Lincoln's Big Day

Happy Birthday to my littlest Monkey....

So it has become our tradition to not go all out for our children's first birthday - but we can never let it go unnoticed so I am posting some pictures of my Little Lincoln who is quickly becoming not so little

We bought Lincoln a ride on toy that he can hold on to to walk as well - you all know what I am talking about - he loves it cuz it makes lots of noise and I love how much he loves trying to walk with it.

We had some cake and presents - Thanks Nana and Grandpa for your gifts - he loves them - and the wrapping paper they came in. Thanks also to the Moawad family for the book - he loves it already!

These past few weeks my two oldest boys Isaac and Merrill have been living it up with there Nana and Grandpa. The first week they were in Bear Lake Utah at a Sefcik Family reunion - they had such a fabulous time getting to know cousins and meeting new family members that they can look up to. Life was never better once they met Scotty Sefcik - how did they live without knowing him...Now I just have to meet him. Rich and I wish that we could have been able to go and hang out with everyone - one of these years it will work out in our favour.

Once they came back to Calgary Rich had to go to a Harley Davidson Conference in Denver so I went to Calgary and hung out with my boys - we had an absolutely fantastic time with Nana at the lake and are so thankful for all the wonderful things that she did for us while we were there. AND I now have the best tan line I have ever had!!

On Tuesday we thought we could give Nana and Grandpa some time off so we went camping in Banff. It was amazing - we camped at Tunnel Mountain and hiked Johnston's Canyon the first day. Soaked in the hot springs and then went on a self guided tour of the Banff Springs Hotel. Our boys called it a castle and were looking for the king and queen that lived there - it was very entertaining.....

This is Lincoln in his favorite spot - Daddy's shoulders. We were hiking Johnston's Canyon in these next few pictures

Isaac, Merrill and Andy - they kept telling us how this was the coolest hike they had ever been on. It was our first family hike :)

This is classic Andy - He makes us laugh, he always has a special pose for the camera

Another one of Lincoln in the carrier - He loves to be outside - fasinated with trees and leaves and wind. I sure hope this stays with him.

A family picture that another hiker was kind enough to take for us

It happens to get cold at night in the mountains and unfortunately we didn't bring enough blankets. The children were fine because being parents we sacrifice....Rich got up with Links at 6:00am and offered to take him to McDonald's. I know he did this because the van has heat! I just had all the bigger boys come and snuggle me. I was all toasty except for my feet. We still had a fantastic adventure that day - we climbed up Sulphur mountain with all the boys. I have never been so proud of them as I was that morning - No complaing - just great attitudes about it. Rich carried Links up on his back the whole way. Isaac was very excited to earn some of his hiking badge for cubs and the boys were very excited to get to the top so they could eat ALL the trail snacks we had brought with us. Isaac and Merrill took turns carrying the camel pack and Andy and I took care of the snacks. What a great experience for them - they worked hard - they didn't know what was waiting for them at the top - they just kept plugging along, trusting us that all their hard work would be worth it. A little bit like life I think.

We had our picnic at the top and then the best part was that we got to ride the gondola down the mountain!!

We headed back to Calgary for our last night there and Nana had worked hard making us all tin foil dinners. We went to Fish Creek Park and had a campfire with Great Grandpa and Grandma, Nana and Grandpa and the elders. After our delicious dinner Nana and the boys did campfire songs - What a wonderful way to spend a vacation - surrounded by family. I loved every minute of it and I can hardly wait to do it all again in just under a week!

Rich is enjoying a well deserved rest after our adventures

All my boys together!

Jolly Jumping

We introduced Linkers to a whole new world where he can jump and spin and he loves it. Too bad the only place the Jolly Jumper can go is in the doorway to the bathroom. He doesn't seem to mind it one little bit.

Fun at the Park

We had a fun morning at Minchau park this morning with Tracy and Erin - I went for the adult company and hopefully the kids burned off all their excess energy

This is my very good friend Tracy - we used to live together when we were both younger and crazier...I love that she lives in Calgary now and that we get to visit with each other more often.

Tracy took a picture of me and Linkers - I don't have too many of them with us together.

Merrill is my little daredevil! He is very brave to be standing up there - I would have peed my pants

Andy running on an old fashioned treadmill.

Linkers in the swing for the first time - I think he likes it

Isaac jumped off the swing - so did Erin and I have a very funny video of it....someday I may be able to use it for blackmail....

And these three monkeys were just hanging around

just a couple more of Linkers....

Canada Day

This year we did things a little differently and kept Canada Day a little more low key. It was still a great day and I am not exhausted by it all. We had a special breakfast and then Tracy and Josh arrived from Calgary. We went out to see Monsters vs Aliens which was really funny - too bad it wasn't in 3D though. Then we came home had some supper and put everyone down for a nap (even me) That was already my favorite part of the day. At 9:30pm we headed out for the fireworks at Millwoods park. There is something wonderful about being with so many people all celebrating their country. I love it! Every year I come home feeling very patriotic and thankful that I live in such a wonderful place.


This is all of us at the park - The Jacksons were beside us - it was great!

Linkers did great for his first time at the fireworks! He really is the most amazing baby.

