Christmas 2019
Dear Family and Friends,
Another year is nearly in the books. Time just seems to go faster and faster these days. We are doing well here, and enjoying this exciting stage of life with a preschooler. We are amazed at how Olivia has grown, not only in knowledge and stature, but also in confidence and independence. God is good!
Olivia had a number of firsts in 2019. After some practice over the winter in Beppe’s basement, she finally got to ride her tricycle outside this spring. She has since graduated to riding a bicycle and pedals all over the barn with it! In July, Olivia attended Vacation Bible School for five mornings at Beppe’s church. She loved all the activities and of course, the music! Olivia started gymnastics in September and has now progressed to the second level. In October, she hosted her first sleepover with cousins Molly and Lola.
This fall, Mommy was thrilled to put her teaching skills back into practice when Olivia started her preschool year of homeschool. She enjoys learning a new letter each week and participates in a variety of activities teaching literacy and math concepts. Olivia’s favourite activities are music and making crafts. She has her own special “making things desk” in the kitchen, filled with craft supplies!
Some things we did in 2019:
-Daddy and Olivia enjoyed the Easter egg hunt Mommy planned for them.
-Olivia celebrated her 3rd birthday in June with an indoor party because of the rain.
-Mommy picked lots of strawberries again this summer, although they weren’t ready in time for the party. We grew a bunch of our own veggies again this year, but were blessed to receive many extras from our farmer friends, the Van Grootheests and the Laundrys.
-We attended the Waterfront Festival again this year where Olivia was big enough to go on a variety of rides, unaccompanied by a parent.
-In August, Mommy and Olivia attended the Ameliasburgh Street Meet for the 3rd year in a row with the Dykmans.
-We visited Campbell’s apple orchard with our friends the Moores. The kids loved the corn maze and wagon ride through the orchard.
-We enjoyed swimming in our neighbours’ pool several times a week all summer long. Mr. Ron and Ms. Gayle have become close friends and are like an extra set of grandparents to Olivia. -Mommy and Olivia also enjoyed half a dozen beach days yet in September.
-Our dear friend Randi-Lee paid us a surprise visit. It was a blessing to have her here, after having not seen each other for over four years.
-We adopted a Mama barn cat and four kittens in October. Olivia had the pleasure of naming them: Black & Orange, Smokey, Smokey, Girl Smokey, and Pumpkin Heads.
-We visited the Laundry’s pumpkin patch with the Broekema cousins, and also attended an open house at the local fire station.
-Cowgirl Olivia enjoyed trick-or-treating again this year, but had to cut her time short because she was sick.
Daddy is still working as Senior Software Developer for clevr. He takes his role of provider very seriously. We are thankful that he was finally able to receive benefits through work last December. It has been a real treat to have coverage for things like dental, optometrist, chiropractor, and physio appointments, as well as little extras like massage therapy. We have certainly made it worthwhile this year! Over the summer, Daddy cut and split another eight cords of wood, and filled our garage for the coming winter.
We hope this letter finds you well. We hope you enjoy a Merry Christmas and a have very Happy New Year.
With much love,
Jared & Donna and Olivia Gryce
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