After School

 

Now that the weather is getting nicer, we seem to linger a little bit longer outside after school, which makes for nice unplanned play-dates with the kids' favorite friends.
Left to right:  1) The boys:  Thomas, Matthew, Andrew and Robin 2) Andrew's favorite climbing tree 3) PASS football medal 4) School road  5)  Brooke adores Abigail (her year 6 friend)  6) Andrew's favorite fence to climb  7) Gate to the park

Will-man

 

Will is such a boy.  He loves everything super-hero, Cars, and Toy Story (especially Buzz Lightyear).  He races around the house killing everyone (including himself sometimes) with his laser, flies like Buzz (or airplanes), and loves to jump on the trampoline and kick around a football.  He keeps us all on our toes and has more energy and stamina than our entire family combined.

Serfaus, Austria Take 2

The annual Dad & kid ski trip.
This year:  Matthew was so happy to join (although he admits his favorite part about the trip was the hotel swimming pool), The "magic chef" got the kids to like gravy, and most importantly:  Brooke and Andrew finally "got" skiing (chair lifts, real runs and even a few jumps).  Anthony could not have been prouder! 

And I couldn't resist adding a photo of their beloved Trunki's:  All packed and ready to go!

Instagram Photos (03.03-20.03)

 

Instagram captions (top left to right):
1)  My buddy this week with a quiet house.  Captured here with his most prized possessions:  paci, deet-deet, baby, Buzz and his bag full of Cars cars.
2)  Love my skier-man's goggle tan that comes out this time of year!  Last week Switzerland, this week Austria!
3)  Girlfriends
4)  Friday is the last day to buy these adorable hair clips!  50p each (adorable girls NOT included)
5)  The amazing Chancellor Park school run moms
6)  Even the man of steel has a soft side
7)  My bear, telling me about his day
8)  Lily is a huge hit on the school run
9)  Love these adorable girls and their moms!

Instagram Photos (15.02-17.03)

 

Instagram captions, top left to right:

1)  Our new Lily Girl

2)  Will is warming up to "bebe"

3)  Homework time and Will does not like to be left out.  He has been in heaven this week with Anthony home!

4)  This girl has stolen my heart.  I have loved the "bubble" we've lived in the last 10 days

5)  All my ducks on a lazy sat am

6)  How Lily sleeps in my bed v her bed

7)  My girls

8)  We did it!  First morning routine and school run with all 5 and just me (and we weren't even late)!  We will miss you Grandma Marlene!

9)  Lily-smiles; 4 weeks old

Zermatt, Switzerland

 

Another "business trip" for Anthony.  Tag line from the heli-skiing photo sent that afternoon: "First run of the day: The chair-lift line took forever, but the ride sure was fast!"

Dance and Cheer

Brooke loved her Dance and Cheer club this term.  Coach Mikey, put together a brilliant routine to "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and Brooke loved being a flier!  I was so proud of my little cheerleader following in mom's footsteps!

Birthday Parties

2 in 1 day is not uncommon

Washington, D.C.

 
With Lily just 2 weeks old, Anthony had to leave us for a business trip in the states.  At least he had a few extra hours to see some very patriotic sites!  (The bottom right picture he messaged for the kids:  President Shontz.  They replied, "We'd vote for you Daddy!")

Lily's Baby Blessing

 

Since my parents weren't able to make the trip for Lily's birth, we decided to have Anthony bless her in our home and add them via Skype.  Grandma Marlene was visiting and it was wonderful to share the blessing with both her and my parents (thanks to modern technology!).
A few years ago, my mom found my baby blessing dress from 33 years ago, so we chose that one for Lily instead of re-using Brooke's.  As I was putting it on Lily, Andrew said to me, "Mom, be careful; it may disintegrate!" 

A Day in London

With Anthony home on paternity leave, this lot enjoyed a fun day in the city:  Tower of London, Tower Bridge and a quick trip back to the Museum of Natural History (because what kid can resist those dinosaur bones...again!?)

Lily, 1 Week Old

 

 

Walk

A walk along the river, with lightsabers (for the bears of course).

Baby Lily

Snow Day!

Thanks to everyone that joined the igloo building crew! Brooke was a tough superintendent (pointing out all the cracks in the structure and insisting on decorative touches such as lining the walls with berries), but in the end it managed to pass inspection and even kept Andrew and Anthony relatively warm throughout the night.

iPhone Photos

I love that I can capture more of the everyday with my new phone:
Commentary, from left to right:
Matthew pushing Brooke on the swing on a Saturday park trip/bike ride (always a gentleman); all my clean ducks in a row; Brooke dolled up at church (with sock curls) writing very important messages on the chalkboard; Will's Christmas cracker crown; Andrew's daily climb on the school run; the boys; Will's best mate Jake ("Yakie") coming to play; our favorite tree from the Fall season (contained every color, passed on the school run); playing at the mall; the Fall spiderwebs on Chancellor Ave; Andrew climbing again (the trees and the fences are constants but he seems to try anything these days); funny faces; "Cheeeese"; hand and face impressions (still at the mall); one of Will's constant phrases: "Missy, wanna pay?"; my Thursday Crafternoon-ing friends (love these girls!).

Three Christmas Dates

 

 

Bowling with Matthew, Cinema with Andrew (Arthur Christmas), and Theater with Brooke (Sleeping Beauty Panto).  The best Christmas presents I've ever received: a one-on-one date with each of my kiddies. Thanks Santa! 

Happy Christmas!!

 Christmas Decorations

 

School Nativity Plays

 

Making Gingerbread Houses

 

Visiting Father Christmas

  Ward Christmas Party and Good Friends 

 

 Christmas Eve Fondue Dinner

 

Santa Came!!

 

Christmas Morning

 

Skyping Family

Before and After