This picture is great - Andy and Merrill were waving their flags and being goofy when the people behind us started shouting 'Where's Frank!' I love their expressions....

Andy was sure excited to have a fudgee O cookie.....So was Rich


Isaac is my angel. I can always count on him. He was very excited to have someone older than him to hang out with. Josh has been wonderful playing with my boys. I bet he will miss all the noise and craziness when he goes home...or maybe not.

Fun With Lincoln Outside

Today I wanted to do some work outside but my little Lincoln wouldn't go down for the nap I was hoping for. So I brought out his bumbo chair and a blanket. He was thrilled to be outside! The wind in his hair, the trees to watch swaying in the wind and most especially his brothers sword fighting with their water shooters. It was a lot of noise and a lot of fun. The best part though was that I was able to get some yard work done!

My latest Cake

Today I spent the day working on a cake - I love to decorate cakes - I definitely love to eat them. This one was made for my good friend Jenn's mom who is turning 65 this weekend.

Something New

This isn't anything new but I love this picture - the drool is always there and super cute - I love this boy!!

Lincoln has finally started to sit up! I am so excited - but a little bit sad that he is growing up. Rich tried to get him to crawl the other day but luckily I caught him and put a stop to his madness.

He is so good at sitting up that he can even reach for his own toys and sit up again -He's a genius!!

Something else that happened for the first time - Isaac helped cut the grass today!! He was so excited and so was Rich. I wonder how long the excitement will last......

So Cute

Yesterday we were out in our backyard just checking it out to see what needs to be done for spring clean up. I went back around the side of the house - I usually never go over there, and I found this tiny little bunny trapped behind some old stones by the fence. Rich thought it could easily get out so we gave it some time - but it wouldn't run away from us - I assume it must have been terrified - the boys went back to visit it numerous times. Eventually after an hour or so Rich moved the rocks - the poor bunny was terrified by then. He escaped under the fence and hopped off - hopefully to find his mother.

Isaac's Birthday and a little more

This is what we woke up to Sunday morning for Church in Calgary. About 30cm of snow fell from Saturday night to Sunday morning. At least it was still fairly warm out. I loved that only the men had to go out and shovel :)

Sunday was also a very special day for Isaac! He turned 8! He was super excited for his birthday. Friday we went down to Calgary for his birthday present which was to go to a Calgary Flames game. Rich and Isaac took the C-Train and Isaac had gotten some money for his birthday from some good family friends so he could buy himself something and then he got to watch his favorite players in real life!! Super fun for him - all he talks about still - more than 72hours later.....I made his birthday cake for him - a hockey puck....loved all that black icing

Grandpa cutting the cake, Nana dishing out the ice cream and the boys waiting patiently



Sometimes its hard for the kids when it is someone elses birthday. I think Merrill was feeling a little bummed out that it was Isaac's special day. But he did have a few favorite moments too






We sure had a great time in Calgary and I am thankful to Nana and Grandpa for all that they did with our boys. Our boys love to visit because they always feel special and get tons of attention - so does Salem the dog but I am positive he doesn't love seeing the boys as much as they love to see him.
Next are some fun pictures that we've taken over the past couple of weeks.

We had Ryan and Cindy over for dinner last Saturday and Aaliyah decided to get to know Lincoln a little better. We have pictures of her using him as a pillow. I just had to post this picture because of Andy in the back ground - he sure does love Merrill

Just a fun picture of all the boys!

This was Isaac's first night at Cubs -he was super excited. They made a craft from all recycled materials - this is a crane - it was a very cool night. I will now have to make one with the other two boys - thankfully Isaac will be around to help out.

Lincoln is now four months old - so hard to believe how quickly the time is going the fourth time around. He is very ticklish on his back - Rich is hiding behind Lincoln so we could get him smiling - the camera is not his favorite toy - every time he smiles it flashes a bright light in his eyes and he becomes temporarily blinded.

I love that he is playing more with toys and more interested in what is around him. I feel bad putting him on his tummy though because his cheeks are soooo big that it seems he has a hard time lifting his head up. He's getting stronger though :)

More fun moments with some of the boys

Andy can really make me laugh - even when it seems like nothing else can. Yesterday I was recovering from the flu and feeling pretty crappy and I asked Andy to do something for me - Can't remember now what it was but he gave me a wink and a thumbs up - It was hilarious - I made him do it again so I could get a picture of it.

This is a picture of Lincoln smiling for the camera - he has been smiling and laughing for forever but I can never capture it on the camera - until now. I just had to blow in his face - for whatever reason he seems to really like it.

He also loves to be naked with a blanket to play with. I love his little coos and squeals when he is happy.

Yesterday we went to our wards Baden Powell dinner because Isaac is about to turn eight and can then start going to cubs. It's hard to believe my little baby is growing up. He will be baptized on April 11 and he is very excited about it. He also can't wait to get his own set of Scriptures. Rich is also taking him to see his first ever Flames game in Calgary so we have one super excited boy in our house. I hope we can keep him from flying away with all the energy his excitement has given him. I hope when he comes home from school today to get a picture of him and then I will add it this post. He has grown up so much and I am very proud to see how he has matured and how kind he is to others. What a blessed mommy I am.