Strawberry Picking!!

We headed out to a new strawberry picking farm this year. It was so much fun. They take you out on the wagon and you pick to your heart's content and then there is a petting zoo.

We had a lot of fun picking and if you notice Natalie she had a lot of fun sampling with her red face!!

Last night for Family Home Evening we had a ton of fun playing in the yard with the sprinkler. It has been so crazy hot here. So sad that I am 7months prego and am not totally enjoying the hot mostly mosquito free summer but my kids sure are!!!

Abby was practicing on a two wheeler last night without training wheels. She has been begging her Dad for months to do this. It is very interesting to watch your kids try to learn new things and see how they handle it.

Hope you are all enjoying the beautiful summer!!!

Summer Holidays!!

We were so lucky this year to be able to go out to Alberta to visit the family for about 10 days. We had such an awesome time. Here are some of the highlights::

1. We got to stay at Auntie Leslye's new amazing condo. Abby got introduced to Charlotte's Web and Leslye and her shared quite a few laughs and are still laughing.

2. We got to visit with Joelle and meet her awesome fiance. I can't believe she is getting married. I was so glad we were able to spend some quality time since my baby is due pretty close to her wedding date so I am probably not going to make it. So sad!!!!

3. I loved watching the girls enjoy the farm. We did some rock throwing, fishing, quad riding, and visiting the cows. Daddy enjoyed torturing the gophers just a little bit.

4. We went to Waterton for the day when we first arrived. We had fun hiking and exploring. The girls enjoyed sticking their feet into the water when there was still ice on it. Crazy how much snow there still is up there. Of course we saw some wildlife and enjoyed some yummy ice cream.

5. We were so lucky that my brother Phil and his family came up close to the same time. My kids actually had some time with cousins close to their age. Abby was in heaven. My favorite memory was riding in the back of the truck and looking at the cows and all the kids making moo sounds along with Grandpa-pretty priceless!!

6. Of course we got to go to the temple. I love going to the Cardston temple. It is my favorite because of all my memories of it growing up etc. It was fun to teach the girls more about it and to take some pics and just talk about how important it is. So grateful for everything that goes on in that building!!!

7. On Canada Day we headed to Raymond for the big parade and then lunch at my Aunt and Uncle's house. That brought back so many memories of going there when I was young. It was fun to see all the cousins and to see my girls enjoy a summer parade. They were so excited.

8. To end off our trip we headed to Calgary to visit Ryan's brother and my sister and their families. The pics are on the other camera. We had such a great time and are so blessed to have such awesome families!!!!

We Moved!

We sold our starter home on Berrydale and entered our new home on Quincy Bay. We love it.This is a pic from possession day. We are slowly getting organized and doing some small renos so I will keep you posted. My favorites of this house thus far are:: 1. fenced in backyard- no more almost two year old running away!!! 2. A master bathroom- if you have toddlers you know how nice it is to have your own bathroom. 3. Space!!!!
We are enjoying every minute of making it our own.

Wow where does the time go?

Since the last few weeks/month have been focused on packing, moving, and all other such exciting things I feel like I am living in a blur. This is the first move for us since marriage and kids and oh my we seem to have accumulated so much stuff. Oh dear. Gone are the days when I moved to Winnipeg in my car with a few boxes being sent via Greyhound.
As usual the girls are keeping us on our toes. Since I am so bad at printing pictures here is the one I promised to a certain amazing sister that I haven't printed yet. Sorry just haven't got to it.

We have been enjoying some great spring like weather and then some days  fall like weather. I can't complain it isn't a tornado or flood so we can deal with it.

As usual Natalie is our little charmer with her curly locks. Pretty much wherever we go I get a comment about our curly haired cutie. I have to tell you this hat is a bit of a funny story. Ryan bought it for his Dad for a belated birthday present to go with a matching coat. I am pretty sure Mom is not going to let him out of the house wearing it but Natalie sure looked cute in it.

Another attribute of natalie that I have noticed lately is her love of music. Whenever I try to sit down and play she comes running over and tries to play with me. She also starts swaying away whenever music comes on. It is pretty cute unless I am trying to actually practice something then it is challenging.

Here is our other little grown up at the zoo last week. Abby is so interested in learning about so many things and I can't believe how much she retains. She blew me away last week when she brought up something I had taught in sharing time a week ago. She can tell you the whole story of a library book after reading it once. It is crazy to me.

She was asking about mermaids the other day and then Dad took this picture of her in the tub and I told her she looked like a beautiful mermaid. Her hair is beautifully straight how I always dreamed mine would be someday. I am sure in about ten years I will have two daughters wishing they had the other one's hair.

Here is our jaunt to La Barrier Park on Victoria Day yeah it was cold out. The dandelions are crazy this year and Ryan was having a blast taking pics with all the yellow in the background.

