Travel

TRAVEL...It's brings a whole new meaning to the word when you add two children to the mix of the term. I also had "emotional" added to my 'travel experience' (mostly the next trip to Toronto) so that can change things too. It was increadably good to see friends and family and yet increadably hard to say 'goodbyes' again. We had a great time on our trip and love and appreicated all the time with family and friends. I've been asked to decrease my number of words here (but, don't we all have so many per day we need to get out!) so we'll just have to let the pictures say it all. I will say this: THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO BLESSED US WITH YOUR TIME ON THIS TRIP - YOUR INVESTMENT INTO OUR LIVES MEANS WONDERS!!!









A wonderful time with cousins...we love watching the boys together and how they interact with Kyla...
Great time with Grandma...










Fun times with Uncle and Aunties...











A great time with friends... believe it or not this breakfast picture has people from all over the world. We were just missing 2 special people for this reunion.








Fun times with cousins (and one girl friend) out for a picnic supper and a great game of beach ball volleyball and bocce with Mark as the tunnel to throw the balls through. Mark and Kyla were having fun in the sand while we tried to volley and for Boccee depending on how much you bribed Mark he even helped you win the game by moving one yellow ball closer to the other yellow ball or how about that blue ball near the white ball Mark!! Good thing he doesn't quite get the rules yet but in a year or two and he's the one trying to win I don't know how changing the rules will work so well. Thanks guys!! It was good to see you there. We sure miss out on all that "hanging out" time with you being so far away.










Our Toronto trip will be on the next blog and that was a harder trip to describe.

New Car

Mark having a blast washing our van here. Both him and I were in our bathing suits and he had the hose and I had the soap water. You can just imagine the fun we had. Obviously he aimed at me (like shown here) more than once. I think the neighbours cars/van got 1/2 washed too. At one point he was on my shoulders to hose down the top of the van. Very Fun!! It was very refreshing in the heat of the day.

New Car time.... We all bug Ray more then we really should but it's sort of true. Ray likes to have a different vehicle every few years. We can't even say it's for one specific reason. There is alwasy different reasons. Sometimes it the cost to fix it, maybe gas costs has something to do with it too. Ray hates vans (or any car for that matter) that you can't do simple work on by yourself. This time I think (just my opion) is that we know we are done having kids and don't need a mini van anymore so it's "cooler" to drive a regular car. We looked at many stationwagons but a sadan has been the preference. When we found this car it was perfect. We can fit 2 car seats and a person (like Grandma when she visits every few months) in the back or a 3rd carseat for the rare times of friends coming along. Trunk space is great and for those long trips or camping we could use a car top carrier. I love it too. My favorite is the dual heat controls. It wasn't a selling feature but sure a bonus. We feel like Ray could be in a T-shirt and I would be in a jacket next to him on some of our long trips.

So what did we get you ask.... a VOLVO. 1994, 5 cylinder automatic. It has some things that need to be worked out but it was good trade in for our van. Also very improtant. I didn't want car payments after just getting rid of the van payments when we moved here. Anyways, I think we both like it. Even if we do trade it in 2 or 3 years (which we may but I pray we don't) at least a VOLVO will hold it's value better than a Dodge!!!

Water kido's

SPLASH, SPLASH!!! Enjoying the water this summer has been a huge hit for our two water kids. Since the weather has been mid 30's it is understandable and we are happy to be in the water too. Glad to live only minutes walk from a water park and a 10 minute drive to the lakes. Many suppers at the beach. Kyla has been an amazing water baby. Where ever she can splash - bath time, in the water park, in the lake, backyard pool, puddles, helping mom washing dishes, or washing hands in the sink. Even at the water park with fountains spraying down on her she just keeps crawling through or at the lake with older kids splashing her she has a great smile on her face. She has discovered the toilet too so the trick has been to teach Mark to alway close the lid or the bathroom door (and for us to remember too) hense the hand washing after splashing in the toilet. Mark is sitting on one of the fountains here which is rare for him to be sitting down at all. He is always running and loves the water slide and using the water guns to spray others. He has become a lot more confident in the lake this year after all of last years experience at Grandma's cottage and swim class. His favorite still is Paul and Myrna's pool as he refers to that all the time where he learned to jump in the water.

The Dora photo's

Sorry the photo's didn't show up the last time. I just realized it. We sure loved it, and it's a great way to introduce preschooler's to live theatre. We were surprised that Dora and Degeo were not in full costume.

Off to the movies...

So we have introduced Mark to the movies twice now. We were not sure when it's again appropriate but really I use to do the mom and baby shows in Winnipeg quite often so really Mark has been to the movies lots (he was just under 1 year old that's all). Anyways, Curious George was his 1st movie (that he'll remember) and Cars which we saw yesterday was the 2nd time. We have been collecting movie coupons from cereal boxes, granola bars and anything really that has them - well that's not totally true as there are some products I just refuse to buy from their lack of nutritional value so we look else where. Anyways, we had free adult admission tickets and about 8 coupons for concession (which really is useless as you can only use one at a time) so we gave 1/2 of them way. We knew Mark's cousin had not gone to the movies yet and figured he might really love it too since their almost the same age so decided that if they would take Kyla we would take their kid.
Boys and cars really you can't go wrong. Although I know some girls who could tell you more about cars then I could - Marianne always puts me to shame with how much she knew about them. I was just proud to change my own spare or spark plugs, fuses and those sorts of things that went regularly on my old car. But with all these new vehicles you can't do anything yourself - oh yeah and I have a husband who knows way more about cars that I can even imagine so why would I even bother. I think that's why we are not keeping our mini van for much longer as some things you just can't do yourself and it's painful to pay someone to take care a some things so small that he's use to doing himself. Oh and he LOVES to buy cars or so it seems as we can't seem to keep one longer then 2 years. So if the later isn't the reason it's been about 2 years so it's time to go car shopping. Anyways, that was a long tangent and back to the movies about Cars we went.

