Birthday Party!

Danika received this book from Grandma and it had

her voice reading the book, Danika was so amazed and told me she almost cried because she missed grandma so much!

On Saturday Danika had her 5th birthday party. She specifically requested an all girls party and wanted just a few of her favorite friends. One girl couldn't make it and one little girls family forgot so there ended up being only 2 friends, but Danika didn't mind, she still had a blast. We set up the bouncy castle, the girls made there own fabric goodie bags, they played Danika's favorite game (a modified princess version of pin the tale on the donkey), ate birthday cake, opened presents and smashed a pinata.

And then since it was actually Steve's birthday we took him out for dinner to the white spot and had a wonderful time with the girls, Adessa sat still and other than calling out waitress 'grandma' things went pretty smoothly! All in all I would say it was a great day!

Danika with her birthday present from daddy and mommy and grandma and grandpa! She loved it! Notice her favorite new barbie (Rapunzel, from grandma!) sleeping in the bed.

By the end of the week Adessa perfected the birthday song... as she figured out that by singing the song it would end in birthday cake!

My Birthday Night Pictures

Sharon... the wonderful friend who planned the event... she is the most thoughtful, creative person I know. I'm so glad to have her as a friend!

We were told to make a goofy face, does this count??

Ashley on the right, we are just getting to know one another, but I can tell we are going to be great friends! And she is the one who brought the amazing camera!

Girls with attitude

We were in a sketchy part of Duncan and so Sharon pulled out her bear spray saying her dad would be proud of her! I was scared I was going to get it in the eye!!!

Kim on the left is also a new friend of mine, she has a little girl named Penny who is 3 days younger than Adessa! She is also a wonderful photographer, and soon I shall hire her to photograph our family!

The beginning of our night at the Noodle restaurant, cheering our specially designed, "Niki-tinis"

So lucky to have such wonderful, thoughtful friends!

My Darling Danika Turns 5....

And seriously where did the time go? Can you believe she is 5? Because I can't. It doesn't feel like too long ago when we were in the hospital with the tiniest baby we both had ever seen or held... let alone have to take care of! But God knew what we needed at that time, and it came in the package of a 4 pound baby girl. She has changed out lives for the better, and I believe she makes an impression on most she meets! I didn't realize at the time how to truly love someone with all your being. But my Danika has made me realize that in the deepest way possible. She has the sweetest little soul and just thinking about the preciousness of my girl brings me to tears. My Danika with her endless big brown eyes, and sensitive little heart. She always knows when mommy is sad or mad and wants to make it all better. With her sweet little smile, her gentle hugs. Sometimes I feel like I am the child when she is stroking my hair and telling me its alright. This little girl just knows things. I remember meeting our land lord at our apartment in Calgary and after her meeting Danika she commented on how she is an "old soul." Those words have been said a few times about Danika, and its true. While she can still be my crazy little monkey, and talk any one's ear off- she has a sweet, sensitive heart, which is very rare for a girl her age.
Steve and I both just feel utterly blessed to be Danika's mommy and daddy, and we hope we can raise her in a way that would make God proud!

"Shout your praises to God, everybody!

Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!

Round up an orchestra to play for God,

Add on a hundred-voice choir.

Feature trumpets and big trombones,

Fill the air with praises to King God."

Psalm 98:4-6

The Message (MSG)

Danika in the play room one night... Steve caught her on camera!

"Danika-The One Man Band!"

Birthday Blessings

I would have to say my 24th Birthday has probably been one of my favorites. Writing it down and telling others, the age does still seem quite young, especially for where I am in life at the moment. However I feel satisfied with life these days, I mean sure I have my moments, probably too many moments, but I am happy. I am married to the most wonderful, loving man who makes me feel like I am the prettiest princess around, and I have two beautiful, perfect, healthy little girls. We own a home, and live in the nicest area in Canada (as far as I am concerned!) And then to top it all off I am blessed with amazing parents, who love and support me and who I consider very good friends. I have wonderful siblings, in-laws and the list could go on and on.

And then to top it all off I have been blessed with some amazing friendships here on the island. Even though we have only been around for 2 years, I really feel God has blessed me immensely.

Yesterday after dropping Danika off at preschool, a good friend took me for coffee and then to Winners, where she took Adessa so I could try on clothes. And once I found what I loved (a cute summer dress!) she bought it for me! Talk about a GREAT friend!

Steve bought me a wonderful gift (he is on a roll... he remembered our anniversary and my birthday!) and the girls made me beautiful cards... Adessa scribbled on a piece of paper and she came running across the house (she stomps loudly) yelling "Happy birtday youuuuuu!" It was precious.

And then I was told to be dressed nice and I would be picked up at 6pm... which I was. And three wonderful friends took me for dinner, coffee and then a hang out in the park. I was so blown away! It was so nice to have a day for me, where I just felt so loved and appreciated! Thanks for making my birthday so special! :)

At the end of the evening the camera was brought out and we went for a fun photoshoot!

Busy Weekend

The Sun was finally shining for the entire weekend and we were able to get out and enjoy the weather. Yesterday Steve volunteered at the Camp Qwanoes work day and helped to build a cabin. The girls and I tried helping out by weeding for a little bit and Adessa was a great little helper. As people pulled up the weeds she ran over and grabbed them and put them in a bucket, she was so proud of herself.... and I was one proud mama! She does so well when she is given a job to do and is in the best mood when she is kept busy. In the evening we had some camp friends over to watch the big Canucks game!
Today we went to church, and then headed out to our friends house on Mesachie Lake for an afternoon of fun. We sat around the backyard while the kids played and then headed to the beach where I endlessly threw in sticks for Meeko to catch. He was full-on swimming and I was so proud of him!
The girls were so dirty and tired by the time we left... a sign of a fun-filled day!

The giant pine cone Danika found

Danika trying to surf, the wind was actually blowing the board a bit and she loved it!

Surfing girl, with her puppy swimming in the background!

A few more pictures of our week...

Sweet, cuddly little Max. At one point he was sleeping in his car seat when all of a sudden we hear him crying and we run over to see Adessa applying glittery lip gloss to his lips!

Sipping the AMAZING mochas at Jumping Jimineys

Having so much fun together!

We had a morning where we did face painting on the girls, this is as far as Adessa would let us get....

The beautiful butterfly's!

Fun times at the park!

Max just chillin... like usual!

At the petting zoo in Victoria, there were something like 22 new little goats. We all fell in love with them!

Feeding the ducks at the park, after we were done a loaf of bread we turned around and saw a sign on the bench that read- "DO NOT FEED THE DUCKS" ....oops!

Sister's and Cousin's Re-united

This past week we had Linsey, Ella and my new little nephew Max visit for the week. We had a wonderful time together! The weather wasn't great, yet we still kept very busy and had lots of fun together.

We went for walks to the park and to the ocean, went to Jumping Jimineys in Nanaimo (a giant indoor play place), we went to the circus that was in town and to Victoria's Beacon hill park- to the petting zoo and to feed the ducks. My wonderful husband also kept the girls one evening and Linsey, Max and I headed out to watch Soul Surfer in Nanaimo. Max is the sweetest little baby and just cuddled me the entire time, not making a peep! After the movie Linsey took me out for my birthday dinner. She bought me a Beautiful necklace/earring combo and a new book. We had so much fun together.

My sister sent me this wonderful slide show she put together of our week. It captures some great new memories made. Thanks sis for the wonderful week. We love you and your family so much and wish we lived closer!!! Enjoy....

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