktBG4kdc3AG9HXhqvdyJHdNOvgRS9PIKUrm5WcqrPHEQsA/s320/HPIM1127.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">The visit to Oak Hammock Marsh lent itself to a great photo. Below you'll see Elijah shielding Brady as they creep closer to the groundhogs. What a good brother.</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgze2pKikZ3wgu7OtllqD-E0IdHALfJMh6YDuuBfeLE4drfBY5Zbky_znqBVX_UlKpSu-KGrIESAmkimPTdPML8T2ItiI8BDSMrUgGtgQ_rrcmtpqfxe6OH_nkWzcBpscUX2YB0A/s1600-h/HPIM1119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079371743640633826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgze2pKikZ3wgu7OtllqD-E0IdHALfJMh6YDuuBfeLE4drfBY5Zbky_znqBVX_UlKpSu-KGrIESAmkimPTdPML8T2ItiI8BDSMrUgGtgQ_rrcmtpqfxe6OH_nkWzcBpscUX2YB0A/s320/HPIM1119.JPG" border="0" /></a>Below is the beautiful campus where Jon was meanwhile attending interesting lectures and hiding out in the stellar libraries. It is the magnificent University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. </p><p align="center"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.stthomas.edu/chemistry/images/building1c.jpg" border="0" />On Sunday in Selkirk there were many hugs which was nice, but not enough time to really catch up with everyone, which was sort of sad. But it was great to see the church with its new pastor, and people whom we miss so much doing well. There were simply way too many people to photograph extensively, so let it suffice to post a picture of us with Aaron, who we saw in Winnipeg on the way out.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlOT_buwUEngaveAzLsfdL_uJKmkQ-djgpodxtNTFkobPXRHPNHejn_0k0jdZknivRzln5Gn8tAxJgKr5VHbNAjXU1D6MNXCdlVMocqCPHRVnaj1VULBScqV_EX5airZ6O_VxzA/s1600-h/HPIM1169.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079371760820503058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlOT_buwUEngaveAzLsfdL_uJKmkQ-djgpodxtNTFkobPXRHPNHejn_0k0jdZknivRzln5Gn8tAxJgKr5VHbNAjXU1D6MNXCdlVMocqCPHRVnaj1VULBScqV_EX5airZ6O_VxzA/s320/HPIM1169.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>It felt like a whirlwind trip but it was great to see everyone, even for a short time. Our paths meet and diverge, we don't always know where or how or why, but we value their convergence and never forget how our lives have been touched. Here's the sunset on the way back into Caronport.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079371739345666514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0sFYIwXyXFe3LO7hCut9lehc59eueqVQxorhaUMooaHtJ1M3TL0WfmMcmkYRCqCdWBbTfUwP3MkXqGyIB1X7skvN6z1KXvOm4PKmGqPHyO9Go6SNCIvp-03rGU3YI7fDxpUH6g/s320/sunset+edited.jpg" border="0" />Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-23177024351307722222007-06-19T20:55:00.000+01:002007-06-19T22:36:18.374+01:00Faces and PlacesBefore we get the pictures of our most recent trip to Selkirk on here, it might be good to post some of the faces and places from the events surrounding Elijah's birthday visitors. Between borrowing a camera and having a new one given to us we went photo crazy (although we still managed to miss Laurie and Richard's 24 hour visit on film). As if to make up for lost time, here is a whack-load of photos from late May/early June.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBFL2dMi9vd7RQO1tPaEiWmolZuOADfD4gDcb0oPq8FopZ7UEzWJ1rRkeioXQKzfY-wkHZc8m7HHrOP5HQZWqgX66w7pO2gWsksyrf41V4YCR5UurTatJ1w57r-C1XyQYK96TYA/s1600-h/IMG_2478.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077887664936141234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBFL2dMi9vd7RQO1tPaEiWmolZuOADfD4gDcb0oPq8FopZ7UEzWJ1rRkeioXQKzfY-wkHZc8m7HHrOP5HQZWqgX66w7pO2gWsksyrf41V4YCR5UurTatJ1w57r-C1XyQYK96TYA/s320/IMG_2478.JPG" border="0" /></a>The mirror corner at the Science Center in Regina. Grandpa Stu and Grandma Justine are there too, even though you can't see them.