So off we went for the kid swap and low and behold they have coupons too!! 2 free kid combos and a free kid admission. We got to the theater and since our nephew is under 3 he was free and Mark used the kid admission and we used ours. The boys each got their combos - popcorn, juice and a candy and we got a medium popcorn ($3 off) and medium drink ($3 off) and all together for the 4 of us to go to the movies it was less then $4.!!! The movie I thought was just over an hour ended up being just over 2 and so with 2 kids there were 3 potty breaks a lot of spilt popcorn on the floor and a lot of talking. Good thing there was mostly kids in the theater for this one as you might hear "hey Mark look at that!!, wasn't that funny!" or or "Mommy those cars are going fast!!" and in unison "Wow that's fast". Well, Ray and I had a good time and I love Pixar movies as they are cute, clean and perfect for the kids but the adult jokes all throughout are totally enjoyable too. Definitely one to buy in our books. Glad we were able to share this special moment with our nephew (a 1st theater experience for him) and glad we got to go so cheap!! Now our actually date night tomorrow we won't feel bad about spending a little money as we saved so much yesterday.

I guess we haven't told you about our other theater experience lately. We went to Dora the Explorer and the Pirate Adventure. Thanks to the boy I take care of and his mom they and his Grandma took us and Mark's cousin and 2nd cousin to go see Dora for FREE. The Cancer Society gave her the tickets and the 9 of us went. The 4pm show was perfect timing as we were able to go out for supper after too and thank them for the great experience. The kids all got flags although some adults might have wanted them too and Dora got all the kids waving and participating. Surprisingly Dora and Diego were not in costume but Boots, Swiper and all the others were in those big foam outfits. They put on a great show and fun for everyone. All the kids were standing and dancing, waving their flags and singing along - so were we adults too. It was great to see the kids are old enough now that when we got home their were able to tell the whole story of all that happened. I think Mark's probably seen the show with the same story 10 times or so, so that might help. But they did a good job making it age appropriate - potty break and everything instead of calling it intermission. It might not have been worth $40 but for Free it was totally worth it.
We got some pictures but both Alison and I were spoken too by the security lady as we obviously missed the "no photo's please" signs posted all over the place. Honestly I didn't until we were leaving and I saw how obvious they were - some how I just was focused on Mark and were we were going I didn't see them going in. Anyways, if I didn't take them I wouldn't be able to show you all and Mark wouldn't have a picture to remember it by.

STRAWBERRIES!!!

The Strawberry season is upon us and there is strawberry signs all around. It makes me want to eat them all day long. What can you do with strawberries?; strawberries on ice cream, strawberry milkshakes, strawberries over cereal (cheerios works best), strawberry pie, strawberries and cream Frappachino at Starbucks(this morning!!), Strawberry jam (thanks mom those 16 jars won't last long), strawberry and rhubarb crisp or pie or plots, strawberry shortcake (ah the memories or childhood toys and all her lovely friends- those were the best smelling toys ever!). There's got to be a million different things you can do with strawberries besides just love eating them by themselves. We had a great time picking strawberries while mom was here. Actually we were having trouble finding a place to get strawberries as everyone else seemed to have the same idea and the patches were getting all picked in the morning so by the time we were ready to go they were closed for the day only to open the next day and so on. We spent 2 1/2 hours making French style creapes (spelling???) only to find there were no You Pick strawberry patches open that night so we went to a Picked For you place just to have some. You can't invite 4 people over for supper and have the 3 of us and 2 o r3 kid's with no strawberries so off we went and got some. Later that night mom had some friends from out of town call her back and invite us to the place were they were working (a strawberry patch of a family member of theirs). This nice couple comes out to help out her sister for the strawberry season. I think she does it to benefit from her sisters large supply of strawberries. She and mom had a great visit while they were picking and her all about the tons of strawberries they pick and jar to take home with them. My mind wondered back to a great strawberry picking experience I had with some of my girl friends. I am sure they will never forget it either. It happened a few years ago (in my family you can say it happened a few vehicles back) and it will be a strawberry picking experience never to repeat. The few of us girls all wanted strawberries for jam or just eating. So I offered to drive and off we went to a patch in a nearby town. I think the town was suppose to be about 1 hour away. Well, we got onto a dirt road just off the highway heading in the right direction and just as we went over the railroad tracks we heard the loudest 'bang' noise and thought - "strange I've never heard that before" and as my car slowed down I realized something for sure was wrong. We got out of the vehicle and realized my clutch had just went and that was the end of our chances to get strawberries that day. We called for a tow truck and while we waited we debated how long the walk would be to the patch as we had just seen the sign for it up ahead. We picked wild flowers and roamed in the tall field grass, sat on the road and just talked and waited. The tow truck fit all of us girls inside and the vehicle was brought back into town. Once at the auto body shop we walked over to get a cold drink and a phone and ended up in some dingy pub that none of felt comfortable in so used the phone and left. Decided to wait at the nearby donnut shop for John (I think or was it Cory? ) to pick us up. Anyways, to end the story it was the most expensive strawberry experience I had. $1500 later and no strawberries we decided that someone else should drive and we tried it again a few weeks later. Those were the best tasting strawberries ever (or maybe I just thought so, as there was so much effort just to get them). Thanks girls those are memories I treasure and laugh at and appreciate those moments we had together!!

