We cannot believe that 2 years ago today our angel was born! We will never forget that call at 4:00 in the morning. We were quite surprised when the baby girl we were expecting came out with a bit of extra plumbing. As unexpected as it was we were so excited to be the parents of a son and it just felt right. We were thrilled that Evan and his tummy mommy were both healthy and doing well. We clearly remember the feeling of holding Evan for the first time, and the overwhelming joy and ecstasy of finally becoming parents.
Over the last two years Evan has been more than we ever could have hoped for! We have had so many experiences through him that draws us to our Heavenly Father. Before we became Evans parents we had no idea it was even possible to love as intensely as we love him! He means everything to us!
This was a HUGE double rainbow and I swear to you I have never seen one so brilliant. You can only capture so much with a point and shoot camera, but I am so lucky that I even had it on me. Just thinking about that rainbow still fills me with wonder of God's creations!
We celebrated the Canada Day with attending a baptism and hanging out at Sikome Lake with some friends and ended the day at Jared and Amanda's house for a bar-b-que with the McDaniels.
July 2, 2009
We took a day trip to my in-laws trailer in Sundre. It was heaven to be able to spend the entire day uninterrupted with my family. I love being with my boys, and it was fantastic to be able to spend all day with just them :-) We hung out at the trailer, played in the river, went swimming in the camp ground pool, played at the park, and ate at a local hotspot! We needed to be back the next morning so we didn't stay the night, but hopefully we will get to go back :-)
The wild Rose is Alberta's official flower Justin taught Evan to yell "humperdink" every time he threw a rock into the water. It was too cute to watch him have fun!
Evan got really good at roasting marshmallows! 50% of the time they were perfect, the other 50% they turned into ash, but he had fun :-)
July 3, 2009
Happy Birthday Irene and Karalee! My cousin Kari was marching in the Parade so we hustled to see her, and missed her!!! I was so bummed! We hung out with her and Barrett at the stampede afterward though and that was fun. The Calgary Stampede is HUGE to say the least. For the San Diegan's it is similar to the Del Mar Fair. It was really fun.
I just really liked this picture of us.
My favorite part about the day was watching Evan go on rides. Until he gets his wheel chair there are very few things that he is able to do independently and it was such a treat to see the joy on his face as he is on these rides "all by himself". These bikes were his favorite ... he wanted to ride them over and over. (We let him go twice)
I left the stampede early and got prepared for the opening of our new chapel. I was playing and singing in the Musical Extravaganza to celebrate the occasion. I played Habenera by Ravel and following my performance that night one of my life dreams came true. I had just finished playing my oboe piece and from the crowd I hear an angel voice joyously scream "Hi Mama!!! Mama Oboe!!! Hi Mama!!!" No feeling in the world beats that!
I had a lot of fun performing in this and still laugh at the all to common comment from the general public when I play. "Wow, I didn't know an oboe could sound so good" or "Wow, I was really nervous when I saw that an oboe was playing, but you actually did really well" and other variations on the same comments. I have gotten it for years and it just makes me laugh. What I want to say in return is ... "I hope I can play well, since it is my profession" What I do say sincerely is "Thank you".
our new chapel
July 4, 2009
We started the day with a pancake breakfast at our new church building. It was so fun, but the best part was seeing Evan begin to learn how to operate his new chair!
We went boating with Jared and Amanda today. Evan was kind of a pill, but everything was very clear when he cut his LAST tooth on the boat. I would be a grouch too!!! I am so glad this stage is now OVER! I like my happy baby way better than the green monster that emerges when he is in pain. I did manage to get this picture which was decent.
After boating we went to the family restaurant to celebrate Karalee's birthday ... she got this mat from one of her friends. It made me laugh! I am so glad that you are here for at least another year ... LOVE YOU!
July 5, 2009
Happy Birthday Mom!! Following the dedication of our new chapel (which was awesome) we drove out to Justin's parents ranch and had a blast with everyone. His Aunt Jackie, Uncle Bill, and cousin Olivia had just arrived. It was so much fun to hang out with family out there in the foothills. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so no pictures commemorating it, but it was fun!
July 6, 2009
Happy Birthday Rachel! We celebrated hers and Cody's birthday by grabbing a bite to eat at a really gross, but cute restaurant and then heading to stampede. Justin and a few other crazies paid to go on this thrill ride! I swear I thought I was going to die just watching him put his life into the hands of the 16 year old boys who strapped him in. Justin was extra crazy and rode the thing twice.
The girls ... (I do apologize for my appearance, but it was freezing and I have no "stylish" sweatshirts ... but hey ... "GO GATORS!!!"
I get a little obsessive when the Olympics come around, so you can imagine my excitement when I got to hold one of the official torches for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Check out the old torches ... the one all the way to the right is the one that Hitler carried!
