Fun at the Fat Cat Festival

The Fat Cat festival is full of so much to see and do. This is the second time the school has taken these kids to go, and each year they love it. Performances to watch and workshops to participate in. The class signed up for two performances and one drumming workshop. It was a great day to be a parent volunteer and watch these kids explore. There were booths for daycamps and tanks to climb into and time to ask the soldiers questions. There were craft stations and science experiments to try. Bounce houses and facepainting, clowns and a fairy godmother.
What a great day!

Twins

When the boys showed up this morning, I just had to take a picture of Kaden and Mark. Two cousins dressed as twins...was it planned or not neither will tell.





Every Wednesday morning through the school year the four cousins and I walk to school together. This 7 minute walk from our house to the school can take anywhere from 7Min's to 20Min's depending on the day.
Some times it involves races, or picking up of rocks. We stop some mornings and watch the garbage truck go by (this started so they would stay back and to be safe- but now it's a habit to stop and wave).
To the yield sign and stop for everyone to catch up, then it's down the dirt and over the bike jumps (it's a pile of dirt that is so much fun), through the field and there we are. Often the big kids are in the lead but during their last habitat project they have been in such debates and discussions that Simon and Kyla lead the way.
It's often better to leave early and avoid starting something at home to arrive to school on time. You never know what might transpire during a 7 minute walk.

baseball

This year Mark is a Red Robin tadpole. Baseball has brought a new time schedual to our lives working around practices and games, as well as tournaments.

This year the kids are each getting a chance to try being a new position - back catcher. The coaches have been this position up until this year. The fun part of watching your kid in a sport is seeing how each year they improve their skills as well as watching them being a part of a team.

Mark's favorite position is now back catcher - a toss up between that one and first base.

Luckily this year Mark has a few friends on his team. Lucky for him, as wells as for us watching as we have that many more people to visit with while watching.

We had a great day a few Saturdays ago where we went to watch Kaden's soccer game, have a picnic lunch followed by everyone staying and watching Mark's baseball game.

At one point I sat there and took in all the familiar faces and knew that we are blessed with family and friends who support and encourage each of us and our kids.

You know that old saying; it takes a village to raise a kid - so often I think of that when dealing with problems in raising kids but, you sure feel supported and loved when family and friends surround you in life's simple events while you are raising your kids too!

Piano

Easter

The Easter bunnies came for a final time to Gramma and Grandpa's garden.

Precious moments of watching the children hunt
Easter is a time of reflection of how our Saviour died and rose again. It is also a time of cherished moments for family staged in a season of new growth and rebirth.

Easter in Vancouver

Uncle Ernie's "friend", found Easter morning...protecting her young under the deck chairs

Trip to Lynn Canyon

"The trees of the earth will clap their hands" ...














They are intricate in their root systems and reaching high above us...stop and take it all in.

Over coming another fear of heights moments. I crossed the suspension bridge - I stopped for no more then 5 seconds to capture the picture - just to prove that I did it.





















These second cousins have been fun to watch together this weekend.

Early Anniversary

10 is a big number. It's the beginning of double digits. I remember turning 10, it was a big thing as a kid. I"m scared Mark will be there too soon....and yet, thinking of the last 10 years of marriage, it is a Joy. A true celebration. Which is why we decided to celebrate early.

Thankyou Ray....I LOVE YOU and look forward to the next 10 years

Ray and I enjoyed a weekend away, close to home and yet peaceful and quiet.

Sparking Hills is a Wellness centre were we felt pampered and relaxed. Great spas, beautiful room and Crysals everywhere the eye could see....BEAUTIFUL!

This spring we have felt like days have dragged on and others have flown by.

Mark celebrated his 8th birthday with "JUST BOYS". It's a first for him and he wanted to do a real BOY thing...laser tag. What fun. Playing with guns is not something I normally allow but under the circumstances we allowed it and they all had a blast...hahaha

This is where I'm at today...you?

Take some time to become still in God's presence. Slow your breathing through the following exercise Inhale: Breathe in the peace of Christ Exhale: Breathe out anxiety of the day. Inhale: Breathe in the gentleness of Christ. Exhale: Breathe out mental clutter and distraction. Inhale: Breathe in freedom in Christ. Exhale: Breathe out that which binds you. Inhale: Breathe in the joy of Christ. Exhale: Breathe out discouragement. Inhale: Breathe in the love of Christ. Exhale: Breathe out selfishness and personal agendas. Continue until you feel at rest before God

Spring???