Entertained

Keeping my own kids entertained is usually not very hard and having another one every morning sure adds to the mix. The imagination of a three year old is usually pretty entertaining in itself and the two year old is great at making the time more energize. When the boys and Kyla are playing the topic of play is always changing. The living room at one moment is a ocean with sharks and everyone hurries onto the couches so they won't drown. The very next moment there are lions roaming the ground ready to pounce anything and everyone that is moving. Rescue hero's begin fishing finding all sorts of toys and objects and all of a sudden a dance has begun as they found music under water and the room is spinning as they turn round and round. Kyla is sitting watching it all or right in the middle depending on how overwhelming it all is. Chairs become buses and we are off on trips to visit places. Flashlights come out and we are camping in a forest looking for animals. Camping always involves owls no matter where we are. And all this is in just one small living room there is so much more once the playroom downstairs(bedroom for night) or the backyard is is explored.
If you think this is not entertaining enough the are many outings we also entertain. Parks are a regular outing to meet up with 15 or so other kids on Tuesdays, our last Thursday outing was to McDonalds which is always a favourite especially when friends met us there. Our other most recent outing involved the simple task of taking bottles to a recycling depo. but it all changes as you talk it up and make the most of it. We collected all the bottles and took a trip on the magical "wagon" a version of the "magical school bus show". Once we were there the boys lifted the boxes of cans onto the counter and the lady counted the cans. Counting it again the boys chimed in and everyone smiles to hear and see the fun. There were forklift to watch and smashed cans to see. Bags and bags or bottles all squished into big squares and all wrapped up. The process is quite exciting at a 2-3 year old level. The machines were probably the most memorable part of it all those.
Rainy days to some may seem like a bore but in this house baking is always a must. If you have to wash the floor why not make a mess first and then do the clean up when it really needs it. First hands need to be washed and that in itself can be fun and messy (depending on the level of supervision needed as some days they can be well behaved and others it's a game) water can fill the sink. So it's time and out comes the mixers and the boys are so excited to play baker "just like Daniel Cook" they say. Each taking a turn to pour the ingredients into the bowl and each taking a turn controlling the mixer. They may get covered in flour a little or a lot depending on the level of fun. Some may think we are crazy to add baking to the mix, but I think it enriches their lives as they learn things go together to make a snack and counting, taking turns are all part of it. They also learn the rules of baking; like taste testing comes only at the end and if fingers get licked they need to be rewashed and that ovens are hot and can only be used by adults, and so on.

So that is a small view into our morning life. Full of fun and entertainment. There is so much more but that's for another day.

What a weekend!!

Adventurous, crazy, exhausting, and unforgetable; are just a few words to really describe our last two weekends. I am sure there are other words but FUN is how Mark describes them the best. Two weeks ago was the "Run, Walk, Bike" fundraiser for the local camp that our church here supports and that Ray and family have spent years being involved in some way or other. Ray biked the 70 kms about 10 years ago and had planned on being involved again when we first started talking about moving here. 70kms is out of the question for me to bike but Ray and his Dad were up to the challenge. Dad had a lot more time on his hands to train for this but thankfully took his time and biked along with Ray who did amazingly well for having little training in such long distances. There rest of us family members who participated knew what we could handle with kids along for the ride, and choose the 5km walk. Although most of us could have easily walked the 10 km (meant for runners) the kids would prefer the 5km.

Mark and his cousin walked almost 1/2 of it anyways so it was a good thing we were on the shorter one. The younger kiddo's in the strollers were not so sure of the whole thing as one made his voice known, the other crashed to sleep. Mark followed suit just before returning to camp the walk exhausted him and he also fell asleep in the stoller for a quick lights out. Leaving an hour after the bikers gave us perfect amount of time to enjoy the nice hilly walk to the park/beach (which we stopped for about a 1/2 hour) and back to camp with just enough time to watch the bikers come back and enjoy lunch together. All in all I think there were about 60 participants and we all helped raise $15,000 for the camp so that for sure made it all worth it. Mom and Dad won the door prizes for having the most Grandkids involved in the fundraiser and for having the most family members involved. I'm sure they will enjoy their well earned gas and Pizza coupons.
So that was the first weekend of adventure and exhaustion.

This last weekend was meant to be a weekend of camping with our "C3 - young marrieds" group from the church. Instead it was C3-turned P3.

Ray and his family along with nermerous other families from the church began a tradition when their kids were pre-teens. They would met every May long weekend for a camping trip get-a-way. Many fond memories and stories shared. I have heard so much about these weekends I was eagar to see the place and camp there ourselves. As it turned out it hasn't happened in years so the tradition was to be started again. Ray and I were looking forward to a weekend of getting to know more couples from the group and of course camping is always a bonus!! It's the long weekend, and like every May long weekend you can never count on the weather. So we awoke Saturday morning to find it was raining outside. Now it would be nothing if it was just spitting, but this was a down pour. Our sister-in-law phoned us up just after 8am "just wondering if you're still going??" Yep we say, we maybe CRAZY but the rain will pass and we'll have a great time. (were we trying to kid ourselves by saying it out loud or did we really believe it this very moment we're not sure). They were not so easily convinced and debated the whole camping idea. So with the rain coming down Ray packed the van and I got the kids ready to go. We took our time eating a nice breakfast hoping the weather would change, but it didn't. We get another phone call from our concerned Sister-in-Law, "just want to let you know Mom and Dad are at the campground (they went up there Friday and are in a trailer) and said it was raining hard up there too". Thanks we say, we'll keep that in mind. They have cancelled thier reservations but hope to come up for the day on Sunday. "We'll see you then" we say and we're off. I guess you can say we were the only die hard campers of the whole group. We arrived to find yes it was raining here too, and yes everyone else in the group cancelled too. That's ok we said. "We'll make the best of it and have a great time." Atleast Mom and Dad were there so we could hide out in their trailer until there was a break in the rain long enough to set up tent. It did soon after and by 4pm were were canoeing and swimming to the dock. We were so happy to not have given up. We could have missed out on such a fun adventure. It was unforgetable that's for sure. Saturday was full of sandcastle building, swimming, canoeing, kyaking, bike ride to the park and a campfire with roasting marshmellows and games to finish off the night. Kyla was amazing taking it all in and seemingly loving it all. Mark also loved it too as he kept himself very busy.
Sunday came and the other two families joined us making it a P3 event (3 of Mom and Dad's kids and their families). Sunday brought SUNSHINE, WIND, brief bits of RAIN (in the evening) and SNOW. Yep we were in for all weather this weekend. Snow I can handle on May long. That's really what I remember about camping Maylong weekends the swimming in the lake this time around was the strange thing for me. There were many times that my family would go camping in the mountains and often had to shovel the snow just to set up camp. Or atleast wake up to snow on the ground. This of course was different. It wasn't your typical snow. We all sat at the beach and the Cottonwood trees began to "snow". The cotton fluff was everywhere. Even if you didn't have an allergy you were bothered by this stuff. It was everywhere. Going up your nose, making your eyes itchy, if you left your mouth open you may even eat it. Besides that great annoyance we had a great family time Sunday afternoon and evening. The boys loved the chance to play in the sand and lake and especially love to ride their bikes round and round the camp circle.
To end our weekend we added one more stop at Tickleberries for icecream. Mark got a baby bear cone. I almost ordered hime a K-9 thinking it was a smaller size only to find out it really is for K-9's. The rest of us got "child" size which was plenty - 2 scoops on a waffle cone. There were many flavours to pick from as well as many things in the shop to look at. Cute store full of sayings. These are just a few; (we do not endorse them nor live by them). "Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookies of life", "Friends welcome, relatives by appointment only", I would love to live in the fast lane, but I'm married to a speed bump", "Bathroom Rules: Hand towels available for guests only. If you are not a guest use your pants", " I never said I wanted to be wrinkled when I grew up". They sure got us laughing. I wish I could remember more of them there were tons.
Well, that wraps up my summary of the last two weekends. The summer is ahead of us and I'm sure there are many more adventures to be had. Lookforward to sharing them with you.