Everyone else went to the Grand Stand show and the Palmer family went to the Simple Plan concert ... AWESOME! We started out close to the stage and pushed our way to really close! There were a couple of really short girls around us and the sweet boys both ended up carrying them on their shoulders so they could see the band. The girl on Justin's shoulders was about 14 and you could tell that Simple Plan was her favorite band. She was beaming when she was on Justin's shoulders and could finally see! It was cute to see her moms face, she thanked Justin a lot for giving her daughter that experience.
Pierre Bouvier
I LOVE this picture of us, we definitely have fun
July 9, 2009
Chelsea came into town and stayed with us for the first couple of days that she was here!!! We went to the pool, the restaurant, and lots of other fun things. Today we took our boys to the stampede. This was my first time being able to go to all of the day time events and I loved every minute of watching my son and my nephew taking in the sights.
A short story: For many months Evan has been obsessed with birds, but he thinks that every bird is a duck and that they all say "quack". Well when he was petting the duck in this picture the woman asked him what a duck says ... his response?? "tweet!" Go figure!
These statues were amazing and I cannot even begin to tell you how fascinated the boys were of them. Chelsea and I didn't even know they were real people until someone pointed them out to us. The boys LOVED them, and I get the feeling the statue people loved our boys ... who wouldn't?
ride 'em cowboy!
Evan couldn't take his eyes off the sheep!
Later that night we went back to the stampede with all of the adults. I don't know why Justin wanted a picture with the creepy crow, but I had to put it on the blog because we don't know who that other person is. Justin was posing with the crow and the stranger came put his arm around Justin and smiled for the picture as well. That is totally something Justin would do to someone else, so it was only fitting.
the start of our gluteny, and yes I am wearing a winter coat in July (*gag*)
I don't know what it is with this family, but they win everything ... it was actually quite fun I got to ride this ride with Justin's mom and Uncle. It was crazy fun and honestly we couldn't stop laughing! Sorry for crushing you Bill!
This will give you some perspective about how big these horses are. I am standing level with him and I am 5'10" This horse is 6'0" to his shoulder!!! Crazy!!!
Can you imagine what a nuissance this particular physique would be?? yeehaw!!! Mark, you better be careful where you stand! awe the men in our family
The show was AWESOME, but freezing!
July 12, 2009
Ever since Evan starting taking his medicine he moves so much more. This is one of my favorite new positions he likes to sit in. He can't get his leg up like this on his own, but he will pull it up with his arms and sit like this for a while. Does he not look like Joe cool or what??
July 11-13
HARRY POTTER MOVIE MARATHON!! Karalee has been an amazing friend and joined me on my quest to watch all of the Harry Potter movies before we go watch the new one at midnight tomorrow. I thought I would be watching them alone, but I got Karalee (and snoopy) to watch with me. Evan was so happy to see snoopy again!
Wow ... the combination of summer and the move of the office downstairs really has done a number on my ability to get blogs out on a regular basis. I still think about blogging all the time, but I just don't have to opportunity to do so! So until the drab winter comes again I will just have to be patient with myself, and give as frequent updates as I can.
WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER PUT YOUR CHILD TO BED WITH A COOKIE!
(I know, I know this should be a given ... but lets just say I learned my lesson)
CELEBRATING 6 YEARS
ISN'T THIS SUPPOSED TO BE HARD??? So I asked around to a bunch of parents who have children with SMA to ask about potty training their little ones. I know the techniques of potty training a toddler who can get to the potty by themselves, but had no idea how to potty train an SMA toddler. Everyone that I talked to said that you do it the same way, it just takes longer because they have to learn to recognize the feeling early enough to be able to ask you to take them to the potty. I decided that since it took longer and I am taking him regardless I would just start now. Well my pride and joy is totally getting the hang of it! He isn't even 2 years old yet and he already asks me to take him 50% of the time, and he always goes when I put him on his big boy potty! I am more than proud of Evan! Good job Bud!!!!
CAMPING WITH KARI Daddy had to work so it was just Evan and I that got to go camping with my cousin Kari and her husband Barrett. It was really fun! Evan totally became addicted to biking! We got borrowed my friends bike and got a bike seat for it. I really think that now I need a bike, because he is still asking me everyday to go :-)
He was holding on to Mack's leash, but wanted to suck his thumb ... he decided this was easier
trying his first roasted marshmallow ... p.s. it is 9:30pm (do you see how light it is outside??)
On our way home we stopped at Frank Slide ... it is really creepy to see all the rock and think about the tragedy of this rock slide.
Waiting to board the plane in Calgary. They were serving complimentary beverages while we waited to get on the plane.
Evan and I got this yummy cookie ... and it was YUMMY. We also got a lot of other gifts for being on the flight.
