Flashback

Mark about 15-16 years back - always enjoying his Dad bringing soccer shirts to wear.....

Mark 26

Tonight we celebrated Mark's 26th birthday. Carly spoiled him with an Apple watch and we bought him some shirts, shorts & gear for his cycling venture to Timmins in August. We are starting to make the dinner together in this place on the beach near Hamilton an annual event (2nd time now...).

Mary and I arrived early to get our names on the waiting list and then we went for a walk along the beach where there was a reasonable amount of people on a July Wednesday evening (all decently socially distanced). Then a Corona during the wait for the table, Carly and Mark....

Birthdays

Susan (sister-in-law) has her 60th birthday today. Mary had some happy balloons delivered plus an amazingly beautiful cake. Mark will have his birthday next week (July 15) and partied yesterday with two friends from university who also have their birthdays this month...

And Opa Vandenboom is enjoying the beautiful summer days in the shade outside of his retirement home with others living there. Mary stops by every day (as does Susan) and I pass by regularly during my walks. We need to "keep the distance" during the ongoing pandemic, but so far so good.

Nice couples

Shayd and Hilary in Vancouver + Carly and Mark in Toronto

Good looking young adults

No words; just proud. Summer 2020 in the middle of the terrible COVID 19 pandemic. These two keep going strong.....

Opa Vandenboom

Yesterday was Fathers Day. Despite the ongoing restrictions for Opa Vandenboom of not being able to leave the retirement home, he keeps himself well. Last summer he would very regularly stop by on his scooter; not possible this summer because of the pandemic. Fiona - who works a few shifts each week in the retirement home serving meals in the restaurant - stays many times a bit longer to play some games of Rummikub with Opa. She did yesterday as well. Mary brought Opa fresh strawberries and ice cream so they both enjoyed the treat.

House improvements

Under the leadership of Mary we have done some nice upgrades on our house. The new concrete driveway is finished including the small "retaining wall". Mark and Carly were here this weekend to help with that wall (last week I had done the preparatory work to dig out the space for it next to the drive way edge). Our neighbours on both sides now also have their concrete driveways....

And you have to appreciate the support of our neighbour for the Dutch beer brand....

Carly and Mark took two of our bicyles and added it to their "stay fit" activities in Toronto. Life during the COVID 19 pandemic continues....