Happy Valentine's 2011

Eleven years ago this Valentines Day was our first Valentines together!!

 Kevin remembered me saying that the Calgary Tower was special in our family because my parents were engaged in the restaurant at the top of the tower! So for our first Valentine's day he took me there:)

Valentine's 2000

My parents engagement picture Dec 26, 1968 after my dad asked my mom to marry him at the tower!!

So this year Simon had to keep the secret for a long time that Kevin was taking us all there for Valentine's Day!!! But our house has been so sick lately he had to cancel the reservations we were all disappointed. But this family day weekend we finally got our Valentine's Day Lunch at the top of the tower!! It was the kids first time to the top of the Calgary Tower and we were all excited! Here are some pictures of our morning the weather was great and we could see all the mountains beautifully. Simon and Mary loved that the restaurant moved while we ate and we got to go all the way around twice!!!

Love the faces she is her fathers daughter:)

Look at the difference 11 years made:)

Love Christine

My baby is 6!!! Happy Birthday Simon

I can't believe he is 6:( I enjoy my time at home with him and this September it's going to come to an end which makes me very sad. I love to watch him play lego by the hour, trying to sound out words as he learns how to read, playing Wii and getting so upset when his 3 year old sister kicks his butt:) HEHE Sorry had to say it! Cuddling he is the worlds best!! Asking me questions I don't know the answer to at 5 yikes help me! Playing in the yard with his friends and listening to the imagination! I sure hope it continues to grow!

Time is going way to fast for me.

He wanted to have a Lego party this year so that's what we did!! It amazes both Kevin and I that we really don't have to help him much anymore.

Here are some pictures from his party!!!

Kevin, Simon and Mary lined the front sidewalk with snow lego blocks!!

Scavenger Hunt for lego and Jelly Jeans!

Simons team was Cierra & Sam!!

Natalie telling Chad and Dylan where to dig:)

Easton telling his team (Cohen, Carter & Ethan) where to dig!

Simon "dig right there guys!!"

The party kids!!

The amazing cake!! Oh ya he was pumped!!

 Thanks so much DM for all your hard work:)

The birthday boy!

Happy Birthday Simon

Love MOM!!

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

This year it is the year of the Rabbit!!!

The trip to Thailand opened my eyes to many things but one big thing was how traditions are passed down through generations. Talking to many elders on my travels really made me realize that Kevin & I need to teach our children more about their own cultures and build new traditions in our family!!

Everyone knows how I love to gain information and stories through older peoples experiences. A couple of older woman said to me that North  Americans don't spend enough time talking to their children, telling them stories(not reading telling), teaching them tradition and finally one of them said teaching them to listen to their elders!

So Simon wanted to do another detectives club so I thought why not do a Chinese New Year Celebration! The kids had a great time we decorated the house and i asked them what they wanted to do!!! Simon and Mary invited 14 of their friends and they all learned a little about China, as well as some of our traditions, did some crafts and ended with a snowball fight in the yard:)

Here are some of the pictures from the party!

Our mighty DRAGON!!!

Dressing up!

Mary & Amiee

Say Chinese New Year!!

Say Bum Bum:0) Love the difference of the pictures!

One of my best friends Danelle helping me with the craziness:)

Teaching about China!!

Love this picture!!

All the kids with their dragon masks!!

Best friends:)

 Thank you to the mom's who brought the snacks and to Danelle for your help love you!!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

  Hope it's full of love, health and good fortune!

Love Christine