Taking a minute to enjoy the view

Earlier this week two friends and I decided to try and take our babes out for a snowshoe (twins were at school).  We were kinda testing the waters to see how we would do and if we could actually do it.  We were not the quickest....did not go incredibly far but we had a great time!  It is more of a workout then you think carrying 1 year old's on snowshoes hahaha!  We were a little more out of breath then we thought on the way up the hill but that could also be attributed to

a) going up a hill
b) carrying babies on our backs
c) lot's of great girl chit chat

We took a short break at a rest/picture spot......sometimes I just need to remind myself to take it all in!  This gorgeous view is maybe a 5-10 minute drive from my house. 

Oh and I'll add because everyone always asks.....Joshua doesn't seem to mind snowshoeing either hahaha he fell asleep 1/3 of the way and just slept through the ride hahaha!

I would say that our family is a pretty close family and we like to spend family time together.  I will start by saying that I don't mind doing the occasional gym workout but I would much rather be outside doing an exercise activity with my family if possible.  When the twins were babies we used to jog with them in the jogging stroller.  When they were toddlers a friend and I would walk many kilometers a day with all the kiddos in the strollers.  Jason and I enjoy going for family bike rides and I would much rather try to be part of the kids sports activities then sitting on the sidelines.  I am always interested in ways that others incorporate their kids/families into their exercise regime.  I love hearing how other people do activities with their families and it gives me ideas to try out! 

It was actually a friend who recommended taking the family out together for snowshoeing....and it's an activity I can say that we have come to love doing!

Planes

Well I guess since Mathew has spent the last few years OBSSESSED with trains and cars I guess a natural progression is planes.  For the last few months Mathew has been interested in planes and often asks Jason the different names, types etc.  He received the planes movie for christmas from grandma and now he can't stop talking about planes!  We were at Sam's club this weekend and he found a book on jets and the little guy couldn't stop staring at it!  The two boys stood there talking about the jets in the book for a good 10 minutes while I browsed the other books.  We ended up buying the jet book and Mathew has looked at all the pages numerous times.  Last night on facetime he talked to Jason about all the different planes in the book and it's a highlight for him for someone to read him the facts.  This morning he and Zach were playing so quietly in the living room for a good hour.  Zach was building a robot out of a box and Mathew built about 15 different paper airplanes.  He uses the planes in the books as guides and builds paper airplanes and then tell me facts about them.  Who knew you could even make a plane like that with white computer paper and kids white glue hahaha

Tonight when I tucked him in I found him like this.......dream of your planes wee man!

Happy Birthday Baby Joshua!

Well it's official....we now have a one year old in our house!  It's hard to believe that it has already been one year since this little guy joined our family.  In some ways it seems like it was yesterday and in others it seems like he has always been part of our family.

He really is the smiliest, happiest little baby around!  He's soooo affectionate.....always taking a break in the middle of his playing to give hugs and kisses! 

Here's a little video of a quick kiss to his brother today during little coup play

We had a great day just enjoying your company today....we did end up buying you an extra present hahaha the busy block which you love!  We had a day of fun, laughs and just being thankful for the last year we have had with you!

Here's a picture of Joshua playing with Zackie today....

I know this next picture is blurry....but Mattie took it and it kinda shows how our afternoon was hahaha

So happy birthday baby boy!  We love you to death!  Now stop growing so fast!!

You moose be joking

Today Joshua and I had a great day while the boys were at school.  Book club.....lunch and shopping with some friends but the neatest thing happened at school drop off.  An announcement came over the school speakers that there was a moose in the neighbourhood....hahaha I never knew there were such announcements hahaha.  So on the way home we spotted the big moose...that's right...a moose just strolling through the neighbourhood.  We kept our distance and made sure that the moose didn't feel threatened but I will say it was pretty neat to see a moose just strolling in the middle of the city!  You could actually see it from our family room window just meandering around!

Sorry pictures are not that clear....just last minute snaps with my phone!

Kid Friendly Coffee dates

Jason has been gone on course for quite some time now so Joshua is quite used to joining me for coffee/lunch dates with friends.  He usually just hangs out with us adults and doesn't complain much at all.  Today, a friend and I decided to try something different.  In anchorage, a new coffee shop opened not long ago that is specifically kid friendly.  There is an entire section set up with toys and little tables where kids can play within sight as moms (or dads or both) enjoy their coffee.  There is a little TV set up as well that had kids movies playing.  It's a genius idea for parents!  Today I enjoyed the conversation, enjoyed the food and enjoyed that Joshua and his little friend got to explore around.  The owner was super friendly and it has a nice atmosphere where I would feel comfortable just even dropping in by myself with my kids.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Busy-Beans/1387121828180262

As a side note....we went out as a family shopping for Joshua's birthday presents a few weeks ago.  Jason and I had been debating about buying another "busy block".   It's a wooden activity block.  We gave one to the twins for their first birthday and they loved it.  During one of our moves, the movers put something too heavy on top of it and the wood cracked.  So before we moved here we got rid of it.  When we were shopping we decided against it and bought Joshua other things instead.....and when we get to the coffee shop what does he want to play with.....the busy block!!   arrgghhh!!

January memories

Last year I was super pregnant at christmas so we didn't travel to see Jason's family until about a month after Joshua was born.  I was just going through pictures of the last year and can't believe how much all the kids have changed in a year. 

Everyone needs a picture of a couch full of cousins....we all have them....and when you grow up you remember all those good family gatherings!

Wow What a Year

2013 was a year full of changes for our little family.  The biggest changes include moving, career changes and most of all the addition of our sweet little boy Joshua.  This coming weekend our little blonde haired, blued eyed happy baby boy will be turning one!  What a year it has been with you little guy.  I have never known a baby to just be happy to be with his family all the time.  You are my little sidekick, you light up when you see your daddy and you adore your big brothers almost as much as they adore you.  You fit into our family so perfectly.  When the twins turned one I remember Jason and I commenting that we had done it, we had survived and thrived through the first year of parenting together with twins.  As Joshua turns one I am desperately trying to slow down time.  It's as if this year has gone by way to quickly and I desperately want to embrace every stage you go through.