The big 5!

Jake is 5. WOW!!!!!

Yesterday we spent the day celebrating his birthday! We met a friend at the Park (Jake was sick with a cold so we called off the morning playdate and decided at the park they wouldn't be contaminating each other so much!).

Here is Jake and his buddy Joshua (who was sick and couldn't make it to the birthday party)

And here are Livi, Joshua, Jake, and Annalise (she just turned one).

After the park and Daddy came home from work we went to Red Robin for dinner. Here is Jake being sung Happy Birthday to at the restraunt. Poor guy. I have never seen his face so red. He was mortified. And yet I got pleasure from the torture. This is exactly what I had to endure as a kid. How sick am I? I still have issues because of my parents doing things like this to me!

Good boy. He'll still smile on command for me to snap a photo even after I do that to him!

Then we went to Dan's club and went swimming! Jake just started taking swimming lessons so he was eager to show me how he can swim with out a life jacket (I guess I will have to take photos at lessons because I didn't capture it yesterday).

Here are some photos from his birthday party. We had a small party- which was PERFECT! It was Mario Kart Wii racing theme. Pretty low key- just the way we like it!

My super awesome cake! I am so happy with how it turned out.

The "big kid" showing the others how to play wii.

The partiers: Kevin, Livi, Abbie, Jake, and Jeffery. (He and Jeffery are new buddies from preschool. They share the same birthday and the same favorite color! )

While the boys played wii, Livi and Abbie dressed up and I caught them "practicing" a song for Jake in Livi's room. Later they preformed all dressed to the Nines.

Hello 2nd Trimester

and hello double chin.... (it's on it's way) Photo compliments of Jacob. age: 4 years and 361 days.

Manitoba Christmas Trip, 2009

I feel like my 1-1/2 week long trip to MB was a blur. Did it really happen? I spent most of my time either sick with a nasty flu, exhausted (9-10 weeks pregnant at the time), nauseous from morning (ok- who are we kidding? ALL DAY) sickness, or stuffing my face with all my comfort foods that my dear mommy cooked up for me!

I didn't even pack my camera this time! I think there were enough high quality digital cameras floating around between the different photographers in my family!

The trip started off a little rocky. Due to the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas day, security had been upped a little. This caused my Seattle to Vancouver flight to be delayed... several times. Causing me to miss my Van-Winnipeg flight. The next one was about 5 hours later! On both flights we seemed to have everything going against us! From late food caterers to the winds! All in all we left home at 8:30 am and FINALLY made it to my parent's place at 4 am (Manitoba time).

The next day we headed off to a resort to celebrate my parent's 40th wedding anniversary as a family. 40 years!! Can you believe it?! What a great priveledge to say my parents have been marred that long! Sadly, that isn't so common these days.

I am living through these photos, as I was sick this entire time and couldn't enjoy my family like I would have liked to.

What do cousins do when they first get together?

My kids don't get to play in the snow... ever. This was a really treat! They really had no idea what to do in snow. We were quick to teach Jake that you don't pick up snow in the parking lot and eat it....

Here is Trevor treating us (ok- not me- everyone else though) to coffee! He roasted green beans in the fire.

We threw a surprise celebration for my parents one evening. We had secretly invited many of their close friends and had planned an informal celebration of their marriage. My aunt had the great idea of making them kiss!! (Which in my opinion lasted all together way too long!)

My favorite: my dad's expression after hearing that they had to kiss! Mom is all giddy and excited. Dad is a wee bit shocked!! (one of my favorite faces of my dad)

My parents wedding album, guest book, dress, shoes, etc. were all displayed.

We did have some fun playing in the snow at my parent's farm. I think this was the only time I felt up to going outside. My brother Kevin came over with his snowmobile and took the kids for rides. Unfortunately Olivia kept calling it a combine ride the whole time. I have some training in the agriculture area to do!

Here is my first pregnancy photo yet!! I couldn't resist putting on my mom's 1990's irredescent one piece snow suit and playing in the snow.

My Dad brought out a 75 year old electric train that was his when he was little. He also brought out his little model combines and tractors (all tiny versions of the real ones he has owned) and the kids played with them! (and maybe my pink barbie corvette as well!)

Anyone who knows my mom knows that she is the world's best cook and baker. Here's Liv enjoying the goods!

I even got to go to a family gathering while I was out! I haven't been around to go to them since the kids were born. Here is my dear dear cousin Julia and I comparing bellies... I think she won.

Three's a charm!

Due Date: August 1, 2010

Christmas is just around the corner!!

Jake's preschool class had their Christmas party this past Friday! Jake had Livi, mommy, Daddy, and Grandma there!

Jake, with the biggest kid in class:

He took care of Olivia the whole morning.

The reindeer Polka:

Boy oh boy is Livi ready to go next year! She was right in her element the whole morning! The girls in the class would color her pictures and play with her like she was "one of them"! The little jabber box won't stop talking about it!

Last weekend we had our Christmas piano recital. Here are 9 out of 11 of my students!

My FAVORITE ornament this year. An angel Jake! You can sure tell our family has a preschooler in it- just look at the tree!!! I am so proud of these ornaments! I treasure them above any bought one. just another Joy of being a mommy I guess!!

here is a bonus photo. I caught Olivia doing a little "sit and fit" video one day after her kid's program was over!

One Year ago...

Today is December 11. Wow. One year ago our world was rocked upside down. One year ago Dan came home half way through the day to let me know he had just been layed off. We were devastated. It was worse than a break up! He was so blessed and so happy at his job. It wasn't a job- it was an occupation. We really didn't know how wonderful it was until it was taken away from us.
For 6 hard months we searched, applied, and prayed for a job. It was hopeless! We were desperate for any form of income. I taught, did photography, and picked up several child care jobs to help out. Funny how we never lost our home and we never went hungry that entire time! It wasn't easy. It was probabley some of the hardest 6 months of my life. But the Lord was there each step. Faithful as always. Never failing to reward us with new mercies every morning! We learned peace, patience, and humility. We were surprised with anonymous cash, gift cards, bags of groceries! Over and over again! yes, God provided for our EVERY need!
And then, Dan got his job back! 6 months to the date of losing it!
I never thought I would be thankful for that period of our lives. I was stretched so far and inturn grew so much. Even now, when I start to panic "How will we pay this bill?" I know that the Lord is here. HE is God. He provides for all of our needs.
God is good, all the time!! (Can I hear an amen???!)

Little Livi

Here is a cute one of Livi posing as I set up my "studio" for a photo job
yesterday. I never grow tired of her sweet little face!