The Buzz

Chelsea also started school. Here she is with her teacher Mrs. Thibadeau. The pre-school is in a small community center about 5 minutes away from our house and I am really, really enjoying the commute. Plus, school is the same time as Connor's nap. Talk about peace and quiet. CC was so excited for school, and thrilled about the fact that she had to have indoor shoes.



What a difference a month can make. Connor is really walking now and has totally give up on crawling - even if he falls. He's all over the place and climbs on everything. Seriously, he's a monkey. He ruined my keyboard by climbing up on my desk and dumping a can of Coke on it. He can't stay off the table and here he is on his little table in his room. Plus, note the hair - it was getting so long and I thought we would just keep the shaggy look for a while. But then....



Can you say BUZZ! My friend was here the other day and told me he can no longer pull off the shaggy look. It simply doesn't work on babies. So, right then and there - she took the clippers to him and he lost it all. I still feel like I have a different baby. I'm sure he's acting more grown up and he doesn't look the same at all. He does keep patting his head to try and find his hair. I really like not worrying about what his hair looks like. He looks so much older and I know I'm his mom, but I have to say - the new cut makes his face look thinner as well. What happened to our baby?!!



And... I like to call this photo: "When bad things happen to good people." A simple fall in the mudroom on a locker is to blame for this bash. CC and Connor were playing and I head screaming. There was blood running down his face, I picked him up and headed to the laundry room for clean up. And seriously one of my first thoughts was, "I hope he doesn't get blood on my sweater. It's new and from Nordstroms." What is wrong with me. But that's another post. I knew he would be okay but, also knew he would need stitches. (we have a modeling career to worry about) I wiped him off, gave him a sucker and if you were to have timed it, he probably only cried for 4 minutes. The sucker ended the tears. Which started again at the Urgent Care Center when the Dr. numbed his head and sewed him up. They made me leave the room because the tied him down while they did all this. They were more worried about me - but, for some reason, it didn't really bother me. I don't like to see him in pain, but seriously, what can I do and in a matter of minutes, it will all be over. Plus, he screams every time I put him in the car seat. But, it's gotta be done. End of the day - he's fine. (Except for being fussy because we're giving up the morning nap and the transition is no fun. I forgot about this.)

Back to School

Here's Cala on her first day of Grade 2. She's so grown up. We had a hard time with the early wake up but managed to get there. Her teacher is Mrs. Beaty and she seems like she will be a good one. Cala is excited about her locker and was thrilled to hit the monkey bars again! Good Luck Cala - we love you.

11 years - and still counting.

Happy Anniversary to us. It was a memorable one... 08/08/08. It was nice of the world to begin the olympics that day in our honor. We actually chose to skip this celebration... just like we did last year. Is that bad or what. We took the girls to a movie and decided we would mark the day in October - a month that's usually boring. I gave Darren a card and he said - "Oh, we were doing cards?" I love it when I'm NOT the thoughtless one. Also, happy anniversary to Jessica and Ryan and Laurie and Dan. My two friends who also got married in August but I didn't get to go to their weddings because of my own. Good timing girls.

The grass is always greener....

Before :


After



Darren and I devoted and entire Sat. to sod. And I mean and entire Saturday. It was hard work, we were sooo sore but very happy to at least make a dent in all the landscaping that needs to be done. We worked 10 hours and went through 11 pallets of the green stuff. Sometimes I really miss the city.

July rundown

The kids had a great time in Idaho playing. Grandpa and Grandma Byram were great hosts and even made a lake for the kids to play in one day. It covered the entire South lawn and provided hours of fun.



Cala with Grandpa Jesse at Palasades Lake in Idaho.




The Canadians weren't quite sure what fireworks entailed - so Grandpa, Grandma, Kristen and Scott put on a show.



After 10 days apart -I rented a car and drove 4 hours and 15 minutes to Missoula, MT where we met Darren! Yeah, dad.



Then after seriously contemplating heading to Spokane - to visit Jessica, but then realizing she already had company we headed to Tie Lake - where Cala jumped off the dock too many times to count.



Where Chelsea learned to swim with only a life jacket....



And where Connor ate sand.



We also roasted marshmellows. Nice clothes for girls right. I told the girls to go put on some dirty clothes so clean ones didn't smell like the campfire. They put on Connors clothes.... it was scarry how well they actually fit. Connor is 13 months old... come on.

Blast from the past

I'm in between two sisters that I have a crazy connection to.  Sister #1 (darker hair) is Kristi Prior.  I knew her my first year of college, we were roommates.   One weekend,  Kristi's little sister Alison (in the black) - came to visit.  School ended and we all lost touch.  6 years later when I moved to Canada -  I ran into someone who looked familiar.  It was Alison.  Jon Lee, one of Darren's good friends married her and immigrated her to the North as well.  She's reigns supreme on the throne of my "Tier One" friends here.  This weekend, Kristi came to visit with her husband and adorable kids and we all got to catch up over brunch at the Banff Springs.  It was great catching up!  And yes, Kristi looks exactly the same - still beautiful.  And it's been.... wait for it... 16 years.

June in review

Yeah - school is finally out.  June 26th was the last day of school and we celebrated.  We took the girls out for sushi and to Kung Foo Panda.  We had a fun night and the girls were very excited about their date.  They love sushi and spending time with dad.  Both girls did well in school but, we are happy it's finally summer.  School year is painfully long and the summer break is painfully short here.  We go back in only 6 more weeks.




This is the best first grade teacher in Canada.  Ms. Campbell (now a married Mrs. Frye) was Cala's teacher this year and she couldn't have been better.  She was one of those fantastic teachers you hope your children get.  We're crossing our fingers she sticks around for the other two Taylors to hit Grade One. Thanks Mrs. Frye.

The mistro plays on.   The end of the school year also brought the end of the piano lessons.  Cala had a recital and wow - did she ever rock on those ivorys.  She played 4 songs and was only a little bit nervous.  We got there in plenty of time for her to warm up and relax a little.  She was great!  I loved actually attending a recital I didn't have to play in.  








Happy Father's day. Here is a 3 generation family photo. Darren, his dad and our Connor. We had a great Father's day. Darren got lots of attention... probably too much. Both girls said the most fun thing about dad is wrestling with him. They all love a good beating.