Our Summer

So I realize this blue 'thing' might not look like anything to anyone else...but to us it is pretty special. A few days ago, Addie got the idea to make a Thomas the train for Devin. So she spent a good portion of her day finding everything she needed and took a very long time figuring out how exactly to make it look just the way she wanted. Part of the challenge was keeping it a surprise for Devin. Since he pretty much follows her everywhere she goes, it was not an easy task for either of us. But when she told him what she had been doing and let him see it, it was a pretty special moment for a mommy to see...
This is Addie's picture from her first day of playschool. Devin was as excited as she was. She is still adjusting to the whole idea of being away from us 3 days a week for a couple hours...but hopefully that gets better. She does love it.

This is from Justin and my trip to slave lake for a day and evening. Leanna and Kevin watched the monkeys and we had a great time fishing and went on a bike trail.
Funny hey! Next time you see Devin ask him to sing Spiderman for you...it is the cutest. He is in love.

There is a new park out here called Jurassic forest. You walk through a couple trails and the dino's come to life. It was pretty cool. The kids had a great time.
We went to Drumheller and did some camping for a few nights back in August. It felt about as cold as it looks but we had SOOOO much fun there. We loved everything we did in Drumheller and will go back for sure.
The museum was amazing and it was not too busy when we went. The kids actually enjoyed it...Justin and I could have spent all day there. Pretty fantastic stuff.
We also camped a couple nights at a place called Old Macdonald. It is near Red Deer. It is set up especially for families with kids, with hayrides, merry-go-round, train ride, petting zoo, go carts....you name it. It was a lot of fun.


I miss the sun. It looks so warm in this picture. This was Heritage days. Another really fun thing to do here. We just walked around, looked at everything and tasted some foods from around the world.

All in all, we had a great summer. I noticed everyone updated their blogs, so I thought I should share a few pictures. Sorry I dont write much. Call me if you want to chat.
Love ya!

summer bugs...

Oh, the summer. We wait all year for it, and then it comes and goes so fast. I can't believe July is almost over. We haven't done anything huge yet, but we have had a lot of fun. OUr garden is growing well despite the slow start. Especailly our strawberries. The kids have loved having their own little crop of fruit, and they are delicious!
Addie loves trying new tricks. She has mastered the monkey bars and likes to do flips on the bard at parks and in the yard. She is very entertaining.

Devin....polar opposite. Wants to be along somewhere playing with a bug. He likes worms and loved this caterpilar that we found, but hates spiders and flies. He likes ants too but has started trying to step on them. He is cute as a button and is continually mellowing out a bit the older he gets.
Anyone who lives in Alberta knows we have gotten a lot of rain. Again the kids proved how different they were. Addie changed 3 times to get out of her wet clothes and I poured lakes out of Devin's gumboots 3 times. He was in heaven. They both loved looking for worms and playing with them. Oh...what a loving mother does....I can't handle touching them....but I know it won't hurt them and want them to expereince these things. It is interesting. Anyways, we are doing well and love our kids more and more each day.

fathers day and camping

Wed night-Saturday last week we took advantage of the July 1st long weekend and headed out to Waubman to do a little camping as a family. As you can see, we had a blast. On Thursday after a late breakfast and a chilly night, we went out fishing. The kids both had a really good time. We did too. Addison did amazing. Justin would cast her hook, and she reeled it in every time perfectly. Devin needed a lot more help...but still had a lot of fun. Then we went to the beach for a couple hours after it warmed up a bit. We had a lot of fun in the sand.

The next day we spent most of the day at the beach and the parks that were there. It was a lot of fun. Justin even went out early to do some fishing to try and catch supper....but he discovered it was only catch and release so had to throw our dinner back in the lake. Boo hoo. What is the point of fishing if you can't keep what you catch?







Justin is a pro fire starter. Seriously. His fires are BEAUTIFUL. I think late night fires were my favorite part of camping as a teenager....and they still are. It was awesome.

Cute little Avery. Addie and Avery are such good little friends. We love her so much.

Doing the spider....does anyone else remember doing this. I think they are a little young, but always seem to want the swing at the same time. haha

4 is such a great age. Addie gets smarter every day. Her newest thing is puzzles. The 100 piece ones. If anyone has any they want to get rid of...let me know. She loves them. She takes them up to her room, away from destructo-boy and will work on them forever. This one took her about 45 minutes. Yes, I am proud of her.



Fathers day was a nice day. We spent a lot of really good quality time together. It was great. Justin is such a fabulous father and it shows in how loved he is by these two.

