It's Baseball Season!

Carter

The Nyp family's first love is basketball, but a little variety in life is good - right? Both Zach and Carter are playing baseball right now. Zach is playing with school, and Carter is playing with 'Hearts for Youth' - a local youth organization.  I have to admit that I enjoy watching basketball much better, but they both sure look cute in their baseball uniforms!


Zach pitches the majority of his games

Zach at bat

Carter warming up





Carter's team

Carter pitches too

DOCK's Year End Program

Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.
~Matthew 18:5

Sunday May 20 we finished the Sunday School year off by holding  DOCK's Year End Program during the morning church service. DOCK which stands for 'Discipling Of Christ's Kids' met each Sunday morning downstairs for an hour. We sang, we had guest dramas, we had puppet shows and had a great time learning Bible truths together. What an amazing bunch of kids :)

After the service, we gathered everyone up and headed over to Scenic Park Pavilion for a picnic.

Lots of food, fun, games and of course ice cream!

Carter attempting the egg on the spoon race!

                                                                           

Lake Placid

Saturday, May 19....
We were up bright and early Saturday morning in order to head off to Lake Placid, NY for Zach's basketball tournament. What a beautiful day to spend in the mountains! (Even if most of the day was spent in the gym!)

Game time



Zach and his friend /team mate Nick

Carter watching, and probably wishing he
could play too

The day wouldn't be complete for the 'Nyp family' if we didn't make a stop at the 'Tail O the Pup'. Great day to eat some BBQ outside in the Adirondacks 

The best outdoor BBQ place in Lake Placid - we try and visit every year!

Ladies Day Out

Friday, May 18...
One Friday a month through the Fall and Winter I organized a night where the ladies in the church would go out for dinner. It was a great way to meet any new ladies in the church, but mostly it was just a time to relax and have fun.
The month of May was to be our final outing until Fall, so we decided to make a day of it. It was decided that we would go shopping at IKEA in Ottawa, Ontario in the morning and stop and look in the shops in Merrickville, Ontario in the afternoon.
However, if you have been to the new IKEA in Ottawa you will know its MUCH larger than the old one, and it took a little longer than just the morning to see everything. We finally made our way to the checkout with our purchases in the early afternoon - I probably could have browsed longer (I love IKEA) but it was time to move on!

The IKEA in Ottawa

Next stop was Merrickville... some of you will know that Merrickville is where my grandparents lived. It's a cute little town on the Rideau river filled with gift shops and restaurants. I had only been back once since my Nana passed away a few years ago.  I felt a bit nostalgic as I walked past my grandparent's house - it was very odd not to run up their steps and go in my grandparent's back door and be met with hugs and kisses. The house is now sold to someone else, and it looked tired and run down. The grass was long and weeds were growing along the foundation. But at least Nana's lilac bush was blooming with flowers - Nana would have enjoyed that. 

The town of Merrickville - with the Rideau Canal Locks in the front, and shops behind

We wandered around town for a couple hours, looking in the shops, and then we met for dinner.  It was a lovely warm day, so we were able to enjoy our supper on the patio.

Lauren, Kristy, Ruth, Susan, Susan, Judy, Candy, Jean, Jane and Tanya

Create

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. ~ Ephesians 2:10

I love to create... whether it's with my oil paints, the flowers in my gardens, changing and designing a new room in the house, or craft time with the kids at church. I love it all!



The room in our home, where I can 'create'



Next weekend (Memorial Day weekend), I am participating in a local Artist's Studio Tour. There are over 27 artists participating and you can pick up your self-guided tour map at most businesses in town. My home will be open to all of you from 10am - 5pm on Saturday and Sunday - I hope many of you will stop by.
Until then, I have much to do to get ready....

Carter Elijah

This is the day the Lord has made.We will rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:24

Carter - opening gifts

Carter - a day old

Today we are celebrating Carter!

