The Gallery

2007-01-23T07:10:00.000-08:00

Talk about HIS timing...
Just when I needed it this week I've gotten phone calls. Right at the perfect moment I've recieved text messages. And with perfect timing friends gave me these beautiful tulips. Mourning the loss of our friend Mike Fleming is a tough process, but I am so blessed to be able to say that in the midst...I am thankful.

2007-01-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

Hope and I do close-ups:)

2007-01-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

Richard and Katherine Dec 6 2007!

2007-01-06T11:02:00.000-08:00

Friends forever doesn't really capture us well enough! Maranatha and I have been friends since before we were born (literally) and even though we don't see eachother nearly enough it always feels like home when we are together. Today was one of our treasured reunions:)

2006-12-28T08:56:00.000-08:00

Christmas Tinkerbell

I don't have pics of christmas so I thought i'd post some of Rachels for you to see our Christmas Tinkerbell (my niece Brooke)

2006-10-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

Our First thanksgiving as "Mr and Mrs"! WE celebrated in SouthRiver and Toronto... soooo much food and so many things to be thankful for I've lost count. We got to partake of the traditions of both families including Belgian waffles, frisbee golf, Rouge valley hike, and of course lots of turkey!

This one is of the wilkinson tradition of throwing rocks at cans in the river. It's actually really fun and addictive! Apparently it doesn't take much to amuse us:) And even Zoe (the dog) got in to the game and over came her fear of water! She even learned to float!

Walking along the Rouge

My new "in-laws" John and Trish

2006-10-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

Happy thanksgiving!! It has been a great weekend so far! We headed up north for the Brooks Southriver thanksgiving which again included a frisbee golf tournament and lots of playing with my nieces! These are just two pics from our outting to the park:)

2006-09-17T19:53:00.000-07:00

The Underground kicked off the year with an incredible carnival! With 300 students in attendance it was a great time of crazy events, contests, and meeting tons of people... one of whom was a gorilla... Ok, so when I was a child my dad was the PolkaRoo...and now I'm married to a Gorilla! Oh the things a Youth Pastor does...

2006-09-15T06:49:00.000-07:00

The wedding pictures are now on candace's website...you can use the link provided:)

2006-09-11T16:47:00.000-07:00

Just as sample of some of the fine work of Candace Naidoo our photographer! Our pics will soon be on her website for you to check out..and pics on Ang's wedding too!

2006-09-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

African Lion Safari!
Matt and I headed out for the afternoon for a spontaneous trip to the Lion Safari! We had a blast getting up close and personal witht the animals... a little too close... at one point matt cheated and rolled his window down to take a picture not seeing that a huge dear was charging for the car... by the time he noticed and went to roll the window up he realized that the window was stuck! With some quick hands the the stick shift he took of just before the dear took a bite out of him! We also saw a poor girl sit in her car watching a zebra rip her side mirror off...yikes.

These are from the elephant show which was really impressive. In these pics the elephants are doing tricks with their trainers. One has lifted the trainer into the air with its trunk and the other is about to lie down right on top of him! It actually did!

2006-09-08T22:53:00.000-07:00

The NACK reunites! It was so awesome to have us all together for a night exploring Little Italy...enjoying patio dining, gelato, and tons of great discussion! I had requests for more paintings so below is one that is hanging in our hallway and I wish that the above was actually a painting! Oh the wonders of photoshop!

2006-08-06T18:42:00.000-07:00

We're back from our month at Ontario Pioneer Camp!
Another awesome year of the LIT program and I already can't
wait for next year. This is our trip group "team merve"! What's trip group? you might ask... it means that we survived out in the wilderness together canoe tripping!

Back Row: Chris, Matt, Jill, Christine, Alison, Dave, Emma, Justin
Front Row: Nathan, Karla, Monica, Me, Lydia, and Mike

A cutie of Emily and me!

Carolyn (Royale) and me

And of course... "The OPC boys"! Who knew we had celebs!?

