Dad

Memories of my Dad mostly revolve around the farm because he loves that place. As I have gotten older and looked back I realize how much he really likes being a farmer and working on the farm. Growing up I sometimes didn't understand that and didn't realize why we couldn't do so many things that others were doing.

This picture is from this past October when we were there and Dad had fallen and hurt himself. My Dad is a little bit accident prone and I have many memories of my Mom running him to the doctor for stitches/dressings etc. Since I became a nurse he is always asking me health advice and wanting me to take his blood pressure and other such things. I guess this is a memory to me because I myself am accident prone nothing serious just little things but I always think of my Dad when I do it.

One of my favorite memories with my Dad is doing irrigation pipes at the flat. We used to go down with my two brothers and I would help Dad and the boys would do the other end. When I was younger I thought I was special because I was able to be Dad's partner. Really I was just the wimpy one and he was strong so he could do it with just a little help. I remember sometimes having a picnic  by the river at irrigation pipes and Dad would come off the machinery long enough to eat and then back to work.

I am so grateful that he taught me to work hard!!

One of my other favorite memories is when I graduated from University and he and Mom came up to Edmonton for my convocation. I remember him telling me he was proud of me and that I was going to make something of myself. My Dad is not big on words or compliments and so this meant a great deal to me. I am grateful that because of him I was able to put myself through school, buy a car, and buy my own house. I know it stems from him teaching me to be frugal and independant.

I am glad that he is a great Grandpa to my kids when we get to see him!

Love you Dad!

My Valentine

I feel pretty blessed to have the love of this guy in my life. I often wonder what I did to deserve such a great guy. I can't believe we have been together for five years this year. Time sure flies.
Our love story began just five short years ago. I am not sure of the first day we met but the first time we noticed each other was on a double date in which we were not together. I was so impressed with how he treated his date and how respectful he was. He is quite the gentleman.(Thanks Mom!) He had some great training!!
Our first date we went to an exhibit about the history of the toilet! It was really quite interesting and very unique. I remember thinking wow this guy is so easy to talk to. We had some really fun times. I knew he was a keeper when he stayed at the church all day while I was preparing a meal for the ward potluck and helped me with the food. He is definitely the romantic in our relationship. Stopping in the middle of a parking lot to dance with me is another memorable experience. Taking me to dinner with a live jazz band! Lot's of fun times!!
Watching him become a Dad and see how great he is at it has been amazing!!
He is fabulous and I am so grateful he is mine for all etenity!!

Over the past five years we have had some amazing times. We have two beautiful daughters Abigail and Natalie. He has given me so much confidence and love. I love how we grow together and build each other. It is exactly how I pictured marriage would be. Love you Ryan!! Can't wait for the rest of our life to unravel together!

Happy Valentine's Day

Joelle/Nicole/Ben

So we are pretty spoiled and get to live close to my two neices and nephew here in Winnipeg. Joelle, Nicole, and Ben.

This is a pic the night before Joelle left to go to University in Lethbridge. I think my most favorite memory of Jo and Nic is from back in the day when I was single. I used to come and visit from Edmonton. I was the cool Auntie back then because I could afford to buy them treats and spent all my spare time with them when I was here. We would have little sleepovers. One in particular we were in Nikki's room and we were playing the game where you have to finish each other's sentances. We were laughing so hard and having so much fun!! These two are awesome.
 Joelle and I have had many heart to hearts about taking it easy. We are similar in the way we react to stress and she always knows just when to say let's go for a walk right before I may spontaneously burst into tears. She is so smart and motivated and just a really awesome girl.

I loved when she was in our ward and playing the organ and every Sunday Abby would ask if she could go and sit with Joelle on the front bench. After Joelle left Abby was so sad she couldn't got and sit with her. Lucky for her Nicole is still here to play with.

Nicole has such a  sweet spirit. She is so awesome and good at just saying relax it's all good. She is so good at playing with her cousins at church. If Abby comes to church in a cranky mood she just has to sit by Nikki for a few minutes and everything is all better. We  love watching Nicole dance. She just started taking lessons but we went to her school recital and Abby was so excited to watch her cousin up on the stage. When Nicole was 8 and got baptized I remember going to her baptism and she had invited all her friends. I was so proud of her for being such a great missionary

Ben is uber talented in the baseball department. He is our chief babysitter these days and has done so well with both of the girls. I was worried we had scared him off kids forever the first time he babysat Natalie but he did it again so I figure we are all good. I love watching him and Ryan play together. They both love video games and it is so cute how Ryan becomes a little kid for awhile when they are together. One of my favorite memories of Ben is one time when we were out here and the kids were putting on costumes and trying to put on a play for us. Ben just kept running out and trying to scare us.

