Birthday Buddies

My mom and Jeff are both 'Aries' and have their birthdays one day apart from one another.

This weekend was extra special for all of us as my parents have moved to live closer to us. We love their new place. Jeff and I gave them a hand on Saturday and had a really nice dinner that evening. We don't often get a chance to just be the four of us. The fire was burning and it was so peaceful... we look forward to more visits together.

We shared a lovely brunch with presents for both Jeff and mom on Sunday morning...

I wanted to share these pictures in part for the expression on Jeff's face. He just loves it when I take those pre-shower morning pictures! ha ha...

Happy B-Day Mom and Jeff!

Just turned 40!

Jeff had quite a birthday weekend!

Turning 40 is quite an event and I don't think he really felt its impact until the actual day. His kids are growing up way too fast, way too tall right in front of his eyes and he is feeling his age. I asked him if he still felt like he was 25 and he said no, I feel 40!

We agreed we'd remember the weekend for: fun times spent with friends and family, watching his mom play wii golf, the fact my parents moved closer to us to a great place, a delicious brunch, yummy dinners, banana birthday cake, planning paddling passages, cool canoeing presents, a cozy handmade quilt by Jo, quiet time together and learning about new knots to tie with the boys.

Yes, Jeff's interest in knots quickly became an interest for the boys and he made sure they all had ropes to practice on. I love that kind of unplanned learning and the fact that they all have another activity they like doing together.

Jeff loved the photographic journal we made to document the creation of our canoe. We all look forward to having adventures on the water together-it feels like we are on the cusp of a new chapter of our lives ....

Here's to the next 40 years, new experiences, excursions, joy and memorable times together.

Looking 'Great' at 90!

It's exciting to say that our family celebrated a momentous birthday in the life of Jeff's Grandpa a.k.a. 'Great' last weekend. 90! Yup, 90 years!

It was so special to see him, eat yummy food, see everyone and consider all that Art has done, experienced and loved in his life.

Makes me think about how fortunate we are and reminds me to live each day as fully as possible- because someday we will all look back on our 'story', our days, years, family, friends, passions, loves and losses.

"Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering." ~Anon

Happy 12th Birthday Lucas!

Twelve years ago today, our first child was born.

Lucas came into the world with his big blue eyes wide open... we all fell madly in love with him...

We had felt like we waited a lifetime to meet this little guy and were so blessed the day he was born ... I mean truly joyful ...

Lucas had a lot of fuzzy reddish hair that tended to stick straight up - and we liked it that way. :) As a baby he was known for his characteristic 'o' face and his easy-going nature. Lucas loved to be held and rocked yet was quite willing and able to entertain himself from a young age. He loved cars and was always double-fisted with hot wheels...for the longest time the green volkswagon bug was his fave.

Over the years, he has had many obsessions, hockey, Star Wars, Pokemon, books, computers and imagination games. He immerses himself in his interests and masters anything he sets his mind to. He has always 'beat to his own drum' and known exactly what his comfort level is in any given situation. Lucas will stand up for himself and will only do what feels right to him. He has high moral standards and his own sense of values. When he was only 7, he felt that family was a priority to him and clearly asked to be schooled at home. He just didn't think it made sense to spend so much time away from those he loved. At the age of nine, he made a personal choice to become a vegetarian due primarily to his love of animals and the environment. He is very sensitive to the mistreatment, injury or unnecessary death of any living being. He chooses not to listen to music or read books with swearing but has come to recognize that these words do not make the musicians or authors 'bad' people and can keep it in perspective when he does hear or see language that he deems inappropriate. Essentially, Lucas feels strongly about his principles and will not be swayed and yet can recognize that life is not black and white.

Lucas has always been a quiet and contemplative soul, somewhat serious with an adult-like perceptibility and sensitivity to others. He has a giant imagination and we believe that children of all ages are drawn to him in part for his imagination but also for his approachable and down-to-earth nature.

He is adored and idolized by his two younger brothers. We are so thrilled that they have each other and that Josh and Matt have such a wonderful role model to look up to in Lucas. :) It is a dream to watch their lives unfold together, learning, growing, playing and bonding.

The fact that Lucas is now on the cusp of being a teenager is astounding to Jeff and I. We want to savour this time with him and look forward to being a part of this phase of his life... watching him become more independent, curious and confident while maintaining that flicker of the little boy we have known and loved.

Words cannot clearly express all that there is to know about Lucas- all we feel-all he's taught us-

I can tell you, our lives wouldn't be the same without him and I am honoured to be his mom.

Happy Birthday Bear!

Happy 10th Birthday Josh!

Well, the time has come.

Double digits for Josh!

Wow... I can't believe he's 10 years old today.

Of course I can look back and remember his birth like it was yesterday.

Like all my babies, Josh came into the world a little earlier than expected. We were all on the edge of our seats wondering if he would be a boy or a girl. Everyone was delighted to see another blue-eyed beauty and were so thrilled that he was healthy. There were some complications after his birth and I am so thankful that he had his Daddy, friends and family to spend time cuddling with him after he was born.

Lucas was especially excited to be a big brother and his eyes lit up around Josh. Josh was such a smiley little soul, that Lucas coined the term 'happy Josh' when referring to his brother. We have many pictures of these two adoring one another.

Josh was a mover and a shaker from a young age. His legs and arms were always flapping. :) He loved his sleep and we didn't have trouble getting him to go down... It didn't take long to see that Josh was a fearless little explorer and climber. He loves collecting little things and is quite a pack rat! :) Josh also loves swimming, hockey, beach combing, cooking, photography, looking for critters, volunteering at the farm, animals, climbing trees, pokemon, computer games and much more. He is one of those kids who is willing to try just about anything. He loves to play with friends and likes to keep moving. He doesn't sit still for long, let's put it that way. He's always up for an adventure! Josh is exceptionally generous in heart and spirit. He is in tune with other people and how they are feeling and is sensitive to their ups and downs....always checking in to see how he can make you feel better and is exceptionally happy when those around him feel the same.

