To The Elephant who wasn't.

So I was looking through the years past in my blog and I realized that I have never done a post for my Dad on his Birthday, I have done lots about my Mom. So today will be a post about my Dad, cause he deserve a mention on here.

I don't even know where to begin. He is the most hard working man I know and very dedicated to his family. He loves all of his kids a lot, and makes sure we know it. 

 This was taken near Banff, AB. My Dad always made sure we had a least on family vacation a year and would work really hard to make it happen (with my Mom's help of course). But for many years he would take us all skiing in the mountains for a whole week. And we have lots of good memories from that.

The week after Magoo was born it was snowing a lot in Edmonton, which meant Dad (and Riley) would have to wait to come visit (or at least thats what he let me think). Well Robyn, Emily, Dallin showed up at my door as expected and then a few minutes later my door bell rang again and there was Dad and Riley! They had found someone to do the walks while it snowed so they could come down with everyone else and surprise me, it was so nice and I really appreciated that my whole family was there to see my new treasure.

 My Dad LOVES Mr.Magoo, and I have a feeling they will have a special connection forever. He is so good with him always willing to hold him, or play with him.

 I so appreciate the fact that my Dad has a lot to teach my children and that he is willing to take the time to teach. That's what Grandpa's are for.

 This is my Dad's immediate family. He is the youngest. I love these people too.

 And this is my Dad with his brother-in-laws. They all get along really well, and I know my Dad appreciates them too. He's always been very big on family and the importance of them. He's always made sure we knew our Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. Because in the end that is what eternity is all about.

 My Dad is so fun, and growing up would always be the first to jump on a roller coaster or take us skating or paint balling, or whatever our hearts desired (until I wanted to go skydiving, for some reason he wasn't very fond of that adventure...haha)

Like I said my Dad is so good with Mr.Magoo. We call him G-Lo (short for Grandpa Logan) in our house. And since Magoo was little G-Lo would often make an Elephant sound and so now if you say the word 'G-Lo' or ask Magoo what G-Lo says, or if he sees a picture of G-Lo, he will make an Elephant sound. So know G-Lo will forever be part Elephant to us too, haha.

Honestly though I love my Dad a whole bunch and I'm sure he knows that. Happy Birthday! Only one more year till the big Five 'O!

FOUR!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

And heres to all of the great memories we've created in the past four years.

Also a shout out to my brother Riley, thanks for being such a good sport about us getting married on your birthday, we love being able to celebrate on this special day with you.  We hope that Madagascar is treating you well. To find out more about Riley's journeys in Mada head over to his blog and read about it.

Bragging video: Forks and signing (not singing)

Alright so the video you are about to watch (if you so choose) was originally over seven minutes long it is now just over three so I have cut back more than half. It still seems long but I was having a hard time cutting stuff out. 

So what are you waiting for? On with the show...

Number One Mom

Happy 49th Birthday Mom!

Christmas Eve 2011

I know you don't actually care if people know your age because you are just that cool and really 49 is the new 23 as you prove to us all! Visit here and here if you want to read more about why I think this woman is totally awesome. And just for the record Mom, I don't think your as crazy as the rest of them do.... haha.

Boxing Day - New Years and a couple goals

Boxing Day we headed south to visit Jared's family for a week.

 Who doesn't LOVE a sleeping baby while travelling?

Seriously thought we do not have the best little traveler when it comes to Mr.Magoo. I don't really blame him though, if it were safe I would stick a big massive piece of foam under his skinny little tooshie so it didn't get so sore so quickly. Plus the fact that you have to strap them down so tight so they have almost no wiggle/change of position room whatsoever. Where as us 'big people' have it easy. we can switch from bum cheek to bum cheek, or both cheeks whenever. Or if we're feeling really crazy we could even take off our own seat belts of our own free will and choice. I guess the point of this rant is to say I feel bad for the little guy while we're driving, it doesn't make me want to undo his harness but more start some petition to make carseat makers make those 'safe' chairs a little a lot more comfortable.

Anyways we had a great week at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Claresholm for the week. They already had a dog, but they just got a second dog this Christmas, and Magoo was in heaven...

