Trip Treasures #1

I've wanted to take the time to remember all the special moments from our vacation to Cypress Hills & Drumheller.  This morning it seems to be appropriate timing.  I need some sanity.  Nothing better for gaining some than stopping to breathe and count blessings, right?  And finally, I have a re-warmed cup of coffee in my hand, which I made at 7:15 this morning.  Not to even be sipped until this moment.  Seriously kids, you are driving me nuts!

So breathe, sip, and remember picking wild strawberries.

So tiny but so incredibly delicious.

(Now just imagine the scene of me carrying Lanelle to her bed, screaming, because she wanted the book Kellen was reading.  I promise her I'll help her pick out another. Tell her to come out when she's not screaming anymore).

Okay, I'm back here now.  With these pictures waiting on the screen... 

ha!ha!  They may fight, but they are also so sweet with each other.  Lanelle was scared and feeling lost in the tall grass on the way back to the campsite.  Kellen so sweetly came to her rescue and guided her out.  And Lanelle so sweetly thanked him.

I am thankful for the search for wild strawberries and for sibling sweetness.

Tree Fort Grand Opening!

The tree fort grand opening was a huge success.  The kids played hard and my kids were delighted with the evening!  Kellen gave a speech - which included phrases such as "there will be fun," "there will be guns," and "it will never break."  I nodded and added a few others - "there will be kindness, sharing," to which he added, "and no hitting, pushing, kicking, or being mean."  The guests seem to be completely enthralled, but I think they may have been staring at the raspberry popsicles in my hand, anxiously waiting for the ceremony to be over. 



We completed it with a ribbon cutting.  He even received some special tree fort signs to post - "Private" and "Keep Out". So fun!

And then we moved on to full out crazy playing!  The splash pool turned into a great water fight.  Those who were not interested in being wet found the bubbles or paper and paint.  I think the kids will have great memories from the night!

Oh, and the food was great. Such great color I couldn't resist...

Sometimes things can seem like too much work to me.  Planning and preparing.  I kind of wanted to pass over this grand opening idea.  But, I'm glad I didn't.  It was fun just to get together with friends.  And, I love looking back already and thinking about what good memories the kids will have from times like this.

I will also have to overwhelm this space with memories from our Cypress Hills/Drumheller trip last week.  Another event I kind of wanted to pass over.  In this case, wanting to avoid the long travel time.  But, so very much fun was had, I can't imagine having not gone!

Kind of the same feeling when I think about getting up for 6am tennis.  Yuck, trying to wake up so early this week.  But, I am always super glad I did it (even though I confess I've been late every morning).  I've even been getting a quiet coffee when I get home before the kids wake up, which is such a treat to me, you can't even imagine!

Anything you dread or drag your feet about? And then end up super happy you put in the effort?

Happy 1/2-Year, Neve!

Neve, you are growing up much too fast.  How can you be 6 months already?  You are not a newborn anymore.  You are so big.  Everyone always comments on how tall you are. 

You can not even imagine how much joy you bring to everyone in our house.  Your big brother and sister are head over heals in love with you.  You get bazillions of kisses every day.  You give us bazillions of smiles.  Not to mention the incredible giggles!

We love you to pieces...

...forever...

...and always.

And I promise to never put you in a pot again.  But you were so cute.  Soon you will sit up on your own without a pot.  You are so close, but are still toppling over.  You now have 2 teeth that popped through this week, just in time to be 1/2 year old.  I started you on rice cereal and beef the last couple of weeks.  You love food!  You are leaning forward for the spoon every time and are slurping it up!  I think you are also so proud to be participating in the meal instead of observing us eat.  We are so glad you are growing and healthy, its just happening so fast!  Happy 1/2Year, Nevey!

Canada Day

Our new family tradition of running the Moose Jawg was super fun this year.  I was happy to run and finish decently despite only going on 1 training run!  (5k 29:54)  I was more proud of Kellen and Lanelle.  They were so excited about their first run - the runt run!  I was afraid that Kellen would not be winning or be behind Nolan and decide to quit.  So I loved how determined and focussed he stayed right until the end.  He told me later it was really hard because his ribs were really hurting.  Lanelle did the run with her Dad.  (Ha, so Ian can say he ran that day also!)  So much pride those golden medals gave them!

 I love days with all the cousins.  It always brings me reminders of how special times with cousins were growing up.  How beautiful to watch them play and know the memories they are creating.

Lanelle and Ariana chasing bubbles

 A Grandma's lap is perfect for crawling onto and having a nap during a long day of hard playing.

Although not originally the plan, I was thankful we ended up staying to camp the next night.  Campfire cheese sandwiches and more family time.  Just perfect!

Think there's any chance of Ian joining me in the 5k next year?

With all the flooding this year, I was resolved to the idea that there would be no beach days this summer.  Although we don't have as many options to choose from right now, we are so happy that Katepwa is open and super nice still.  Not much sand to play in, but hey, we are not complaining!

The kids are having so much fun and are really becoming little fish!

Especially Kellen.  It's amazing how comfortable he is and how he's lost his fear.  He even begs me to throw him in - this from the boy who couldn't stand water getting splashed on his face last year!

So much beauty and happiness at the beach!

Always watermelon!  We are taking full advantage of all things summer.  Even ice cream, a little too often.  While not such a summer item, the hot cocoa helped them brave the chilly morning for their swim lesson.  We are glad the forecast for the rest of the week is looking better!

Memory Lane

I was at the computer sorting through pictures.  I have 200 from last week.  Oh, dear.  I'm getting lost with all the pictures lately.  But, I will be thankful, because I forget how quickly they change. 

Kellen and Lanelle thought this video was so funny this morning.  I had forgotten how fun it was when Lanelle was in her pouring water stage - she is one yr old in the video.  She would do it for hours and hours.  Just thought I would share our morning giggle.

We have a busy, fun beach week ahead of us for swimming lessons.  I'll be packing a picnic lunch everyday.  This morning I'll also be packing a thermos of hot cocoa because they are going to be cold when they get out.  I'm hoping the sun comes out soon.

We got to relax in Crescent Park in Moose Jaw.  What a beautiful place and a beautiful day we had.

With a wonderful Auntie.  Who made this one giggle!

And a super fun cousin.  Who is now spoken of as a(nother) favorite cousin by this girl.

This was a couple of weeks ago. But, I was reminded of it tonight when I read about how to find rest over at incourage.  We let the kids play at the spray park while we visited, we walked, we ate lunch out, we browsed shops.  With only Lanelle, Ayden, and Nevey, it was a break.  I felt rested after wandering the streets with my sister, my friend.