Callaway Park

Last week we headed up to Calgary to go to the amusement park, Callaway. The kids have been looking forward to this for quite a while. We had beautiful weather and enjoyed short lines. The kids were spoiled to get cotton candy, slurpies and mini donuts! Madeleine went on the big roller coaster with Eric....I couldn't believe it. The coaster loops twice, after the first loop Madeleine wanted to get off, she was a bit scared. Eric gave her emotional support and encouragement and she made it. She returned proud to have done it but having no desire to do it again. In the picture they are in the second to last row.
There were a handful of rides Austin could go on and he enjoyed them all. Justin was up for whatever he was tall enough to go on. It really was a fun day for everyone.

Sunday morning photos of the kids

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The kids looked so cute this past Sunday and were very cooperative in taking pictures, which is not the usual. So I got my camera and enjoyed taking several shots of them. They are a cute bunch!
They are enjoying a fun summer of swimming and catching minos at Park Lake, going camping, going to Callaway Park (amusement park), camping, biking, and fishing. I am trying to do as much as I can everyday with the kids before this baby comes. Some mornings we are out before 7am on our bike ride, which always ends with a fun time at a park and a snack.

Austin turns 2!

Austin was lucky enough to celebrate his 2nd birthday two times! We had one celebration early as Grandpa Baker was here and we couldn't let him miss out on it...so we indulged in an ice cream cake together.
The second celebration was just with the family. I decorated a fire truck cake and we got a soccer pinata, and decorated the kitchen. Austin enjoyed all of the attention and when asked how old he had turned he would say, "Three". Ok, so we need to work on this, but it was so cute the way he would say it. I cannot believe it has been two years since he was born. He is such a lively sweet little guy who loves to play with his siblings. He especially likes to play puppies with Madeleine and Justin. He likes to feed them and pet them. He is in a stage of thinking that anything and everything is his...and no one else can touch it. This causes a few arguments a day, ending with him hitting his rival. He really is sweet, I promise! He is very good at apologizing and making up. What a special addition to our family he is.

The Porcupine Hills...a trip we won't soon forget

A fellow doctor offered for us to use his cabin in the Porcupine Hills, not more than an hour and a half away from here. We were excited about having shelter and couldn't wait to see the stream running through it and what would await us. Well, what awaited us was quite different from what we had expected. I had been under the impression it was a "family cabin" , it turns out that it is a "Hunter's cabin". A HUGE difference! I don't think a woman has ever stepped foot in that cabin. From the outside the cabin looks simple and nice, on the inside it was a disaster. Madeleine voiced my thoughts in this reaction, "This place is disgusting. I am not sleeping in here." That is exactly what I was thinking. I was so glad that I had driven up separately "just in case" I didn't feel like staying....I was thanking my lucky stars that I would not have to sleep in there. An old rusted metal bed frame lay on top of four mattresses. There was a table...I wish I would have gotten a picture of it (up close): an old piece of wood with potential splinters seen at every angle, cracks, and held up by who knows what.
One of the pictures shows Eric heading to the outhouse with a broom. That would be because there was a dead bird sharing this cozy spot, along with a mamed one flying around like it didn't know how to get out. He said he needed to tidy things up or he was afraid the kids wouldn't go in there....we were just glad it was him who went in first. That could have been quite traumatic for our little ones.
We drove around for a while trying to find the great "beaver ponds" with the good fishing holes. We settled on a spot and yes Eric did catch a few small fish...and well, we amused ourselves by throwing rocks and tagging along beside him. Soon it was time for Austin and I to leave and Madeleine held onto my window and asked, "Do I have to stay? Are you making me stay?" I assured her that she didn't have to stay and that she could come home with us. But, I also thought she'd have a fun time staying up late and sleeping in the cabin. She decided to stay and was glad she did. They had a great breakfast (wouldn't expect anything less from Eric), and then went on a hike and did some gopher shooting.

Trip to Lake Louise, just the two of us

Eric's two year residency came to an end in late June. He had finished on an intense Emergency rotation that did not give us much time with him. It is always so sad for me when the kids ask, "Is daddy coming home tonight?" I know they will survive, and so will I, but we do miss him. I did not know what I was going to do for him...and to tell you the truth we don't really need anything but some time together. So, Eric's dad was kind enough to fly out and take care of our kids while Eric and I got a two day vacation. We had the opportunity, through a friend, to stay at the Chateau Lake Louise; such an amazing place to stay at. There is a photo of the view from our room. We were quite spoiled. We hiked, drove, talked, ate good food and just relaxed. It was such a needed trip for us to reconnect...especially with the new baby coming soon.


8 months pregnant and on a 12km hike up Johnston's Canyon to the Ink Pots. It was a great 3 hour hike that had me contracting every few minutes for much of the way down and throughout the evening. I think I know now what to do to induce labor :)

The end of Soccer Season

I am about a month late on this update as we've had a bit of computer problems. Two months of three day a week soccer, along with all the other activities, has a bit worn out...but what a great time the kids had. They were fortunate to get some wonderful coaches that had a fun and positive outlook on the sport. This was Madeleine's first time playing and in the beginning she was quite apprehensive (worried about not being good enough, knowing enough, and being the youngest on a team where some were almost two years older). She loved it and even scored a couple of goals. This was Justin's 3rd time and he was just as energetic and fun to watch. He is very determined when he plays but maintains a friendly competitive attitude. Austin has turned into quite the soccer dribbler as he has practiced for hours at their games.