Thanksgiving in October?

Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving at the end of the harvest, officially on the second Monday in October. That means this last weekend was fantastic.  We enjoyed two days filled with listening to the living prophets, followed by a day of family time and giving thanks.  Oh, yeah, and Food.  Bryant has quietly become what I call a food snob (he is very enthusiastic about food now) and was quick to pull out his camera when he saw what I pulled out of the oven.

It tasted pretty good so I was pleased with the result.  The boys were excited to just have big pieces of meat to eat. I think Seth polished off his piece in about 10 minutes. The day was just what we needed. NO black eyes, no blood (almost a broken finger, but we lucked out) and no holes in any walls. Time to clean and organize a few things at home, a trip at the park and a massive UNO tournament.  The boys are already making plans for when we celebrate "American" Thanksgiving next month. I am just  happy that the first three things the boys all said when asked what they were thankful for were : 1st- their brothers ....and then Jeffrey saw Bryant's face and said "oh, and Dad too cause he's like a super big brother 2nd- Jesus and the temple next door 3rd- being together in Canada.  I guess I am thankful for those same things too :-)

More birthdays and answered prayers

Jeffrey has reached the ripe old age of six.  SIX!!!!  He was so excited to have his first "Canadian" birthday. So how did we celebrate?  With a piñata of course!  

The best part happened on his birthday.  As a family we had the privilege of touring the open house for the new LDS temple here in Calgary. It is stunning, beautiful, peaceful and inspiring. Jeffrey had been hoping that the temple would be finished by his birthday, and we delivered on his birthday wish:-)

This beautiful  temple is across the street from our house

Jeffrey has also been praying since we moved here that he could have snow on his first Canadian birthday. Do you believe if God, our  Heavenly Father, hears and answer the prayers of little boys?  This is what the temple looked like on Jeffrey's birthday after the sun had set:

We were dusted with about 2 inches and Jeffrey was thrilled beyond words.  I am grateful as a mother to know that Heavenly Father cares for my little boy, know who he is and what the desire of his heart is and is willing to send him snow on his birthday.  I think both of our faith has been strengthened by this snow.  And the boys has had fun playing in their snow coats :-)

view from our living room window

Birthdays! Birthdays!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLIAM!!!!!!

William celebrated his fourth birthday at the end of September.  I can not believe that the first baby we had after college is 4 years old! Our lives are definitely richer because he is an integral and necessary part of our family. So how did we celebrate this momentous milestone?  With pirates of course! In the provincial capital of Alberta (Edmonton) there is a giant mall.  It is the largest mall in North America, and when I say big, it makes the Mall of America look like a 7-11. This mall has everything you can imagine and then some. We stayed at a hotel, located in the mall and played most of the weekend there.  The mall has a life-sized replica of Columbus' Santa Maria. Pretty random, I know, but also pretty cool. To an excited 4 year old and his brothers, it makes for an awesome pirate ship.

For some reason, I don't think Columbus would be a candidate for GQ

Pirates in polos- you should be frightened

We finished our pirate filled day with a foam sword battle on hotel beds and seeing an awesome movie.  A movie about a little fish and his dad... Maybe you've heard of it?

Finding Nemo in 3D was spectacular.  It was funny, touching and breathtaking.  If there is one movie to see in 3D this is it! Amazing and Incredible do not even come close to describing it.  All in all we had a wonderful time and are looking forward to the next 4 years with William.

First Day of school

School started the day after Labor Day.  Last year we had great success homeschooling but decided after much pondering and prayer to allow the boys to attend the community school to gain a better perspective of Canadian culture.  Seth and Jeffrey were very excited.  Jeffrey was also a little nervous due to the fact this is his first experience in a traditional school.  Seth has started grade 2 and Jeffrey is in grade 1. So far they like the community -based extras the school offers and are excited to continue at home with some of our programs from last year. As I suppose it is true for most parents, the first time leaving your child somewhere new is a bit heart-wrenching, but thankfully all survived.

Pretty chipper for 6:45 in the morning

the men of the hour

Seth was excited to wear both his new shirt and his jacket

Jeffrey was so smiley all morning

Jeffrey (boy in blue jacket) was the very first kid called.... very exciting!

Seth is a giant in his class... at least six inches taller than anyone else (he's in the red jacket)

This little guy was HAPPY to be with so many other kids

Proof that all three of us survived the first day- tear free

Strange things here -Beware

The boys and I have been trying to maintain a family history through pictures and they gently requested  demanded that we have more pictures of just Mom and Dad to look at.  Weird kiddos, I know.  Anyway as dutiful parents we have tried to fulfill their request, but I am not so sure about the results so far.  I don't think that this is what the divine counsel had in mind when we were instructed to keep a family history.  What do you think?

Camping

I have converted.  You heard right.  I have changed my ways and now am singing a different tune.  All my life I have massively enjoyed camping.  Camping on the beach was the pinnacle of communing with nature.  Since we moved here to Calgary everyone told me I would change my mind after camping in the Canadian Rockies. Well, camping on the ocean's side is a unique event and one that will soften anyone's heart but I am changed.  There is something about these creeks and rivers, hill and crags and mountains that speak to my soul.  And the boys love it too!  Father and Son's campout  is held during mid-summer here, mainly to enjoy/insure better weather and to accommodate school schedules.  The boys had a BLAST.  Bryant had a blast and everyone was caked in mud, so we can rule the trip a success :-)

I was sooooo jealous when I saw how much fun they had that we went to the same area as a family just a few weeks later and had a great time. Summers here in Canada are definitely going to mean camping for the Andrus family!