Recently...March 11th 2011 to be exact...my kids, some of my family, and I headed up to Tofino, BC for the weekend!
Scary as it was that it happend to be the same day as the earthquake in Japan we still went, despite all the warnings about tsunamis. :\
Anyway it turned out be a fabulous family weekend I was fortunate to have been apart of it.

me and the kids on the beach in front of our hotel.

A gorgeous view from my room.

Out for Lunch.

Gorgeous Girl

Time is just flying by! Before I know it she will be walking, and talking, and driving her big brother crazy!
My gorgeous babe is six months old today, but it feels like only yesterday I was waiting anxiously to finally meet her.
I love her so much! She is so darling, happy, and exciting to be around every day!


Happy six month Birthday to my Special Girl <3

Toopy and Binoo

So, my son loves this show on Treehouse called, "Toopy and Binoo." It's one of those shows that even when he is in a different room of the house and it comes on, he drops everything to go watch it! Well, for his birthday this year, his Nana bought him tickets to go see them when they came to town.

Never having been to any sort of 'concert' type thing I was a bit skeptical on the outcome (Raiden is also a BIG wimp when it comes to "real-life" characters). BUT, as the day arrived and after LOTS of psyching up about the show, Raiden was super excited to go!


When we got to the theatre to park he was even more excited about going because of all the other little kids that were there. I think that is what might have really helped the most! (all the other kiddies :P)


We instantly got in line to get all the merchandise they were selling (it's hard to find anything Toopy and Binoo anywhere!) I bought him a T-shirt and a light up 'magic' wand...that almost 90% of the children had during the show.

Once the show had started he was so into it, and he had a Great time! He was asking me all the time when they had left the stage, or during the intermission when it was coming back on again! it was super cute, and I'm so glad to have shared this experience with my sweet boy <3>

*During the intermission, I took him up to the stage to take a picture!*

When it was over he stood in the corner becuase he didn't want to leave,
So I guess that meant that he had a pretty awesome time! He was happy again when I had agreed to take him 'next year' to see Toopy and Binoo again! ;)

Brotherly Love

Ahh, I think that the most rewarding thing about being a parent is watching your children get along so incredibly well!



*Poor babes were so sick and fell asleep on the couch together...Looks like Lynden and unconciously giving Raiden a hug*

*Raiden came to me the other day after Lynden's tubby and asked if he could hold her..melts my heart*


To be honest I think that Lynden is Raiden's biggest fan. She always seems to have a smile on her face whenever he is around, and always laughs when he dances or sings little songs to her.
He is such a caring big brother; he is always helping me with Lynden in any way that he can. It's like they automatically bond when they meet and there is no going back!


I know I say it all the time, but I also feel like I don't say it enough..I just LOVE my kiddies!

First Timer!

So it was finally a nice, sunny day out today, and we decided to head to the park!
little did we know that although it was sunny, it was DANG cold! Brrr! I wish we had dressed a little warmer :\



On the upside of things, my babe went on the swings for the first time today and she loved it! I love seeing her try new things and become more of a little person every day!
I love her to pieces!


Raiden had to join the attention as well :P

Grams...

So, at the end of November I went to help decorate my Grandmother's house for Christmas, as I have done for the past 6 years.

Each year her grand collection of extravigant decor and special ornaments grows even more. She litterally has a hundreds of things to dress up her home so that it is almost unrecognizable.
I love doing it, being able to help her fullfil her yearly ambition of being the most decorated house anyone has ever seen! :P

These are all in one room, there is plenty more, but I'm afraid the pictures would be the entire blog!


My Grandma appreciates the help, especially from me because we share a lot of the same interests for how we want everything precise. We are similarily artsy, and crafty, and enjoy beautiful things. She always wants to get up and help whenever she can, but it is very straining on her, which she hates.
My Grandma is not the type of woman to just sit around while people do things for her. She is go, go, go! But, in her old age she has slowed down and has to accept that anyone and everyone is willing to help her at all costs.
She is the sweetest lady I think I have ever met in my life. She loves to give and please everyone, even if she doesn't have much. She seems to find a way to please those around her. Her Testimony is so incredibly strong that it always makes me think twice about my life. I Love her soo much and I am so grateful that she is my Grandma.

Santa Santa Ho, Ho, NO!

So..It has been a long time.
The Christmas season is now upon us, and we were fortunate enough to have gone to the mall this past weekend as a family to get our annual Santa photo done.

Kids dressed similarily adorable and parents along to match, we head out the door for what is supposed to be a FABulous day out with the family. Everyone is in a great mood and excited to see Santa!

As we pull into the outrageously packed mall parking lot and find a close enough space to park, I realize I have forgotten Lynden's bottle on the kitchen counter! Great...she only just woke up from a long nap, hasn't eaten anything and I am praying she holds it together for our time out which has now turned into an 'in and out' kind of a trip. We get inside; we go and stand in the 'mile-long' line-up for Santa and wait. (For anyone who has more than one child and are trying to be quick in the mall, when you have to wait for a certain amount of time, you can agree with me this was not a good idea!)
While Bryce runs off to find a bank machine, I am left with a smiling baby and a two-almost three-year-old whining at me for popcorn! (dang Kernals being way too close to the line-up!) Bryce comes back. "FINE! Raiden go with Daddy and get some popcorn" (tester). Although Daddy comes back with a pale of flouresent coloured Kernals, for a good boy? Whatever. Meanwhile I am standing in line waiting, making stupid faces at Lynden to keep her happy, and I don't mean to be a 'hater' but sometimes people can be so annoying oogling over my kids..cut it out already! I know they are cute..bla, bla, bla. (not my day right?)

We finally get up to being next in line, and by this time Raiden is a little bit anxious wanting to get up there and see Santa! low and behold, the two 'older' kids in front of us just want to have a gab with Santa, for what felt like an HOUR, and not take pictures. Hurry up already! Ok. Our turn!! Finally!
Great pictures, Great attitudes, even though Raiden needs to work on his 'smile' everything turned out perfect!!


So why do you ask am I a little bit skeptical?
Oh right, because while we were waiting for our pictures/disc we decided to take a walk up to my work and say 'Hi' to the ladies. While in there, Raiden got in trouble and then the worst happend.
Temper tantrum of the year! I swear, I have never had an experience like that ever! he was litterally screaming in the middle of the mall, kicking, laying on the ground, and you better believe we had spectators. Embarassing.

All I could do was keep a smile on my face and thank God that no matter how bad Raiden was, it definitely could have been worse. Lynden could have been screaming too. I think I had some luck on my side that day...considering the circumstances!