Put the pedal to the metal!

Last weekend it was finally warm enough to venture outside and walk to the playground. Grayson had been sick all day and I think that Charlie was at his wit's end with all of the screaming he was making. We thought putting him in the stroller for a ride would be a good idea for all of us! We told Claire she could ride her tricycle to the playground and you would've thought she had won the lottery she was so excited!

I think she realized soon after she started pedaling that this was going to be a lot of work! But she did really well and was way better than she was last summer. Having longer legs does help! We are still working on steering, though. Charlie had to pull her out of the grass many times!

It was so nice to be out walking around. We have had a really weird April. It has pretty much been: snow, melting, more snow, more melting. This is a rough time of year because all you hear about from friends and family at home is how nice the weather is and I am still wearing sweaters! How I long to break out my flip flops too!

We got to a big hill and that was where Claire decided she was tired. Charlie carried her the rest of the way. Too bad the stroller didn't have a big enough basket for the tricycle!

When we got to the playground Claire took off for the swings. She wanted to sit in the "baby" swings, but Charlie told her that she was too big this year. I can't believe she wanted to try and squeeze in those!

See the guy next to Charlie? This is a typical example of how we dress compared to Canadians in the spring.  They pull out shorts as soon as the snow is gone. But really it was barely 60 degrees.

I sat down to watch Claire play and to keep an eye on Grayson. He managed to take a five minute nap, but the walk did help distract him some. Poor guy!

I am looking forward to many many more warm days with lots of walks to the playground!

Sea Lion's Kiss

A couple of Saturdays ago we decided to head to the "big mall" and see the Sea Lion show. We had seen it from the balcony a few times, but had never paid for admission. We paid a bit extra to see the aquarium downstairs (under the show) and after Claire had looked at some nurse sharks and pet the sting rays we came up for the show. It was really fun! There were lots of great tricks and Claire watched the entire show with wide eyes. Even Grayson was excited, but I think it might have to do with all of the clapping! He bounced up and down every time and was squealing in delight. It was pretty funny! I wanted to get a "family pic" with the sea lion. So we waited after the show and Charlie let me get the kiss on the head..yes!!! 

Eastery fun

We had a nice Easter weekend! We started the weekend off by having some friends over to eat pizza. I was super super excited because we recently got a Papa John's in our neighborhood and I haven't had Papa John's since we moved. It was a beautiful moment when I tasted that pizza!
Charlie and  I made a bunny cake too. I remembered eating bunny cakes that my grandpa made while growing up and wanted to start a tradition with our family. Charlie and I were a little disappointed that the cake was crumbly and hard to shape (he said it looked like a kindergarten project), but it tasted good so that was a plus!

I still think it turned out cute...

We also dyed eggs and had a mini egg hunt in our living room. I just happened to get this kit that was mess-free! You put the eggs in little bags and squirted dye packets in the bags and squished the dye all over the egg. It was sooo easy! Definitely getting that kit again next year (hope they carry it in the US for when we move back too!)
On Saturday we got the kids all dressed up in their Easter clothes and took off to the mall to sit on the Bunny's lap. Claire was really excited about all the Easter fun we were having. She has made up a new song that she sings while dancing in circles around the kitchen and living room. It goes something like "I'm gonna hop hop hop like a bunny for Easter!" (Creative, huh?)
We walked to where the Bunny was and got in line. It was just our luck that after standing their a few minutes a worker told us that the Bunny would be taking a 15 minute break soon. Hmm. I decided it would be best to feed Grayson ASAP to keep him happy, so I did that quickly. Then, I told Claire that the Bunny was going to go to the bathroom which caused her to immediately say, "I need to go too!" Yikes! So we took off to the nearest potty. And when we got back we were next in line for our picture. Perfect timing!
So, I sat the kids on the Bunny's lap and got right beside the photographer so I could "assist/yell/entertain" the kids to try and get the best picture possible. And things weren't going too well at first mainly because Claire was smiling with her eyes looking away (which I call "crazy eyes") but then the Bunny started tickling Grayson which brought on the biggest smiles and I thought "yes, this is going to be perfect." But I was wrong wrong wrong. Every great picture of Grayson was terrible of Claire. So, in the end we sacrificed Grayson for Claire and got the best picture of her and poor Grayson is looking slightly away. I know, I know...so sad for Grayson. I guess getting a perfect picture of two kids in just not possible. Now I know.

The best I could get of the kids at home.

After that interesting experience we ate lunch. I will seriously miss Tim Horton's when we move. It is a Panera Bread-ish place with great donuts and I love the soup deal that comes with a drink and a donut...mmm! Claire really loves their ranch chicken wraps and eats the entire wrap!