Carter Elijah Nyp was born May 11, 2000 in Zeeland, Michigan weighing  9lbs14oz.  I can't believe its been 12 years - crazy!  It almost seems like yesterday that my anxious husband was rushing me to Zeeland hospital down bumpy old Chicago Dr. at 11pm at night.  By 7:30am our baby boy was born. He was such a content and happy baby, and he continues to bring so much joy and laughter to our family. I love you very much Carter. Happy 12th Birthday! xo

Need to see how tall he's grown since last year - He is now 5'6"

Dad and Carter

Birthday Cake
Zach had a baseball game, and couldn't be there for
gifts and cake.



Life in a Northern Town

'Home'  ~ I dare say, the most beautiful church parsonage ever!

view from our back deck... going to miss
this view when we move!!

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. ~ Philippians 3:20

a beautiful sunset as
seen from our backyard.

I think I will always be
a 'Canadian girl' at heart, no matter where I live. Don't get me wrong...I love living in the USA, but Canada is and always will be home. But no matter what my citizenship may be, I am learning that I am most content when we are living where God wants our family to serve Him.  Ultimately I am a citizen of heaven so that is where I will pledge my allegiance.

Alexandria Bay is located where it says 'Thousand Islands' on the map
I grew up near Cornwall, and Scott grew up in Brantford near Hamilton (southwest of Toronto)
We met while going to Ontario Bible College in Toronto. As you can see on the map, I grew up
not too far from Alexandria Bay ~ my mom is sad to see us move further away :(

Boldt Castle

view from the water ~ our home is in the middle
of the pic, under the water tower.

We have called Alexandria Bay, NY home for almost 4 years. It is situated on the beautiful St Lawrence River in the heart of the Thousand Islands in Northern New York, or the 'North Country' as the locals call it.  Here's a little history for you  if you have never visited (but you really should come & see it for yourself)....  Around the turn of the century wealthy gentlemen purchased islands in the Alexandria Bay area for private use. One gentleman in particular, George Pullman invited General Ulysses Grant to visit his Island home. The press traveling with General Grant wrote articles in the top US newspapers and this sparked interest in the area.  Large homes, and hotels were built, and some of these buildings still remain on the islands today- the most popular probably being Boldt castle (and yes, it really is a castle!). Tourists come by the bus loads to tour the castle and to tour the islands by boat.                                                                        

view from the main dock

Our church - Reformed church of the 1000 Isles

                                                                                             

The church that Scott pastors is the Reformed Church of the 1000 Isles. It is over 150 years old and  it was founded by Rev George Bethune who used to visit the area in the summers. It's probably one of the few Reformed churches that was not established because of a dutch settlement in the area.
I have loved the people in our congregation since the first day I walked through its doors. They welcomed me with open arms and hearts. They will be deeply missed!

Building nearest to the right - is Jublilee Hall (gym). Built onto
the church a little over 10 years ago.

Meet My Family...

Scott - my husband for almost 17 years, my best
friend and the sportiest guy I know. I love him
very much!

Tanya - happy wife, and mom to 2 wonderful boys.
I'm artsy and crafty, but NOT sporty ;)

Carter - The baby of the family at
12 yrs.  He is a funny guy and his laugh
 is contagious. He too is sweet,
smart and sporty!

Zach - At 15yrs he is one of the kindest, smartest
 and sportiest boys I know :) Very proud of
the young man that he is becoming.

Muffin - He is tolerated by my husband, and loved by the
rest of us!

 

But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” ~ Joshua 24:15

It has always been my prayer and my desire for my family to serve and to follow the Lord, and believe me its been quite the adventure!   Just after Easter, we announced to our church family in Alexandria Bay that Scott had accepted a call from Corinth Reformed Church in Byron Center, Michigan to be their Pastor of Discipleship. Our family is very excited about this new chapter and all that it will bring, but we are also sad to be leaving behind people we have grown to love.
This blog will be a scrapbook of sorts for old friends, new friends and family so that you can follow along as we embark on this new adventure and to experience everyday life in the Nyp family.