Moved in, sort of!

A few from afar have been asking what our "new" house looks like!  We have owned it since 2006, we just are back in it and wow, did we really leave and all that happen these past 2 years?  It feels a little weird!  One thing about moving back in, I can do things right this time!  Because of that, it's taking longer to unpack and organize and decorate, but that's okay, I'm going to put things where I had wanted them before but had no energy to change things!
Here are a few pictures.

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Some of the inside...

The one room I couldn't wait to have again!  A big bath tub and a big shower!

Some little things that make my heart expand

Hearing the boys sing out loud in meeting, now able to read all the words.

The boys helping their little sister without my instruction.

The boys holding hands walking to and from school, or holding my hand,

not yet knowing this may be embarrassing one day.

"I wub you" words generously given to her daddy, mommy and brothers.

Hearing whistling, usually of a hymn.

Cuddles, cuddles and more cuddles.

My little shadow.

Having the principal want to talk to us because of how proud she is to have our boys at her school.

exhausted but 'tis all good!

This has been us the last couple weeks.  Moving.  One day my blog will not be neglected... :)  I can't wait to be completely settled in our house, it feels real good to be back in it.

I love this picture I took this morning.  Ruben loves his quiet time to read his bible before the rest of the house wakes up.  But this morning the kids were up at 6AM and disturbed his peace, but he didn't mind. :)

I have so much to post but...

The modem is disappearing in the next few minutes and moving to the house we own that hopefully will be lived in by us within 2 weeks.  Ruben will have his office there until then.  But for me, it's only 4G on my mobile!
I know my posts are few and far between, but knowing I can't update my blog is like, oh no!!
Have a fabulous week all!

April 15th always means it's Tammia's birthday!

We were BF's since babies.
We did so much together.  Many a letter written to each other.  Shared our dreams.  Matured together. So many laughs.  BFF's.
Somehow, time has slipped by and I have not seen her for 6 years.

I never forget her birthday.

Our lives have changed, we've drifted apart, (good thing for FB and our blogs!) but in my mind, she's always a best friend and I simply miss her.

I picked up the sweet photo album she made for me after her wedding, I LOVE the poem at the front that she wrote for me.  I ended up going down memory lane taking photos of photos and loving the memories.  There are many more pictures, but this will do for now!

Again, I miss you Tammia!  Enjoy the memories.  Have a wonderful birthday.  Love you.

It's A Small World - First Grade Musical

This post really is for the grandparents and Auntie's and Uncles as all the video may not be that interesting to anyone but them!!
This was last night, the kids were so cute and sang so well!  Chase had a line to say at the mic and was so shy :)  Here are some pictures and a bunch of video clips of the songs.

They were asked to dress their heritage, I just wasn't sure what to do!
So we have American, Canadian, Mexican, Norwegian;
just missing English and a smidge of Irish and Italian!

Can you spot them?!  Mason's hat was too big to wear during the songs!

Chase saying "My friend just arrived from New Zealand!"

Proud of her brothers plus she new most of the songs b/c of the boys!

Silly photo required!

Click on the song names for the video.  I have no zoom on my video :( and this was the best I could do.  Next time I better arrive more than 30 min early for a front row seat!

Musical Numbers:
It's a Small World
Mbombela (Lesotho)
Yanai (India)
Ach, Du Lieber Augustin (Germany)
La Cloche (France)
Sansa Kroma (Ghana)
Este Nino Lindo (Mexico)
Oma Rapati (New Zealand)
Arirang (Korea)
Leatherwing Bat (USA)

Happy Wednesday!

Like mother like daughter?!

Happy Birthday Bama!!

Today is my mom's day!  Happy Birthday to a wonderful, loving, supportive, Godly mother who's been a great friend and who I can laugh with!
Wish we could eat some lefse and drink some coffee together today.... but next time!
Love you so much!
Click on this to watch the boys sing to you this morning! xoxo

Happy April Fools Birthday Daddy! 44!!!

Special Hero

© Christina M. Kerschen

When I was a baby, 
you would hold me in your arms.
I felt the love and tenderness, 
keeping me safe from harm.
I would look up into your eyes, 
and all the love I would see.
How did I get so lucky, 
you were the dad chosen for me.
There is something special 
about a father's love.
Seems it was sent to me 
from someplace up above.
Our love is everlasting, 
I just wanted you to know.
That you’re my special hero 
and I wanted to tell you so.

