Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The end of summer in pictures

This will hopefully be the last really long post. All of our summer activities and visitors are over and our real life is starting again (*sigh*). I don't have all the pictures for certain events, but I felt I needed to post before I could get those from Irene and Becka (though I did get some from Becka already :-) Anyhoo, enjoy the last post of serious fun!



Our first day after the revocation period our friends held a celebration for us after church. It was such a wonderful day and many people came despite the last minute verbal invitation. Thank you Rachel and Christie, and everyone else who contributed.


This is how Evan has started to eat his food. This kid is just too silly for words!

We celebrated my Mother-in-Law's birthday this month. We ate at a very fancy restaurant downtown and then surprised her with tickets to the Lion King. Landon came with us as he was/is still too young to leave with a sitter. He did very well and slept through the whole thing, although he managed to poop (a lot of it) on both me and Justin.

MY BOYS

Evan is tickling Landon and laughing hysterically

what's new with Evan:
-daddy taught him how to suck up ... now when he wants something he says in a super sweet voice "Mama's the best!" and uses whatever name will get him what he wants.
-he can count to ten
- he is super articulate and uses some 5-6 word sentances.
-he can use reasoning, and he really understands I am saying to him.
-he has began to build things. H will stack his blocks, line up his cars, etc.
-he is very generous with his kisses and hugs and is always asking me for one or both
-he is our little ball of sunshine


what's new with Landon:
-he has turned into a little chunk
-when I called in about his poop the nurse essentially told me that he is a drama king
-he is pretty much only happy when he is being held or swaddled.
-he is an early smiler and started smiling before he was a month old (which is today:-)
-he is definitely growing up, and I am glad that I just spent the first few weeks holding him and Evan, and not doing much else. He is already so different

WATERTON
The Da Costa's, some of our best friends came from Florida to visit us for 10 days. It was such an amazing and fun trip! We immediately went to Waterton National park to start our vacation. Irene has a lot of pictures on her camera, so I will have to get those from her later.


we saw a lot of these

played a lot of games (I HAD to have a picture as King, since I never win)


We rode Surry's around town, even did some illigal off roading.


Justin, Walmir, Ben, Eric


ate LOADS (and I mean waaayyyy too much) ice cream!


lots of friends, lots of hikes.

Irene, me, Becka, and Rachel
My favorite was red rock. We found this AMAZING natural waterslide, even Evan went on it (with Justin of course). No pictures though cause nobody brought their camera.


water skiing, boating, and sunbathing. Yes, Irene and I BOTH got in the glacier water! Yes, it was FREEZING! Yes, it was sooo worth it!

We visited the Waterton hotel, which is crazy old


The hike up to Wall Lake 6-7 miles round trip!!!

Evan fell asleep

... but don't worry he woke up to enjoy the view

My sweetheart


My wonderful Family


Have you ever seen the TV show "Scrubs"? Justin and Walmir are just like J.D. and Turk!

I don't think I could love this woman more than I do!

We were so happy that Irene and Walmir were able to come and spend this time with us! We miss them soo much, and I can't wait until the next time we get to see them!


I COULD NOT get enough of their little guy ... Christian.


I was having major dejavu with these pictures

Landon GQ poses Evan

Landon Evan

On our way home we showed Irene and Walmir the Cardston temple. Isn't it lovely?

CALGARY ZOO






this is how Landon enjoyed the zoo


had to catch a picture of this kid!

THE LAKE



I even dipped Landon's toes in the water, he wasn't a fan!

SMA Family Fun Walk n' Roll
I know Irene got some really good shots of us as a family and all the SMA families together, but I don't have those yet. All in all it was an amazing day and we actually had a great turn out eventhough it was the first year of the event. Thank you to all my friends and family who came out to support us. It meant the world to us to have you there. Please don't be offended if your picture doesn't make it on this post, I just have too many pictures as it is.

It was so great to be around other families in our situation and to have all the kids zippin' along in their chairs. We were the normal ones this day!

Evan getting his face painted

showing off his snake!

Even Auntie Jamie and Kelley got in on the face painting action.






Our friend Evan (yes another one!) who also has SMA

This is our friend Ishan ... we are totally jealous of his chair!!!!



Following the SMA walk n' roll we went to the fireworks festival. It is a fireworks competition and we went to the finale. It was soooooo awesome. I would have to say the best fireworks show I have ever seen. It is even better than Disney (not as touching) but a better display of firepower (and y'all know how much I LOVE Disney!)







Evan watching Fireworks. This was the first time he wasn't afraid of them.


I was packing up to go to the lake and this is what I found. For obvious reasons I stayed home.

And who says you can't grow corn in Calgary ... seriously, I had so many people tell me I couldn't do it. I sure showed them! and it was yummy too, can't wait until the rest of it is ready!






What a great summer!!!!!!!!!!!

12 comments:

Lisa said...

Landon is a chunk - wow! Fun pictures. How nice you got to spend time with Irene & Walmir. Christian is a doll - his hair & eyes are amazing!! The hotel you referred to as 'Waterton Hotel' is the 'Prince of Wales' Hotel. Your Great Grandma Ashmead worked there when she was a teenager. I have seen a picture of her in front of it in her uniform. I'll have to ask my cousin if she has a copy of it. I also believe it was your Great Grandpa Lybbert who hauled the windows by horse and wagon to the hotel when it was being built. He picked them up from the train station in Cardston. Just imagine how long that to get them to Waterton that way.

Peter and Mandy said...

Way cute pictures...looks like you've had a crazy fun summer.

Lynn said...

Way cute kids!!!

Loved the night shot of the temple! So cool!

And YES!! YOU CAN grow corn in Calgary. Only if it's a really hot summer. People tried to tell us when we first moved here that we couldn't grow it either. We had a FULL garden of it that year. Ha! LOL!

I wish now that we had planted more this year....it was perfect weather for it. Yum! Yours looks delish!

Fred ... said...

What a fun summer. You have a lot of good pictures. You made me a bit homesick with the Waterton pictures. We always grew corn. I didn't know you weren't supposed to be able to. Enjoy the autumn. It is my favorite season.

Carla McDaniel said...

Kira...I loved looking at your pics. What a crazy busy, but fun summer.
Love your cute family pics. You have the cutest little boys!!!!!

Teresa said...

I LOVE the family pics of you guys at Wall Lake. So beautiful! I looks like you have had an incredible summer. Landon is such a beautiful little guy. I am thrilled for you and Justin.

Unknown said...

Kira! I love reading about your exciting adventures! HOw fun! Your boys are just BEAUTIFUL - I LOVE the pcitures- Evan is such a cheese, I love it! their smiles show what incredible parents you are ... wish I could be there to see all of you one of these days!

Michelle Knight said...

I love reading about your fun family! Evan is so smart and so cute, and Landon is such a cute little bug! :)

Linz said...

What an awesome recap! Sounds like you guys had a blast this summer. You guys are such a beautiful family, happy, and active family. We are thrilled for you and all of your adventures.

Peter and Mandy said...

PS. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Kira, Happy Birthday to You!

Woohoo I made it on time (that must be a first) :)

Happy 27th Kira!

Stephanie M Larsen said...

I loved this super long post, all of it. Your boys are darling, and that picture of Evan asleep at the table is priceless. What a great summer, full of so many blessings, the Lord loves us so much, doesn't he. Thanks for sharing, it cozied my heart. Love steph.

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