The girl loves her wrap!

Watching us eat...

We had some tired kids after that. We headed back to the car and made it home for them to take some much needed naps. Claire started her nap early in the car...

poor girl!
On Sunday Claire was up and ready to see her Easter Bunny treats! She found eggs filled with jelly beans and then examined all of her candy. That girl loves her candy! Ha! Grayson got teething keys. He was very happy to have something else to chew on!
We went to church and had a nice sermon followed by a yummy church dinner. We had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, bread, veggies, and cake! It was so nice that they put on something like that for those without family close by.
I think this whole weekend was a success! Time with friends, fun family time, some sort of good pictures, candy, and celebrating Jesus' Resurrection!

Seven years later...

On Monday, Charlie and I celebrated our seven year anniversary! We decided to celebrate by going out to eat. Yep, that meant loading up the kids and toting them along too! And I just thought back to our beautiful wedding day and imagined what I would have said if I could've told myself what the next seven years would entail...

But isn't it funny...I wouldn't change a thing! Each experience has come with its own set of blessings. And I know that is how God works. Even the challenges we have faced have produced their own good.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

We had a nice time eating together...even when Grayson started screaming and Claire was getting squirmy.

I feel incredibly blessed to have been married for seven years to Charlie. He is a great husband and daddy.

So...here's to many more years together!

Date Night (it's about time!)

Last night, Charlie and I headed out on our first date since Grayson was born (gasp!). Yeah, we have been in need of one for a while now. And it just so happened that my best friend Beth's sister has been touring all across Canada with Chris Tomlin. She is in a band called All Sons and Daughters. I contacted Beth's sister Leslie through facebook and she got us free tickets. Thanks so much, Leslie!
We had a friend stay with the kids and we took the LRT (subway) to the concert. When we got there we got our tickets from Will Call and waited in line to get in. Leslie had already started her first song and I was about ready to jump out of my skin I was so excited. The two women in front of us were talking and I heard one say, "I wonder where All Sons and Daughters are from?" I just had to tell them that I knew them and they were from Tennessee!
Anyway, we rushed to our seats and I began rapidly taking pictures trying to capture Leslie on stage singing. They were awesome!!

Look, there she is! :)

The songs they sang we terrific. And then Leslie shared some verses from the Bible.

After they were done there was an intermission before Chris Tomlin came out. Charlie and I rushed to get Leslie's CD. If you are interested in their music, check out their site. You won't be disappointed! http://allsonsanddaughters.com/
Then, Chris Tomlin came out. And he was so. good!!!

It had been a long time since I had been to a concert where I knew every song. It was hit after hit after hit. Awesome! He had a ton of energy too and the crowd went crazy!!

What a great night! Leslie came back out for the last song and they sang with Chris Tomlin.

We met up after the show and got to talk for a while. It was so nice to catch up with her and hear about her touring and everything. I am so so happy we got to see her while she was in our neck of the woods! What a treat! Just like the guy next to us at the merchandise table said, "they are gonna be big!" I totally agree!

Walking in the snow!

This afternoon the snow stopped and the sun came out (can I get an "AMEN!") so we took a walk in the snow. Claire has never walked in snow that deep before. When we had our crazy snows last year we thought it was too cold and we stayed inside. So, she was super excited to put on her snow clothes and stomp around in it!

I tried to find myself some snow clothes, but unfortunately I don't have any. So, I ended up with wal-mart bags over my tennis shoes. Yeah, I'm a dork.


We walked for awhile and then Claire wanted to build a snowman.

The snow here is so dry that any balls Charlie made just fell apart! Claire still liked throwing it though!

I don't think Grayson knew what to think about all of this fun!

Check out our road conditions now...

I don't think I will be driving anywhere for awhile!

I hope you are having a nice Sunday!

A Snowy Saturday

Today we woke up to snow...lots of snow! And it hasn't really stopped yet. Oh boy!
Claire told Charlie that, "Daddy love snow...I love snow...Mommy just wants it to go away!" Ha! I think so far we have gotten around 7 inches.

Gus has already made a trench. The news said that this weekend we are supposed to get more snow than we have had so far this winter!
Needless to say, I was not wanting to venture out of the house today! We had a nice day at home filled with naps, a new veggie tales movie, pizza, cookies...

and a ride on Daddy's shoulders!

I love those sweet faces!