Busy!

Seems like time just slips through our fingers. We just seem to be busy and yet what exactly have we been busy doing? Who knows??? Life I guess!! I was just thinking that we just got back from Calgary when really Easter was 3 weeks ago already. Days just seem to flow together.

The kids keep us busy; Kyla is active as ever getting into everything. There really is little stopping this girl. She is so smart. The other day she pushed the stool over to the pantry and crawled on top, stood up and reached and pulled down the tea container. She climbs stairs before you even realize she is close to them - hence the gates now, and watch out if the patio door is open as she seems to have a 6th sense about that one and heads straight for it. She is using everything and anything to pull herself to a stand (including Daddy's leg hairs at this very moment). Here is a moment I had to catch on film as it was too cute. I came into the kitchen to see what she was playing with - thinking it was just a toy on the floor but this is where I found her. Before I took her out I had to catpture the moment. Little did I know as soon as I took her out she tried again and since then has tried as often as she can to get into this cupboard. Too Cute!!











Mark is out playing in the sand box as much as possible but hasn't quite learned that we don't appreciate him choosing to turn the sprinkler on by himself to water the garden. He enjoys taking his bike to the park although that gives us the scare of our lives most times as he looks everywhere but where he is steering. He does puzzle after puzzle (thanks Joel and Josh for passing on puzzles you were done with and Thanks Grandpa Dyck for sending 3 new ones.)
He has recently started to ask to play school which I love to see. We played yesterday and school involves the "Wheels on the bus" song on the pretend bus, to sitting at a table working on letters or numbers, recess, snack break and more learning. Maybe we won't have to pay to go to preschool if he's doing his own school here.














I have been keeping myself busy reading - I have 4 books on the go right now and scrapbooking - 3 on the go. Gardening (Thanks Mom and Dad Peters for so many plants - it sure filled the garden beds nicely). Also tons of walking. Stores that I had been driving to I realized are only a 1/2 hour walk away so that's what we've been doing. Sure it takes more time but usually I do it while the kids are napping. We're so lucky they both can take naps in the stroller and be rested enough. Ray and I both love walking so that also happens right after he comes home before supper. He's been biking to work so he sure gets is exercise each day. He is biking 70km this coming weekend for Gardom Lake Camp so I guess he's trying to get ready for that. I guess our evenings have been busy lately as we have had many game nights. We got a great new game at Easter "Ticket to Ride" (Thanks Mel and Don) and have played it tons and have new expansions to another game "Carccassone" and have played that tons. I can't think of what else is really keeping us busy so that must be the end of my update.

Happy Easter

Hope everyone had a great Easter. We had a mini family gathering over the holiday and it was sort of nastalgic in a way. Going back to camp always brings back so many memories. I remember every year looking forward to the summer season beginning so camp would start again. Obviously very different this time around as there wasn't any other camp staff around nor campers everywhere but we sure enjoyed the facilities - cabin, field to play soccer in and a bit of floor hockey as well as roasting marshmallows in "camp" fire. Great location for us to gather together and have fun as well as being close enough to go back into the city for more fun at the wave pool & shopping gallery (yeah for outlet malls!!).

Anyways, the boys were so excited to see each other after 8mths it was definitely time. Josh was just what I expected - full of cuddles for Kyla. Mark has not stopped talking about all the fun they had and even wanted to watched again family videos of Joel and Josh at their home and the slide show of all the pictures from the weekend.






Kyla showed off her crawling and smile for everyone and had her fist experience with dogs and cats - seems to be curious about them both. Mark gave her all his empty easter eggs to play with as long as he knew they were the empty ones. He is sharing more - on his terms though!!

The drive was good except that we felt like we were going through many different time zones from Spring to Winter to Fall weather, back to Winter snow storms and arriving home to Spring. Glad to be home yet the kids are both sick so it's not been fun this week but otherwise life is back to normal. So thanks Mom, Marianne, Mel & Don, Don's parents & sister and Joel & Josh for a great weekend!!

What light on yonder...

