Canada, finally!

Finally, after about 5 times of sitting and trying to get these downloaded....I succeeded!

This is how we left Isabel. Am I a bad mother, or what?! And, it was my fault. I was cleaning out the back of the van, so I had the middle seats leaning forward. I put the seat back, buckled her in and took off. At the stopsign at the end our our street, I put the brakes on and Issy's whole seat crashed forward, smashing her into the seat in front of her. I jumped out and got her out....I felt SO bad. The bottom of her seat was not latched tightly into the floor! Luckily we were on our way to the doctor, and he assured me that everything would be fine. It would just look pretty bad for awhile!


Did I say "tomorrow" in my last post??! I guess I meant next week! Fheww! Life goes by pretty fast! But, a really good week-and-a-half. Now I get to remember the good times we had in Canada. Tim was in his element. I guess when most husbands surprise their wives with a trip it usually involves a beach somewhere! Nope, not Tim....he'd burn! He is SOOO a Mountain Guy....but I encourage that because I LOVE the mountains! And, most husbands would be thrilled to get a cool, little, sporty car or SUV as a rental. Not Tim! He was SO EXCITED when we walked up to our car and it was a GRAND MARQUIS! Yes, a boat of a car. But, it did have leather and a sunroof, so all was good. They do ride nice, but they certainly don't make you feel cool!!

We had so much fun. Papa Bob and Nana Shirley picked up the kids in Green Bay. They sure were not sad to see us leave! And, we blasted off and they bombed back to MI. We were really on our own! I haven't flown alone with Tim since before Alaina was born. Let me tell you, it was really nice. :)

Canada was COLD. Tim kept telling me a high of 58....that wasn't so bad. But, that wasn't true. The first thing we did in Calgary was hit the Mountain Equipment Co op and buy head warmers and gloves! I'm so glad I did. SO, all these pictures....yes, I am pretty much wearing the same thing everyday! I layered all I had and even had to hit up the Gap for more long tees! But, it was still so much fun. Hiking and just being in the mountains was too good. :)

These pictures are all messed up in order-wise. I thought I had a system down so when I download they come up in the order they are suppose to be, but not this time. And, you probably wouldn't know the difference anyway! So, here's our fun weekend away. :)

Tim would get irritated with me because I'd move too slow. Not so much hiking slow, but just in general. Or, I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted to do. I just kept saying that I have to keep 4 kids moving all the time and I have to decide pretty much everything for them all day, so it was nice to have someone tell me what to do! But, even when I did suggest what I wanted to do, like the mountain zipline!! Tim didn't go for it anyway. He had a better idea! I just think he was too scared!

Just have a look. I highly recommend Calgary and Banff. It is so beautiful up there!!


Here we are at the entrance! I had the camera propped up on the open door and rolled down window of the car.....it only took a few shots!


Our first hike. VERY COLD, but we made it. :) We went to the top of Tunnel Mountain. Its funny, Banff is a very touristy place, esp for Japanese people. So, everytime we would get to the top of somewhere, a group would always follow!!


Tim calling his mom to check on the kids...they sure weren't missing us!


I remember a tree like this on one of my big hikes through the Colorado Rockies (14 years ago). But, that time I pretended to ride on it. There was no way I was going to get my buns up there!


The famous Lake Louise. GORGEOUS!


More Lake Louise...


Further up this trail we hit snow and ice! It was so slippery that we both could not stop laughing! But, at the top was a little tea cabin. So, it made it all worth it. This was on our way to Lake Agnes, just a hike up from Lake Louise.




The tea cabin on Lake Agnes. Tim was really enjoying his pink Angel Mist tea!




Just a shot from the sun roof in the car. Breathtaking!



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Here we are in a cave that takes you to a hot spring. We didn't get to go in this one, but we did go in Hot Springs on Friday. I didn't take my camera in, though, and wish I would have! I forgot my swimsuit (along with ALL my undies!) on this trip, but you could rent swimsuits for $1.90. They were the "old" style suits from the 20's!! Very funny, too. Tim assured me that there would be other people there that would have the rented suits on, but when we got into the spring, there were just a lot of stylish bikinis! But, who cares. It was warm and the Springs were wonderful!


