Winter is feeling a little to long...  Today we were hit with another round of snow, on top of the ice from last week.  The boys had a 2 hour delay and then were released 2 hours early.  Only 3 hours of school, it seems hardly worth it.  Ben has been celebrating every snow day and begging for more.  He does not seem to realize the beautiful spring / summer days of June are the worst time to be in school.  The school has already delayed the start of school for tomorrow.

Today's photo is a shoot from my front door.  I was not in the mood to venture beyond the comfort of the warm house. 

Today is the 5th day this school year that the boys have not had school due to weather.  Ben says the record was 3, but he did not know when that was set.  DMACC was also canceled today, so we had a nice relaxing day at home.  The boys were excited to be home, they don't seem to understand that everyday they are home is 1 less day of summer vacation.  School was canceled because we awoke to a 1/4 inch layer of ice.  Remember the tree from several days ago?  Here's what it looks like today. 

I found a scrapbook challenge on the 2 peas in a bucket website.  The sample layout was really cute, and I knew I had some pictures of Nadia that would work really well.  Here's my version:

The supplies I used were:  2 peas Cutter Challenge January 2010
Imagination Project – Patterned Paper
Colormates Cardstock
Chris Durnan Cutter files
Baroque Background 461
Snow Words
Mamawslegacy – tabs
Shelly’s art – notebook edge
Stampin up date stamp
Stampendeous – Winter Stamp
Studio G – Happy Stamp

We woke up to some really gorgeous frost on the trees. 

I wanted to share some of the photos with you. 

I am very thankful to live somewhere with all 4 seasons. 

I am truly amazed by God's creation. 

This worship song by Chris Tomlin really says it all.  

Chris Tomlin - Indescribable Lyrics

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea 
Creation's revealing Your majesty 
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring 
Every creature unique in the song that it sings 
All exclaiming 

Indescribable, uncontainable, 
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name. 
You are amazing God 
All powerful, untamable, 
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim 
You are amazing God 

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go 
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow 
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light 
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night 
None can fathom 

Monday was a big day for Ethan. He turned 8 years old!  With his collar bone injury, we decided a birthday party was not the best idea this year.  A family celebration was a better idea this year.   As per our family tradition, he picked a lunch location on Sunday.  We enjoyed Pizza Ranch lunch buffet and went home for cake and presents. His favorite gifts were:  Another Lego set (you can never have to many!), a dinosaur puzzle from Nadia, a Bakugan from Ben.  


These are a few of the better photos from his birthday photo shot.  I am still playing with my new camera, so I tried a white background for fun.  

It's hard to believe, but Nadia started Preschool today.  She was a little apprehensive at home before we left for school, but she did not even look back when we arrived.  She was full of smiles when I picked her up.  She is attending Tree Top Preschool, which is the same preschool  that Ethan went to.  She also has the same teachers and Ethan assured her they were really nice teachers.  I agree with Ethan,  they are really loving teachers.   Today they learned how to get dressed for winter, she showed me how to zip her coat.  Now everyone should be ready to go without my help.   YEAH!  She mentioned that she played with some new friends, but she doesn't know their names.  She sang songs, and played at the sand table.  I think she had a great day, and will be excited to go back on Friday.  

We just arrived home from the Funeral. I was a little worried about how the kids would react, especially Nadia. She has gotten really close to him in the past few months. I am sure that it did not make a whole lot of sense in her 3 year old brain; she was just really happy to play with her cousins. I am anticipating questions or comments over the next few weeks. It was a whirlwind weekend, but it was such a blessing to remember Grandpa. Now back to "real" life... School, work and laundry.



Here's a copy of the Obituary:

In Memory Of
Gerrit J. Sneller
September 20, 1914 - December 30, 2009

DIED
December 30, 2009
Oskaloosa, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICES
11:00 A.M., Monday, January 4, 2010
United Methodist Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION
Sunday, January 3, 2010
starting at 11:00 A.M. with
family present 2:00 - 4:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

INTERMENT
10:00 A.M. Monday, January 4, 2010
Oakwood Cemetery
Pella, Iowa

Gerrit J. Sneller was born near Otley, Iowa, on September 20, 1914, to Jacob and Gertrude Brouwer Sneller. He was raised in the Otley area where he attended country school and farmed with his father. Gerrit's mother passed away when he was five years old. His father later married Annie Hulleman.

On March 11, 1938, Gerrit was united in marriage with Annabell Van Heukelom in Pella, Iowa. They rented various farms over the years until they purchased their own in the Skunk River bottom north of Pella. Gerrit and Annabell were blessed with two children: Kenneth and Bonnie.

Gerrit and Annabell retired from farming in 1984. He then began working at the Star Oil Gas Station in Pella. Other places of employment included the Christian Opportunity Center, Vermeer Manufacturing, and Central College.

On May 4, 2002, Gerrit and Annabell suffered the loss of their son, Kenneth, in a car accident near Tracy, Iowa. Twenty-six days later on May 30, 2002, Annabell passed away after a lengthy illness.

At the age of seventy Gerrit took up bowling. He joined a group of men who bowled on a regular basis at the Excit-A-Bowl in Pella. They often traveled to nearby towns to participate in tournaments. Gerrit loved the Lord and was currently a member of the United Methodist Church in Pella where he participated in a Bible Study group.

Gerrit passed away at the Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on the evening of Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at the age of ninety-five. Those left to cherish his memory are: his daughter and her husband, Bonnie and Don Vos of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and his daughter-in-law, Mary Jane Sneller of Tracy, Iowa; eight grandchildren: Kathy (James) Dickinson, Glenda (Kelly) Carlson, Dan (Missy) Sneller, Rose (Andrew) Tulp, Rachel (Jose') Carrollo Vos, Michael (Leah) Vos, Melissa (Joel) Van Kooten, and Jason (Sarah) Vos; twenty-four great-grandchildren; brother, Art (Marge) Sneller; sister, Labertha Vander Schel; sisters-in-law: Ruth Jean Van Heukelom and Bernice Sneller.

Preceding him in death was: his wife, Annabell; his son, Kenneth; his parents; brothers: Jacob Sneller, Hank (Doretha) Sneller, Rick (Cora) Sneller; brothers-in-law: Cyrus Vander Schel, Norman Van Heukelom, Ray (Johanna) Van Heukelom; sisters-in-law, Thresa (Lloyd) Van Rees and Betty (Hank) Goodyk.

Gerrit will always be remembered for his love for his family, his great sense of humor, and his optimistic outlook on life.