"What light on yonder window break, it is the East" - the sunlight coming through the hole Ray put in our wall. We have been debating for some time how to change things in our house to make it feel bigger, to use the space we have better, et ectra... We've rearranged the couche and computer table and consider changing rooms with the kids to give them the bigger room but the biggest change of all so far has been the big hole Ray cut into our wall today opening up the wall between the dinning room and the livingroom. Amazingly the light from the deck into the livingroom already makes a huge difference and it's evening time. I am looking forward to the sunrise tomorrow morning as that will brighten the livingroom beautifully. Small changes can sure make a place feel different!! (ps. Ray just finished so the livingroom is a bit of a mess so just ignore that part of the photo). The studs will be out by tomorrow and window framed in asap. We planned on painting the kitchen anyway so at least we did this first.

Renewing our Vows

Technically you never really have to renew your vows. Once you do it the first time you're married but it doesn't hurt to either. It's our 5th anniversary this year and I remember leaving our honeymoon saying "it would be nice to come back here in 5 years". That's not till July and surprisingly we are living close enough now that we can make it out this summer back to the cabin for a 2nd time and it's booked. But yesterday we completed a Marriage Enrichment course and at the end of it restated our vows to each other. It may not have been exactly what I had pictured if I were to plan it but that doesn't matter. Some people have a big party putting their wedding dresses back on or something just a fancy and rewriting new vows to each other and others do it quietly just the two of them. For us, the big party idea didn't really fit as there wasn't much hope of getting my family out here and if your going to have a big party with all the family it just doesn't seem right without the brides family. So, yesterday there were about 20 couples all standing there holding hands with their spouses renewing their vows all at the same time and I still felt a bit teary eyed as it still means the same thing. I did however later that day try on my wedding dress and spun around a few times in the living room for Ray. It felt good to fit into it again - especially after having two kids (I didn't fit into it after Mark but somehow I do after two). The next thing to look forward to I guess is going back to the cabin and Radium hot springs for a 2nd honeymoon. Actually it will be more like a 3rd honeymoon as Cuba last year was more like our 2nd honeymoon even though I was pregnant.

The faces of Kyla

Look at me!! I love to smile and telling you how much I enjoy being outside. Here I am sitting outside in March enjoying the sunshine and the feel of the grass while brother plays in the sandbox. And look how at me standing at the couch. I can pull myself up and for awhile I didn't know how to get down but I just figured out all you have to do is let go and you land back into that wonderful sitting postion. My newsest trick I discovered is that you can go from crawl position to sitting and back to crawling. I love changing my postions now. Did you notice how much pink I am wearing?? Even my cheeks match my outfits half the time. I think mom likes to dress me in this colour as I'm in it alot these days or manybe that's just whant people send me (I think it's both). Speaking of, Thank you "Auntie Sarah" for the wonderful outfits that I am wearing in these pictures. All the way from Holland and I look so cute in them!!

Well, bye, bye. Thanks for chatting with me. I love to talk to bad it all comes out babble and nobody else can understand.

We finally have some pictures to show you.YEAH!! it has taken some fighting with this computer but here are the highlights of the day at PLANET SPACE WALKERS. The nerf ball gun - As Grandpa and Mark shoot balls down at the poor, defensless children below that Mark so lovingly invited to his party. They wern't completey defenseless at times as Jason Gau sat there throwing balls back at us - trying to help give the kids more balls or actually trying to hit me which he did a number of times. Kyla is crawling at the bottom of the picture which really you can only see her head and at this point she is crawling only a few times before stoping. But, there as she watches it all happen completly safe behind the mesh.


The train cake looked more like cars on a little people track but the kids knew what they were and that's all that is important. There surprisingly wasn't as many fights about which colour cake they would each want.

The ball pit was also a huge hit for all kids including the adults as Missy and Grant were off hiding in the ball pit until Liam and Paige found them as did Kyla. With a bit of help into it she loved it. The trick is to not let her suck on them as we don't really even want to go there.















So there are a few photo's for you. I don't want to loose them before I get them posted so I'll leave it as just a few for now.

Encouragement! Used by God...

Here's an update about what's been going on with me and especially what's been going in my heart. Ever felt like something in your life that you decided to do "just because you felt like it" all of a sudden can be given over to God or at least used for His glory.
Around the beginning of March we were talking about using our Spiritual Gifts at 'Take-A-Break' (that's a women's ministry gathering at our church once a week with speakers and small groups). Anyways, I went home not thinking much about it. Although a day or two later I starting wondering how I was using my spiritual gifts in my everyday life and realized that I really wasn't doing a very good job. A had a VERY vivid dream. Now I'm not one to call it a vision as I've never really had one before but it sure could have been as it was the most vivid dream I have ever had and one that I could recall completely when I awoke. Not only that, I couldn't really get it out of my thoughts for a few days. It was amazing. So here's the thing; In January I became a STAMPIN' UP demonstrator - making cards and scrapbooking stuff and having house parties to sell the products. It was mostly to allow me to continue my hobby and earn a bit more on the side or at least cover my costs and have fun. So I have been doing that for a few months and really enjoying it. I often think of sending cards to friends and some times I do and sometimes it's one of those "I've meant to and just haven't yet" (so if you didn't get one it's not that I haven't thought of you) The other thing you should know is that my spiritual gift is encouragement (so I've been told over and over again by people and those questionnaires you can do). And as I said before I have been slacking off in this area. So back to this dream I had. It was so real - a room in our church (the Hosptitality Room to be exact) was filled with women making cards. They were all making cards for people they knew or didn't know to encourage those around them. Sounds simple and it is, it was just amazing how much detail was in the dream and how much it conflicted my heart. What was I doing with my talents? Could my being a STAMPIN UP deomonstrator be used for God? Did he allow me this opportunity so that I would do much more then just have fun? Honestly I did not stop thinking about it day or night until I went the church and put in a bulletin annoucement that it was happening on March 28th. "ENCOURAGEMENT CARD MAKING NIGHT- WHETHER ENCOURAGEMENT IS YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT OR NOT, WE ALL NEED IT SOMETIMES..." Then announced it at the next Take-A- Break gathering. This didn't really fit in my comfort zone and yet I had the most peace I have had about it since. I had all the thoughts like "this isn't me?, will people think it's just for buisness?, cause it's not! I just moved here and we're new to this church." It has nothing to do with STAMPIN UP. Nor will I plan to sell anything there. I will bring my stuff to use but I have told everyone to bring their own card making stuff and if not they could use mine. So here's the next interesting thing as to how God works in amazing ways. This announcement has been in the bulletin for a few weeks now. This last Sunday Pastor Mark used a video before the sermon from the Emergency Social Services, talking about how volunteers were practicing and preparing for great disaster's even before they happen like what they needed for the 2003 fires here. It was an interesting video. Anyways, the next day - Monday, I receive a call regarding my bulletin announcement from a volunteer with the Emergency Social Services, asking if I would be willing to use my talents of card making to send to people from our church who were just Burnt out of their homes and lost everything (including 5 pets) last week in a local fire. I said sure. She said they had been wanting someone who could make homemade cards to send to people to know that their church family was praying for them and when they saw the "encouragement Card Making Night" that was it. So, I will make this card for this couple from our church and on that night we will try to make a bunch more for future and give them to E.S.S. to send to those in need. Pretty neat in my mind at least how wanting to do a hobby has become so much more then that. So pray for me on March 28th. and that I will continue to be open to God if this is what He is calling me to do. And pray for the many people who have lost everything in so many disasters - especially for those around you. Who knows maybe God will ask you to make a card for them too!!