The whole crew waved goodbye to us when the plane pulled out
Evan did so well on the plane, and the man who sat next to us just loved him! Our friend is the public representative for West Jet and was doing all the media appearances, and handing out gifts. It was fun to talk to him!
The tradition is to have fire trucks on each side of the plane spray the plane down when an inaugural flight lands at its destination.
This is the face that met us at the end of the terminal (I don't know why everything is underlined now)
HOW COOL!
This is our friend on the news officially opening the direct flight from Calgary to San Diego! They had REALLY yummy food for us to take before we left the airport.
My first night home I had the treat of seeing my Aunt Barb and cousin Ruth. They are moving from Florida to Washington and the timing worked out that I was able to see them again. It was great for me. I was really lucky to see them often when we lived in Florida, so it was great to catch up.
Evan could not get enough of the animals at home! (Especially Blue the cat. He still asks for her!) I would often find him lying on Bridget or playing with her mole. I am so happy that she is a natural mother and just takes it! me during my tribute!
One of the main reasons for this trip. This is me and Mr. Torns during his reception.
Some of the special friends that I got to see again. Meggie and Jasmin
Evan and I took Bridget on a walk ... this is how we walked home. I tried to put Bridget in the stroller and carry Evan, but she didn't want to do that.
my lovely flowers from my lovely husband! He sent them to me for our 6 year anniversary that we celebrated away from each other ... again.
FRIENDS THAT I GOT TO SEE
1)Me and Steve 2)Me and Erin 3)Me and my second set of parents (Bob and Roberta) 4)Me and Mandy
THE ANTICS OF EVAN
Sticky Evan
Another version of sticky Evan
Here is our baby lookin' too cute in our neighbors hot tub!
THE GRADUATION My Sisters! Uncle Ben
look how proud Alex is! He looks just as proud as we are of his accomplishments
The whole clan (minus Sarah) Evan and I with the graduate
do I even have to explain why I put this picture in this post?
Two more friends I was lucky enough to see. Jeff McConnell and Christy McConnell-Farnsworth. Oh I feel so lucky I got to see them!
the entrance into Grad Night
Evan hanging out with his "Bampa" I think Grandpa Leavitt was Evan's all-time favorite person on the whole trip (other than Blue).
THE RETREAT
If you haven't played Quelf ... you need to! Good job Kelley! (if only I could have taken a picture of Becka snorting ... priceless!)
yeah we are Giants
this is for you Dad
Finally I am back home and back to projects around the house. This is the new futon we got from Grandma ... thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The only other major highlight of the end of my San Diego vacation was getting to watch my brother Alex graduate from High School. I was so proud to watch him walk across that field and across that stage dressed in the ceremony regalia. I do think that we were the loudest family there and it was so great to see just how much Alex enjoyed our enthusiasm for him. He kept looking up at us with the biggest smile on his face. That is one of the greatest things there is about being a part of a large family. There is always a huge support group for you and we will let the world know we love you! Alex kept screaming "Uncle Akek!!!" and really did well through the ceremony.
After it was over we were able to go down to the field to give hugs to everyone. It was so much fun to see just how proud Alex was to have graduated. It was also great for me to catch up a bit with some old friends. Christy and Jeff McConnell were there! It has been YEARS since I have seen Christy and a pretty long time since I have seen Jeff. It was just so great for me.
Later that night I met Peter and his girlfriend Maren and was able to enjoy a wonderful talk with them! Thank you for coming over guys!
That night at midnight I drove to the high school and worked the 12-3 shift at Alex's grad night. My mom was the head honcho for the night and roped me into working. It was a BLAST! The kids were so happy on their special day and I loved being able to help make their night special. It really was just too much fun! (Alex even serenaded mom and I in the karaoke station :-)
After 2.5 hours of sleep I woke up, packed my bags, visited with my family and drove to the airport to catch my flight. I probably would have fallen asleep on the plane when Evan did, but there was REALLY cold air blowing where I was sitting and there was no way I could fall asleep.
I arrived in Calgary, Justin drove me home and I immediately jumped in the car and drove with Kathy to the Relief Society retreat in Glenwood. I might be crazy, but it was well worth it. The evening was filled with games, talking and laughing. The next day was filled with a lovely walk in the country, amazing food, and more bonding with my sisters in the gospel. Thank you Kathy for waiting to go until I got home, and making that drive with me ... hope you are having fun in Utah!
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So that is it! It is finished! I will add pictures of everything hopefully today. It is wonderful to be on vacation, but it really is good to be home with my husband!
We are a very happy little family of three. We were blessed to adopt our son in July 2007, and we have been living in heaven ever since. We just moved to Canada and are learning all sorts of new things while adjusting to our new life.
Finally I am back home and back to projects around the house. This is the new futon we got from Grandma ... thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
