Hike/Canmore and Kananaskis

I was so excited to get away for a couple of days with the boys and our friends the Hartnell's.  We went down south to Canmore and did some hiking in Kananaskis.  Here the boys are getting ready to go.

I can't remember what the name of this hike was but but it was great.  Here is our group.

Along the way the boys found some great places to hide.  Don't eat us Mr. Troll.  LOL

Stopping for a snack and drink break.  Little did we know that the first part of this hike was all up hill.  LOL

This pictures shows a little bit of the climb that we had to make.  LOL

We finally made it to the top.

The view was amazing.  Of course we thought that we would take a short cut down which ended up being a lot more tricky than the way up.  So much fun.  LOL

We then made our way back to Calgary to stop at Pete's drive in for burgers and then to go to our favorite place to eat and watch the planes take off.  Little did we know how cold it was going to be.  We didn't last long out there.  LOL

The next day our friends had to head back so we made out way to Canmore to do some more exploring and to enjoy the beauty of the mountains.  Of course you can't walk beside a river with out throwing some rocks in.

Of course climbing up under the bridge is just as much fun.  LOL  This was a great way to spend the weekend.  With the boys that I love so much.

Bedroom Redo

So this was one of the first rooms that I did when we moved into this house 6 1/2 years ago and I figured it was time for a change much to Jamie's chagrin.  LOL

It started with this plan to build a loft in their room.  We have this great friend who is very handy and so with his help, he and Jamie were able to build this great loft.

The boys were really excited.  It took us about a day to finish the loft.

And with the help of my mom and her handy sewing skills this was the end result.  The picture isn't great but I am sure you get the just.  We made out own head boards recover the box springs in the same fabric and that was it with some home made quilt covers and window coverings we were done and very happy with the results.  Thanks mom and Jamie for all your hard work.

Cross Country Season

 Ok so we are once again in the cross country season and this year Rylan decided to join and that was very exciting.  Here he is pre-race.

 There were so many kids running in his age group it was hard to find him in the masses but I manged to get a couple of pictures.

Coming up the hill looked like a lot of work but he surprised me by being in with the front group.

   He even managed to come in 7th which was awesome.  I was so proud of him.

Here is Keagan getting ready for his big race.

Not as many kids in this group.  LOL

He ran really well too.

And came in fourth.  Way to go boys.

Back to School

It's the most wonderful time of the year.  LOL  Yes and no.  Thankfully back to school means routine again but sadly it means that my children are all one year older and I am on my own again.  Both good and bad. 

Darien starts grade 8 this year if you can believe that. 

Keagan is starting grade 5 and has transferred to full English now and is no longer in french immersion.  Hard decision but we all think it will be for the best.  French just wasn't his thing.  He is even going to a new school this year and is very excited about that.

Our funny Rylan will be starting grade 3.  He is so excited and loves everything about school.  Still in French and is french through and through.  LOL

And my baby is leaving me this year.  Stefan is starting kindergarten.  I can't believe that this has finally come and I am having a really hard time with it.  He is only going to be in half days so we still have our afternoon together.  Thank goodness, I am not ready to be an empty nester during the day yet.  LOL

I think that I have the most handsome boys out there.  I mean really look at those great looking boys.  :)

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to school we go.  I managed to convince them to let me go with them.  That is a lot of school supplies they have to take.

Keagan let me take just one picture of him but that was it for Darien, never again will I get the first in class picture.  Boohoo ;)

Rylan is so excited.  What a great kid.

Standing by his new locker.

Stefan didn't get to go the first day but was able to walk everyone to school with me.

But just a few days later it was his turn and he got to take to bus to school for the very first time.  I was such a dork and had to take pictures.  It was so tough sending my baby off to school on the bus for the first time.

 Of course I followed the bus to school to make sure that he got to his class ok.  LOL

Father and Son in Yellowknife

Another father son trip and this time it is Jamie and Darien.  They went up to Yellowknife for three days to do some fun outdoor exploring of the North in the summer time and boy did they have fun.

The did a couple of hikes and this one was to an amazing water fall.

The scenery is amazing.  I think this is something that I would like to do some time.  LOL

Feeling the cool water on his feet.

And even doing a little bit of cooling off in his skivvies.  LOL  I didn't include a picture of Jamie because it just isn't the same LOL

Who knew that it was so beautiful up there.  Having only seen it covered in snow.

The place were they stayed had bikes for them to use, so they did a lot of riding into the city and exploring that way.  I think at one point Darien had to ride on a flat tire.

They rented a canoe and even ventured out onto Great Slave Lake.  They said it was harder than it looked and trying to come back was a lot of work. 

Stopping for a meal.

Apparently, the food was really good at this restaurant.

Their accommodations.  LOL 

But they loved it.

A very much anticipated visit to Buffalo Air.  They watch the show all the time and so this was a real treat.

One final good bye to the sign.  They had a great time and loved all their little adventures.  So much fun.

Our Last Day/Concentration Camp

This for me was so important to take Darien and Keagan to.  This is the concentration camp in Terezin.  I can honestly say this was a very humbling experience.

It was also very thought proving as you walk through and see what these poor people has to endure.

I don't remember what all the rooms were for but for the most part they were for no good.

The is was very long and dark tunnel they they had to walk down to different chambers.

The memorial outside the camp.

This trip and all the things that we have seen and done has been amazing.  I feel so blessed to be able to take out children to these different countries to see family and friends and to make new memories.  I just hope that they remember them all.  Off to home now.  After 5 long but great weeks.

Our fancy people mover and the hot chauffer driving us around.  LOL

Can I just say that they really know how to make a play ground here in the Czech Republic.  Again the pictures just don't do it justice but it was amazing.  The boys loved climbing up.

I will be honest with you.  I was freaked out watching them climb.  I tried to get up there but there was so way.

The scariest part was when they would get to the top and have to climb into the structure.  Stefan was so little but managed to get in every time with a little bit of help from his brothers.

This was a great way to spend some kid time.  Just hanging around.

With our little monkeys.  LOL