Uncle Tim Visits

Prepare for a long post. I have lots to share.

On Tuesday, Ethan had his vaccinations. He was 18 lbs, 8 oz and 28 1/2" long. This puts him in the 30% for weight and 75% for height. I thought he was 20 lbs for sure. He eats so much! But, he is still well under that mark. Ethan did well and did not have any real reaction from his shots. He has started to eat cheerios and rice crackers. He loves to feed himself and seems quite proud of his accomplishment.

Evelyn has progressed from just dressing herself up to dressing her rocking horse too. She put boots on the runners and a hat and necklace on the head. It was pretty cute. She has also started to try to build animals with her Duplo blocks (not just towers). She will build what looks to the untrained eye like a thick tower and say "Look at my horse! I made a Horse!"(or dog, or cat, or pig...)

On Wednesday, we went and picked my brother Tim up from the airport. Evelyn made him a little sign saying "Welcome to Alberta, Uncle Tim!" This was his first flight and he enjoyed it. We then drove to West Edmonton Mall (WEM) to mostly window shop. Ryan played a couple games at the midway, Tim, Ella and I checked out the pirate ship, I bought a nail buffer kit, (shiny nails without painting poison on my nails) we looked at a lot of DVD's and video games (The girls were outnumbered - what could I do?)

After the mall, we went to Chuck E Cheese for dinner. I had never been and always wanted to go. It was fun! I think we will visit again. The whole meal, drinks and 30 game tokens (one token for each game) came to about $34. Evelyn and Ethan loved the Merry Go Round and Ella thought her ride with Barney was pretty neat too. Whenever the Merry Go Round music started, She would run over and try to climb on and share the other kids ride. After dinner, Ryan and Tim went to see Transformers and I took the kids to Ikea. Then, we spent the night at the Sahota's.

Evelyn and Casey played together really well. They played with Casey's little animals and Evelyn tried out the trampoline (with a very nervous Mom watching her closely). Shane even played his didgeridoo for us! The next morning, after some of Bettina's yummy pancakes, we went to watch a baseball game.

This was Tim and Ethan's first baseball game. I love the experience of a live game. The stadium was really nice and looked pretty new. We watched the Edmonton CrackerCats vs. Kansas City. This is the North American league and is outside the Major League framework of teams. I think the level of play would be AA or A equivalent. Evelyn called the mascot "kitty" and said hi to it in kitty language (Meow, Meow!). There was a lady dressed as a bumblebee clown who juggled. When she came near us, Ethan stared at her - totally entranced. Until, that is, she looked at him and spoke. Then, he got really scared and cried and cried. All the while, he could not take his eyes off her! Ah, poor kid. He was really tired at that time too. Evelyn had fun clapping and cheering along with the fans.

After the game, we went to Costco (we just bought a membership) and Walmart and headed home. We have played a lot of Wii the past few days and Ryan has reduced his Wii fitness age to 32 (down from 40-something) The Wii is kind of cool in that you have to move around to play. When you play tennis or baseball, you have to actually make the pitching and hitting movement. After a while, you feel tired and even a bit sore! Kudos for Nintendo for developing a game system that forces kids to be active! I taught Tim how to change a flat tire (Our Honda is plagued by flat tires) and we signed out a few videos from the library in Boyle. Evelyn has really enjoyed her new playmate in Uncle Tim and has made him play ponies and trains with her. Just daily life stuff....

On Sunday, we went to Long Lake Provincial Park for a church picnic. Shane and Bettina, I have found the perfect place for you to day trip to. This was the nicest lake I have visited EVER! Nice groomed, sandy beach, large, shallow wading area for the kids, nice playground, concession, showers, warm water, soft sandy lake bed with almost no wood splinter debris in the lake (no splinters to dig out of little feet). It was great. And, most important, NO ITCH! The lake is about 30 min from our house. I think we will have to visit again! Evelyn and Elizabeth had a blast splashing and floating in the shallow water. Evelyn also made a sand castle and got partially buried in sand by Daddy.