Pary time!!

We'll I've been asked to post Mark's 3rd birthday party so here it goes. There were 12 kido's under 5 and 4 babies under 7mths, oh, and a lot of adults. We were at an indoor playground (like 10X a McDonalds) but one that is big enough for adults to crawl around, as well as 3 ball pits to jump into and a few little rides (the mall kind). We played for awhile then had pizza lunch and "choo chooed" our way through some homemade train cake. I think everyone had a great time and I know the birthday boy sure did as he talks about it alot. Thanks to everyone that came and celebrated with us.
So here's some photo's to see what all the fun was about.

note: we are having technical difficulty with the computer. I have tried for two days to get photo's on here and can't seem to get any right now. Ray will have to try next somehow someone else's touch does the trick. So please be patient we are trying. Thanks

Kyla Crawling

Trying to do a video on this blog has not been easy or sucessful. I am jealous of Lisa-Joy and John's who have tons of video on theirs but maybe it's a better computer or better camera but we'll try again here.

Signs of Spring

Isn't it exciting when you hear that first sound of birds chirpping and tiny bits of green are starting to stick out of the dirt in the garden.( I have Iris's all over with bits of green- not that I love this many of them) The birds were very noisy today. I love the idea of spring. I guess you can say it's one of my favorite seasons. The new growth, the fresh air, the idea of going out without having to put jackets on myself and the kids. So it's beginning to feel more like spring here. It's not here yet and I know that with the small amount of snow dusted on the houses, but it's close. Fall is my other favourite because of the colours but that's besides the point. Anyways, yesterday was a spring like day. Warm enough to play outside for most of it. Mark is eager for Kyla to play with him as he asked for her to ride on his car and chase him. It was fun for him and me to imagine by the time summer gets here she'll be crawling after him on her on!!

Mode of Transportation

So here's Mark in his new mode of transportation. It has become very handy when I have to transport two boys (while I look after one other in the mornings) and Kyla in the snuggly up the hill to playgroup and it also works with Kyla and Mark going for a walk. Mark is currently on his first bike ride in it with Daddy - it's such a nice "spring" day he just couldn't pass up the opportunity to go out for a ride. Mark loves this trailer and has been looking forward to going on a bike ride in it.

Ok, Ok this isn't really a mode of transportation and Kyla can't really pull herself up to a stand yet but she sure loves standing and holding on to the couch or chair. She IS however CRAWLING!!! just started too with her first movements on March 3rd. She moved almost the length of the loveseat. She is pretty proud of herself when she's trying and can move from sitting to leaning forward into a crawl postion already so there's no stopping her now. She is already 1 week ahead of Mark in this development so I think we're in for it with very BUSY kids!!

Bible Quiz

So here's a post without our kids. Yes it's hard to believe some times that life outside the world of kids exsist but it does. Ray and I signed up for 8 weeks of Marriage enrichment sessions. There's about 30 couples of all ages. Video's to watch and topics to discuss in groups and as a couple. It's great to know we are taking care of eachother the best way we know how and there is always more tips we can pick up. Anyways, I won't go into the details but I did want to share with you this quiz they passed out. Nothing really to do with marriages but it was something to do together. So give it a try. The biggest challenge is to time yourself. Try to complete it within 10 minutes or less.

This is a special test of your knowledge of the books of the bible. See if you can find all of the books of the bible that are mentioned. There are 16.
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"I once made a remark about hidden books of the bible. It was a lulu; kept people looking so hard for the facts...and others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of our readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinationg few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a pastor to find one of them, and there will be a loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, for there really are sixteen names of the bible in this paragraph."

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? we've found all but one so I guess it's just like they said "it will take a pastor to find one". Good luck!!

Our "cutie"

I will always say we have cute kids. I guess we're just biased but that's ok. I know every parent says the same thing but really if you didn't that would be so sad. So let's just take a moment and brag a bit.

Aren't they cute!! ok ok Mark is not as happy as he normally is but that is because he's two and was making faces in all the other shots having a grand old time watching me snap pictures over and over again. So this is the only one that isn't blurry from his constant movment. So we tried again with Kyla later. Sorry I have rotated her again and again on our photo shop but each time I transfer her into this blog she gets fliped back to sidewise. Don't hurt your neck I don't have medical for all of you!! She is cute though!!

