After six weeks of pretty constant travel, our family is happy to settle into our home for the next 10-ish months - which also happens to be Kim's home from the first 18-ish years of my life! What a blessing to be able to live near family, in a familiar space, as we journey with Dominic through this school year!
We started our time in North America in late July with a week by a lake in Montana, with many of Kris' relatives including aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, nieces and nephews.
 |
| A beautiful week at the lake! |
 |
| Some type of boat activity which is can only be legal in Montana... |
 |
| Learning to paddleboard |
 |
| Double rainbows! |
Next we spent three weeks in Kris' hometown near Bozeman, Montana, visiting with family, resting, fishing, back-to-school shopping, and more. Kim also made a quick trip out to Iowa, and got to tour our Alma Mater, Dordt University!
Missing picture: a reunion at Costco with John and Ev and kids! Of course we missed family first, but Costco pizza is a close second for Dominic!
 |
| Montana Sunset |
 |
| An unexpected find - St. Francis in Red Lodge, Montana |
 |
| Bird Show in Cody, Wyoming |
 |
| We enjoyed a lot of great meals, but this was the best: Fresh lake trout (caught by Kris), beans, zucchini, and potatoes from Mom and Dad's garden! It doesn't get more local than that! |
We drove to Seattle where we attended New Parent Orientation at Shoreline Christian School. Again, a homecoming - Dominic is a third-generation student at the school, and a fourth-generation participant when you consider that his great-grandpa and great-grandma both taught there. That doesn't necessarily make HIM feel better about starting school, but it certainly makes me feel better about bringing him there.
Right before school started, we drove up to British Columbia to spend the weekend with our good friends, Gerhard and Janie. We had a chance to meet some supporters from their hometown, to speak in their church, and to reconnect with another Regent College grad.
 |
| Reading and playing games at the cabin |
And then the moment we've all been waiting for: First Day of School! Dominic, and his parents, survived the first day without any tears!
 |
| Ready to go! |
 |
| I wouldn't say Grandpa put much thought into his first day of school outfit... |
 |
| Grandma's new office is across the parking lot from school! |
 |
| Dominic isn't the only one with butterflies in his tummy! |