Interview with Claire

Lately, I have been spending a lot of time on Pinterest. If you haven't checked out Pinterest, you should!! I have really enjoyed finding great ideas for the kids and using the recipes I have found to spice up our dinners throughout the week! We have tried a ton of new recipes and most of them have been really good. Last night it was crockpot chicken cordon bleu and I was so happy it turned out so yummy!
Another idea I found on Pinterest was to interview your child, starting at age 3, and every year ask them the same questions. Then, you can use the answers and make them into a memory book. I love this idea! So, I told Claire that I was going to ask her some questions and write down her answers. Here is what Claire said...
1. What is your favorite color?
I like purple
2. What is your favorite toy?
My princess blanket
3. What is your favorite fruit?
Apple
4. What is your favorite tv show?
Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?
Chips
6. What is your favorite outfit?
Skirts and dresses
7. What is your favorite game?
My princess game on my Mobigo
8. What is your favorite snack?
Fruit snacks
9. What is your favorite animal?
Zebra
10. What is your favorite song?
Twinkle twinkle little star
11. What is your favorite book?
Billy goats gruff
12. Who is your best friend?
Amaia
13. What is your favorite cereal?
Lucky charms
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?
Slide
15. What is your favorite drink?
Juice
16. What is your favorite holiday?
My birthday
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?
Blue baby, zebra pillow, b (her blankie), mollys (she has two babies that are identical...both named Molly), sheep pillow
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Lucky charms
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?
Salad (she is my cucumber and tomato loving girl!)
20. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Big girl (I think I have said too many times "when you are a big girl you can....")

I can't wait to see what her answers are like next year!

Ice Festival 2012

After a long week...we're talking horrible tooth pain involving a root canal...I was ready for some weekend fun. We took off yesterday to the Ice Festival. It was weird to go this year and there not be any snow on the grass. They even had to use the snow machines to make snow! Everyone has been talking about what a mild winter we have been having.
Last year it took us two tries to have a warm enough day to see the ice sculptures. This year it was 30 degrees...but there was talk of snow coming later in the afternoon. We were happy that the festival moved to a new location this year because that meant we got to ride the High Level Bridge Streetcar for free from the the LRT (subway) to the festival. It was really fun (and a little scary) to be up so high looking over the river!


The streetcar...who knew so many people could be packed on it?



The view of Edmonton from the bridge.



The LRT tunnel from the streetcar.

We walked from the streetcar to the Ice Festival. The ice sculptures were really impressive!

Poor Grayson...he had fallen asleep. Doesn't he look so funny?!

Claire couldn't wait another second to try out the ice slide. She kept saying, "I'm gonna ride the ice slide, Momma!" She was so excited...so I was completely shocked when she got to the top of the ladder and refused to slide down. I kept standing there with my camera ready, and Charlie kept trying to get her to slide down, but she wouldn't.

We finally got her to try out the baby slide and she loved it.

She slid down the baby slide a bunch of times, but never did try out the toddler slide. I wonder where she got her stubbornness, ha!

We also checked out the ice maze...

but it didn't take long before we were cold and ready to be on our way home.

We got back on the streetcar and rode the LRT home. And later that afternoon...it snowed about 3 inches. It seems that winter is here at last!

Claire turns 3!

On New Year's Eve we celebrated Claire's birthday with a Minnie Mouse party. She was so excited that when we put her down for her nap, we didn't tell her that the party would start soon after she woke up! We learned our lesson from Christmas Eve and the lack of sleep from all of her excitement then.
A co-worker of my Mom's let us borrow some decorations and we raided the local Party Corner for the rest of the Minnie stuff. Charlie was given the job of blowing up balloons...and one of them popped while he was blowing it up and Grayson might be afriad of balloons for the rest of his life! Poor boy!
When Claire woke up we took her to the dining room to see the decor and she told us over and over "this is the best party ever!" Haha, no pressure for next year!
My Mom found a Minnie dress for her to wear in the Halloween costume section of Kmart for $2! And my Mother-in-law got her the Minnie hat from Disney World when they went in September! They turned out perfect!

After the guests had arrived we ate dinner and then came down to the den to open presents. All the practice on Christmas Eve and Christmas paid off, Claire tore through all of them at lightening speed!

I tried to get her to slow down and listen to the cards...

but presents were so much more exciting!

This particular present was a big hit! A Belle doll and a Belle dress!

We then went back to the dining room to eat cake and ice cream!

Don't you love the Minnie cake? My Mother-in-law's friend has so many character cakes to choose from. I sure wish I had the talent to make that!

We sang "Happy Birthday" and Claire blew out her candles.

It was such a great party! Oh, and if you are wondering where Grayson was during all the fun...

He was eating up all the attention he got as he was passed around to all the family that was dying to hold him!

What a great last night in Tennessee!