Our last hike was just around aJohnson Lake. No elevation...just a walk. :) It was nice...and easy! Just what we both needed. Although, Mr. Big Hike did get pretty wiped out from the 3 we did the day before!


I was hoping to see more wildlife, but we just saw this little beauty!

We ate out every meal, but breakfast....talked a lot (and sometimes just sat!), did a lot of window shopping and walking in downtown Banff. We stayed right downtown in a lodge this time rather than off in a cabin like we did our honeymoon. It was just too fun to just have to think about each other and know that the kids were well taken care of!


But, this is what Issy looked like when we picked her up! We had to cancel our family photo session due to this black eye, but all is well now. She's back to normal and as beautiful as ever. :)

Big Birthday Weekend....

What a big weekend. We had so much fun with the Papas and the Nanas! Even Ryan and Grape Grandma came! Lots of people, lots of food, and lots of fun. :) I usually like to go in order of how events happened, but I'm jumping ahead now to Issy's birthday....so Canada and Is's black eye will come tomorrow! She had her tubes put in her ears on Friday morning. That went super. I think she turned into a different kid! She's always been pleasant and happy, but she just turned into Miss Personality this weekend!! What a super little girl....so fun and easy going.


On Saturday our friends from Sartell, MN stopped by. It was fun to see them again! We just saw them in July....so its been twice in just a few months! The big girls had fun dressing Isabel up as Snow White. I think Issy liked it, too! So, here's all the kids....plus Ryan. :)


For the first time we had to have a "kids" table! Our big table was full! The kids thought it was just great! It got a little crazy over there, but I remember us when we were little. There was never a dull moment at our kids' tables!


We had muffins with candles in for breakfast on Sunday morning. Issy wasn't too sure about hers, but the big kids liked the candles! Then off to church for her dedication! I do have pictures, but I'm running out of time! I almost made it through with no tears. But, how could I not?!! God has blessed us with FOUR great kids!!

Just checking out the candle! She just started blowing on things Saturday! Just in time!




I guess its a challenge for me to make the birthday cakes.....this one turned out okay....not my favorite, though! Its suppose to be a fluffy, white cat stalking the mouse sitting on a hunk of cheese. The "cheese" cake is the one that we let her "dig" into. And, mom made that one.....without following the directions! So, it turned out a little more creative than the picture! Although, you can tell from the pictures that "digging" into a cake is just not her thing. She preferred to just stick her finger in it and lick her finger. There was no mess with this child!



Finally we just cut her cake! The kids wanted the "yellow" frosting and not the coconut!


And, she didn't get much chance to open her presents.....she had too much help!




Tomorrow I should have diaper picture. Has it really been a year? Time goes so fast. I cannot imagine our lives without this little redhead. God has truly blessed us! Happy Birthday Little Punkin!


How many Papas and Nanas does it take to fix a garage door?? Was this funny.....I haven't had an opening garage door for a few weeks. The "people" were suppose to come fix it the day we left for Canada, but they didn't come. Good deal, though, because just having Bob in town saved us $350! Tim always seems to get projects done when he's here. :) So, anyway, as you can see my Dad has the biggest shovel, so he thought he was the most important and, my mom just wanted to get in the picture.....a Swiffer is not going to do much good! It was just funny.....and now it works. Thank you garage door fixer helpers and most importantly, TIM!! And, I also have a mailbox with a door on it now! Its only been since February! Thanks Papa and Nana for that! I love it. :)


After everyone left this morning it was so quiet around here! It was just Issy and me and we were both wiped out. So, a little Baby Einstein was in order. She sat just like a big girl and watched the whole thing. What a little sweetie.

Sunday...

I'm sorry I've been slacking!! It's Issy's birthday today.....Pupsi, Nana, Grandma Marlyce, Ryan, Papa Bob, and Nana Shirley are here! We've had a fun weekend! So, I'll be posting pictures of the big birthday & dedication and also of our WONDERFUL and QUIET trip to Canada soon. It's cake time. :)

Amazing Grace

Today has been a really good day. Getting ready for church went well....no problems like there usually are! I had my running clothes laid out by the bed so I could just get up and go, but after I went to bed I decided not to go. I thought I could use a rest day! So, it was not fun to hear Issy at 6:15! But, as I was getting up Tim sprung up and said he'd take her. WOW! I slept in until 7:45! Apparently, Issy had leaked through her diaper, so she was all wet. He took care of it all. :) Thanks, Tim!