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98M47-6JofRWj3OivMpJkMG5V22cl0aGG_F9pkHQJgvcyFiJDF2_fYn6d-8vFdp0m-ytwMaw_Noe2UGDvSrYE2QkJDbnXEwEAuB_gp4edDGLLcZtk9oLZPmGcvwRrT75GsZtcdA/s1600-h/IMG_2497.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077884559674786162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98M47-6JofRWj3OivMpJkMG5V22cl0aGG_F9pkHQJgvcyFiJDF2_fYn6d-8vFdp0m-ytwMaw_Noe2UGDvSrYE2QkJDbnXEwEAuB_gp4edDGLLcZtk9oLZPmGcvwRrT75GsZtcdA/s320/IMG_2497.JPG" border="0" /></a>Elijah gets a gift at Uncle Phil and Auntie Rachel's. Coen looks on.</div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho72uS6q8ocytjX-QmkQW3Sfdy7RJ7AuLCxvZX8vMqaTGxPIvkD3oSK6AotnTtqNrwOFqLEiqn7S5blakk1CGSwz38X7x6PqFp40GuQFBKIp8IeMWsQXcOo2V3gDe1qc6GPprLQw/s1600-h/IMG_2474.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077884563969753474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho72uS6q8ocytjX-QmkQW3Sfdy7RJ7AuLCxvZX8vMqaTGxPIvkD3oSK6AotnTtqNrwOFqLEiqn7S5blakk1CGSwz38X7x6PqFp40GuQFBKIp8IeMWsQXcOo2V3gDe1qc6GPprLQw/s320/IMG_2474.JPG" border="0" /></a> The bubbles were Jon's favourite part of the Science Center.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077884542494916962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4gmzl5wRPCExcljuix8uVaJZideWQmRSx2k8fS9Sf2R6Z7G5sGQluQ6Zz-AbIufz7qDdERlJLLtMK51nnGo5dWhLPxzRolNqgLaEna4CO8FDQPoPDi7lVm9WQoU1NNM9V5JcWw/s320/IMG_2465.JPG" border="0" /> There's a face you gotta love.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliJ0EcG9Fu1UtJOTDIHuOpmmtCkjV7YwXIr3nvUy0zzsrWXnbPkmQiruZhjCF2SuxOiEOiuDe4cUyJtt9o21VrfSJoqgEQMePUg0V8vnCLQyQyBan6pUXtImRqB1pNy5GNq7uOw/s1600-h/IMG_2489.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077884581149622690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliJ0EcG9Fu1UtJOTDIHuOpmmtCkjV7YwXIr3nvUy0zzsrWXnbPkmQiruZhjCF2SuxOiEOiuDe4cUyJtt9o21VrfSJoqgEQMePUg0V8vnCLQyQyBan6pUXtImRqB1pNy5GNq7uOw/s320/IMG_2489.JPG" border="0" /></a>This didn't quite turn out perfect, but is still pretty fun. </p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077881952629637458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vbdxw-BSpog4MdD_UvnZ91Q2Gk7a-W3J6-I0xYrY9zUnoJS4grhyphenhyphengD18f89hJxK9UcLxgo9mHCxc6UuDpjbAM1INdLx4l8qYdeTf3zvJX3A_Z1-IxaByW9IMgwXe9SxQ_ffwHg/s320/IMG_2448.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Not sure who is reading to whom.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077881944039702850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaGAd6316BgXW991ZsOU3o5gEvAycQkTgihtW7kl1WzKZZ7W8K2-Ktia_RpewzLrLlHZ5innCsDLPZOYrVY4Q_JQ5KYRrMt0_itlV2KBfcinnR33HOe3VauaWkgUZQ5oBcBhm7A/s320/IMG_2451.JPG" border="0" /> There were four, count them, four Yahtzees on this day. (All rolled by Jon and Angie, incidentally)</p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9nJeZiisB5ouBo0xnq3EFtO9A-_9AbiLhkW0HDUm_Ait2umZj-IbWIzf8r1Ik03TgGONARDMCvpujdPLagrJK3n-3_4DMacE6dswNWe0Mt-S_IBoJnkzEDbhgatLf3QhrW3odw/s1600-h/IMG_2308.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077881926859833618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9nJeZiisB5ouBo0xnq3EFtO9A-_9AbiLhkW0HDUm_Ait2umZj-IbWIzf8r1Ik03TgGONARDMCvpujdPLagrJK3n-3_4DMacE6dswNWe0Mt-S_IBoJnkzEDbhgatLf3QhrW3odw/s320/IMG_2308.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hRWYKoJzoNrIrb5SrNYeZt4L96tt5HbBRlniu-Dtl6jIwb2_Qv0zRiJhtYzqt2IzehUItnUX_IChL6hr5QTSoY4B9tAD13ZpBmDBZzS6IIkM-YJh6z0ay7pKLLA4bfCSbhxUiw/s1600-h/IMG_2312.