On the beach in February

It's always great to watch kids on the beach. They love to dig and build castles. Even if it's not summer.

It was especially nice to know it was February, there was no snow and we were enjoying watching Mark create with the sand and rocks and sticks that he collected. I guess it's already a week ago that we went but I havn't been able to sit down and fill you all in on the details. We had a great holiday down to White Rock and luckly had great weather while we were there. Great to see family and enjoy the view. Hadn't seen some family for awhile so that was nice to catch up on how things are going. The highlights were the beach for Mark and the Aquarium for all of us not just Mark. Watching the Blugua Whales and Dolphin shows as well as seeing the many types of fish in the ocean.

It's been years since Ray or myself had been there so it was a treat to go and especially fun watching Mark's reaction to it all. I love how expressive kids are. So that was our mini get-a-way for February.

Hole Punched!!

I think the debate has been going on for ages. It really depends on who you ask as to what the answer will be. It also greatly depends on your own child rearing, I'm told. but not always. But as for me I have always thought; If I ever have a baby girl I would have her ears peirced. AND SO THEY WERE!! Really Ray and I have been talking about this for months. Well, almost since the beginning of Kyla. I really wanted to her to have earings and he wanted nothing to do with it. Now, he was never against it being done it was just a matter of when and that he didn't want to be there holding this crying baby down, or dealing with a cranky baby afterwards. So after much discussion and making sure there were no hard feelings and this was ok the plan was in place. I wanted it to be special, not that having it done wasn't special but something more. So as soon as I heard Auntie Mel was coming to see us I knew that was the weekend to have it done. I thought it might be a special thing to do with my sister (who has two boys) and my mom. Little did I know she had it done as an adult and the memory is still negative in her mind. Acutally neither Grandma's wanted to be there. Both of them at the thought of it said "oouch" Why??" But Auntie Mel thought it was a good idea. I was a nice mom though, I got numbing cream for her ears, I checked into a highly recommend place that did both ears at the same time and the ladies were experienced, and of course gave here a dose of tylonal as that fixes everything. Ray decided last minute instead of waiting with Grandma and Mark he probably could handle being there so I was happy to see him enter the store just in time to see it all happen. Two guns pointed at my baby girls ears and bang it was all done. The look on her face was a smile as everyone around her was smiling. She laughted and then as everyone in the store seemed to get right in her face to see the sparkles the tears came. Only momentarily but the shock of it all was enough. So our pretty princess now sparkles in the glimpse of light!! Amazingly she did great. She still is doing great - not complaining at sleep times or while I (of course remember Ray wanted nothing to do with this) clean and turn her earings. IT IS JUST HOW I IMAGINED IT - SPARKLING AND BEAUTIFUL!!

Girls and Chocolate!!

What two things could go better together? I don't think there are many girls out there that when offered a time out, with chocolate involved refuse to make the effort to go. I was invited out on two occasions this last month for two fondue party nights. Now, fondue is not something you do often, or atleast I don't so of course I would love to go. Twice in one month now that is excieting!! Both parties were very different not to say that one was better then the other. Acutally you can't really compare them they were so different. From the chocolate involved; 'Bernard' to special chocolate chips, to the presentation; a fountain flowing with chocolate verses individual bowls, and of course the people make a huge difference; a birthday party with a house full of women to a small group of women around the dinning room table. Don't get me wrong I am not comparing the two as I said, I had an amazing time at both parties and wouldn't not have either of them any other way. I do have to admit though, earlier in one of my blogs I mentioned that I would love to have some time with women talking about life and not just about kids. Last night was just that. These are women that I am just starting to get to know through a small group sort of thing at church. Of course kids were brought up now and then as many of us moms have a story or two that can be related to a topic or something funny to share about how our kids interpret the things around them, but all in all we sat there around the table talking about life and laughing until almost midnight. It was just the sort of thing I was needing. Of course sitting in front of chocolate doesn't bother me either. So thanks girls for the time out. I know I said it in person but again Thanks!!
So to all those women out there that love chocolate; invite some friends over and have a fondue - what ever the style; in a fondue pot, individual bowls or even a fountain if you desire, it's definately worth the time invested into eachother's lives!!
Here's to chocolate and friends!!

A Bad Day

Ever wake up one the wrong side of the bed and just feel like you need to restart your day somehow. Well that was me today. Having kids they just don't let you go back to bed. I know I had playgroup today to take the kids too so up I got and got ready to go. While having breakfast I read the Daily Bread and Mark reads his Bible Stories for Tiny Tots ( he initiated doing this on his own which really makes me happy). Anyways, guess what todays topic was in the Daily Bread? You guessed it, "A Bad Day?" Here I learned that not only was I feeling like it was a bad day it ACTUALLY IS !!! For those of you who didn't read it it said "Dr. Cliff Arnall, a British psychologist, has developed a formula to determine the worst day of the year. One factor is the time elapsed since Christmas, after the holiday glow has given way to the reality of credit-card bills. Gloomy winter weather, short days, and the failure to keep New Year's resolutions...Last year January 24th recieved the dubious distinction of being 'the most depressing day of the year."!!! So there you have it, it wasn't just waking up on the wrong side of the bed, it actually is a Bad Day!! I know many of you would say well you didn't quote the rest of the Daily Bread because it does go on to say how we as Christians need to remember "even when circumstances hang a sign on our calendar saying "Bad Day" the Creator enables us to thank Him for the gift of life and to recieve each day with joy." Thanks David McCasland for reminding us of this in this Daily Bread it just was too perfect to read that this morning and I thought I should share that with you all!!

Read any good books?

For all of you readers out there. It's the beginning of a new year and time to set a goal for yourself. Make a list of all the books/authors you read in 2006. I recently read on someone's blog that they read 314 books in 2005. I don't plan to met that, nor beat it, but I would like to read some good books so any suggestions throw them our way.
Ray likes GRISHAM type (but he doesn't write them fast enough)
Mel likes Christian Fiction but currently reading MAEVE BINCHY
Out of all the books you read this year NEVER STOP READING THE BEST BOOK - THE BIBILE!!