Josh is wise and intuitive and reminds Jeff and I that kids are people too!

When he was a little dude, he always said, "I love you AND I like you." Well, the feeling is mutual my darlin'... we all feel the same.

Happy Birthday my little 'bean'... Hope you have a memorable day!

Happy 8th Birthday Matt!

The day Matt was born, we all breathed a sigh of relief.... I also shed tears of joy and gratitude for this healthy baby boy. Matt had given us a scare or two while I was pregnant and let's just say we were thinking he'd be 1-4 pounds for a while and coming much too early rather than the 9 pounds, 2 ounces that he ended up being-and just about on time! :)

From the beginning, I adored Matt. We all did of course... He was just a happy, easy-going baby... I always tell him that just when I thought he was asleep while I was rocking him, I'd look down and he would be staring up and me smiling from ear to ear. :) Sometimes, I'd avoid looking at him for a while and then take a peek - he'd always catch me and there was that smile again. It filled me up each and every time. I'll never forget that about him. I loved every minute of it....

As the years have gone by, Matt has made us laugh till we cried, especially at the dinner table. He has amazed us with his resilience, especially when wrestling with his brothers. He has an incredible memory and knack for logical thinking. He comes up with 'plans' and 'steps' to achieve a desired result. Matt can tell you how and when he learned specific things. He is empathetic and caring towards others and is gentle and loving towards children who are younger than he is... Matt is expressive...as you know I take a few pics, but I have the widest variety of emotions captured on his face over anyone else... Matt loves music and has the best 'moves' out of our whole family... he remembers the words to tons of songs and is usually humming or singing at any given time... Matt also loves lego, marine mammals, art, science, playing, books, Nintendo DS, swimming, road hockey, photography, building, climbing, Willow, all his friends and family! His confidence, genuine nature and BIG imagination make me smile... I love all of who he is and always will...

Happy Birthday Matt!

We love you and are soooooo proud of you!

Hope you have a memorable day!

Jeff's 38th Birthday!

Jeff had one of those birthdays he won't soon forget on Saturday in San Antonio, Texas. We spent his 38th birthday at the Alamo and along the Riverwalk. 

When we arrived, we landed right in the middle of a fiesta fun theme of the Houston Street Fair and Market. This event happens monthly with different themes each month. There were many art, craft, novelty and food vendors along the road. Kids were bungy jumping in the street and dancers with wildly colourful feathers were entertaining collections of passerby's as they walked along. A variety of music played - as it did all day wherever we were. It was a welcoming scene and it wasn't long before we found our way to the Alamo right around the corner.

The line wasn't too long to get in as it was late morning, later in the day we noticed much longer wait times. Right away, we noticed a ranger- cowboy hat, boots and all- pacing around protecting the area. Also, many marines in their uniforms waited to go and pay their respects inside the mission building. You can't take pictures inside the shrine of the Alamo and all hats come off along with hushed voices used. This location is considered the shrine of Texas's Liberty following the battle in 1836 with the infamous Crockett, Bowie and Travis, leading the brave and common men in battle to sacrifice their lives for the Independence of Texas. The facts and figures seem to fluctuate depending on who you talk to and what you read. We heard anything from 172-186 men fought and died that fateful day against an army of 4000-7000 men. 

I learned that some of the names listed don't belong there while others need to be added. I also inquired about David Crockett's resting place and discovered that the bodies were dragged and burned and that no proper burial was made. There is a story that some bones were found and boxed by a pastor/minister and was potentially discovered 100 years later, hidden in a church, but the facts surrounding that story are sketchy. 

So, we saw Bowie's knife and Crockett's beaded vest and rifles...we stood in the room where the women and children stayed for safety during the battle and gazed at all the flags, names of those who died and signed the book to say we had been there to bear witness to this historical place while paying our respects to the dead. It was very interesting and we took it all in to share with my Dad who has always wanted to go to the Alamo. Every smile in every picture was dedicated to Grandpa Goodman.

Outside was lovely with beautiful landscaping and very old trees. There were commemorative plaques, gardens everywhere, a museum, a mill, a speaker to share the story of the Alamo in a courtyard and so on. There was much to learn there and plenty of places to sit and enjoy a sunny day to contemplate what life would have been like long ago at the Alamo.

Wandering outside, ice cream called our names as we passed by horse drawn carriages. As we left the shop, ice cream in hand,  we sat near a huge gazebo and soon heard the sounds of drums and people calling as an activist march came by... several different groups passed by, waving their signs, playing their instruments and calling out for peace, justice and equality. It was very moving despite not being familiar with what all the causes were about. 

Jeff noticed a sign for the Riverwalk, so we went to check it out. It was so pretty and we found it very inviting to go and walk around. We've never been to Europe, but found it had that kind of flavour with boats gliding along the river, statues of saints, restaurants with outdoor umbrella seating, musicians playing to young couples, people strolling, flowery landscaping, old trees and church steeples, shops and ducklings with their mamas. We tried on cowboy hats, saw the sights, got sore feet and walked some more. Later, we went to the Lone Star Cafe overlooking the waterway where Jeff enjoyed a Texas burger and our highlight was hard shelled ice cream and apple cobbler a la mode. 

We topped off our day at the movies which we hadn't been to since Christmas.... I must say I did not see the whole picture as I was snoozing through half of it. My bedtime gets earlier as I get older!

Thanks to Ali and Maddy for taking Willow out so we didn't have to worry about her on our special day.

Happy Birthday Jeff!