Daddy and Jonas

Memories...

 I was hit!  What more to say!  Memories...

Moms Visit

 For two weeks during August, I was required to take classes as part of my graduate program.   So, I asked my mom if she would come for a visit and help take care of the boys while I was in class.  She agreed and spent two weeks playing, swimming and enjoying Ethan and Jonas.  Thank you mom for all of your help and support during this time.

Lego

Since Ethan's birthday party, Lego has quickly become a very important part of his play.  This set, from his grandpa is one of the favourites (Buzz themed of course).

Jonas is 6 months

Frank

Andrea and Reuben's Dad went out of town and asked us to watch Frank their new kitten while they were gone.  We agreed, forgetting what life with a kitten was like.  We were quickly brought up to speed though as Frank took over our home, sleeping on tables, drinking from water glasses, and terrorizing Chloe and Jonas (yes, even Jonas) by attacking anything that moved including unsuspecting baby limbs.  So we decided to have some fun with Andrea and took some crazy pictures that we sent to her on her holidays.  

Welcome home Andrea! and Good bye Frank!!

Sleeping children

I just want to remember these moments forever!

Ethan Turns Five!

Ethan's 5th birthday party was a fun celebration of his love for everything Buzz Lightyear.  Ever since our trip to Disneyland in the Spring his fascination and admiration for Buzz Lightyear has grown, so when I started planning his party, Buzz very quickly became a part of the plans.  And once I convinced him that our school gym was a much better location for a party then our home, we were both happy! :)  We planned his birthday around the theme of training and completing a Mission assigned by Star Command.  Reuben put the kids through rigorous training activities that involved accuracy, agility, speed and the development of tuned observation skills.   

Once they passed their training they complete a Mission that required them to find lost toys and ultimately defeat the evil emperor Zurg.  Most of the kids had a great time participating in the activities, but Reuben's Zurg costume was a bit too scary for a few of the kids...oops!! :(  We ended the festivities with pizza and cake.  Ethan was spoiled with wonderful presents from his friends.  

 Thanks Michelle for helping with Jonas, and Dad for taking these pictures!

 I wasn't joking about his love for Buzz! :)

Ethan is a Salamander!

Ethan is a salamander!  It has been a long and windy road with a lot of bumps, but finally he has managed to find the confidence within to brave putting his eyes, nose and mouth in the water at the same time...for three seconds! It wasn't too long ago that just getting in to the water with a teacher was a monumental accomplishment.  But this summer, the summer he turned 5, we've seen a big change in confidence.  I'm not sure if it can be attributed to preschool or just the understanding that comes as we get older, but we are sure proud of him!

Grandpa's Visit

My dad came out to visit Ethan for his birthday.  We had a great weekend together celebrating Ethan as he turned 5.  Grandpa spoiled him (as usual :O)) with a soccer jacket and Buzz Lightyear lego.  Thanks dad for the visit and fun!

Jonas and his Big Brother

Jonas adores Ethan.  He lights up every time he enters the room and if Ethan talks to Jonas, he smiles and lets out a little giggle.  Ethan is the only one that can consistently make Jonas smile.  It's so neat to see the admiration start so young.  I love their relationship and look forward to watching it develop more.

Ethan was trying to copy Jonas in this picture!

Grouse Mountain

Friends of ours (the Cunningham's) have a membership at Grouse Mountain and invited us to go up with them for the day... half price (the perks of membership!).  We excitedly joined them and had fun despite the gloomy, grey, weather that closed in on us and prevented us from enjoying any of the gondola view.  I didn't mind so much because the fog helped me feel as though we weren't quite as high and I was very relaxed on the gondola ride up and back down the mountain.  Yes...yes...I have some 'minor' height issues!  We enjoyed seeing the bears and other wildlife and loved the lumberjack show.

Beth and Ethan in front of the bear habitat.

One of the big grizzlies.

 Beth and Ethan were planning the winter trip when they could ride the sleigh in the snow!

 Jonas was the youngest observer of the lumberjack show and was called up to the front and give a special chair made by the one of the lumberjacks (pictured below).

The log roll contest.