Our Seven Year Old!

Seven years ago today Joseph came to our family. I don't regret one millisecond of the 27 hours of labour it took for him to arrive. I remember when I first held him and looked into his little face and felt recognition. This little man was familiar to me and our spirits knew each other.

Joseph has always been a keen learner and was walking at 10 months. When he was just learning to walk, I remember coming out of Ryan's parents home. There were a few shallow steps down. On the second step Joseph stumbled slightly. I was ready to carry on but that tiny boy turned around and practiced going up and down the step several times to make sure he had it right.
Joseph and I have always enjoyed each others sense of humour. I have so many memories of us laughing ourselves sick over the silliest things.
There is such magic in watching your first grow up.  I am humbled by his desire to do what's right and to reach out to others.
Joseph spoke at a rather early age. He continues to have much to share. A real storyteller.
Like most boys he's gone through many collections. From snails to sticks to stones. Now his favorite thing to collect is coins. He doesn't have to have coins from a certain country or time just whatever he can find around the house and he can spend at Dollarama!
Joseph has really begun to like Harry Potter.  It's so cute to hear him play and speak in an English accent. 
We love you so much, Joseph. You bring so much love, joy and peace to our family.  Happy 7th Birthday!!!

Half Marathon and more

Last saturday I ran my first half marathon.  It was such a BLAST!!!! Back in February when I signed up I had very low expectations of how I would do and what it would be like.  The reality of it went like this. 

8am Friday morning- drop the boys off at a friends to be babysat, drive with Greta and Ardie to Seattle. 

After a ticket, long border wait and insane traffic we arrived at the Health Expo to pick up my packet at 4pm

Friday evening- carb load dinner and asleep by 10:30 to be awakened by Greta half an hour later. My sweet sister Ardie told me to go back to bed and she rocked Greta until she settled down again.

5am Saturday- woke up, dressed for the race and headed out. Ardie stayed to babysit Greta and Van. 

6:45 am still stuck in traffic  trying to get to the race. Start time was 7am. Droves of runners were bailing on their cars and running to the start. We decided to join them. Picture this: the 6 of us running down the side of the freeway trying to get to the off ramp. James decides it would be faster if we hopped over the side and scrambled down to the lower road... through blackberry bushes. After de-tangling ourselves from the thorns and checking for major cuts :), which we couldn't feel because of the adrenaline coursing through our bodies, we began to run the 2 miles to the race. 

I was placed in the last wave to start and finally crossed the start line an hour and 10 mins into the race. 

The course was absolutely gorgeous.  From Tukwila, along Lake Washington where we saw a bald eagle, lovely homes where the owners cheered us on and sprayed us with their hoses to cool off, joining the I-90 through the express tunnel (so wild) and back downtown to the Qwest Field. 

Every mile a different band was playing and local cheer squads kept us pumped up. 

I crossed the finish line feeling ... emotional, happy, tired but not overly and proud of myself. 

It took me 2hrs 11mins and 47 sec. I'm really happy with that. I ran a nice easy 10 min mile.  

We all met up and stretch and basked in our runners high. 

Can't wait till next year... or maybe Phoenix in January!?!

After the race I jumped back into the car and headed for home. We were detoured because of a major accident on the 1-5 and didn't make it home until 10:30 that night. My quads where a little stiff the next day, I like to think it was from sitting in a car for 7hrs and not from my lack of  peak physical perfection. :)

Ready to go at 5 am

Basking in our achievement. 

Returning home victorious!

I'm planning on doing a mini triathlon in August for those of you who would like to join me. Aug 22 in Kelowna!!!

This summer has started out quite nicely. It's hard to describe how perfect the Okanagan is in the summertime. We've already had friends visit and look forward to more guests in the next week.
Greta can't get enough of summer junk food. She could eat chips and ice cream all day. 
Rolling down the hill at the waterslides.
How obvious is it that Greta has two brothers? She can already wield a sword and shoot a gun.
 Greta is also making huge progress with her walking. Inspired by her younger cousin, Van, she took her first steps this past weekend.  

Busy, Busy, Busy

I've been so remiss in my blogging of late.  But a busy life is a happy life. 

"Let me sum up"...

This spring has been absolutely spectacular!  We already have a good base tan for Hawaii.

