Summer 2012

It was another very HOT summer in Bermuda this year, but that sure didn't stop us from having lots of fun!

Most of the fun to be had in Bermuda was spent swimming or playing in a pool.  Kailie's school took a break for the (intense!) weekly assignments and work and it was a summer full of play, including at least 2 field trips a week!  I thought that on some of their outings they were spending too much time outside in the heat, but each time Kailie came home saying she had a great time:)

At the end of August we finally got a reprieve from the heat as we headed to Clear Lake, Manitoba where we met up with the Fulton's and Grampa & Janis and most of us played in a golf tournament there.  It was a great week spent with family and even a few bright spots on the golf course ;-)

My babies continue to grow so fast and although they each bring their own challenges all the fun that comes with having a 3 yr old and a 1yr old is truly amazing.  I know that at this age so much changes in a year and that our next summer will be very different from this summer so we really just tried to savor the moments we all had together doing all the fun things that come with fun in the sun!

As usual the pic's tell it the best!

Checking out the putting green with Daddy in Clear Lake - Kolton quickly mastered putting the ball in the hole!

Our sweet and strong Canadian Girls . . . 

Our tough (adorable) boys! 

There was a fantastic playground in Clear Lake and it quickly became a highlight for all the kids.

Busy boy always on a mission!!

Backyard wiener roast - tons of fun with the Fultons.

Some early birthday celebrations with Grampa!

These little cuties played very well together - even with the little guy ;-)

Always eating and smiling!

Daddy and his kiddo's - apparently Kolton thought the golf ball was a snack!

Kolton trying out some new pjs.

After Clear Lake we had a stop into Gram's place - unfortunately we didn't get a picture with her, just at her place!

Just some monkeying around at home - Kolton is forever trying some new stunt!   This was followed by 'no hands' and a little jig on the chair!

 A super fun birthday party at Maya's

Pirate Day at school

Clown Day at school

Princess Tea Party Day at school . . . so many different theme days at school,  we had so much fun at each one!

Mrs Nelmes - such an amazing teacher for Kailie this past year.  We were so fortunate to have her for Kailie's first venture into Preschool.  We had her over for dinner one night and Kailie just couldn't stop beaming!!

Kailie and the Gombey Dancers at Harbour Nights. 

Kailie made it out for a quick 9 holes with Mummy & Daddy - check out her own little clubs she's wearing, a special gift from Daddy:)

A little spray pool to keep us all cool!

We had SO much fun when Auntie Keli & Maya came to visit and despite Keli expecting baby no 2 - she was such a trooper and handled the heat like a super star!  Maya & Kailie had a great time getting to know each other better.

Little Maya was not a fan of the beach!  To much sand!!  I totally empathize with her, but I think Auntie Keli would have liked to see a few more smiles!!

Such beauties:)

Kailie has loved swimming so much the last few years we figured we better get Kolton in while he was young too . . . lets just say it didn't go as well . . . that is not a happy face:(

This was more Kolton's style - just fun times at the Southampton Princess pool with Daddy & Kailie!

Most of Kolton's lessons were spent clinging to me and/or crying . . . 

NOT impressed with this at all!!!

Kailie continued to excel this summer and loved every minute of her lessons.

She was always asking for more jumps off the diving board.

And while Kailie was having so much fun, Kolton continued to loudly demonstrate his dislike for swimming lessons! 

Please Mummy - don't make me do this anymore . . . . and we didn't!!

By the end of the summer Kailie was doing Freestyle and back-stroke all on her own.  It was really incredible to watch my little girl learn SO quickly.  We're hoping we can find something to keep her going over the winter because she just is a little natural fish!

Kailie had a 2 week break from school so Grampa & Janis were kind enough to make a trip out to help out with the kids.  We all had a great time enjoying their Bermuda holiday with them:)

We had a little hurricane excitement here while Grampa & Janis were visiting - it ended up being a hurricane party without the hurricane but we were all ok with that!  This was just out checking out the waves coming in ahead of the storm.  I was more interested in the pretty little girl than the waves ;)

No matter what we were doing and when these two had a great time together and will no doubt be into many more adventures as we move into fall.

First Day As A Longtail!

We've had a fantastic summer that's kept us so busy I've got blog posts lined up that are still to come.  But some moments are just so precious that I have to jump ahead:)

It was Kailie's first day of school yesterday and my little Cahow has now graduated to being a Longtail.  This makes her part of the 'big kid' class at school and she couldn't be happier about it.