Last night, we played the bean game (correctly called Bonanza) with Tim (I won!). And, Tim and I played Guess Who and Mancala. I have to remember to bring the bean game to the lake next year. It is a fun game of trading, wheeling and dealing to get the most coins by harvesting your fields of different beans.

This morning, Ethan started saying "Ma Ma" He almost seemed to use it in context. He said it on two occasions when he saw me and was trying to get my attention. We shall see, I doubt it is actually a first word.

Tomorrow, Ryan helps one of his co-workers move out of his apartment. Tim and I will check out LLB and I will visit the chiropractor. We may visit the LLB Mission too. They filmed an episode of 'Creepy Canada' there and Tim is interested in seeing the real place. I took some neat pictures there a couple years ago when we first moved to the area. It is a neat collection of original buildings and hosts one of the most extensive collections of Vestments in Canada.

That's all folks!

Swings and Make-Believe

We have been very laid back the past few days. The kids have been low-key.

Evelyn is working on becoming potty trained again. She has had more accidents than successes at this point. Last night, she climbed onto the coffee table and left a huge puddle. Yuck! I am glad that there are Chlorox wipes! She has continued to enjoy playing with Ethan and will bring him toys to play with. Sometimes, she will knock him over in her play. When this happens, she goes to her room, and when she is ready, she comes out and apologizes. "Sor-we, Ee-Fee". He is always quick to forgive and gives her a big smile. (Probably thinking 'Wow! She is taking to me!)

Ethan is working on lunging for toys and pulling himself up on furniture. He has started to reach so far forward that he is on his knees (with his feet tucked under him and still crossed) He usually gets stuck in this position and cries for rescue. He has also started to regularly turn onto his tummy when he is in bed. Sometimes he is fine with that and will fall asleep. Other times, he screams for rescue again. He is able to turn from tummy to back. He just seems to forget when he is worked up. He loves to pull all his toys out of his toy box. He leaves a ring of toys around him.

We had a little picnic in a park in Boyle. Ethan quietly loved the swing. No squeals of delight from him! Just a huge smile and rotating wrists to show that he is excited. Evelyn played with a little boy and was very obedient in coming when we had to go.

On Sunday, Ryan took Ethan into the adjoining nursery during the service. He bounced him for quite a while, then, Ethan settled in and fell asleep. No crying, and no soother! When the service ended, I looked back into the nursery and saw Ethan sound asleep on Ryan's lap, arm stretched out. SO CUTE!

That is about it!

Enjoy the video of Evelyn dressed up in one of her outfits. She does a sort of interpretive dance to show it off. Note that she has not one, but TWO pairs of wings on! There is also a clip of her enjoying the feel of her ringlet pigtails on her cheek. I can remember doing the same thing when I had long hair. Finally, a short clip of Ethan on the swing. The video is about 37 seconds long.

Visit with K-A and Sarah

After leaving Victoria, we visited with my good friends K-A, her family and Sarah at K-A's house. The names of K-A and her family, and where they live are not allowed to be posted on the internet, so, if you want to know more detail, you can give me a call.

We spent a good portion of every day outside. In 37+ degree weather. It was hot. Thankfully, they have central AC in their home! We visited 2 lakes and a splash park. On Friday, Sarah, K-A and I went out on a no-kids shopping trip. We hit a few thrift stores and bought a few great finds. It is so easy and pleasant to shop without kids! I was surprised by a gift of a massage from K-A and Sarah as an early Birthday gift. The masseuse really worked on my knots and I felt much more relaxed.

While we were out enjoying a girls afternoon, K was taking care of all 4 kids! He did a great job and even had the house clean when we got back! Thank you K!

The kids had a Curious George Movie Night. D had it all planned out. They would have popcorn, sit on the bed, and watch the movie. He even wore his Curious George PJ's, underwear, and held a George stuffy during the movie!

Overall, the kids played very well. Evelyn had her share of emotional dramas, but she is working on controlling herself. It was neat to see each of the big kids play with Ethan on at least one occasion. They would sit next to him and show him some toys, or just hug and kiss him or pat his head. He loved the attention from the little people.