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077881935449768226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hRWYKoJzoNrIrb5SrNYeZt4L96tt5HbBRlniu-Dtl6jIwb2_Qv0zRiJhtYzqt2IzehUItnUX_IChL6hr5QTSoY4B9tAD13ZpBmDBZzS6IIkM-YJh6z0ay7pKLLA4bfCSbhxUiw/s320/IMG_2312.JPG" border="0" /></a> Simon and the boys were loving the bubbles at the birthday party.</div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWZe4WGXjrxS_lVW84-MyZTAdJDOWmpB1QcqKmiyRIzWHYSjKkP66KhbkN3vhX_8rMA7oKxyWTIUL7c0MpJs3SS5e0rH2KMxPclwIOlim5ZL9N0KfwtwcJURmflfAlrkAHwOYog/s1600-h/IMG_2311.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077881939744735538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWZe4WGXjrxS_lVW84-MyZTAdJDOWmpB1QcqKmiyRIzWHYSjKkP66KhbkN3vhX_8rMA7oKxyWTIUL7c0MpJs3SS5e0rH2KMxPclwIOlim5ZL9N0KfwtwcJURmflfAlrkAHwOYog/s320/IMG_2311.JPG" border="0" /></a>By putting their heads together Jon and Clay are capable of amazing intellectual feats at seminary, as seen in this picture as they levitate a nerf football between Cade's head and Jon's rib cage.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077884576854655378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_cucf_gSP8by2FzSOK-Ht_ekfpmSc8i1djW7Cxlt7EO88URojakfhjWIc5ds8RvBn9w0nLFRsww0VpZQJMgYouxu3e_x0RMI3qXP2hTikdMLFXkWaomaltH2xdQVbXTXWuq7gA/s320/IMG_2545.JPG" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">The great water balloon toss of 2007. Tamara and Simon v. Andy and Liana v. Angie and Brady v. Jon and Micah v. Tuna and Elijah. Can't recall who won, but it ended in a long bomb or two.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexLnlWZFil8iwxRzpn3Kv_C07aI5RrXy6ELsd3xYw4v0Ld-36uLpJUuGVBb0r0ivs9tj6zxaoxLSzdvrwRlprUZoJ2T-zE7eU0dT0LSc47EXBvPN8X562lPRYs9bEq2nRHSHcOg/s1600-h/HPIM1075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077878147288613058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexLnlWZFil8iwxRzpn3Kv_C07aI5RrXy6ELsd3xYw4v0Ld-36uLpJUuGVBb0r0ivs9tj6zxaoxLSzdvrwRlprUZoJ2T-zE7eU0dT0LSc47EXBvPN8X562lPRYs9bEq2nRHSHcOg/s320/HPIM1075.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077878237482926322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDk5qDYkt1cqVFcSlcVYZbcbqA5yzKVLJmWSuLI92OYqoaa0sTwCHljWivmZvmO4uNff3mSDglL-jqdhmAhgrfYiD9-2jJeOjUVM5uoyFeHTsL_Pz2ycupG5zi1wu_wit3NDz9g/s320/HPIM1076.JPG" border="0" /> <div align="center">As usual, this game of Guess Who got pretty animated.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NgzunIZMAAXaKtnM8Io87GR4kS2VPY-BOXSnl3M3HAimpnByvxb1VhEl_CHzOo4gm12qPSrIGvS334zlHoYtePaUutd5wY_Qs_Wosj1D-yES29OKwSY1chyMOP-zhScPbH93jw/s1600-h/HPIM0979.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077878190238286034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NgzunIZMAAXaKtnM8Io87GR4kS2VPY-BOXSnl3M3HAimpnByvxb1VhEl_CHzOo4gm12qPSrIGvS334zlHoYtePaUutd5wY_Qs_Wosj1D-yES29OKwSY1chyMOP-zhScPbH93jw/s320/HPIM0979.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>A spontaneous trip to a burrowing owls exhibit also involved a chance meeting with a horse, who stole the show.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzdLyslVpeet1sGghW_7gzt5hf851dYV_47u1VCAmjpGljItntiL-s_kDk7LCLC64mU0bKArMCvOyhgWqRvZjjUIUiKrRzMU-E-7LlyjtGjcTafgc-qQCySTA2VYbXOPzSiIY5g/s1600-h/HPIM1045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077878211713122530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzdLyslVpeet1sGghW_7gzt5hf851dYV_47u1VCAmjpGljItntiL-s_kDk7LCLC64mU0bKArMCvOyhgWqRvZjjUIUiKrRzMU-E-7LlyjtGjcTafgc-qQCySTA2VYbXOPzSiIY5g/s320/HPIM1045.