We got to church on time and the kids went to their Sunday School classes as usual. After Sunday School, we picked up Erik and Alaina. They sit with us during the worship music before heading down to Jr. church. They have a hard time sitting, standing, singing, and listening for those 25 minutes. Today was different. There was no fight over pens and Erik actually sat still and quiet! They were writing in their children's bulletins when we started singing Amazing Grace (the Chris Tomblen version). Alaina stood up on the pew, put her arms around my shoulders and sang the song word for word right in my ear. I could not hold back the tears! The kids are singing all the time, but this time it was different! We pray so hard that our kids will grow up to love and honor God, and this was just a confirmation that we are on the right track.

Alaina had the best day, too. During lunch she told us, "God is incomprehensible." She is so right! It was cute to hear that big word come out of her! It's fun to talk to her about God and what it means to be a Christian. She understands a lot more than we think she does. She knows now what it really means to follow Jesus. She's concerned about the people in her life that do not follow Jesus. We struggle with her attitude and "the spunks," as we call them. She has a look that would kill you if looks could kill! But, today her smile shone brightly all day. And, the more we praised her the bigger the smile became. Thank you, God, for this beautiful 7 year-old that loves You!!

Oh Canada!!

Yesterday was just the best day. It was a nice day all around. :) I got to talk to Auntie Shirley for awhile and Dana. :) I got to pick out a bunch of Silpada Jewelry for myself and Tim surprised me with a really great anniversary present! Usually he calls a few times during the day or I call him....but not yesterday. He just showed up around 4:30. We talked for awhile and then he disappeared! I could hear Alaina and Erik "whispering" from the office...I'm a mom, they think I can't hear them!! I was told to stay in the kitchen and out comes Alaina and E with a big black bag. Inside was a new, big, cool piece of hipster mountainy green Llbean luggage. Very cool. Inside was a brown, North Face, hooded sweatshirt. :) Warm and cozy...I put it on right away! Am I going somewhere??! I was told to dig deeper....wow! A lunch box! Well, actually it is suppose to be a makeup bag with a zipper. Well, close!! And, I was told to dig deeper. I pulled out a slack of papers....on the top was the weather for Banff, Canada for next week!! Could it be??!! YES!! We are going on vactation! Just the two of us for 4 days!! :) I couldn't believe it. We went there on our honeymoon....its so beautiful esp. in the fall!!

Tim said he had a hard time keeping in his excitement for 6 weeks. He did good! He also said he had a lot of ideas.....south? Beach? Vegas? Washington? But, if you know Tim, you know he is a Mountain guy. We both LOVE it up there.

We picked up our babysitter and went out for a nice dinner. Last night was the first night I wore my boots with heels and slipped a little walking to our table! Luckily a lady sitting at the bar caught me! It was more that I caught her!! Little embarrassing moment, but it didn't bother me too much. Its just a funny thing to talk about. Those moments aren't new to me!

After dinner we went to Costco. I mean, what's a date without a trip to Costco??!! We didn't even need to buy anything b/c I just stocked up on Wednesday! So, it was a more relaxing stroll around the store to see what was new.

We were back at 9. A little early, but its sure nice being home when the house is quiet. And, that's when I gave Tim his card. Its actually the card I bought last year! Amy's little Vincenzo was born on the 2nd, so we buzzed up to MI and Tim had business in Nebraska. We weren't together anyway! I just saved it for this year....I guess the trip is the present for both of us. :)

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to TIM and ME!! 10 Years Already! It gone so fast and I guess I just have to fasten my seat belt for the next 10, 20, 30 plus years! I love being married to this man!! Thanks for taking such good care of our family, Tim! I could go on and on and on, but I'll save that for his card. :)


It seems like I've been gone for awhile! Time just gets away from me! Last week was a really nice week. I love Annika and Tim more than anything, but having them gone for the week sure made my life easy for a few days! It was nice to get reunited, though, and have us all together again!