Amy's Grad and baby Jasper

I am feeling pretty on the ball being the first one to put up pictures of Amy's grad. I guess there is a first for everything. Amy looked fantastic...not that I need to say that...anyone with eyeballs attached to their head can she she is stunning and she did not let her niece down as I had promised Addie that Amy would look like a princess....and she really did. We love you Amy!!


Grandpa...just so you know, Devin calls you every day on his fake cell phone. It was definately Grandma with Addie....but he calls you! Well ya, you have a super cool, fast, loud monstertruck!! We can't wait to come down again.

So, a few weeks ago if I said that Devin was obsessed with his bus chances are no one would have thought anything of it....now that everyone has seen his obsession in action, it has a whole new meaning!! He now has 2 more busses to obsess over...which is awesome for both of us. He has more to love and the crazy hunt for his bus is off at bedtime since now they are easier to find. Thanks steph for your thoughtful school bus and city bus gift. he is in heaven.
At my mom's garage sale a few weeks ago, I snatched up this little tea set. It is not only so cute, but a really fun way to have a snack. Keaton is going to have someone to have tea with when he comes home....or make that leamonade. Anyways, Devin may be a manly boy, but he loves doing anything that Addie does and so tea parties are fun!

So Lisa, this is our tree I was telling you about. It is a lilac bush grafted on to a tree. Isn't it adorable. I love the smell and it adds a softer touch to the backyard. We just got it last weekend....hard to believe....you can barley see a seam in the grass. Go Justin.
Anyways, Mom got this dress for Addie and not only does she feel beautiful she looks it too. thanks mom!

And last but not least, this Wednesday, we went to Airdrie for the day to meet our newest little cousin. Lisa looks amazing...as usual, and her newest addition is so perfect. I loved smelling him and cuddling with him. Newborns are the best!! I wish I had gotten a foot picture. They are so cute!! Definately my favorite feature!
It is a miracle. Devin can be gentle!!! He loved the baby almost too much! ok...I guess it is time :)

It has been a good week here. Quiet and surprisingly lots of food without Justin, but we are looking forward to him coming home tomorrow.

Addison's 4th Birthday

The countdown is finally over, and addison's birthday has come and gone. The anticipation almost kills her every year, so we do our best to make it a special day for her. She was so excited to open her presents in the morning. She opened the ones from G&G Pierson and from us first and loved it all. She was on cloud 9!!
What a beautiful Cinderella!!!



She wanted a Cinderella cake of course, and although I am not a pro decorator...I did my best and she loved it so that is the most important thing!







Devin loved all the excitement and sang happy birthday all day long!



Addison really wanted a friends birthday party this year again, so she kept it pretty small. She had 3 little girls over and they were asked to dress up in their princess gear, and just happened to all show up as Cinderella. It was really cute. We had fun. We first we made jewel bracelets, then talked about princess edicate and had some snacks. Then we played some games and finished off with presents and cake. The girls seemed to have fun and Addison loved having them over.

In the evening we had a family birthday party with the Herrington's and Boutin's. We had Addie's favorite for supper, pizza, of course, and was excited to open up more presents after dinner.



Right after she opened her new jewelry and jewelry box from G&G Hatch she ran up to her room and reorganized all her necklaces. She loved it!

Hey Lee.....I wish this picture was not a little blurry, but besides that I love it. So cute!



Addie loves her Auntie Jocie!

Thanks to everyone for making the day so special for our little princess. She had a wonderful day and was obviously tuckered out because it is 9:39am and she is still in bed!! Our little sleeping beauty.
We love you Addie!

playing catchup...yet again

I love you all....and my little Addie, and in order to share her birthday with everyone, I had to play catchup to post some pictures of yesterday.

A tradition we have started over the past few years, is on Mother's day we feed the ducks. It is a fun way to make the day special and the kids really love it. it was kind of sad we had to wear winter jackets....but the weather is nice this week, so hopefully it sticks around this time.

Devin and his new favorite toy. His awesome surf bus. It just about NEVER leaves his side. It eats with us and sleeps with him. He loves buses.

Justin had a pretty quiet birthday this year. I think next year for his 30th we will have to do something big and exciting. He had a nice day though and loves his new heartrate monitor.

The kids got new outfits for Auntie Nanna's temple wedding. I love being all matchy-matchy.
Uncle Garth has been letting us come out and ride his horses. They are such gentle horses and we have all had a lot of fun learning how to ride.


Devin is just the sweetest little boy, and, like his sister has such a special place in his momy and daddy's hearts.We can't get enough of this little boy.