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2LqfEiUov6Tw5oe0Ho63l5Fy_Ampi_nO9E9GCq6p_gQ87GP9YHDk0POFnquvLmwox1o4VcQTVioiw0LqqIv7BhGPV8wVpdNqtf0dTazmCZ5lTZsjFtTktm2V3gF_ULmA03i7_w/s1600-h/HPIM1040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077878258957762818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2LqfEiUov6Tw5oe0Ho63l5Fy_Ampi_nO9E9GCq6p_gQ87GP9YHDk0POFnquvLmwox1o4VcQTVioiw0LqqIv7BhGPV8wVpdNqtf0dTazmCZ5lTZsjFtTktm2V3gF_ULmA03i7_w/s320/HPIM1040.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077887677821043138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhing7VdsyjYVoYXtqq5MiGO9vCyXi09q6w_Qp_YlPtiqH3Tj1sxKq1yE8rUgjBD80foC58TXqneDZ23Jh5hGr5Epa7X9RL1kDrVFCKdTFL1GEcWn574ezV4YJ8pxdcJ1Ysh_2Bg/s320/HPIM1024.JPG" border="0" />In the above photos Elijah and Brady, with the help of Angie, were playing with caterpillars. </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhyphenhyphenoHsdbGxKAbwicJPjvZeODrd50zKDUAWKFoTnhblGZ62m_6vtrvrGSfqvaMI1TiVRhPQwDIoY-Z-9gsvzrMYKBqU1VJcsWzB6uvkprfEiRzezhkK9V7cJtvf1bAsbcbPqPRHA/s1600-h/HPIM0973.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077873938220662898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhyphenhyphenoHsdbGxKAbwicJPjvZeODrd50zKDUAWKFoTnhblGZ62m_6vtrvrGSfqvaMI1TiVRhPQwDIoY-Z-9gsvzrMYKBqU1VJcsWzB6uvkprfEiRzezhkK9V7cJtvf1bAsbcbPqPRHA/s320/HPIM0973.JPG" border="0" /></a> You can't live in southern Saskatchewan and not have a trip to the town of Corner Gas.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6l6bTWulL3s7yFs5uNnX4KHC6OyA6ZrO7crnMMv8W-8oHv_EEL9Jo5wCe7_mczgyNuImSMBp9570I7IgCg1jR03DwVSuxATT29Tj7PmxA1puj0YYa_97MjZXmRlgUovd1cBGJPw/s1600-h/HPIM0933.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077873946810597506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6l6bTWulL3s7yFs5uNnX4KHC6OyA6ZrO7crnMMv8W-8oHv_EEL9Jo5wCe7_mczgyNuImSMBp9570I7IgCg1jR03DwVSuxATT29Tj7PmxA1puj0YYa_97MjZXmRlgUovd1cBGJPw/s320/HPIM0933.JPG" border="0" /></a> Good times for the three boy-cousins with Grandma.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCrS1LIWHJY-2368_nKC4atUiFKoVTPtVIQhirez-gVAF-NM7Ea-U6yPgGJbp1jKzVPH0EdxMUimhMExtOx6uNZmlQ5Csf20G0fS0WkN7uO8pglv2_xo5sMAZRRv8RhsNmZrk1w/s1600-h/HPIM0929.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077873959695499410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCrS1LIWHJY-2368_nKC4atUiFKoVTPtVIQhirez-gVAF-NM7Ea-U6yPgGJbp1jKzVPH0EdxMUimhMExtOx6uNZmlQ5Csf20G0fS0WkN7uO8pglv2_xo5sMAZRRv8RhsNmZrk1w/s320/HPIM0929.JPG" border="0" /></a> Elijah and Liana goofing around with lolipops.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuEdMyjRhLm8H8NauywuWcElINSgsHdcP9OAV1_f3yFMirdkSRzsKZKnpyjXLfOGPJ14DA-lFo4Abd83ZPA7Mv4rcCJbuRyZNFfW5QbvODN13ALkWN9_GVwax9Kx6BAvw_xyJrQ/s1600-h/HPIM0939.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077873981170335906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuEdMyjRhLm8H8NauywuWcElINSgsHdcP9OAV1_f3yFMirdkSRzsKZKnpyjXLfOGPJ14DA-lFo4Abd83ZPA7Mv4rcCJbuRyZNFfW5QbvODN13ALkWN9_GVwax9Kx6BAvw_xyJrQ/s320/HPIM0939.JPG" border="0" /></a> Elijah and Micah enjoy their own booth at Bonanza.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Good times. Thanks for the visits everyone!</div><div align="center">By the way folks, the flower in our profile photo is named Jon Coutts. No lie.</div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-108476932974501252007-06-12T04:57:00.000+01:002007-06-12T05:16:10.269+01:00Elijah is Four!<div align="left">Elijah is four years old and we love him. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075024124340551778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVmgSpiARHC1ETbw2Akukg24xXaghNf7snPKjt0TxU0iHPlrFaXSMrJyyCZ8NfwKFvwAxJqD_74aQ8jLnagdklbOuF79lvOCc9BjqF84rra_pBL4VRkGlvhA2oHxWKweqQQ287w/s200/HPIM0931.