Catch Up

Okay so, we're a little behind on the blogging front. But, you'll be caught up in just one post. Read on. The first weekend of May Darren and I took a trip to Chicago. All the Gowlings partners across Canada had meetings and the wives got to tag along. We decided to go an extra day early and we had a great time together. I'm amazed at the wealth of history that is Chicago, it was one of the most interesting places I've ever been. I loved learning about the different districts, why is was built and then re-built and seeing all the beautiful places. It's now on my list of favorite cities and we both want to go again. We loved deep dish pizza, shopping, Michigan Ave. walking around, the ride in the Fairmount Hotel's Bently, and the tulips bloomed just before we got there. The kids stayed home for this one. Maybe next time. This pic. was taken at the Field Museum where we had a big party the last night we were there. 800 people in the museum - having dinner - walking around looking at exhibits - it was remarkable. Darren let me shop my brains out and it was a frenzy. We had such a blast - literally running to make the plane because we couldn't tear ourselves away from all that shopping. We were both amazed at how beautiful the East is and wonder what in the heck was the draw to move out West. Seriously, you can drive for 3 hours in the East and end up in a different amazing city. Drive for 3 hours here and you're in the middle of a field. Drive 7 hours for that matter and you're still in the middle of a field. Why do we live here?




Ah - Mother's Day. This year MD took a back seat to our nephew tyler Mysyk's missionary farewell. But I did get pics of all the kids with me on the big day. I got to open presents on Saturday night because Sunday was just too busy. Krista (D's sister) and I spent the week baking for Tyler's open house so the best present was getting all those goodies out of my house. I got a self-grown plant from both girls, perfume, and a pile of dried fruit.... which was very thoughtful considering the time spent in the hospital. All systems go. Thanks kids.



Saying good-bye to Tyler. We took him over some cookies and the kids each said good-bye. He'll be serving in England and we can't wait to hear about his many adventures. On the way home I was telling each of the kids how old they'll be when Ty returns. A few min. later Cala said, "Hey Mom, you'll be 36 when Ty comes home." Thanks for that.



And finally... Chelsea Colleen cuts all that hair off! Sometimes a girl just has to make a change. 8 inches fell to the floor and now, our 4 1/2 year old can pass for at least 5. She was so cute and even though the cutting took place 2 weeks ago, she still says "You know who's going to be surprised about my hair?" and then names some random person. She is so adorable and we made her month by telling her she is 4 and a 1/2.

We also took another trip to Idaho to pick up a horse. We left Connor at home with Uncle John and Aunt Krista and the girls, Darren and I left on a Friday and came home on a Monday. We brought back a new horse, freezer, groceries, furniture for the den, summer clothes and shoes for the kids, and a oven, cooking top and fridge for another Gowlings lawyer. Our trailer was full. Thank goodness for all the savings South of the Border.

Connor's other mom

This is Rachel. She is my new best friend and Connor's buddy. She came to live with us last month because I couldn't lift the big boy after my surgery. It took about 5 minutes and we both adored her. She is one of those rare people you meet that just make everything fun. She has a contagious smile and as you can see she's beautiful! It was a blessing to have her in our home and I really miss her company. It was great having another adult to chat with during the day, great leaving Connor behind while taking CC to school, great having the freedom to leave the other kids behind while I ran errands/played. Connor didn't even care that his mother wasn't taking care of him. Rachel did a lot of work and was a perfect nanny. I'm currently working on the adoption papers to make her last name taylor. If that doesn't work she can hook up with Connor in 22 years. Thanks Rach! We all miss you!

Singing & Short

Chelsea had her Spring concert last Thursday. Darren took the morning off to listen to her amazing singing. She is the smallest one so, we always know she'll be in the fron row - right in the middle. The concert lasted 20 minutes and it was very cute. She had been asking me about her brain - saying that it controlled everything. I couldn't figure out why this topic was relevant to a 4 year-old... but they sang a song about it - so it clicked for me. It's glad to know your kids learn something from preschool. that's worth the $165 a month... (hopefully) After the concert we took her to lunch. It was great just spending time with CC.