Annika told Tim that "Nana Bev, her was vewwy mean at me!" Which I didn't think too much of after she also told my dad during breakfast of Cheerios:
Pupsi: Annika, want sugar on your Cheerios?
An: Yes...you know, my mom never lets me put sugar on my Cheerios. My dad does, though. My dad is ALWAYS nice to me and my mom is mean at me!

Well, I always knew I was the mean one!! And, "Nana is vewwy mean because she made me take a nap!" Annika DOES NOT like to take naps and her 3 year old temper shines brightly when she is told to do so! But, she always falls asleep and wakes up way happier!!

So, a week playing in Wallace on the farm and then up to Daggett to "help" Uncle Anders and Papa Bob work outside, she was just too cool. She even wanted to take Uncle Anders home with her for her Daddy's birthday party!

Can you guess what he got from my parents?? Annika was getting pretty upset with Erik for lifting it higher and higher so she was having a hard time holding on!


Alaina told Tim on the phone on Friday that we got him a new bike. I looked at her and said "Alaina!! Don't tell him!" Then she tried to cover it up, "We really didn't get you a bike, Dad!!" What is he suppose to think?? We REALLY didn't get him a bike! He is going to be so disappointed when he opens this and its only HALF a bike!! Its actually more for Annika so she can go on the big bike rides with Tim and E and A. She just can't keep up on her little bike!



On Friday night my mom and dad brought Alaina back and also Claire. How exciting was that?? Let me tell you. Having Claire here meant that just us adults got to go to Eric's wedding OVERNIGHT in Milwaukee! It was so fun. And, it was Tim's birthday on Saturday, so that was extra fun. :) We got all dressed up and left at 9 in the morning on Saturday and got back at noon on Sunday. I think we should do that more often! I'm hoping Claire can move in next summer!!

Are we really getting away with NO kids over night??! Can you tell how excited we are??!!

Alaina was playing photographer!




There are never good pictures of me b/c I'm always the one taking pictures! I love these!! I feel so glamorous!!


All of us out for Tim's birthday. After the wedding...we had 5 1/2 hours before the reception. Too much fun. :)


Dad and me at the wedding!


So, that's been going on and the most exciting thing for me is that I am going to be a consultant with Silpada Designs jewelry. Sometimes I just need to get out and get dressed up and hang out with other women! I was going to go with a different company..well, actually I did for a whole week! But, Amy called me on Tuesday and asked me if I ever heard of Silpada....nope! She told me I HAD to do it rather than the other company! So, I got in touch with something close to me, she came over that afternoon and show me a few things.....ITS GORGEOUS! The earliest day we both could get together to hold "a debut" show was the 22nd. That's a long time! So, I told her I could get it together if she was available Thursday!! That was last night! Talk about move fast! And, I pulled it off. I had people here and they were excited about it and it was a success!! I now have my calendar booked for Oct. and November!! I know I have to be realistic with all the responsibility I have at home, but a few parties a month will be perfect. The jewelry sells itself, so I don't feel like I have to go out and convince people that this is the best!! It's sterling silver and a lot of it is hand made. Beautiful. :) And, the nice thing about it is it is new enough that people don't know about it and the people that do know about it are already hooked on it! There are just a handful of consultants in the NW suburbs! That helps a lot!!

That's my new adventure. Next time you see me I should be wearing some pretty cool jewelry!! :)

Time to get some things done before Issy, oh wait.....that's Rosie! Annika told me last night that she is going to change Isabel's name to Rosie. So, this morning when I would say Isabel, she would "ummm....MOM, that's ROSIE!!" We'll see how long this lasts!

I have to go get my laundry done! My morning is slipping away!

GIRL!

This is classic ERIK. Last night we went to Chuck E Cheese for a little play time. We took our neighbors, Seerat and Sajel, and the kids had a good time. It was fun....I even got my skeeball in. :) Erik had one token left and he just disappeared. About 3 minutes later he came running up to me, holding back tears, and threw this picture at me. "See Mom!! I was just trying to take my picture and this GIRL had to come in and get in the way!" He was a little upset, to say the least! Poor E-man!