2006-08-06T17:49:00.000-07:00

The much anticipated Mayan Riviera Honeymoon pictures are here!
We spent our time soaking up the sun at the Aventura Spa Palace Resort on the Coast; Snorkelling, tanning, swimming, hiking, eating gourmet meals, and relaxing tons.. in the huge hot tub in our suite! Here are just a few pics of the adventure

The resort had not just "a" pool...it had many! They were connected making it almost like rivers that you could use to swim across the property...which was huge!(so big that there were shuttles to get you from one end to the other) Along side the gorgeous pools was a winding lagoon for kayaking and snorkelling. It was protected by the rocky shore making it a haven of calm shallow water full of amazing fish! The beautiful water didn't end there... water falls and winding rivers dotted the property through jungle like parks!

These "beds" were scattered all over the resort! The perfect napping spot.

Instead of the little "in case of emergency, break glass"... our resort had this!

2006-08-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

This is the view from our sweet suite! Not only did our room have huge windows, but it had sliding glass doors leading to a balcony complete with chairs and a hammock!

Although our resort was like a city on its own, boasting enough resaurants that we didn't even get to all of them, we did venture out to explore. We spent one day out sailing on a catamaran and snorkelling the second largest reef in the world. Then we went on two different excursions to Mayan Ruins:Chichen Itza and Tulum.

2006-06-30T21:27:00.000-07:00

2006-06-21T18:19:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I know it's been forever, and I have no better excuse than that life has been a whirlwind. Although, I did get hitched on the 10th of June on a most gorgeous day and don't have many pictures right now to show for it... But, I have this one! And for more you can check out Joybeth's blog! This is the wedding party at Gairloch Gardens in Oakville. (and just a note because the pic can be confusing.. my husband Matt is the one on MY right)

2005-11-24T21:57:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning Matt pick me up for my birthday adventure, which started off with roses:) From there we began "The Amazing Race Birthday Style".

Following clues Matt put together on DVD (watched on Matts laptop) we navigated our way through the GTA and all the way up north (including camp:) to a variety of places special to us. A great big thank you to everyone who sent video birthday greetings which Matt used as parts of the clues!
Of course, it wasn't just as simple as figuring out clues, there were puzzles like this one and hunts putting me to work! There was even a personalized 1/2hour movie of Matt and me combining hollywood film, personal pics, and favorite songs! There also seemed to be other forces at work as clues "magically" appeared in a crowded food court or in the car while we went for a walk...
After 1100km of driving and 10 locations with accompanying video we arrived at the final destination (which was spelled out by letters on the dvd covers) My parents cottage! The treasure chest was sitting at the door...and this was the scene inside.
And, little did I know, this was more than an amazing race birthday...it was an Engagement Extravaganza! That's right... I am, and have, a fiance!! It was a perfect day and thank you to everyone who made it happen!

2005-11-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

Friday night was a big fun date night and we took these touristy self portrait pics from Niagra Falls (above) and Dundurn Castle. Everything was decorated for Christmas at both places and we even got to see the Niagra Fireworks:) But...this was just the beginning......

2005-10-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

Self Portrait
Acrylic on canvas

2005-10-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

Nothing says Thanksgiving like a game of Frisbee Golf!

The Beginning of a new tradition...We braved the wind and cold in SouthRiver
Dad and JLo ..I mean Joybeth

Joybeth enjoys the foliage

The Fam

We missed Mary and Rich! (Matt was photographer and still won)

Matt and Charity

Whirlwind SouthRiver tour

2005-10-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

My neices at it again
Brooke gives Hope a new hair style

2005-09-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

Congrats Mike and Ang!!
The first NACK wedding to plan but really Im just so thrilled to see my Ang so happy! Welcome to the family Mike!

2005-09-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

Hope Brohart on her 6month bday

2005-09-18T15:16:00.000-07:00

The Underground Kickoff

Human Pinball
Inflatable obstacle course
The infamous icecream trough
230 Students rock the meeting house!
Matt launches the birthday bash of the year!