And Cala got her hair cut! We love it. A total of 7 inches fell to the floor and we were thrilled with the results. Cala has been wanting her hair cut for a few months now but, we had to wait until Kristen's wedding was finished. She looks so much older and we can fix it in record time. After the hair cut we went to the mall where Cala got a new outfit, we split a cinnamon bun and had frozen yogurt. It was a very fun mommy/daughter date!

Connor 10 months

The "little" baby is growing up! I hate saying this b/c it's so predictable but, I can't believe how fast time has past since we had Connor. He's 10 months old! I have spent the last 4 weeks not holding him. It's hard but, I just keep telling myself I'm not in the hospital. We now have Rachel (photo to be added later) living with us and she is now Connor's new mom. He's polite to me, smiles at me, tolerates me kissing his cheeks, let's me feed him (okay, let's anyone feed him) and still seems his happy self. It's a good thing he is not fussy about who is holding him. He won't even crawl to me when he wants to be picked up - it's kind of sad but again, not in the hospital. I'm trying to take advantage of not having to tote a baby around everywhere but, I have discovered you can't take the home out of homebody. I am getting better though - a haircut, VT and swimming lessons for Cala planned tomorrow. We really have been blessed since Connor came to our family. He's such a happy little man and we all adore him. He has a great personality and much to my shock/disappointment now walks pushing a little stroller... am I wrong to hate this. His size still amazes us - and the general public. 27 pounds and 10 months old. Isn't that just amazing. He wears a size 2T, 4 diaper and size 5 1/2 shoe. We love you Connor - and there is a lot to love!

Best Easter Weekend ever

We had a horrible week. I was in the hospital for 5 days with an intestinal blockage, had surgery and am now home recovering. It was horrible. The darkest days of my life and needless to say, I am happy to be home. I'll end with the details and move on to happier things... like Easter. I was at home. My parents came to Calgary last week, Darren's parents moved into our house to watch the kids while my mom and Darren rotated hospital shifts. Friday was my first day home and Darren decided we should make suishi... the girls love this and we're probably going to go broke because of it. It's a costly meal for 5. Our at home version was more fun and just as yummy.



Grandpa and Grandma Byram were here for Easter weekend and the egg colouring/Easter Bunny festivities. Grandma Debbie is still here because I can't lift Connor for 6 weeks.





Holding Connor - but no lifting for 6 weeks. We are now on the hunt for a live-in nanny.




The girls in their Easter dresses - fun fun fun.

Wedding Photos

Here are some more wedding pictures - as per Adrianne's request. I tried to get ones that showed off the dress. I'm disappointed at myself for not taking more pictures.... hello, it was a wedding.

Big Days!

He may weight as much as a two year old - but our Baby Connor is now 9 months old. He's on the go - crawling at the speed of light, standing up whenever possible, he knows his name and will follow simple directions like "up" and "come here" and also has added clapping to his list of talents. I have also been betrayed - he now officially prefers his dad. My efforts to turn him into a mama's boy have gone totally unrewarded. I'll just have to settle for being the star during the day and loosing my title when dad's around. I love this boy! (side note - another mom at the mall asked me how old my baby was - when I said 9 months, she gasped, and asked how much does he weigh? 24 pounds I said (even though that was weeks ago). Her 20 month old didn't weight that much. She was shocked.




A 7 year-old is in the house folks. Cala had a birthday this week and what celebrating we did. She took treats to her class at school then, after school we had a party at the bowling alley. The kids had a great time bowling for about 20 minutes, at which point Darren and I turned into wranglers. We made it through the game - all 12 kids and CC ended up winning - much to the disappointment of the 2 boys at the party. Cala had a cake with a dog on it, got too many presents and got to wear a new summer outfit to her party even though - summer is clearly a long time away. Her favourite gift - horseback riding lessons - starting on Saturday!