Weekend

The weekend was nice. Saturday Steve worked for most of the day and then in the evening we went out to the Burdges for dinner. We ate a lot of yummy food and then went our separate ways from the men. Us ladies headed upstairs to hang out with the kids while the men went outside to shoot off rockets .... Steves first time!Sharon and I were both super tired and it was nice to sip tea and visit while the kids played around us. I really noticed how much Adessa has changed. She was super happy and occupied herself a lot. Mind you she still wanted her mommy, but she wasn't screaming and crying for me and it was really nice. She is growing up so quickly and I love that we are outgrowing some stages with Adessa, and entering new ones! We also tried our hand at a game of scrabble... the board proved what we already knew... we were just too tired. Can you tell...??? Sunday morning we woke up and decided we needed to do something fun as a family so we got on our swimsuits and headed to the busiest place on a Sunday morning.. the pool!!! There was a swim meet and it was PACKED! But we decided we made it that far so we mine as well go for it. We actually really enjoyed ourselves and the kids had a blast. We then went out for lunch and Steve and I walked out commenting to one another how that was the best dining experience we have had, post Adessa! We really hope we have turned a page with our little monkey and that it is here to stay!

Then last night we had a babysitter and went to see Brian Doerksens 'Level Ground' concert. It was an amazing evening of worship and hearing testimonies. We were so refreshed by it and so glad we went!
Today was pretty low key. Steve emptied our backyard of all our spring trimmings (aka hacked off our apple, plum and pear tree!) and the girls and I had a couple play dates. Sharon surprised us by bringing lunch and delicious cookies to go with our coffee. When Sharon arrived we heard little "hi's" coming from the closed bathroom door, so you can imagine my suprise when I opened the bathroom door to this face...does she look guilty to you....

TOTALLY GUILTY!!

It got in her hair and after 2 baths it is still quite greasy! I have been reading up on getting vaseline out of clothing and it has been a full night process!!!

Beach Day!

Yesterday after a nice, yet quick cup of tea with Sharon the girls and I went for a walk with some friends down to the beach. I have been so exhausted lately with zero energy and it was nice to just get out and play... and have a good laugh! We walked to the beach where we could have dogs and I let Meeko run off and explore, he was such a good dog on the walk, he heeled right behind me and then when I called him to go, he came running... I was so proud of him!

As soon as we got to the beach I took the three girls to walk across the beach... bad idea!!! We got about half way when the girls started screaming! They were stuck! and as soon as I stopped and turned around I realized I also was stuck! It was like sinking sand, Danika's feet came out of her boots and she was blood curdling screaming, I was trying to get my feet unstuck and help Danika while Nicole (a friend i was with) grabbed Adessa and moved her to 'safety' but she tried to step and fell on all fours, also screaming, while Iyanna (Nicole's daughter) was stuck in the mud! I was killing myself laughing because it was such a gong show, and can only imagine what we looked like!! After this initial experience we stuck to the side and had a great time.

Adessa picking up the crabs... she tried to put one in her mouth!!!! I was mortified!

Nicole and I sitting after the rescue

Danika the big girl flipping over the rocks to find the big crabs for Iyanna

The crew

Adessa STILL putting EVERYTHING she finds in her mouth! Oh what do I do?!

The endless exploring at the beach!

Wish I was here...

This past weekend was the baby shower for my sweet little nephew, Max. When my sister sent me these photos, I cried. I haven't cried a whole lot about moving here this past year or so, as we have a beautiful home and have made wonderful friends. However when I look at pictures or hear what I have missed, or see how big my own girls are getting, I get very sad and lonely. I miss our family sooo much. I miss being able to get together just whenever and going over on Sunday afternoons to just hang out and visit (the things I used to take for granted!) I miss showing off how big Danika is getting and milestones Adessa is hitting. And now I have a little nephew who is growing by the day, and I am missing it all. Don't get me wrong, I love it here, especially the weather, as it is a 25 degree difference in temperature at the moment. But sometimes I wonder... is it worth it???