It is crazy how grown up they are now. I guess that means I am getting old.

We are so blessed to have these awesome guys close to us and we totally love them to bits.

Candace

Candace is my sister in law married to Matt(Ryan's brother). This is her on her wedding day. As you can tell she is full of adventurous spirit like her husband.

I love listening to all her experiencies and travels all around the world. She is a great example of someone who gives to those in need. When she was in Africa doing her research for her Master's I was so impressed with her research and the experiences that she told us about.

When we visited them in the fall we had so much fun with her and the girls. Abby had so much fun playing with her stuffed animals and singing to Rock Band in their cowgirl hats.

At Christmas she even played school with Abby! She is a great Auntie.

So glad that she is part of our family!

Kerri

My sister in law Kerri is married to my bro Dave. They have four cute kids. Here they are on my wedding day.
Some of my memories include: The first time I met Kerri she was staying at our house until she found a place in Lethbridge. She was super nice and had a cool accent. She is from New Zealand. She drove with us down to my brother Kevin's wedding and I remember she was flossing my brother's teeth. I was in high school and I thought man she must really like my brother. (She is a dental assistant.) Guess it was love because they got engaged on that trip.
One Christmas we went to Lethbridge for dinner and she made this yummy dessert that was her family's tradition it was trifle now one of my favorite desserts.
She is super fun to hang out with and whenever I have gone to visit them she has treated me like a queen. It was so much fun when I went and visited them in BC and she took me to all these cool places. She is super good at making you feel at home!!
Now they have moved to New Zealand so far away so she can get her midwifery degree. I think this is so cool. When I was in nursing school I wanted to work in Labour and Delivery which never happened but I think she will be so great at this. I admire her for going to school when she has four kids I don't know how on earth she can manage it all.
Anyway she is a really smart girl and is one of those people who is always on top of what is going on in the world and can discuss it with you. It think that is so admirable.
So glad she is part of our family!!!

Matt

I first met Matt in the fall after Ryan and I were married. He and Candace were off on a canoe trip with a big group of friends and weren't able to come to our wedding.  He is such an adventurer and when we saw all the pictures I was pretty amazed. I later read his story of when he canoed across the prairies and I really gained an appreciation for what this guy can do. He is a pretty cool guy with a ton of adventurous spirit!!

In October we got to spend some time at their house in Calgary. He came to the zoo with us and he was making it so much fun for Abby. He is such a great Uncle and I love how he takes the time to play with Abby.

This Christmas he and Candace really went all out having to play school/nap time and other fun things with Abby. Abby had them both laying under a blanket on the family room floor.

Like his brother and Dad he is also a big tease at times. I often wonder how Beth ever survived with all of these jokesters and teasers around?

Mostly Matt is such a considerate and just all around nice guy. He always makes an effort to talk to all of us and calls us on special occasions.

On a special note today he enters the 30's of his life. 

Happy Birthday Matt!!

We love you!!

Deanna

Today is my wonderful sister in law Deanna's birthday so I thought I would share a few memories! When I lived in Edmonton I really got to know her better and do some fun things with her. Here are some of my favorite times that stand out.
Whenever I would babysit or come over and she would drive me home I remember cranking up the tunes and singing away. She has a beautiful singing voice and I thought she is the coolest Mom ever.
She is like ultra organized/clean. I used to be amazed at how clean and obedient her kids always were. That was before I had kids now that I have them I am in awe??? I still really don't know how she accomplished it but I used to tell my roomates I could eat off her floor!!! Now they have a cute little dog so maybe he gets to eat off the floor? As for having obedient kids she is just a consistent parent I think. I wish I had that all figured out for my own kids!!
I think she has been in Young Women's since she got married and I think it is because she is super easy to talk to and always has great advice. I remember lot's of boy advice just the nice kind like you are great don't settle etc.  I am sure she is doing amazing things with those girls.

What else can I say? She is awesome and I am so happy that she is part of our family!! Happy Birthday Deanna!!!! She is married to my oldest brother Mike and these are there four kids.