Well, it's time change day. I saw the first points of my tulips and hyacinths in the garden. The neighbour of our duplex raked the front yard and Ray raked the back yard. All the fall leaves are cleaned up and we're ready for the brown grass to turn green...that might take awhile but we're waiting.

We went for a walk and knocked on Karl and Lisa's door to invite them to the park...only to find them already at the park. This new park is a great discovery. It is perfect distance...not to close so it feels like a bit of a walk, yet not too far that the kids are exhausted by the time we arrive. It is right off the green way and from what we can gather - will have washrooms when the building is finished.
We met friends and family and all agree this is a great new destination for bike rides.

So Spring...whenever you would like to arrive, we're ready for you !!

change...

There are times when change is just something that needs to happen. There often isn't anything that you can pin point as a moment when all of a sudden that need appears inside us, but there it is. That's what happened to me.
If it hits both of us we usually re-arrange furniture or move but since neither of those things are happening any time soon...

One moment I looked at the picture in the living room and from that moment on I have wanted to change it. I had no idea what exactly I was hoping for - just a change.

That's where friends come in. I have a friend whom I have joked as my personal shopper (she picked out a few outfits for me while shopping that I love but probably wouldn't have bought without her input) and a sister-in-law who just has the eye for design. I mentioned I have been looking and thinking of what I wanted instead of the picture. Instantly they had ideas. My budget had some input too though...
Therefore my dream for change actually came true...just in time for my Mom's visit.
Thanks ladies, I love it!!

Before...











after...

Christmas moments to remember...

Cousins preform the Nativity story...



Someone stole the camera and these moments were captured too...

gifts from India...

Moments with Grandpa...


gifts for family...

Family moments...

Moments with cousins and Gramma

Virtual Christmas with family

moments with friends...

Chocolate House

Gingerbread is so last season....just kidding. I love Gingerbread but I love Chocolate even more....

Thanks to the two builders here...we have a straight, soild formed house.

Decorated by Kyla and Mark, chocolate melted by Mom.

Snowmobiling

Another thing we tried this winter was letting the kids have a go at snowmobiling...yes they were in a controlled environment...for any Grammas and Grandpa's reading this out there....







We went up to Big White for the day and enjoyed walking around the village. We saw the snow mobiles and thought it would be something for sure Mark would love but Kyla - not so sure.

When we were considering this inside the shack, I was thinking out loud about what happened when Kyla wanted to go on Daddy's motorcycle...she got the helmet on but freaked out and refused to get on. I was not about to pay for her to go on this snowmobile only to have her do the same. The man offered to allow her to put the helmet on and IF, IF she rode it, he would charge us. I agreed.

They both loved it! LOVED it I should say. Mark was sad he had to share "his" time with her but really, they both had equal amount of time for exactly what we paid for. Mark might have enjoyed venturing off of the track a bit more but Kyla was content and excited to go around and around the track. For the first time, I think it was perfect.

snowboarding

I picked up this board for Mark to practice "snowboarding" with. He loved it. Amazingly enough he got on the board and had the balance and stability to get down the toboggan hills with ease. He obviously doesn't get his sense of balance and charisma from his mother. I would have fallen a few times before even reaching the bottom - that is if I hadn't jumped off after just starting to move.

Ray took Mark up the mountain to give actual snowboarding a try. He called from the cell phone after taking the lift for a second time...."I did it mom!" "I went so straight and so fast...I love it". I was so proud of him. After talking with Ray I learned that yes he did fall a few times and yes, it was a bit scary watching him go straight down the hill without turning - but he had picked it up quite fast.

Good job Mark. We're proud of you!

skating

Skating is a fun past time for winter months. This year Mark is doing much better getting going and is working on stopping. Kyla on the other hand, this is her first time on skates. She did AMAZING. Used the bar for a bit and wanted to try without after only going around a few times. She falls and gets up with a big smile on her face - AGAIN...

I love watching both of these kids learn so fast and each year they surprise me.