Two

I can't handle the cuteness!  Put this kid on a clothing ad somewhere!
Well he's two.  I like two.  I've decided that right now, two is my favourite.  Newborn was cute, but EXHAUSTING, one was good, but unpredictable, but two, yes, two is great.  Now I know we're only on day one of being TWO, but it's already better.  At newborn there was just so little sleep. And so much crying (his and mine) and after that there was a new routine every couple of weeks, it changed so much.  And then that hitting phase he went through, ugh, goodbye ONE, hello TWO.  (Sorry, again to all the sweet babies and kids that Carter smacked around) So far TWO has him talking up a storm and laughing at everything he does or the kids do. We're having fun, and I've been saying this for 2 years now, but the novelty of Carter has not worn off... the big kids still beg to be the one to get him in the mornings, he still gets hugs and kisses all day long and EVERYTHING he does amuses them.  Let's sit back and enjoy TWO (and not think about potty training and temper tantrums)

Back to School

 It's that time once again... back to school!  We had such an awesome summer and I think we enjoyed it as much as we possibly could have.  We spent a huge amount of time at the lake and loved it!
This year the kids are at new schools, Jayme and Brady are at the new middle school, just created in our area for French Immersion students from the 2 Elementary schools.  They are still with all their old friends and also with each other.  They are  much closer to home and are able to come home for lunch most days. They just zip there on their bikes and are back and forth in no time!
Coco started at a new school this year as well, but she doesn't know anyone at her school yet, so I was much more nervous for her this morning.  She was brave and excited mixed with a wee bit anxious.  I'm trusting she will have good things to tell when I pick her up.  Thankfully we can walk back and forth to school, but unfortunately there isn't quite enough time for her to come home at lunch.

Grade 2

Here are the classic Back to School photos...

Grade 6

Grade 8

 So it was just the littlest dude and Mama today.  We went for a jog and then picked up a coffee and ran a couple of errands, then home for lunch with the big kids.  Carter didn't really want to pose for a photo today.

Love that boy, and I'm so thankful to be home with him.

Here's to a GREAT school year!!

"No cheese!"

Winter Survival Guide

 This winter has been incredibly cold and long.  We haven't been able to be outside all that much, and I haven't wanted to.  But we are hardy and we will survive and in fact we are surviving.  We've done what it takes and Spring will be all the more sweeter when it comes.

So what have we been up to?  How have we survived?

1 - We got out... Carter and I took a Baby and Me AquaFit class.  He LOVED the water!  I'm looking forward to taking him to the pool at the lake this summer.
We also have been hitting up some different play groups, the mall playland and the library to keep us from being too housebound.
Mark and I got out to a Jets/Oilers game. 
I took Nicole to see Disney on Ice.  She loved it, what a special Mommy/Coco night.
Brady has played floor hockey at the church on Tuesday evenings.
Jayme has been loving her Youth nights on Fridays.
Life never stops just because it's cold.

We were sure to dress warmly when we did venture out!

2 - We stayed home...  There were many days where being housebound was the BEST.  I didn't stress about having to go somewhere, I re-learned the art of being a stay at home mom.  We baked, we cleaned, we napped, we played, read books.  You name it, we did it, and we enjoyed it.
And in the evenings and on weekends, we played games with the big kids.  This winter they learned Chess, played many games of Checkers and Crokinole, and  tons of card games too.
We completed two 1000 piece puzzles.  The kids played mini sticks in the basement for hours.  And when they could, they went outside, they built a fort in the front yard and practiced snowboarding down the mountain high drifts beside the driveway!

Sweetest little napper

This guy loves bathtime...

and reading books.

3 - We used technology.  We didn't stress that the kids were spending a bit more time watching TV or playing on their devices.  It's minus 40 for crying out loud.  There will be full days during spring and summer where we won't even turn the TV on.
Even Carter got some "games" put onto Daddy's iPhone and gets his turn!
Mommy and Daddy had "our" show... we watched the first 2 seasons of Downton Abbey.  British accents did abound!

 4 - We had friends over.  The best way to be happy at home is to fill your home with people.  We'd turn the fire on, put the coffee or tea on, have a snack and visit.  This kind of reminds me of the olden days.  It may have been dark and cold outside, but it was warm and cozy inside.

One last picture... I'm really hoping that there will be a soon coming AFTER picture to this one.  Her tooth is dangling, quite literally.  There is just WAY too much drama when it comes to pulling teeth with this one!

Pink Party

 On Friday we had Nicole's birthday party.  It was a "Pretty in Pink" party where the girls made tutus out of pink tulle.  I made fancy sandwiches with pink meat and with strawberry cream cheese.  These were a huge hit.  And surprisingly easy to make.  I gave the gingerbread girls tutus and in wine glasses, they drank raspberry gingerale with a scoop of pink sherbert.  It was pretty fun!

A toast to the new 7 year old!

Have I mentioned how much I love this girl?!

Our Christmas

 Christmas Eve... in our Christmas jammies.  Matchy matchy for the girls!

 My fave four.  How blessed.

This was after the Christmas Eve candlelight  service, which is by far my favourite service of the year.  Such a hallowed time thinking on the holiness of that night so long ago.  My prayer is for these 4 to begin to understand this, hard I know for kids, but so very important.

Second Christmas for this guy.  We're pretty glad he's around!

Christmas Morning... had to do it in stages this year as the flu hit us.  Coco was still in bed while these 3 opened their stockings and gifts.  Then Jayme got sick and went to bed and Colie woke up and had to do her gifts alone.  Not ideal, but they had such great attitudes and we made the best of it.  We un-invited our guests for the day (the grandparents)  and had a quiet day home, in our Christmas jammies.

She's Seven

 This beautiful girlie is 7.  I can not breathe.  She is so sweet (always has been) and is a joy to have in our home.  She is always willing to help and has the best attitude.  I am thankful for her everyday.
Oh, and I'm sure you noticed, the older two have discovered the art of photo bombing. 


We went to Montana's for her birthday supper and when the waitress asked what they would like to drink, Nicole answered, "Today's my birthday"  She was quite excited for those big moose antlers!
We laughed a lot and had a great time together as a family.  Her friends party will be on Friday :)

 Her present, and another photo bomb...

Can I please, please, please press pause now???

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to ALL of our family and friends.  What a special time of year.  As I sit here and think about all that 2013 held for us, I am amazed and thankful.  We are blessed.
It's really hard to believe that another Christmas is upon us... here are a few Christmas numbers.

18 - # of Christmases Mark and I have spent together.

13 - # of Christmases we have been parents for.

4 - # of Baby's first Christmases (obviously, but notable)


Here are a few fall pics that I haven't posted yet, and our Christmas card.