The J and K DuChene Family: April 2007

Jonathan, Krista and Micah DuChene.

Micah - One Year.

The Lehrbass Family - Steve, Janna, Benjamin, Elijah and Mary -- Franz and Aimee -- Krista, Jonathan, and Micah -- Kevin and Chantale -- Lloyd -- Robert, Michelle, Evan and Blake.

Our Spring Newsletter (we sent this to some of you but thought we'd post it for everyone)
Hello Family and Friends,
Happy Easter. The Lord has risen! He has risen indeed! We hope you and your family are doing well. We’ve been looking forward to writing this letter for sometime now. Much has happened since the birth of Micah, which we’d like to share with you. Here’s a look back into the past year. While on maternity leave, Krista and Micah enjoyed attending regular mom and baby get-togethers at the Early Years Centre and with some of Krista’s co-workers. The moms enjoyed time out of the house and potluck lunches while seeing their little ones grow and develop together. Specifically, Krista and Micah have greatly enjoyed their close friendship with Krista’s friend Karen and her son, Ben. In fact, Karen and her husband watched Micah while Jonathan and Krista made their first overnight trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake for Jonathan’s Pfizer Christmas party. Speaking of Pfizer, as many of you may have known, the company made significant cuts to their workforce just a few months ago. We felt so blessed when we discovered that Jonathan kept his Pharmaceutical Rep position, covering the same drugs in the same Niagara-Brantford territory! In fact, just a few weeks ago, he was awarded the “Circle of Excellence” for his outstanding sales success. One of the prizes from which he could choose, was a trip to Prague. Because we had just returned from Costa Rica and had little time to decide, he chose the monetary alternative, which will be used to do some house renovations this spring (installing new front and back doors, doing some landscaping, and building a back awning).
In the summer, Krista, Jonathan and Micah had a great time spending nearly 4 weeks away: 1 week in the Ottawa area visiting the Deighton Family around Canada Day, 1 week at Maple Grove Camp with Aunt Joyce and Steve and Janna (Krista’s sister) Cylka and Family in July, 1 week on Lake Nasbonsing with Jim and Sondra Kettlewell and Family in July, and 1 week on Lake of Bays renting a cottage with Jonathan’s immediate family in August. Renting the cottage was a great experience with Jonathan’s parents (Peter and Betty), his sister Jenn and her family (husband Dave and kids Jacob, Olivia, and Colton who was born in April), his brother Stefan and his family (wife Wendi and kids Carter and Peyton), and his brother Andrew. Trips to the beach, rides on the boat, swims in the lake, delicious family meals, a beautiful cottage, celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary, and enjoying the outside air made for a wonderful week. We were able to take a DuChene family photo, which was great as we’re rarely all together at the same time! Other events in the summer included Krista’s completion of two triathlons, and the birth of Blake Michael William to parents Rob (Krista’s brother) and Michelle and brother Evan in July. In August, Micah and Colton were dedicated at BCC (http://www.brantcommunitychurch.ca/), which was very meaningful.
In the fall, Jonathan finished baseball and got back into hockey and volleyball as well as leading small groups at BCC. In October, we enjoyed the company of Stefan and Wendi and boys (from Calgary) in Brantford. All 6 kids went trick-or-treating together, which was fun!
In January, Krista resigned from the Brant County Health Unit to be at home with Micah and work part-time doing homecare and starting her small business, Krista DuChene Nutrition Consulting (http://www.kristaduchene.com/). She continues to co-lead the church nursery/preschool, attend the ladies’ coffee hour, run (with Moses the dog), bike and swim. We are very blessed to have our Dureno family in Brantford, only 3 km’s away. Micah really enjoys time with his Auntie Jennie and cousins while Krista works a few hours each week. No one can get Micah to laugh like his cousin Jacob!
Christmas was particularly meaningful as it was Micah’s first. Although he was more excited about the boxes and wrapping paper, he certainly enjoyed time with family.
In January, Krista turned the big “30” and in early February Micah had his 1st Birthday party with a Curious George Jungle theme, in preparation for the big Costa Rica trip! Uncle Andrew, Grandma and Grandpa gave Micah a Little People’s Barn set, which is a favourite. Also in February, Janna, Steve, Ben and Eli welcomed the birth of the first girl on Krista’s side, Mary Rose Grace. Krista and Micah were able to take a trip to Picton to meet the sweetie.
At the end of February, Jonathan, Krista and Micah and Krista’s brother, Lloyd, enjoyed a beautiful week in Costa Rica for Franz (Krista’s brother) and Aimee’s wedding. The week was a great mix of rest and relaxation while seeing and experiencing the gorgeous country.
In March, we hosted an open house reception for Franz and Aimee. It was great to visit with those who couldn’t attend the wedding. Brantford was the perfect location for those traveling from the east and west! It was a lovely afternoon, which started with a Lehrbass family photo. Lloyd and Kevin (Krista’s brothers) and Chantale (and others) made some great food that was enjoyed by all. Also in March, Jonathan also turned the big “30”.
Well, that’s about it for now. We look forward to the future God has planned for us.
Take care and enjoy the pictures! Please come visit anytime!

Jonathan, Krista and Micah