Last year at this time there were a 'few' tears as we transitioned into starting school, however this year Kailie was super excited to go back and even Mummy was pretty excited about getting back into the school routine.

Looking forward to a great year as my little girl just keeps on growing up ~ xoxoxo my little luv:)

Home Sweet Alberta Home - Summer 2012

End of June, the kids and I headed home for about 10 days of some R&R in Ponoka with family.  Joel had a business trip in California so he joined us at the end of the week for some Birthday and Fathers Day celebrations.

We had a great time seeing all the kids play together - it's so fun to watch these little relationships develop and watch how the girls are learning to play together.  It brings back some pretty great memories of growing up visiting with my cousins and all the fun we had together.

What made this trip really fantastic was that we just didn't race around like we often do.  The downside of this was that I missed seeing some pretty important Calgary girls but I'm so fortunate to have such understanding girl friends in my life, they all have these wonderful kids in their lives and I think they get how tough it can be to travel!

We had amazing weather and had lots of time to play outside, help Grama & Papa on their beautiful lawn and garden and just enjoyed each others company.  The pic's tell it the best:)

My big helper who really stepped up while Daddy was away:)

One of Kolton's favorite things to do . . . I'm pretty sure Grama did not! give permission for her dishwasher to be used as a jungle gym!

Kailie taking her turn mowing the lawn.

More 'chores' - filling the bird feeders.

Lots of fun on the big swing set!

Just perfect days for lots of swinging:)

Kolton had a turn on the mower too!

Does Mommy get a turn Kailie??!

Helping to plant Grama's flowers - Kailie was shoveling all on her own!

All this work required a few little play-breaks - this is Kailie taking pictures of me taking pictures ;-)

Such a beautiful setting so you would think the kids might give me some nice smiles for a good pic??? Not to be - this was the best of a gazillion pictures!!

Many dinners enjoying the sunshine.  The crazy long sunny days made sitting around a campfire interesting in the evening!

Little Cute Maya who wouldn't look at the camera for a group photo - we got her in the end.

Little Diva's striking a pose!

The 1st Birthday Party to Celebrate Kolton's 1st Birthday!

Happy (and tired) little Birthday Boy:)

Kolton was a total little Monkey and just loved going up and down this step - and whenever he could he'd make a dash for the stairs.  He kept us all hopping and laughing!

Fathers Day!!!  It was really special to be home for Fathers Day to celebrate with my Dad, Joel, Uncle Stefan and Uncle Chris.  It was great fun to be able to honor all these amazing Dad's together:)

We had a lot of fun watching Dad open his pressie - he needed a 'little' help . . . . 

 . . . and it took him a 'little' while to get open . . . . 

 . . . and there was just a 'little' bit of wrap to get through!!!  Let's just say it was a 'little' bit of pay-back from a  few of Dad's wrap jobs over the years ;-)

Such sweet grand babies:)

Having fun no matter what they were doing - check out this same pic (below) from almost exactly two years ago . . .  love love love these girlies!

Happy Birthday Baby!!

One year ago my Littlest Luv Kolton was born - and all my worries about having a boy (and remember, I come from A LOT of girls!!!) were gone the instant I held my sweet little blue bundle.  It's been such an amazing year that has flown by much too quickly.  Kolton has filled our lives with more excitement, mischief, funny moments and more love than we can measure.

So many wonderful things about our boy at this age . . . 

- Kolton has been walking now for about a month and he is more sturdy on his feet every day.  Crawling is almost nonexistent except if he needs to crawl to something to get to a standing position.

- He LOVES to 'wrestle'.  This usually means throwing himself on the floor, rolling on or over something or someone and giggling like crazy the whole time!

- When he gets overexcited there is often biting involved, unfortunately he usually gets most excited when his big sis is playing with him and she has been the unfortunate recipient of some pretty deep teeth marks.  It's pretty bad when you know how many teeth Kolton has by counting the little indents on Kailie's arm!!  "Kolton No Biting" is a very common phrase around here, hopefully we can soon put a stop to this!

