Let's try this again

I haven't posted anything in such a long time and it is because of a lot of reasons - firstly because having five children really doesn't give you much free time and with one being 15 I don't get the computer as often as I used too. I love all of my kids and am very proud of all that they are doing. Storm just competed in three dance competitions for Jazz and was awarded a High Silver, Gold and Silver. She was incredible. I loved watching her. For her last competition we brought Andy with us - I want to put him in Hip Hop classes next year. I thought it would be really fun to have them dance together but Storm doesn't think she is going to dance next year - she would like to try cheerleading. Isaac and Merrill have both been taking piano lessons this year and their recital is on Monday. It is going to be so fun to watch them - they are the only two students their teacher has so it is going to be all about them! Lincoln is learning where things are on his body like his nose or his belly button - he is tons of fun - his favorite place in the whole world is the gym - as long as there is a few balls in there to play with he is in his own little heaven.

I am super excited that school will be over soon - I love having my kids at home with me. we have a lot of fun plans for this summer so I hope it is warm and sunny.

In two weeks I am going to visit family in Guelph - my brother Brock is getting married and I am super excited to see everyone - it has been way too long - I have four neices I haven't even met yet! It will be hard to leave the three older boys here but they are thrilled to have Nana come and stay with them. I think they are counting down more than I am.

Just a little story about something that made me super proud of Isaac and Merrill and then a quick story about Andy. Isaac and Merrill had their HLAT (higher level achievement test)in writing - they had to write about and unsung hero in their lives. Isaac wrote about his Daddy and Merrill wrote about his big brother Isaac. It makes me happy in a way that no words can describe that their hero's are also their family. Andy's story - Rich has been telling the boys some greek mythology stories before bed and a few weeks ago he told the story about Achillies and just two days ago Andy was having trouble with his running shoes so I was helping him get them on - he told me to be careful of his heal - "it's my weak spot mommy'

I am hoping to be better at keeping this blog - I have to realize that I am writing this for me and my family and not care too much that what I write might not be entertaining to others - this is for us but I do think it's a great bonus if whoever reads this finds it enjoyable. I love my family and all the ways they keep my life interesting - till next time!

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.