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Here he is holding his younger cousin Ethan. He is very gentle and loving towards the little guy and it really shows his heart. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">He had a great birthday weekend. It started with a visit from Grandma and Grandpa C, which led to a trip to Regina to go to the Science Center with Grandma S and the Beads as well as McDonalds with them and Uncle Terry. Then the next day Uncle Andy, Auntie Janet, Uncle Richard, Auntie Laurie, Micah, Liana, Ethan and Grandma and Grandpa Z came to visit and we had a party complete with a water balloon toss and the presence of local friends the Pudd's as well as the aforementioned Uncle Terry.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEhsjLfc99XeE4kVPFhHm_k1yf_GlSa3qWJw5tChglH4U3bn_SEMicnnrUrRZunAdRodgcfe3TjXkmEN8ItJQPgKPWpl1m2ZDQJhn4qXba5QyD7c9u9qu_ERjRI-BiRbGmTAw0Q/s1600-h/IMG_2443.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075024111455649858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEhsjLfc99XeE4kVPFhHm_k1yf_GlSa3qWJw5tChglH4U3bn_SEMicnnrUrRZunAdRodgcfe3TjXkmEN8ItJQPgKPWpl1m2ZDQJhn4qXba5QyD7c9u9qu_ERjRI-BiRbGmTAw0Q/s200/IMG_2443.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here he is with Brady in his new sandbox. Behind is the still-concealed kitchen that he uses for his restaurant he has just opened up. People were way too generous. He also got some garbage trucks (that sounds funny, they are really cool little trucks) and a marble game, a sand and water table, restaurant cash register stuff, a Diego viewmaster and a Diego game.</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiz_vKY9PqLNWDLv1l7QtYTG0PpDvjpZnyUBFot25v4XogJ4YLnP8-6Celnok6IvCBwThvXaMqfUwiAdhevf9LA96GxnTjX4OuQD6_B6hFIx-BUPN1JrqkIz1t5k8bNZnOVW5_g/s1600-h/IMG_2558.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075024120045584466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiz_vKY9PqLNWDLv1l7QtYTG0PpDvjpZnyUBFot25v4XogJ4YLnP8-6Celnok6IvCBwThvXaMqfUwiAdhevf9LA96GxnTjX4OuQD6_B6hFIx-BUPN1JrqkIz1t5k8bNZnOVW5_g/s200/IMG_2558.JPG" border="0" /></a>Here he is with Brady, buddy Simon and cousins Micah and Liana. </p><p align="left">Elijah is a wonderful boy and we're awful proud of him.</p><p align="left">By the way, thanks Mom and Dad for the camera!!!!</p>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-49377196583459291932007-05-28T17:49:00.000+01:002007-05-28T18:04:15.642+01:00Summer Plans<div><div><div><div>Just realized that just because we don't have a camera doesn't mean we can't post some family news. So here's our plans for the summer that we're really excited about, if anyone is interested:</div><div></div><br /><div>June brings Elijah and Angie's birthdays and we will be celebrating the gift of life God has given each of them, and us through them. Elijah turns 4 and will get a chance to celebrate with both sets of his grandparents as well as with the Weighills. He is counting down the days and is insistent on seeing his gift early, but we have stayed strong.</div><div></div><br /><div>In mid-June we will be making a trip to Selkirk as well. Our first time back since moving away. <a href="http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~dbaxo/chesterton2.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 103px; CURSOR: hand" height="120" alt="" src="http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~dbaxo/chesterton2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Jon will only be there for part of the time, as he is dropping the family off on his way to a conference in Minnesota, but we all look forward to reconnecting with people out there. Jon is greatly looking forward to confirming his nerd-dom by going to a GK Chesterton conference in St. Paul where he will be hob-nobbing with other GKC nerds and researching for his thesis.