Happy Birthday to my little big brother!

On the "Cool" meter of 0 to 10, Uncle Ty rates about a 12 to my children. Have a fabulous year Tyson!  We love you.

Happy Birthday Papa!

I always feel very lucky in the Dad department.  I know I have the best Dad for me, one that even today, I can still look up to and be forever thankful for his choices, standard, faith, love and on the lighter side, his humor and enthusiasm!

The grand kiddies feel pretty lucky to have you as a Papa too.  You are very well loved!

Have a fabulous day Pops!  Happy Birthday!

Hee hee, we have a father who can always tell a good story!  :)

January

January started out with the big drive back from Alberta.
A stop at Mount Rushmore National Park. Second time was a charm.  First time a couple years ago, it was socked in, could not see anything.  Highly recommend!
Ice cream with Uncle Jerry and Aunt Angie in Norman.
Park time.  Play time.  Eating time.
A Princess birthday party for Lola.
A going away potluck for Jerica.
The month ended in Houston, that will be on another post!

Side note: lower right photo... the boys watching daddy in the cop car!  Speeding ticket in Nebraska :)

Settlers and St Pats

No, neither have anything to do with each other, but it just worked out that way!  Ruben had another Settlers of Catan tourney at our house Saturday afternoon, and since the spouses and families would come later for supper, I decided to make it a GREEN party too!  And since there are some special folk in this area that came all the way to visit us in Ireland, they came to the party too :)
It was a really great evening.  Food food and more food!  Brisket, ribs, sausage were Texan, but then Irish soda bread, cheese ball flag, rainbow fruit with bucket of gold at the end (rolo's), pistasscio salad, potato salad, veg tray with green dip, green bean casserole, kale salad, guac and chips... what am I missing?!  Then for dessert, the awesome cupcakes April decorated, 4 types of icecream, tray bakes representing the north and south of Ireland and apple pie!
I had fun turning the house into looking like Ireland villages with the green white and orange pennant flags stringing from pole to pole!
Ireland has just a wee :) bit of a special spot in our hearts, so from now on, I have a feeling there will be a St Pats party each year!

Spring Break 2012

While I have a lot to catch up on, I figure I may as well try to keep up with the present at the same time... sorry if it gets confusing!
Spring break was busy and fun!  No rest!
The boys went to a Marital Arts Camp, along with their buddies Benjamin, Jettison and Angela.  On Thursday they could bring a friend, so Lisi, Linnaea, Elizabeth and Abigail joined them.  Boy they had fun!  At the bottom of this post are some links to videos of the kids breaking boards.  Please ignore my horrible voice!!
Today we went to Kiddie Acres.  It's as old as the hills, tiny, completely rusted up... but... Perfect!!!  A great 2 hours of rides and mini golf.  Ranetta and her kids, Karolyn, Makenna and Colton joined us.  Again, they had fun!
I'd say Spring Break was a success!

Mason breaking a board
Chase breaking a board
Linnaea breaking a board
Elizabeth breaking a board

Cute enough?

Taken this morning.  I say to Madelynne, "Is this picture cute or what?"  She goes "what.  That's not cute!"  This girl is too smart... "what"!

Christmas Vacation in photos Part 2

At our cousins house in High River now.

Really awesome to see Luis from Argentina!  Plus Janelle and her kids, Dennis and ____(help!)

These 3 love the snow, and hot chocolate!

Another typical Lewis breakfast!

I love me sister big time!

Pincher Creek area... a bit dirty snowish!

In Papa and Bama's basement bathroom, getting hair done for meeting!

Us (love!)

Madelynne loved playing with Avery too!

Getting dinner ready and posing!

Yum yum Tim Horton's and time at Jessica and Kevins!

Ponies ponies everywhere!

Supper at Uncle Gerald and Aunty Marlene's

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!

Mom and Jayme have fun writing on this turkey :)

The boys got to ski for the second time at Castle Mountain.  They still love it!

In deep conversation with Papa!

Just hanging out at the bottom of the stairs!

Spot Bama?!

Always interesting to see who's on the fridge!

A sweet good-bye message from Jayme!

Daddy said he noticed mommy gained weight.  So we sat on him :)

Mexican train excitement for New Years eve!

Too tired to get in the car to head back to Texas.

One last picture before leaving.
Thank-you Papa and Bama and ALL!  We love you!