Our BC Vacation

This year, after Megan was done school, we took a trip to BC for our main summer vacation. While there, we linked up with family in both Abbotsford and Kelowna. While in Abbotsford, we took a day trip into Vancouver which included seeing the Olympic torch which is still set up next to where the ceremonies took place. Here are some of the highlights!

The Olympic Torch

Killer Whale statue

Near the harbour

Ethan the Totem Pole

Casey the Totem Pole

Megan the Totem Pole

On the beach with the Kelowna cousins

Having fun at the beach.



Last Day of School!

I guess I oopsed earlier with my last post. This post should have come before Megan's Kindergarten grad but better late than never I guess.

I had previously blogged about Megan's first day of school so I thought I'd also post pictures from her last day of school. As it can happen, the weather was better for her first day of school than her last. While Megan was able to wear a sweater, skirt and sandals for her first day of school, she wore jeans, rubber boots, and a rain jacket for her last day as there was the possibility of rain that day. So here are some pictures from Megan's last day of school.

Waiting for the bus.

Last bus ride of the year!

Kindergarten Graduation!

Tonight we officially celebrated Megan's graduation from kindergarten! As one of the kindergarten teachers mentioned, tonight's "grads" will be the Class of 2024! Kind of strange to think that Megan will graduate high school over 20 years after I did!

They had a neat little ceremony for the kids where they got to wear "hats" and received "dipolomas". Here are a few pictures of Megan, her class, and some of her friends.

Megan's friend Janelle and their teacher, Mrs. Williams

Megan getting her "diploma"

Megan's class with teacher Mrs. Williams and assistant Mrs. DeGelder

Megan and her "diploma" and "hat"

Megan and her friend Melissa



Casey turns 2!

As happens every year, another birthday rolled around. This time it was Casey`s turn to celebrate his second birthday. There was no party this year as the invites were sent out at the last minute and there was a conflict on the weekend with a family wedding. We did give Casey some gifts anyway though! Here are some pictures of what he got for his birthday.

A semi-truck

A truck to drive!

We also bought him some Curious George books which I neglected to take a picture of.

Easter 2012

As has become a yearly tradition with our family, we made our way to my family's farm for Easter. This year, the weather threw in a couple surprises for us. When we arrived on Thursday night, everything was relativly dry and snow free (unlike last year). Then on Friday, the snow came! It snowed pretty much most of the afternoon after we got back from the Good Friday service in Swift Current. Fortunately by the time we left on Monday, the snow had pretty much melted away. Here are a couple pictures of the farm yard from that weekend.

Looking into the farmyard on Monday

Looking toward the road

Grandpa and the kids in the tractor on Friday

Tractor ride with Grandpa on Friday

Megan's New Smile Part 2

It's official! Megan has lost her third tooth! What an interesting stage to be in with Casey still getting teeth while Megan's losing them!

Here's Megan minus a top tooth!



Skiing fun!

As many people know, here in Alberta we have a provincial holiday on the third Monday of February. This year, we went skiing at Norquay with Grandpa and Grandma. Unfortunately, Ethan's ski pants stayed in the van so when Grandpa took him skiing, he had to borrow Megan's. Casey and I spent most of our time there exploring the lodge. Here are some pictures!

Casey hanging in the lodge.

Grandpa and Megan (taking using digital zoom through a frosty window)

Coming in for a break

Ethan ready to go skiing!

Grandpa and Ethan (digital zoom again)

Coming to the bottom of the hill.

Joint Party

As Ethan isn't old enough yet to go to school, we had a second party the day after Megan's for both kids. Unfortunately, only Grandpa and Grandma were able to come but still, a good visit was had by all.

A big hit with Ethan (and Casey) - a book of Thomas stories!

Tinkerbell birthday card

Pink Flames Jersey!

Ethan also got a train table for all his Thomas trains that fits under his bed! Unfortunately, I don't currently have a picture of it and Megan got some triple ruffle leggings by KPea Original and a big coloring book for presents.



Megan's Sixth Birthday

This year, as Megan is in kindergarten, she got to have a birthday party of her own with some of her friends from school. She had a great time and I'm sure is looking forward to a repeat of this event next year with her Grade 1 friends!

Pin the tail on the donkey

Gathered around the table for cake!

Waiting to blow out the candles

Candles are out!



Catching up!

I realize I haven't blogged in awhile, so here are a couple of big posts to catch everyone up on what's been happening.

In December, Megan and Ethan participated (and I use that term very loosely :)) in our church's Sunday School Christmas program and Megan also participated with her kindergarten class and several others in the Section 1 Christmas program. Here are a couple pictures from those programs.

The church Sunday School Program

Calgary Christian School Kindergarten classes

 

Megan's Hockey Game

I recently had the opportunity to go to a Flames game and decided to treat my best girl to a rare girls night at the Saddledome! Here are some pictures from that night.

In her seat

Overlooking the ice.



"Matching Jammies"

As anyone knows who has two kids of the same sex, sometimes you unintentionally (or intentionally) get matching clothes for them such as jammies. Since Casey's arrival, we have bought the boys jammies either at the same time or different times that have "matched". Here are a couple pictures of the boys in their "matching" jammies.

Monsters!

Sports! (Of course)



Halloween 2011

This year for Halloween, all three kids wanted to go trick or treating. Here are a couple pictures that I took of the kids as we were heading out.

Megan the Butterfly and Ethan the Dragon

Casey the Monkey.

Yes, Casey's costume was and is too big for him but he didn't let that stop him from being a monkey when Mommy wanted him to be Pooh.

Casey's First Haircut

Today, Casey got his haircut at for the first time. I forgot to take my camera along to take pictures while he was getting it cut so I made sure I took a few after we got home.



SCHOOL!

We officially have a kindergarten student in our house! Megan seems to love school and we are thankful that she knows some of the kids in her class from Sunday School. She also enjoys taking the bus to and from school. Here are some pictures of our little student!

First day of school in her classroom

Waiting for the school bus

On the bus!



August Long Weekend

As many people know, Jason helped my brother Ryan move to Toronto in June. As a result, my dad's truck was left in Ontario so Jason, Casey and I flew out to Ontario at the end of July to pick it up and drive it back. Here's a slideshow with highlights from our trip!

Stampede 2011

One other thing we did while Grandpa and Grandma were visiting from Ontario was take in some of the Stampede. The older kids got to go on rides, we watched some of the heavy horse hitches, and Jason and I took his parents to see the chuckwagon races. Here's a slideshow with some of the highlights from the Stampede.



Heritage Park

As was seen in my last post, Grandpa and Grandma Mantel came out for a visit from Ontario. One of the things we did while they were here was go to Heritage Park. I'm pretty sure Ethan's favourite part was all the train stuff they have there including a working steam train! Here's a slide show with some of the highlights.