</div><br /><div></div><div>July is our official holiday month. We will be at Grandma and Grandpa Coutts' 60th wedding anniversary in Fairmont, BC, and then visiting friends and old haunts in the lower mainland for a week before having a Zelensky family holiday in Kelowna. Good times ahead.</div><br /><div></div><div>August is back to the grind-stone. We are going Alberta mid-month as Jon is speaking at a youth camp there. Jon is also preaching at Moose Jaw Alliance a couple times before the new pastor arrives. </div><br /><div></div><div>So that's the plan. Look forward to seeing many of you!</div></div></div></div>Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31270727.post-67855545201185949152007-05-14T05:40:00.000+01:002007-05-14T05:59:22.895+01:00Ashtray Rock<a href="http://www.cansong.ca/images/performers/JoelPlaskett.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.cansong.ca/images/performers/JoelPlaskett.jpg" border="0" /></a> Ang and I had a great time seeing Joel Plaskett live the other night. This is one talented musician. Both times I've seen him the opening band has been really good, and you almost feel like you've already got the price of admission, and then Plaskett comes on and blows you away. You can say he is a step above the rest, and you aren't saying anything negative about the openers, he just is.<br /><br />What I found uncanny about him this time around was how he's playing amazing guitar, singing with that powerful voice, moving around and connecting with his band and everyone, and then on top of that he is making up additional lyrics and saying stuff to the crowd (even in the split second between verse and chorus) that is funny and often even rhymes. He is constantlyl being creative, even with old material. Yet he's not wrecking the song either. It sounds as good if not better than on the album. What a joy to watch.<br /><br />His last almbum is called Ashtray Rock and we hadn't bought it yet but of course came away with it and the Tshirt too. (It is fitting since we had to take a smoking room at the hotel and so, though we don't smoke, we felt like we might as well of, so the title sort of fit the weekend for us). Its actually a concept album about high school, and the Ashtray was a hang out for him back in the day. In case you were curious.<br /><br />Anyway, sure love live music like that. Hope everyone had fun at the Edmonton and Vancouver shows. Let me know what songs he played. I was particularly glad to hear a song from his mind-blowing first album, <em>In Need of Medical Attention: </em>"The News of Your Son".<br /><br />For those who care, here is what we recall of the set list:<br /><br />Soundtrack for the Night<br />Snowed In/Cruisin<br />Million Dollars<br />Its Cathing On<br />The News of Your Son<br />Absentminded Melody<br />Penny for Your Thoughts<br />Lonely Love<br />Happen Now<br />Love This Town<br />True Patriot Love<br />Face of the Earth<br />Nothing More to Say<br />Nowhere With You<br />Work Out Fine<br />Maybe We Should Just Go Home<br />--encore--<br />Drunk Teenagers<br />Extraordinary<br />Fashionable People<br /><br />Some of this I'm sure of it, a lot of it not, but I think that's all the songs. He played a lot, but it went fast. Too fast. See ya next time Joel.Jon Couttshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01728055140831842717noreply@blogger.com7