2005-09-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

The AutoShow

Can, Charity, Kie in "my" Audi

Matt and Charity
Kie Testing the trunk of a Jetta

2005-09-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

Matt and Charity

At a random park/memorial just outside algonquin park

Metro Toronto Zoo

2005-09-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

Hope Brohart(My Niece)

Hope and her big sister Brooke

why does Hope look scared to death? "mommy says I have to be gentle...cuz I bite"

2005-09-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

The National Art Gallery as seen from the peace tower.

Just a note about the peace tower: if you set off the security alarm admit that you are english(not french)... instructions come fast and furious.

Oh, and about the Art Gallery: Do not under any circumstances touch a painting...they frown(and get nasty)...that means you Mary.

Dinner at Fitzroy Provincial Park

Always pick soft lumpy ground over flat ground that feels like concrete and stay away from people whos dog is named Jasper.

Flo, Charity, Joybeth, and Thomas

Yet again strangers don't get the building in the picture...it's the parliament in Ottawa.

2005-09-06T09:19:00.000-07:00

Central Square-Quebec City

Our haven of english tourists

Chateau Frontenac

And Joybeth resting her weary feet

Lower City from Chateau Frontenac

The Chateau is a gorgeous hotel with great views and a nice pool (which has security....)

This is when we met people from London (oh the Fanshawe mems) and then came to the aid of some Americans who didn't speak a word of french. Oh wait...he kept saying La.

Shopping in the Old Port

Many great shops. Many many steps.

The oldest "church" in Canada

As a Designer these buildings were a highlight. Trying to understand the french tour..not so much.

Joybeth on "The Wall"

One of the quotes of the day: "oh.....that's outside the wall".

2005-09-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

The Olymic Stadium and Tower, Montreal

Joybeth the Olympian

The view from L'Oratorie on Mont Royal

Another of our fave places..yet so many stairs

Helpful hint: always turn off your cellphone when inside L'Oratorie...

Inside La Biodome

It really is a fabulous building....

That tiled floor is glass over water!

Our hostess Rebekka

Thankyou for your hospitality! The maps, the shoes, and the "would you rather"s!

Our home....

note:when going to montreal know enough french to be able to read parking signs!

From the Olympic Tower

Montreal looking towards downtown

Joybeth and I give our poor feet a rest after shopping the Plateau

If you're ever in Montreal...eat here! Jardin Nelson

There's live music, great food, and no ceiling!

Downtown Montreal is a very random place...

Men in unmarked vans, Bob Hoskin look alikes, and pots of Joybeth

Summer Days Off

2005-09-06T08:26:00.000-07:00

Happy 2 yrs Matt!

We survived the storm at the Ex!

Wasaga Beach

Pauls spa-sand wrap

What day off in South River would be complete without a night at Renees!?

Thomas, Cris, Charity, Flo : Blue Grass night

High Falls

The "cold tub" Jared, Charity, Ian

Jens Cottage Rachel, Jen, Cole, Wes, Charity, Laura, and Jared

..and a night of good ol roses and thorns!

Rachel and Jenn at the mercy of Jens Dad

OPC LIT2

2005-09-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Jen gets blobbed

We witnessed "the reverse blob"!

Dance off challengers

Ok, so the guys had acrobatics but we had the styles!

Boys Camp Liason

Lets not talk camp names right now ...k?

The female small group leaders-

Jen, Rachel, Laura, Charity, Lyndsay

The LIT2 staff in banquet duds

Some of my pics didn't turn out...SG help me out I need some of us!!

Nicaragua

2005-09-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

Fantastic views in Masaya

An amazing performance of Nicaraguan Dance

Parachute Games at Compassion

"No moro grabbo";)

The Crew SpringBoard 2004

Dinnertime entertainment in the village square

View of the mountain form our boat

Yet another amazing meal watching the sunset

The design student strikes again

So many gorgeous buildings, people, and sunsets!

Leader dinner

Ok, so this is the equivalent of when someone pretends it's your birthday at EastSides.....

At the top of the volcano

"Did anyone else notice the sign about how you shouldn't breath this air for too long? So, we should have left a half hour ago?"

Oh the Market

The craziest (and hottest) maze I've ever navigated!