Max and Ella

My gorgeous mother and sister

He's getting so big!

The Sue Sylvester look... love it!

Beautiful mommy

The amazing napkins at the shower... had to post this!!!

Started today off by teaching Sunday school at church, followed by making subs at our house with some good friends. From there we went on a hike to the waterfall behind camp Qwanoes. It was a beautiful day with wonderful company and AMAZING weather.. the sun, warmth and good friends make me so happy!

The Nagtegaal family

Hiking across the first bridge

The men with the babies

Caroline and I

Snapshots of the waterfall

After we got home from the walk, Danika's babysitter called and said she had a 'few things' to give Danika. She brought both the girls cute little backpacks from Hawaii and then gave Danika 4 giant horses! Danika was in awe, I love that she loves ponies so much, I just don't know where we are going to keep them all!!!

Saturday

The third flower bloomed today! It is a very neat plant, still not sure what it is called!

Got up this morning after cuddles in our bed with the girls, and made some yummy french toast. The sun was shining and it was glorious!

Went to a five year olds birthday party this morning and Adessa got her fill of chocolate cake!

Chalk on the front drive way Went to the park to get our sillies out after eating so much chocolate!

Best buddies

Meeko in the back of the truck after an afternoon of fun at the farm

Asthma

Since Adessa has been a baby we have always been a little concerned about her coughing. At first we credited to our tiny, moldy cottage we lived in for her first year, but even since moving we have noticed the coughing. Significantly in the past few weeks she coughs to the point of puking. She has done it at a few meals, during bath time and even while playing. I thought at first she was always choking because she eats her food so fast, but apparently not, as this happens during any point of the day. I finally booked her in for an appointment and my Dr figures it sounds like she has asthma. She recommended trying a puffer with a chamber to see if it helps, but she was out of samples, so we just decided to monitor it over the next few weeks. I personally thought she had inhaled some toy (as she still puts EVERYTHING into her mouth!) but the doctor checked and said her airways are clear, so that's good to know! My other question was Adessa's constant hunger. It has been driving me crazy! All day she is at me feet yelling either "teeat or nack!" (treat or snack) as she always seems to want to eat! The Dr told me this is fine, that Adessa is a perfect size.. nice and healthy, and that she is growing like a weed. Adessa and Danika are total opposites in this aspect, and I cannot compare them. She also suggested getting in a lot more protein into her snacks, not just our easy-go to crackers. So that is my challenge in the next few weeks.... getting creative and preparing snacks with lots of protein, and hopefully Adessa's constant need to eat will dim down some, and I can get a break from the constant "teating and nacking!!"

Ending the day with a milkshake party, Steve created one with mixed berries and banannas... quite delicious, the girls loved them!

Adessa chugged hers down so quickly!

JAMMIES!

Yesterday morning we had a power outage (thank goodness my coffee was already brewed!) and so it was a day for pajama's. The girls and I really enjoyed the quiet- with no TV, music, computer or phone to distract us. It was neat and fun to see what we came up with. We made crafts and cards (while adessa colored my floor.. this time thankfully with crayon!) then we played my little pet shop while Adessa repeatedly dunked her puppy into my coffee and sucked it off.. that is until I finally noticed!! : ( My poor coffee! The whole day was nice, just staying cuddled up inside, when outside the weather was going crazy!

Then today was a pj party for Danika at her preschool. It was pretty exciting! After dropping Danika off, Adessa and I went for a walk with friends and played in mud puddles as the sun was shining and warming us up. This afternoon we had friends come for a visit and stay the evening while we made home-made pizza and watched the Canucks game. It was fun!

Danika reading the book I wrote when I was in grade 5 ... it is quite intriguing.

Cutie girls

Steve my pizza flipper!

Danika in her PJ's with her favorite stuffy

My beautiful 3.5 foot flower that finally bloomed... after some loving care!