We have landed

Yes, we are alive! Barely... Although we spent the last month living in Mesa, enjoying time with friends and family before we left we are thrilled to finally be here in Calgary all together as a family.  This new beginning is exactly what our family needs and has wanted for a long time. Anyway, we are here safe and sound and enjoying the more moderate weather.  The boys are learning to dress in layers already and are amazed with the trees and grass and variety of wildlife.  Bryant and I are enjoying them discovering their new world.  We have taken a few pictures already but they will have to wait until all the boxes are unpacked and we are more settled.  Here are a few pictures to enjoy... they are true to life and not doctored in anyway.  Maybe you will like them so much you'll want to come see for yourselves- We'd love to see you!

Calgary at night

City skyline with the Bow River

Banff National Park

Administrative Building near Banff

Spring time in Alberta

On Road to Banff

We live about one hour east of the mountains, all the national parks there.  It makes for the most incredible day trips or even Sunday afternoon drive. While there is no family or desert landscapes here, I think our family is going to do just fine.  We'll keep you updated on all our adventures!

Looking back

I love the end of the school year.  It is a great time to look back and enjoy what the kids have learned and accomplished and see how much growth the family as a whole has made.  We are proud of the hard and consistent work Jeffrey and Seth made this year, completing one and half years worth of material.  They were always excited to learn, eager to do more,  increasing their appetite to know.  At times it was challenging and seemed impossible but we all survived the first year homeschooling, at the same time we were expecting our fifth son and establishing a new business and moving to a foreign country, not to mention any other commitments like church callings or Rotoract positions.  It was a thrilling ride.  Here are some snippets of the things we have learned this year:

If you tell a boy it can't get stuck, he will gleefully find a way 

Yes... sometimes parents do laugh at you.  How could we not?

Wait?! I have to do school before I can play?

Seth was just a little excited to start school, can you tell?

No matter how many apples there are, it is never enough

Here is proof: the only thing that can make me look smaller than I am during pregnancy is a rhino

Pandas are cool... even if all you can see is their butt (according to the boys)

They said I was just like this hippo- I hope they meant we both are good moms

My boys learn early on that pregnancy can make a woman act strange

I think he's alive Mom

William thinks that Nathaniel is his

Our family will never have a picture with everyone looking in the same direction

Dads like light sabers too

The littlest ones are sometimes the best helpers

Grandmas love the grandkids, no matter how many they have

This is how Arizonians mow the lawn in January

Smiles make the day

AND

Some art masterpieces are best created when your brother is asleep

This year has been a good one.  Can't wait to see what the next one will bring!