What's new in MY world

I know I am a mom and it's great but sometimes you just need an out. A place to do your own thing, to be your own person. I often sit in a group of mom's and wonder why we all lost our own personal interests to our kids and yet that is what all of us have incommon so that is what we talk about - and I like that too. I find it tough at times to go through my day without taking time for myself. That "quite time" hour is so important for me as well as my kids. It's "MY TIME" I often tell Mark. Even if you just go play mommy needs her time. It can be reading, scrapbooking or even this - blogging/emailing. We all need somewhere that you don't talk about only what your kids are up to - toilet training.... So I entered the world of business once again. Home buisness so it's new and exciteing for me. I have recently become a Stampin UP demonstrator. Many of you know what that is and know that I have been having fun with Stampin UP products for almost 2 years now. For those of you not familar with it; Stampin UP is a rubber stamping company that promotes their products through home workshops specializing in card making, scrapbooking and home decor. I am a fan of all three and hope that this will be a means for me to get out of the house, meet new people, and have fun doing one of my favorite hobbies. I am starting with two parties this month; one with family and the other with friends. Thus the kick off for me as an 'Independent Stampin UP demonstrator' begins. Any questions feel free to ask.

This one's for you Dad

Our adorable little girl and everyone's favorite Pooh Bear!

Updated photo's

So here's a shot of the newest experience for Kyla. She loves her cereal - morning and night it is a highlight in her day. Now that she has been given the opportunity to eat she hates not being eye level with us at supper time so out came the high chair. Doesn't she look so tiny in there. Well she is - tiny I mean. She just made it to 14 lbs this week - she's 5 1/2 months!! Most of her "friends" are 1 to 2 1/2 mths younger then her and already the same size. I guess she's got my Nana's genes. Mark loves being the big brother and helping as you can see. And of course you all need to see her new "trick" sitting on the floor beside brother. Mark also likes to ask to hold her, but really it's just sitting behind her like we do and wraping his arms around her - needless to say it looks cute.

Thanks for the support

We just want to thank everyone for all their encouragement and support in this stage of life. Although there may still be a few accidents here and there, we have made huge progress!! I loved the idea of all or nothing. We went straight to underwear no pull ups and diapers only at sleep time. We said no turning back once we started and it was a go. Mark is definately learning and likes to show us his independence. Of course it is more work for us as parents to be watching the clock every hour but we'd rather watch the clock with no accidents then clean up the mess. So it's been a rough few weeks but totally worth it, I think. Sure cut costs on diapers too!! So THANKS TO ALL -for the advice and encouragement.

Crazyness in life!!

Just thought I would share what life has been like these last few weeks - since the Christmas season finished. Well we must be crazy and if we're not we sure are feeling like it. We decided for some silly reason that Mark was ready for toilet training. For all of you without kids - congrats for not having to deal with this, for those of you not there yet - don't worry your turn is coming, and for those of you with older kids - how in the world did you handle this and please give me tips!! I do remember the first time I went to Mom Group at RCC and I sat there 8 mths pregnant hearing all about people's experiences with toilet training I remember thinking this is probably good for me to hear but I'm glad it's not me. Well, here I am cleaning up more urine that I care to ever touch. I think this is more work for us parents then it is for the kid. I wonder how he can not be grossed out by wet legs but somehow it barely bothers him. Yesterday was the beginning of him telling us before peeing so I guess we have made progress in two weeks and it's about time. I do have to admit we have been lucky to not have more then one #2 accident, since we started that months ago he 'knows better' if you can say that. Anyways it truely is a whole new experience of watching the clock every hour. Anyways, not that you really want to hear about bathroom conversation but that is what is consuming my life right now. I guess we also have entered another world on Kyla's behalf. We are excieted to say she has learned to sit up with minimal to no support. She loves sitting or standing. Lying on her back is deffinately old news. She will tolerate her tummy but only for short times. I hope she will in the future more or how will she ever crawl - nevermind what am I saying if you think life is crazy now just wait till the 2nd one is mobile!! As excieted as we are it sure changes the fact that we can't leave the room even breifly. The other world she has entered is the world of solids. She absolutely loves cereal and the crazy part is Mark loves to feed her. What a great brother. Kyla gave a crazy disguesting face when trying carrots but didn't seem to mind peas the first time. Well, that's what we've been up to - DEALING WITH THE CRAZYNESS OF LIFE WITH KIDS.

HAPPY NEW YEARS

The beginning of 2006. I think that is officially the first time I have written it (typed it I guess). I not sure how all of you out there spent your evening bring in the new year but Ray and I had another fun. low key New Years eve. It's always nice to do something different. The last few years we have been home bodies with friends instead of the mass partiers. We had a great time playing Cranium with some new friends at their house. Jill, I guess we were on a similar wavelength. There was 6 of us adults and 3 little ones(2 being ours). Our friends 5 year old actually stayed up past midnight with us. And of course we watched the ball drop on TV and heard a few fireworks outside. Ever sit at the beginning of the year and wonder about all the many things that will occur in the next 12 months. I think back on this years adventures and really that is the best word to discribe it. Many things happened and as you live them out it really does feel like an adventure - never knowing what will test you, stretch you, or how God will use you. As I reflect I wonder if I would have handled things differently? How can I use 2005 to better prepare myself for 2006? How different it will be after such a move? What memories will we build with friends? Whom will our new friends been this year? What places will I see? (probably not a hot one like Cuba in 2005), how will I handle the kids this year? and yet on that note I am truely looking forward to watching Kyla grow and change this year as the first year there is always so much change, and Mark may finally surpass this 2 stage and be easier to handle. Well, I better be off to take care of them I think I hear them waking up. More thinking later.