It took a while for the new puppy to get used to this crazy puppy loving, barking, one year old, but the last couple of days we were there she would actually come to him, instead of him chasing her around the house terrorizing her every turn of a corner.

 We also discovered Magoo has a weird obsession with my blow dryer, and still does. If he catches a glimpse of the thing, or try to take it away from him he has a major meltdown!

 We also did a little shopping in Lethbridge and it was exhausting for all. Thank goodness Magoo likes this wrap cause it saves my arms on days he just wants to be carried... by me.

Among spending time with family we haven't seen in awhile I think my favourite activity that went down while we were there was when Jared and I took Magoo swimming just at the local pool in Claresholm. It was actually a really nice facility and the three of us had a really great time together. I think Magoo really appreciated some one on one time with his Mom and Dad too. Unfortunately for you all I didn't get pictures of that particular event, so you will just have to wait to see us all in bathing suits another post.

Now we are home, and haven't really done much in the last week. I'm fairly certain that Magoo and I have spent more hours in our PJ's then in normal clothes while Jared has been out working his tail feathers off for us and starting a new semester of school. Fun times. 

But as for New Year goals I have never been one to really make goals. As horrible as that sounds I guess its just not how my folks rolled, we never really sat down as a family and worked out goals and how we would accomplish them. But one of my Brother in Laws said something to the effect that I wouldn't get far in life or enjoy the great things of life (or something like that) if I didn't sit down and figure out what I thought they were and how I could get them. So since being home I have been thinking about goals a bit more and there are a few things I know I want.

1. To dedicate more time to reading the scriptures and other LDS literature. 

2. To get Magoo into some sort of class at least once a week so I have less of an excuse to stay in my pyjamas all day.

Sure there are more things I probably want out of this next year but I've never been much of a planner so I figure this is a good realistic start. 

I hope you all have a great goal filled 2012 ahead of you.

Our Christmas 2011

So it's almost been a whole month since I've blogged but I have been busy! We took off to Edmonton on December 15th and got back to Regina January 2nd, and we were busy,busy,busy while we were gone so I didn't find much time to blog. So I will do a little catch up.

When we left on the 15th it was a last minute decision as we were suppose to leave early on the 16th. But we thought maybe the drive would be easier if Magoo slept while we drove. So we left Regina at 10pm and got to my parents house at 4am (which was really 5am in Regina)... and Mr.Magoo didn't sleep like we thought he would. So Jared got about 3 hours of sleep and I got about 45min. Good thing G-Lo was happy to watch him in the morning while we slept in a little longer. I still felt sooo tired all day.

Oh ya and we didn't tell my family we were going to come in the night either. And when we got there I had forgotten that they had a new lock box for the spare key and I had also forgotten the code for it, good thing my bro Dallin responded to my texts and was able to get me in the house. But neither of my parents woke up when we clamoured through the house at four in the morning, making our way to the basement. Mr. Magoo even shouted right outside their door and it didn't wake them up. So if you ever need a place to rob in the middle of the night... I mean that's a bad idea... anyways needless to say they were all surprised when we crawled upstairs at 7 in the morning for breakfast.

We spent the week there plus Christmas and we had a great time, not too many pictures, I'll just share some of my favourite.

Nana Jo got Magoo a suit, he looks so handsome in it!

 Magoo's 'Bates' cousins came to visit and we had so much fun with them.

 My little gamer...

 Showing off our muscles.

 On Christmas Eve when all went outside and played and quads and sleds since it was so beautiful out.

The first Saturday we were there we went to our 'van Bruggen' annual Christmas Party and we had so much fun. Lots of family and LOTS of food! There were some great talents shared and a white elephant exchange and to top it all off Santa came to visit. I am hoping to find some pictures from that night and then I will add them later.

Also during the week we did lots of shopping and I even got to go to the gym with my two sisters. What power houses. We had so much fun together and of course as a reward for hard work we ate some good food and bought some new clothes!

