Goodbye

So by now you have probably realized that I have stopped blogging.
This is an official goodbye. If you're curious as to what's going on in our household, give us a call or drop by for coffee. Bye Bye!

Birthday Kids

This year the "birthday season" for our kids took forever. Because we knew that we would be gone for Ben's birthday we had his "friend" party before our trip. Also, grandparents wanted to give both our kids money for their birthday so they could spend it in Disneyland. So we had mini get togethers with the grandparents before we left. Then, as a family, we celebrated Ben's birthday while we were in California. You probably can't beat that kind of celebration for your 6th birthday. Hannah's birthday was a week after we got back from California. As a family we went bowling and out for dinner and had some yummy Tracycake cupcakes. But of course, that's not it. The all important "friend" party still had to take place, so last Friday night Hannah had a few of her friends over for her first sleepover. I'm so done with birthdays! Is that bad? The upside to all of this...time seems to have slowed down in the last month because of so much birthday stuff...maybe Hannah and Ben will slow down aging as well. My little babies are all grown up!Ben's Birthday CakeBen's Birthday Party with his friends.
Ben receiving some gifts in our hotel room in California.
The Birthday Boy on a ride at Disneyland.
Hannah receiving some gifts on her birthday. Tinkerbell earrings!!
Another gift...rollerblades!!
Her sleepover birthday cake!
Her friends at her party.

The Happiest Place on Earth

When do we get on the plane?
Sit back and relax.
I have to go to the bathroom.
Are we almost there?
We have to go get our bags.
The van will be here soon.
Welcome to our home for the next week.
You can go swimming later.
No, we can't go to Disneyland until tomorrow.
No, we want you to look around before you spend all your money.
It's time to go to sleep.
We're too excited.
It's only 6:30....go back to sleep.
We're too excited...we are too...come jump in our bed.
Stop, we need to take a family picture.
Smiles!
Let's take the train so we can see everything.
Wow, there's no line-up.
Let's do it again.
We need a snack.
Can we have a churro?
I'm thirsty.
We have to do that ride again.
I'm never doing that ride again.
Can we have another churro?
That was awesome!
Can we buy some mickey ears?
Laughter!
Can we go see mickey?
This is a long line.
That long line was worth it.
I'm hungry.
My legs are tired.
That was an incredible show.
More Laughter!
Look, there's Goofy.
Can we go to California Adventure now?
How does this camera work?
Where's Donald Duck?
I'm soaking wet.
That was an incredible experience.
I am not going on that ride.
Can we get another churro?
I'm thirsty.
Can you hold my jacket?
That was really fun.
Look, there's Buzz Lightyear.
I'm cold.
I'm too hot.
Thanks for taking us here.
Get us off this ride.
Let's do it again and again and again.
We're exhausted.
My ear hurts.
Crying! Pain
Are we home yet?
Hospital visit...Medication...no more pain.
Forget pain....Only remember good stuff
Can we go back again soon????
Of course....5 years....ok....maybe 3.....or sooner!
Or....when we need another churro fix.

Vancouver Bound

Last Sunday afternoon we headed into Vancouver to feel the Olympic Spirit, and boy could you ever. It was quite an afternoon. Crowds were huge but quite manageable and though we didn't see an awful lot it was really neat to be around thousands of people who were there for the same reason we were. Everyone seemed so friendly and it was pretty neat to hear everyone cheering for your country. Here are a few pics.

Ben's Birthday Party

Since we will be in California for Ben's actual birthday we wanted him to be able to have a party with his friends before we left. Last Saturday we had his party at Exhibition Park and it was great. They provide the equipment, a host, and I just had to provide food and sit back and watch the kids have a blast. They really enjoyed themselves.

This year Ben wanted a Mari Kart cake. We did our best.Here is the room where the party was held. Bouncy castle, plasma cars, hockey, balls, obstacle courses etc.

Here the kids are playing musical chairs. Ben was really into it.

Refueling between the fun.
Time for cake.

The whole gang.

Time for presents.

Happy Birthday Ben. We love you.

Catching Up

I certainly must have a lot going on right now...at least I'd like to think I have some excuse for not keeping my blog current. Let's see, what's been going on? Marc had his 36th birthday. Probably not one he wants to necessarily remember. I was in Edmonton during that weekend and he was sick at home while being a good dad to his kids. I'm sure he's hoping next year's birthday will be better.
So as I mentioned, I was in Edmonton during the last weekend of January. I went with three other people from work/church to the Breakforth Conference. It was amazing. Awesome worship leaders, speakers and workshops. It gave me exactly what I needed, when I needed it. I want to go back every year. (Marc probably won't like that seeing it will be on his birthday pretty much every year).Our kids continue to enjoy school. Ben has caught on to the whole reading thing and he quite enjoys it. He has some fantastic friends at school and can't wait to have them at his birthday party (coming up sooooo soon). Hannah is always eager to do her best at school. She just finished an extra credit project on Heart Disease and is looking forward to dressing up like an old lady for 100 day. She's also going to share a short report on her great grandma and show a very old book that belonged to her that was written in 1895. Should be interested.
Olympic Fever has hit our house. Marc and I don't really like the whole idea of all the money that is spent on the olympics, in fact we weren't too happy that they were being held here at all. But seeing there is nothing we can do about that, we've decided to enjoy it and we want our kids excited about it as well. The kids both made torches at school and both have their mascot stuffies. As much as we wish Ben could focus a little more when we are watching at home, it has been a good time for the family to sit down and cheer together. GO CANADA!

Finally, 11 more sleeps until we leave for Disneyland. All four of us are super excited. Yesterday the weather in Anaheim reached 28 degrees so I've had to take the shorts and tank tops out and make sure they still fit the kids. Still some last minute things to do...but ooooohhhhh soooooooo ready.

Beautiful January Day

Yesterday after church we decided to have some lunch and then go for a walk. Marc and I both went to camp as kids and we have been thinking about sending Hannah to Stillwood this summer so we thought we'd drive up and take a look (Hannah and Marc had never seen it before). We walked around a bit and Hannah got a sense of what it would be like. I think she is pretty excited so I guess we had better register her soon and put the plan in motion.

After Stillwood we drove back to Cultus Lake and walked around. It was such a beautiful afternoon you would never know it was January. I was wearing a vest and was perfectly warm enough without a jacket. Of course Marc had his camera along so he took a bunch of pictures. I wanted him to take some of the two of us but with kids jumping in and out of the picture it was quite hilarious. Here is one of my favourite outakes. Obviously it is a lousy picture, but I love Ben and how his personality shines through in this picture.