August 2010

Back to School

Ethan's First day of Kindergarten at Galbraith School. Wow! I can not believe my first born baby is in Kindergarten. He was sooo excited and took to it with ease. He is such a smart boy,but also so very kind. He has been in Kindergarten for about 5 mos since this picture was taken and his teachers just adore him. His teacher's name is Ms. Henke who is wonderful and tells me Ethan is a prime example to all in his class. He enjoys math and is excelling in reading. Ethan is a joy, he is funny and has so many friends that love him and love being around him because of his postive personality. Ethan is sensitive to others feelings and is quick to make someone feel better. That is all you could ask for as a mom, that your children are kind and Ethan is--I am so proud of him!

Lena is back to Preschool at Sunny Side and it is as though she didn't leave at all. Her teacher is Mrs. C and Lena is adored in her class. She is friendly to others, but especially her best friend Layna who is in here class. Lena can not wait for Mondays and Wednesdays so she can go to preschool and see her friends, paint, play dolls, and learnher ABCs. Lena is also a joy to have in our family. She is my little snuggle muffin and tells me she loves me multiple times a day. I could not ask for a more delightful girl, to see her is to smile. She has the most endearing personality and the prettiest eyes I've ever seen. Love you my Precious!

August 2010

Trip to AZI had been looking forward to this trip for a long, long time. No longer is Josh breast feeding (sad, but happy that he is more independent.) I know that Josh will be reading this someday, so not to embarrass him too much, but he loved mommy's boobies! And I loved nursing him, especially since he is my last baby. He is such a good eater that the transition wasn't too bad, just glad that he was finished before I left.

The sisters and I had so much fun shopping, relaxing, and going down the gigantic water slide, well one sister did, me. It was thrilling and terrifying at the same time, just the thing to remind one self that they still know how to have fun.

We spent one day shopping, the entire day shopping. We spent 3 hours in one store. Chelsi sat on the floor in the changing room, Joy brought me clothes continually, and I modeled, it was perfect! I loved seeing Joy's sweet kids the first day, but most of all being with my sisters. The hi-light was the impromptu lip sync to a Ke$ha song that I had memorized on the way to the airport. Chelsi got the whole thing on her phone and has it to this day. I'm told she watches it whenever she needs a good pick me up.

Missed my kids and was so happy to be home again, but sooo grateful to have a husband who loves our children so much and takes the best care of them. There is nothing more comforting as a mom than to know that your babies are safe and are having fun with their dad.

August 2010

My beautiful sister Chelsi came to visit mid August, to help me while Mark spent a few at Young Men's camp, as he is the YM's president. We had a great time visiting and the kids just love her!

Our girls night out

It was tough having Mark away for a few days, but Chelsi helped out a ton and I appreciated him even more when he returned home. He loves his calling in the YM's and the YM need him. Many of them are without Priestholders in their home, Mark along with his Councilors provide theseboys with postive role models. I'm so blessing to have him.

August 2010

Park Lake

Ethan with our neighbor Logan.

Lena with her best friend Layna Kozak (not related, but we might as well be these girls are like sisters)

We love Park Lake! During the summer we spent many days playing here. There is a wonderful park and a lake---Park Lake--clever.

The kids love playing in the warm water and chasing after minnows. This is the first year that coming to the lake has actually been more enjoyable than stressful now that E and L can swim and know to stay with me and not wonder off. Josh is still working on that, but he is such a momma's boy, that he stays pretty close. Josh would play in the water all day if I let him, such a water baby!

July 2010

One morning in July we were eating breakfast. Ethan and Lena were acting like crazy monkeys, so I told them if they didn't stop it I'd sell them to the Zoo. People from all over the world would come to view the Ethan and Lena exhibit. The people would throw them scraps of food and laugh at how silly the Ethan and Lena animals could be.
That story lead to Ethan saying, "Mommy, when can we go to the Zoo." And on a whim, I replied, "Today."

The Zoo is located in Calgary which is two hours away on a busy Hi-way, which makes me crazy. But for my little animals there is nothing I wouldn't do. So lunches packed, tickets bought on line, green tea pill swallowed for energy, and away we went. Ethan loved the Dinosaur exhibit, especially when they made noises and moved. Lena's favorite was the huge park, and mommy and Josh's favorite was the ice cream and arriving home safely. :)

July

Ethan (5) Quading at Pole Haven.
Lena (4)

Grandma and Grandpa Drewry at the BBQ at Aunt Jo-Lynn's and Uncle Brett's, after the Parade.
Family Picture at Aunt Jo's

Joshie (14 mos)

Lena Collecting candy

Canada Day was fun! We started the day off with the Raymond parade per tradition. The kids loved collecting all the candy and see their relatives. My Grandma and Grandpa Drewry were there, my dad, aunts and uncles, and even some cousins. We ending the morning with a delicious BBQ at Brett and Jo-lynn Drewry's then packed up and ended for Pole Haven for some quading. Josh had not been feeling well, and certainly not acting himself. I noticed he was wheezing during the BBQ, but chalked it up to a cold. He progressively got worse after our quading excursion and even throw up on the way home. As soon as we arrived home we took a hot bath together hoping that it would loosing up his breathing, but he only become worse. He ended up having to spend two days and three nights in the hospital. He has now been diagnosed with Asthma and has had three hospital stays since July. It is now January 2011 as I write this and I am happy to say that we are getting a handle on it with prevention medication (inhalers) and treating him with ventalin as soon as he gets a cold. He is a happy healthy baby and we love him so!