I also got to talk to my brother Riley who is on his mission in Madagascar for the LDS Church it was so good to hear his voice. He has been going through some difficulties but is hoping that once the holidays come to a close people will be more interested in the gospel. We continually pray for him while he goes to do a marvellous work.

On boxing day we headed south for the New Year with Jared's family, details and pictures to come in the next post.

The facts

So I feel like I have been slacking when it comes to the blog, but I feel like Christmas prep is keeping me busy. My sister Robyn once asked me what I do all day to which I can only answer "I don't know" cause honestly my life passes by waaayyyy to quickly for the amount of "things" I do in my week. No I don't have a full time job, or am I member of choir or some other equally time consuming group, or craft excessively, or even bake like I use to. I don't have my child in swimming lessons, of have a husband who's life demands a ton of my time in the day; a bit but not a ton. I don't have a church calling that keeps me on my toes every time the phone rings. I don't even exercise lately (obviously I know what I look like lately, so the next time you see me please keep your shocked expression to yourself, I know...). My house is relatively clean, but not sparkling. And my child is happy, although we definitely have our moments... like today... all day.

So now you ask. What the heck do you do all day?
To which I will answer: "I don't know, come peek through my windows..."

Well with all that being said I am going to now list some fun facts about Mr.Magoo like I promised in my last post:

• He is ONE!
• He is a walker/very quick walker
• He can stand up on his own, with out help of a wall, couch, toy, leg, or the like.
• He just switched to one nap, in the afternoon this past week. I actually kinda like it as I can go out in the morning without worrying that he will get excessively cranky
• He friggen LOVES to eat. And I feel like I have a teenage boy eating me out of house and home. He also knows the sign for food very well
• He finally did the sign for 'please' in the last week, just so he could eat the chocolate-peppermint cookies I made.
• He pooed on the toilet for the first time YESTERDAY! It was a very impromptu thing and I am not trying to 'potty train' him or anything at the moment, just giving him opportunities. I think he was just as excited as I was, and after it was all done and cleaned up he kept pointing into the toilet at his poo saying "whoa!".
• He is actually 'little', people always tell me that he looks 'big', but I think they mean 'mature' cause these are is measurements: Length 30inches (76cm) 50th percentile, Weight 19lbs 13oz. -10th percentile
• We are done nursing. It just kinda happened. I was happy to continue. But alas we are done. But he will NOT drink cows milk, I've tried everything. I have even tried almond milk, ew (sorry Robyn). And have come to decide that it's ok if he never likes 'milk' . He loves cheese and yogurt and will get plenty of nutrition (i.e. calcium) through those ( I also will force feed him broccoli once in a while). But if any of you, my peps, out there think I should be more concerned let me know as I am open to thoughts and what not.
• Magoo drinks water, and lots of it. Out of a cup.
• He is not a horribly picky eater, unless its veggies. What a kid.
• He loves raisins and knows the sign for it
• Teeth 5 and 6 and breaking/cutting/tearing/ripping through is poor little gum line these days. On the top, on either side of the two middle teeth.
• Magoo likes to pull ornaments off my tree.
• He loves FaceTime and giving Nana Jo, and G-Lo kisses on it. 
• Magoo likes to carry things around. Things like my phone, and our iPad, all things we don't really want him to carry around as he also likes to hide things on us lately.
• Magoo is still unsure about the snow (can you blame him?) but likes to be outside.
• He sleeps so well most nights, usually 7:30-8:30. The other morning he even slept till 9, that morning was friggen glorious!
• He sleeps without a soother, or anything else other than pj's and blankets.

Anyways that should hold you over until at least 11 more days... when he'll be 13 months.
And since I will not be blogging about his birthday parties I will leave you with pictures from them.

The party at NannJo's house was a blast, and he got totally spoiled. 

This is what happens when G-Lo falls asleep...

Magoo helped me make is Red Velvet cupcakes for his actual birthday. It was fun.

 It was just the three of us, plus Nanna Jo, G-Lo and Aunt Em on FaceTime to help us sing 'Happy Birthday' to him.

I hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. But you might hear from me again before that New Years bell rings.... if your lucky.