Ethan and Jonas

Ethan is the only one that can consistently make Jonas laugh, all the time, without fail!  It is so cute to watch them play together.  I am so thankful for Jonas and all that he has added to our life.  The joy and pride he brings out in Ethan is so sweet to see.

  

Tuytel Talk

Ok, I got to say...I love that Ethan's new kindergarten teacher has a website.  She has been faithfully updating it and adding pictures and I love it!  It is so great to get a glimpse into what classroom life is like for Ethan.  Anyway, I thought all of you might like to check it out as well, so here is the link, http://sd34.homeip.net/tuytel/tuyteltalk/Welcome.html
It is password protected, for the safety of our kiddies, so send me a quick email if you want to check it out and I will pass on the login info.

Our 10 year anniversary

It was my year to plan our anniversary.  10 years is a big deal and so I really wanted to do something memorable.  I always thought we would go away to some place exotic, but I didn't take into account that we would have a 6month old that needed to be fed and taken care of.  So, our  'exotic' vacation turned into a weekend away in Seattle.  Thank you David and Jessica for taking care of the boys while we were gone.  We had fun though and most importantly, Reuben was surprised. 

We took the Amtrak down to Seattle from Bellingham, spent the night at the Maxwell Roy and then boarded a cruise ship for the return trip back into Vancouver.  We didn't take a lot of pictures, but we were upgraded to a Superior Deluxe Suite on the ship and we couldn't believe how big the room was (of course our only other cruising experience was an inside stateroom with Ethan). 

While we were away, Ethan and Jonas were treated to a day at the zoo with their Aunt and Uncle.

Eva and Jonas

 My friends daughter, Eva decided the walk home was too much and took a ride with Jonas in the stroller after dropping Ethan and James off at school.  It was so cute.  Eva loves Jonas and calls him, her baby.  Of course she is only 20 months old herself.  :)

Kindergarten

Wow! Kindergarten! This is BIG!  I can't honestly tell you where the last five years have gone, but it is official, Ethan is starting school in the French immersion program.  We took pictures this morning before leaving the house and at school just before heading into the classroom.  Ethan was quiet, a bit nervous I would suspect, but comforted by the fact that his friend James had come to walk with him.

Jonas discovered himself!

Time

Time has past since my last post and while I will go back, eventually, and fill in the missing pieces of the timeline, I feel like I need to acknowledge the break I took from posting about 'life at the Loland's'.  It's not that events quit happening, or pictures stopped being taken...it's just that, well...how soon is one really allowed to begin enjoying life after a loss?  Or maybe the real questions is, how soon is one allowed to begin advertising that they are enjoying life again after a loss?  Silly questions?  Maybe.  Probably.  But joy is more challenging to write about at the moment.  "Just give it time," I can hear you all suggesting.  And I will, or I have...either way I realize that I have a fickle relationship with time.  I love having time, but hate waiting.  I love spending time with others, but can't wait to get the kids in bed.  I want desirable moments to last forever, but wish time would fly by getting to them.  And while a loss is a BIG reminder to appreciate time and celebrate moments together and all life offers, without regret for the past or dread for the future, I realize after only 6 weeks, that I need more frequent reminders...how quickly we forget.

So, here is a reminder to me and everyone reading this post to live today, love your family and cherish time!

To my family and friends, I love you.  You are important to me and I am blessed to be surrounded by such loving, caring, and understanding people.  Thank you.

Birthday Party at the Beach

 Logan turned 5 years old this week and celebrated with a pirate party at the beach.  The kids had fun wearing costumes and digging for treasure.  We took advantage of this beautiful scenic location to take some group photos of the kids (they've been celebrating their birthdays together since birth) and us moms!