I have been immersed in a couple of books by the Eyre's lately

1. 5 Spiritual Solutions for Parents and 2. A Mother's Book of Secrets

They were so inspiring and encouraging in my parenting endeavors.

On a sad note I taught my last sharing time in our ward on Sunday. I will miss our great primary and serving with some great sisters. I was so glad my last two sharing times were about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon: Another testament of Jesus Christ. I love teaching the basics probably why I love being in primary.

This Sunday we have our visiting teaching workshop and another sister and I are doing a duet hopefully I won't be too hormonal/emotional. I told the RS Pres. it wasn't really fair being my last Sunday in Dalhousie ward and I have to sing in front of all my sweet RS sisters. Oh well I have learned so much in this ward and I am looking forward to new opportunities to serve and learn in a new ward.

Oh and yeah I feel like an official Mom now we bought "the van" last weekend. A 2007 Chevy Uplander. We got a great deal and traded in our Focus Wagon. I already love it. The first few times driving I felt like I was back on the farm driving a big truck but now I am getting used to it and love the convience.

Wow okay I will quit typing this turned into a novel of sorts!!!

My Princess is 4!!

For the last few months Abby has really gotten into Disney stuff and princesses so this year we had a princess and prince party for her 4th birthday. I can't believe she is 4 already. AHH!! Oh wait she isn't really until Saturday but today was her little party. Here were her invitations we printed onto little crowns.

A princess party is being planned.

Prince and Princesses come from far and wide.
At 1:30 have your carriage arrive. The 27^th is our special day,
At Smith Castle your mom knows the way.
Everyone wear your prince and princesses clothes,
for treasure hunts, treats, and the royal bubble blow!

We hope you can come to our royal ball,

Queen Jessica is requesting a call 257-4729.
Love,
Princess Abby

She dressed up as Cinderella and I attempted to do an upkeep of her hair. It was adorable we had three princes and one other princess. We played treasure hunt, princess and the pea, crown decorating, and ate snacks. One little prince showed up with a flower and said,'I'm going to be your prince charming" So adorable. It was a bit of work but so much fun. We ended off with a Royal Bubble Blow and blew many bubbles into the sky.

At 4 -Abby is still into crafts and books. She got a ton of craft supplies for her birthday so that will keep us busy for a while.
-She loves riding her bike and keeps asking when the training wheels are coming off.
-She is into playing board and card games now and loves to win.
-She loves playing pbskids on her computer
-Much to my dismay she loves playing Super Mario with Dad on the wii. I only say dismay because I am horribly bad at it and can't really play. I am pretty sure she could surpass me if she wanted to.
-She is my super sensitive girl and when Mommy is upset she will tell me "Mom it's okay or Mom I'm sorry"
-She loves to sing and requests her primary CD whenever we are in the car. It is amazing how many songs she knows already.
-She has a great imagination and loves to play with other kids and imagine different things.

She is a great daughter and we are so happy to have her in our family. She is definitely our little princess!!!

Happy 4th Birthday Abby!!!!! We love you!!!!!

Easter Bunny!!!

Easter was so much fun this year. To prepare we had a special FHE on Jesus Christ and the Atonement and Abby gave her first primary talk. We made up words that start with the letter of Easter to help us remember the true meaning. E- The atonement is for everyone. A- Jesus performed the atonement for each of us individually. S- The Atonement helps us overcome our sins and sicknesses. T- The Atonements helps us overcome trials and temptations. E- Eternity is our reward if we faithfully keep our covenants and repent using the atonement. R- Because of Jesus Christ and the Atonement we will all be resurrected.

I couldn't have been prouder as she said all the words wasn't shy at all and gave a great talk.

We did the annual Easter egg coloring which was so much fun. A little bit chaotic as Natalie wanted to dip all her eggs at one time in every color.

The next day was our Easter egg hunt always a treat as Grandma and Poppa supplement our eggs with some special candy eggs, stickers, and jelly beans. Natalie had so much fun she kept wanting to look for more eggs after it was done. Here are the results of their hunt.

I have to say the best part for me this year was how magical it became to Abby. She couldn't believe that the Easter Bunny actually came and brought her stuff. Isn't it cool Mom? It wasn't even bad to be woken up at 7am to hear the screaming of the arrival of her Easter basket!!!
Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!!!!

Natalie

Natalie is my little ball of energy and I love it. However she often catches me off guard a few feet higher than I expected. Here while I was making lunch she climbed on top of the couch onto the shelf there and was saying AH AH!! I got Abby to pose.

Now here is a Mom's favorite thing. I had just finished mopping the kitchen floor and vaccuming the carpet when as I was putting the vaccuum away I hear Abby "Mom come quick!" Once again Natalie on the shelf pushing the plant off so she can climb up. I was so proud that instead of losing it since I had a birthday party in a couple of hours and not really any time to clean I would take a picture and then clean it up!!!

Natalie is the best teacher of patience!!! I am glad since I am really low in that category!!!!