Thanks to some friends we've enjoyed swimming in the pool and going to the beach.

Joseph is becoming quite a proficient swimmer. Last week he was practicing doing front flips into the deep end!

Edwin has his Grandma Burnham's fear of the water. He sticks quite close to the edge of the pool. But he gets braver and braver every time.

Greta LOVES water. When I pull out her swimsuit she becomes very excited.

Last week Joseph's class went to Farmer Val's. The kids were in heaven brushing the ponies, feeding the llama's, holding guinea pigs and chicks, riding horses and playing on the farm.



 The Southern Alberta stock came right out in Greta. She knew just what to do with a piece of hay. 

Joseph's class had their year end plays and he was the sole narrator for the Little Red Hen. All in French. He has really impressed his teacher, and family, with how well he speaks and understands the language.

Greta is becoming more adventurous in walking and growing up. She now has 2 1/2 teeth. But things must be done her way. There is no conforming for this diva. She has her right lower front tooth and her two top front teeth. She'll grow her bottom left when she's good and ready. 

Greta even has a bit more hair, enough for it to get a slight curl around the back of her head and around her ears. 

She found the bottom dregs of Edwin's hot chocolate and went to town. 

BBQ season is in full swing and we are lovin' every minute of it. 

In other news.... my half marathon is this Saturday. I will post more later. But the training is going great. I feel strong and have no serious injuries to stop me. 

I've joined a band!!!! I know... hilarious. We had our first "big" gig last thursday at Kidston school. We were the opening act for their air bands. It was quite a sight to see. Our next gig is July 4th. Don't think I'll ever post pictures of that.

I turned 32 last week and still feel/ act like I'm 14.  The kids let me sleep in until 7:30 am!!! Angels! I went for a 17.2 km run, walked around the Sunshine Festival, went to the waterslides and then finished the day with Thai food and a movie with my honey. I love a fun packed day and thank my family for being so willing to spend it with me. 

While the kids and I play, Ryan works so hard. We sure do appreciate him and all he does for our family. 

May catch-up

Suddenly it's the end of May... where did the month go. We've been busy with life and enjoying the beautiful Okanagan spring. 

Edwin is excited to go to Hawaii this summer and has been practicing with Joe's snorkel and mask.

 

Greta is really starting to try walking. She loves to walk as long as she is holding on to something or someone.

Enjoying a cinnamon bun. Mmmmmm.... yuck!

Greta's new and only tooth.

The boys love to play and hang out together. Edwin always has to be close to his big brother. 

Mother's day morning I came down to this: ( Thanks boys)

I love this little guy!

We planted some annuals along the front walk and Greta demonstrated that gardening is NOT a spectators "sport". I would dig the hole, fill it with water and as I reach for the flower Greta would stick her hand into the muddy mess. She LOVED it.

Greta loves to snuggle. She has to have her bear or puppy when she sleeps and will often have 3 or 4 snugglies in an embrace. 

James and Spencer came up with their family's for Memorial Day weekend.  It was fun to have a house full of cousins. We all had a chance to meet the newest addition. 

Greta meets Colette:

Greta loves Colette.

This is a gift Greta got for her birthday. She loves to ride her horsey.

A few weeks ago I hit the garage sales and really scored!  I've been wanting a bike for YEARS and found this great bike and a wee rider too. Grand total: $95!!!

Edwin loves to go biking and convinced Daddy to go for a ride.
Joseph is still a part of our family. I guess I just pull out the camera when he's at school. Only 4 weeks left and then he's on summer vacation. He's really loving learning French and is amazing at it. 

Another trip to Stanwood

In April we spent a week in WA with James' family. We had so much fun! 

I took the kids to the beach one afternoon. As you can tell is wasn't overly warm and yet my crazy boys found themselves up to their chests in the ocean. They have Ryan's love of cold water. 

We enjoyed an afternoon at the Seattle Science center.

One of our favorite exhibits was the butterfly pavilion.

Joseph sat as still as possible in the hopes that a butterfly would land on him.

Alas, he didn't have the pleasure but one landed on my backside.

Mount Vernon was having it's annual Tulip Festival. It was absolutely gorgeous!

Another day was spent at Kayak Point, such a great park. 

Oops... weird uploading of the pictures... back at the tulip festival.

Thank you for letting us visit Burnham's.