- Despite the biting, Kailie and Kolton already demonstrate a sibling relationship that is so special.  They just adore each other and it shines though every day!  Kailie is such a HUGE help with Kolton, she feeds him, helps bath him, plays with him, and will take every opportunity to tell anyone about her baby brother.  When Mummy shows up at school with Kolton she is beside herself with excitement and has to excitedly show him off to everyone.  In return Kolton has special smiles and giggles always ready for his big sister, she can bring a smile to his face faster than anyone:)

- Kolton had is one-year check up on his birthday and came out with a glowing report!  He was 25 lbs and 31 inches tall.  He handled the appointment fairly well despite the needle he had to get, just a very small cry and that was it:)

- When it comes to eating and sleeping we are really in a great place now.  Kolton's a fantastic eater and following his 'cues' is very easy.  When he's done his food or bottle there is no convincing him for one more bite, he chomps down his mouth and won't budge, but typically he does his fair share of eating with no resistance (he does weigh 25 lbs!!).  Our little man also sleeps as hard as he plays (see below!) - there is almost no fuss to go down for naps or for bed and wake up is usually around 7ish no matter what time he goes to bed.  Definitely no complaining there, it's a nice place to be for everyone and we're going to enjoy it while we can.

- We've just started to experience separation anxiety, which makes nursery in church almost impossible.     He's quite happy and content to stay home with Julie but when anyone else is around he gets pretty clingy to Mummy.  When I get home from work he also won't leave my side for anyone (which of course I don't mind!).  He still hands out smiles to just about anyone but as soon as someone tries to get a little too close he starts to let you know pretty quickly that he's not too interested in anyone else holding him!

- Kolton is ALL BOY!!  He is just SO different from Kailie at this age,  he can find more trouble in a single day than Kailie ever found in her first 3 years!!!  You can't take your eyes off him for one second or you may find that he's stirring the toilet water with a spoon . . . or that he's eating cat food . . . . or that he just dove head first into the bath tub so he could be (back!!) in with Kailie . . . or he could be trying to get Kailie's nigh-light out of the wall socket - with his mouth!! . . . or he has stuffed his mouth full of Kailie's play-food . . . . or he has completely emptied a box of kleenex and/or wipes and is trying to eat them as fast as he can . . . or he has a mouthful of dirt/sticks . . . or he has cornered the cats (and is holding suspicious handfuls of orange cat hair in his hands!) . . . . or he has found a stairway / steep hill / embankment etc and is running straight for it . . . etc etc etc etc etc!!!!  And that's just a typical day in our house with our little man!!!!  I know it sounds exhausting, and it can be, but I when I see that cheeky little smile and the little sparkle in Kolton's eye as he carries out all his antics, I know I just wouldn't have it any other way:)

Kolton, you truly are such a precious gift to us.  You make keep us hopping and laughing all the time and you have added the perfect amount of spice and joy to our family.  The last year we have been a more complete family with the addition of you to our lives.  We love, adore you and treasure you and so look forward to the adventures ahead.  xoxoxo my little man:)

PS - all kinds of birthday party pics and stories in the next posting!

Happy Father's Day!

To Papa, Grampa, Daddy - Kailie, Kolton, and I are so grateful to have you in our lives and we thank you for being such great men whom we admire so much.  We are truly blessed to have you as our Father / Grandfather :)

This Father's Day was very special for me as I got to be home with my Dad and the rest of our family.  Living in Bermuda often prevents us from being home to celebrate these special occasions so it was a real treat to be home for this one.

The picture above were shirts I had for the kids for Fathers Day and I completely forgot to put them on the kids on Father's Day!!!  Two kids keep me hopping and often the 'Mummy-Brain' can't keep up!  So the kids wore their special Daddy shirts the day after on our trip home from Edmonton and Kailie loved to tell anyone that would listen that her and her baby brother had matching shirts!

Joel - thank you for being such a wonderful Daddy to our sweet babes, I see how much you love them and how much they love and adore you.   Our kids have been, and will continue to be, so fortunate to have such an outstanding role model for their Dad!  xoxoxo

Kolton's First Steps!!!

After many weeks of Kolton seeming to be on the brink of walking  - today (June 7, 2012) was the day he took off and walked!!

And none of this 'taking-one-or-two-steps' for him, his very first attempt and he walked half way across Kailie's room.  Kailie, Kolton and I were just playing a bit in Kailie's room and after helping Kolton stand up he just decided to toddle along all on his own.  After 'performing' for Kailie and I a few times Kolton decided he had had enough and wouldn't take another step . . . . until Daddy got home when he started walking like he had been doing it for weeks!!

It's been a very exciting day and we were all very excited to be around for this milestone.

As different as my sweet babies are, they both took their first steps at (almost) exactly the same time!!  Kolton took his first steps just one day earlier than Kailie did - pretty amazing that they were so close.  Kailie has spent quite a bit of time holding Kolton's hands while he practiced his walking so that's probably why he edged her out by a day ;-)

The fun just keeps on coming . . . . !