The Kids.

I realized I never posted the pictures I took of the kids last May. Probably because I didn't edit them until our trip to BC when I had the time. These kids are amazing. Its so incredible how each child is born with their own distinct spirit and personality. We help to mold them, but I feel like we're learning from them daily. Hannah has such patience with me. If I get mad at her, she keeps her cool. If I get mad at Jaxon, he reflects it right back at me. I adore these little beings and look forward to many years with them. I'm grateful every day that they get along 90% of the time. It makes doing anything as a family so fun and enjoyable. And I'm thinking that will only get better. I love how they are so interested in spiritual things. They have lots of questions and really contemplate the answers. They inspire me to be better spiritually and emotionally and physically. Honestly though, I get too irritated in general, too often. They do not deserve it, and neither do I. I'm working on it, and probably will have to work on it for a while! Here are a few images.
 
Love this beautiful girl. Love how she is such buddies with her brothers, especially Jaxon. When she's not around, he's bored and has a hard time finding things to keep himself busy.

My Jaxon. This little man cracks me up. He was loving getting his picture taken this particular day, and keeps asking when we can do it again! He is very sensitive and a deep thinker. I need to be always aware and sensitive to that.

Mason and Po (as the kids call him...). These two are growing too fast. Isaac's going to be 4 in November. Boo for that. I love that both these kids love to play with my hair. Constantly. There is always a set of hands getting tangled in there. They love their snuggles with their mama and I love it too. 

Together. They love each other! And that makes me happy! :)

First Day of School!!!

School is back in session!! Hannah is now in 5th grade, Jaxon is 3rd, Mason is 1st, and Isaac will be starting preschool. Mason had a bit of a hard time but the teacher said after 30 seconds he was fine. Phew. The pencil cake at the bottom is their reward for the first day! And mine, too. YUM!!!

Last Days of "Summer"

Which doesn't mean end of heat. It means end of sleeping in, lots of video games and much less swimming. Boo. Back to school is way too early around these parts. I was recently inspired by a blog post entitled "Ten on Ten" meaning, post ten random pictures from a random day, on the tenth of the next month. So a couple days before school started, I attempted to do just that. And because I failed to take a picture every hour that entire day, I'm going to cheat and post them today, instead of waiting til the tenth. I'm going to try it again before the tenth of September...so check back! So here was the beginning of a typical summer day...

The time I normally woke up. Awesome. First summer in 10 years I've been able to do that.



What I would normally find, upon arriving downstairs. Note the wii, laptop and iphone are all in use. Note also, major brain melting going on.



Isaac at the laptop...He's surprisingly good for a three year old. 



Just a cutey. Patiently waiting his turn on whatever device was available next.



My workout essentials. Water, pre-workout drink, music. Garage is not in the picture, but also essential. Too much of a mess to be captured at this point.

Workout is followed by grilled cheese lunch, and this particular day we decided to go see Smurfs...so this is a picture of the kids in front of the theater. And then I forgot to take any more....to be continued!!

A few more shots from BC that I forgot to post...

Ahh, BC.

Our Canada trip this year was much anticipated and well worth it! We had a blast! We were there for three weeks so it is definitely good to be home...but it was fun catching up with very very loved ones! I noticed, as I was prepping pictures for the blog, that I didn't get enough pictures of Matt or Al! I think Jared took some on their "guys trip" so I'll have to add those next! So the first set of images are from our day trip to Queen's Park in New Westminster. They have a great waterpark and playground. My mom spent a stressful morning/early afternoon preparing salads to go with the KFC for dinner. It was worth it...we had so much fun! Mike and Linda had just gotten home from Europe, but were able to come with Joy and Malia. Burgarts and some of their kids were able to come too, as well as Matt and Taryn. We all chatted for ages and had a blast. 

The last set of images is from our outing to Whonnock Lake, with my good friend from high school, Kim Krawchuk. She just had her fourth baby and we couldn't believe that we both have 4 kids, and each of us has a girl as our oldest and then 3 boys. What are the odds! We thought it would've been pretty funny to know that back in high school days. We had soo much fun with them, and spent a couple days with them. Can't wait to see them again next year! What's funny is that I seem to remember this lake as being much, much bigger when I was younger!