Ethan decided to sleep like a newborn while we were there. This means up every 3 hrs. Since we shared a room with Evelyn, I did not want him to wake her, so, I did not let him cry it out. It is good to be home now. We have so many fans going to keep the house cool that I can barely hear him! I am sleeping very well now!

On July 16th I drove about 11 hrs to pick Ryan up at the Edmonton Airport, then another 2 hrs home. We arrived just before midnight. That was a long day. Ryan had a great time in Whitehorse.



Enjoy the slide show

Victoria Videos

Here is a video and a slide show of our visit to Victoria. We were there from late on July 5th to very early on July 11th. We visited my Grandma Agnes in Langley each way. We paced our visits well and managed to have the kids nap most days.

We saw Orca Whales at a distance on the Ferry, as well as seals, seagulls and jelly fish. Evelyn LOVED to stand at the rails and watch the waves from the ship break.

Evelyn really enjoyed the Undersea Gardens and exploring at the beach with Auntie Dawne. She saw crabs and little fish and sea anemone's there. I think she is a West Coast Girl at heart.

Evelyn had a sleep over with Auntie Dawne and asked for more when we picked her up! "More, Auntie Dawne!?, Again?!" While the kids were enjoying Auntie Dawne, Ryan and I went out for dinner at Kelseys. (I had a really good cheese and broccoli soup, yum!) Ethan SCREAMED for about an hour while we were out and, of course, fell soundly asleep about 10 min before we came to get him! Poor Auntie having to listen to all that crying! When she asked Evelyn if her brother always cried like that, Evelyn replied "Mmm Hmm!"

The rest of our time was spent visiting and visiting! We arrived at around 9pm on July 5th. We spent the first two nights at the Parrish house while they continued to enjoy the lake, then we stayed with Ryan's Mom and Step-Dad Al (Nana and Papa) for the rest of the time.

Day 1, July 6, Auntie Dawne at the beach and again with Grandma and Grandpa. Evelyn has a sleep over with Auntie Dawne. Ryan and I have a date.

Day 2, July 7, Nana, Papa, Ryan's Step-Family and all the cousins as well as Auntie Dawne and Dawne's friend Avan.

Day 3, July 8, Oma, at her house, then Grandma and Grandpa's house with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa as well as Auntie Dawne.

Day 4, July 9, Oma at Beacon Hill, then the undersea gardens, then a quiet night.

Day 5, July 10, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's with Grandma and Grandpa for lunch. Nap time. We visit with Great Grandpa Roberts, then, Daddy goes to see 'Transformers".

July 11, leave for the ferry at 5:30 am. Ryan is dropped off at the Vancouver Airport at 9:30 am to catch his flight to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. I drive to Surrey to pick up my friend Sarah. I am very proud that I navigated and drove in Vancouver traffic without incident! We stop in Langley to visit my Grandma (Great Grandma Agnes). We then drive to K-A's and arrive there about 5:30 pm.

Whew!, no wonder I was so exhausted at K-A's! (the fact that Ethan started to sleep like a newborn did not help either :-p )

Anyway, here is the video and slideshow.

Shuswap lake video

We went to Magna Bay on Shuswap lake in the Northern Okanogan area for the first 5 days of July.

We had a great time with the extended Parrish family.

I have enjoyed reading everyone's blogs about the lake. Ruth summarized it so succinctly, Bettina made a great slide show, K-A told great stories. So, I decided my contribution to the memory preservation would be video.

This first clip is under 4 min long and is not Evelyn focused. The second clip is also about 4 min long, but, understandably, has a focus on our little princess ;-) There is some overlap in the clips.

So, if you belong to the Parrish Clan, you might prefer the first clip. However, if you read this blog to see pictures and video of the Cracknell's, you would probably prefer the second clip.

I was not able to open K-A's video files in my editing program, so these are just what I captured. The disks you are all going to get from K-A have all the clips (I think). Enjoy!

Ryan Goes to Whitehorse

Here's a couple of shots I took on a hike today in Whitehorse. Enjoy!