Update

Well since the last posting, there has been a lot to write about, here it is in short. Avyn is doing great, she is so much fun. She has been reluctant to sprout but is healthy, vibrant, and often smiling. She has been a good sport when it comes to travelling, and treats us really well when it comes to getting sleep. She just learned creation vs. evolution and how to spell juxtaposition. Here are some photos of her. After our last post, we went to Regina for Helen's 10 year high school reunion @ Western. We travelled to Abbotsford for Trina and Brad's wedding on May 26th. I got a chance for a quick visit again while in Vancouver for work last week. Mid-June our family travelled along with Lia, Lori and Papa to Duluth Minnesota where we met Kris, Tasha, Annika, Pieter Good and Larry + Gail Good. Kris, Lori, Pieter and I ran Grandma's Marathon there. It was a fun get-together. There were a total of 6967 finishers for the marathon. Check out times @ http://www.onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php?race_id=5324 Check out picures (You will need bib#s Kris-6155 Lori-F3113 Pieter-5074 and Karl-5181) @ http://www.marathonfoto.com/ for Grandma's Marathon 2007. We just got home from Salmon Arm for Grandma's funeral. It was good to see the whole family and siblings. More to come on that in the next post.
To update you on our families. Howard is in Mexico helping build classrooms, soccer field and a playground for the church there. They are one year to retirement and looking forward to settling down. My parents are in Salmon Arm right now and plan to be in Regina for the coming schoolyear. My dad plans to teach at Western and is looking forward to coordinating the bible curriculum over the next two years. My mom plans to substitute teach for now, and move into a more permanent position. Sister Lia is in Salmon Arm and fresh out of university; she chose to teach at Western as well in High School french, and also head up the Reach program (allowing urban underprivileged children to attend Western through primarily corporate sponsorships). Lori is in Ghana, Africa right now helping a Canadian nurse affiliated with Village of Hope (recently featured on Oprah). http://www.thevillageofhope.com/ . Jeff is working at Bowron Lakes Park as Senior park ranger this year. Kris + Tasha family just moved to Minneapolis to finish up his Med School. Helen has found a new hobby with facebook.com, you can find her there. That's it for now.

Avyn Sue Munroe

I wish you could all be here and see the smiles on our faces! She is great. We arrived home from the hospital this afternoon; Helen and Avyn have been resting. Avyn arrived Wednesday, March 14th, exactly 54 years after mom(Susan) was born. Although Avyn is small she has big hands and feet, and a lot more hair than me. Both Helen and Avyn are healthy and beautiful. There are so many things truly amazing and wonderful about how we are created by Him. Renae Anderson was at the hospital with Helen and I for the labour and delivery - she was such a good help. Mom happened to be in Prince Albert on her way north, so she was able to be with us shortly after Avyn was born. Lia and Lori showed up the same night eager to see the baby driving through bad winter roads before having to be back in Regina early the next morning. Papa came to visit last night from Regina. We have had many visitors already and look forward to Howard, Diane and Tara showing up soon followed by Trina, Jeff and Kris & Tasha. ("followed" referring to time line, not preference) So I will post some photos on the link to the right. We look forward to hearing from you all. As I mentioned before, we thank you for all your thoughts and prayers - God has been so good to us!!!!!

Too Cold

Here's some grandparents. Bordie + Mae Krogsgaard and Bert + Marge Roberts renewing their vows in front of the Roberts family gathered for the holidays.

Hi. Since returning to the deepfreeze of Saskatchewan we have been enjoying the time together before the baby's arrival. The holidays were nice and long allowing time to visit family and reset before going back to work (although I don't really consider it work). As many of you know my last job only allowed me one week out of the month at home. My new position allows me to be home every night with Helen, so it is much more accomodating for family life.

I love my job, it's a great company I now work for. There's something about flying up and down the province at 25000 feet and 500 km/h that I refuse to call work. An interesting fact that has come to mind lately is that as a result of people needed to fly home up north or business people just wanting to get to Regina quicker, our little 19 seat plane (usually not more than half full)burns about 570 litres/hr(150GPH) and gets less than 2 miles/gallon. And so us pilots are possibly the worst polluters on the planet.

Congratulations to Pete and Chelsea on Christmas Day, Roy and Monica, and Rob and Melissa in Saskatoon here with the new additions and 1st babies to each family. We were at pre-natal classes this past weekends and became more informed on what's to come. Helen wants everyone to know she got her PAL (firearms license). She has a big belly now and we are counting down the weeks.

Christmas Holidays

Helen @ 6 months pregnant. She's hot.

Dec 16th in Gravelbourg for Grandpa's B-day.

Below is one of the Beech 1900s I will be flying at West Wind.

Annika enjoying the new hope chest from Grandpa Roy and Oma.

We are currently enjoying Christmas holidays in Salmon Arm, BC. Most of the Roberts made it to visit, we are missing JP, Penny, and 2 youngest, Mark, Melissa and children, Peter, Chelsea, Blair, Melissa and child. I gave my notice at Transwest Air early December, and took a job with West Wind Aviation out of Saskatoon. The best part about this is that I will be at home nearly every night from now on. We have two more weeks to enjoy with family before starting the training for the new job.

Our holidays started with a night in Thomson Lake Park with Grandpa Roy and Oma to celebrate his birthday with Papa, Lia and Lori. We crossed the border the next day and enjoyed a few days visit with Kris, Tasha and of course the precious Annika. Headed to Spokane, Washington for a visit with Greg and Betty, Ryan, Bethany, Nathan Jr., Tina, Caleb, and Michael. We will be going to Boston Bar after Christmas for New Years with the Johnson clan. Helen now has exactly three months to go (March 24 due date) if the wee one plans to arrive on time. The baby is really active and likes to often remind Helen of his/her presence. She is surviving happily.

I'm Losing my Hair!

I have what is called Alopecia Areata (localised hair loss). My hair has been falling out in select spots now for almost a half a year. I recently decided to shave my head because it was starting to look pretty goofy. My friends in Stony Rapids decided to go along with it. All seven of us shaved our heads right down with razor blades. (The patches were shaved the next day) We had a good time and took lots of pictures.

The doctors have told me it should grow back within a few months. If not, my whole body might go bald! wow. We will see what happens. It has been about a month, and there is only one small patch on the top of my head growing out. I am considering growing this to it's full potential and creating a swirling comb-over to cover my cold head.

Hi everyone. I figured this would be a good way for us to keep in touch with family and friends. I will try to keep it updated.

As many of you know, I am currently working 3 weeks up north followed by one week at home in Saskatoon. Helen is into her fifth month of pregnancy. She is due in late March. I wish I could be home more, but this should materialize within the next couple of months.

I will try to update the family pictures link on the right-hand side of this page to show what we have been keeping busy with. Hope to talk to you all soon.
Karl