Grown Up Haircut

Ashton has decided that he is wanting to have his hair cut by a barber.  Grandma has been cutting Ashton's hair since he was a baby and always did a great job.  I think he is wanting to feel grown up and have a professional do it.  Last week Jason and Ashton made a visit to the barber shop.  I think it looks great - he's such a handsome young man.  I like that he kept the top a little longer.

Before

After

What I Love About Bowen

My "not so little" Bowen is 7 years old.  Wow, the years sure fly!

Seven things I love about Bowen ...

1.  Bowen is really funny.  He has a quick wit and keeps us all laughing.
2.  Bowen is very loving - especially towards me.  I get hugs and kisses all day long.  His new way to kiss me is one on the lips, one on each cheek and one last kiss on my forehead.  LOVE IT!!
3.  Bowen is very dramatic.  He is one fiesty, overdramatic little boy.  I think it's fabulous!
4.  Bowen has beautiful hair.  I love the red in his hair and I hope it doesn't change to much.
5.  Bowen is so smart.  He loves school, loves to read and learn.
6.  Bowen is musical.  He loves to sing, and is interested in learning to play instruments.
7.  Bowen is creative.  He has a great imagination and can create things, or play independently for hours.

This past Saturday we had a party for Bowen.  He woke up Saturday morning with a fever and we were worried we were going to have to cancel.  We got some tylenol in him and he rested and seemed a bit better by party time.

Bowen invited three buddies from school.  They arrived at noon and we had lunch.  Hot dogs, chips, grapes, and juice boxes - every little boys favorite!

After lunch we took the boys to a movie.  We saw "Wreck It Ralph", the kids enjoyed the movie.  I thought it was pretty cute too!

When we got home it was time for presents.  Bowen was very excited about his presents.  That's another thing I love about Bowen - he is a very gracious gift receiver.

Then it was time for cake.  I had seen a cute idea on pinterest to turn a cake into lego bricks.  I attempted to duplicate - it wasn't perfect but the boys seemed to like it.

As soon as his friends were picked up - Bowen got to work putting his presents together.

Yesterday was Bowen's actual birthday.  Bowen had requested homemade pizza for supper.

Then it was time to open a couple presents.

I wonder if he likes it??

Thanking his brother!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOWEN - WE LOVE YOU!!

The More the Merrier

As I mentioned in a previous blog our family had a little holiday to Edmonton last week.  After a very eventful Friday we were headed home on Saturday.  We had planned on going to Galaxyland but Ashton had been sick overnight and was not feeling up to it.

We met a friend of Jason's for breakfast at the mall and had a nice time catching up, and then the boys played a few games at an arcade.

Driving out of Edmonton Ashton asked if we could drive past the Edmonton Temple.

While travelling Ashton was feeling sick to his stomach so I gave him a bag just in case he thought he needed to throw up.  When I turned around to check on him I saw this...

I guess that's easier than holding it!  What a goofy boy!

Another big reason for this trip was to visit Jason's newly found aunts.  If you remember in the summer Jason made contact with his Dad's two sisters.  We were so excited to finally meet them and to be able to see pictures of Jason's dad.  We had a great visit and they were very warm and welcoming to all of us.

His Aunt Shirley on the left, and his Aunt Dorothy on the right.

They had made some copies of pictures for Jason to have of his dad.

Dorothy on the left, then Kenneth (Jason's Dad) and then Shirley

Dorothy, Kenneth, Shirley (I see a resemblance to Jason in this picture)

The hair cracks me up, if Jason grew his hair out it would totally look like that - especially if we blow dried it!

Jason's Dad is on the left in the white suit, his profile reminds me of Jason.  The lady in the pink dress is his Grandma, and the man beside her is his grandfather.

Jason's Grandmother - she passed away in 2006

Jason's dad is on the right - obviously, look at that hair!  The cross around his neck we think is the one Jason has!

What a blessing to finally have some pictures and to have met some of Jason's family.  I can't speak for Jason but I know this has meant a great deal to him and has lifted a weight that has been on him for many years.  We are excited that our extended family has expanded - the more the merrier!

8 Week Challenge - Week 2

Another week over of our 8 week challenge.  I weighed yesterday morning and I lost ...

1 lb

That brings my grand total to 2 lbs lost so far.  I was okay with my weightloss considering I was sick for part of the week.  I'm feeling quite a bit better today so I hope I will be able to have a really successful week.

Even being sick I still managed to exercise 4 times.  Drank all my water.  I ate all my fruit and vegetables except for the days I felt the worst.  Only had one treat day.  So overall a good week.

Walked on my treadmill this morning already.  I found it difficult though after not doing it for a couple of days.  |Feels good to have done it though.  Continued success to all my teammates!

Star Wars Exhibit

We took full advantage of it being teachers convention last Thursday & Friday and we headed to Edmonton for a little family holiday.  It was a much needed break for all of us.

Thursday morning we were on our way ...

When we got to Edmonton we checked into our hotel that was right across the street from the West Edmonton Mall.  It was great to be so close - we just parked at the hotel and walked over.  We spent a few hours checking out the mall.  Ashton made a very important purchase.  He had brought $20.00 of his own money to go towards it.

Ignore the hair - he desperately needs a haircut!

He's pretty excited to finally have an authentic oilers jersey.  He wore it the entire weekend.  Bowen didn't bring his Flames jersey to Edmonton (he thought he better not!), but he put it on as soon as we got home.

Friday morning we headed to the Edmonton Science Centre for the "Star Wars Identities" exhibit (our actual reason for the trip).  We were given wrist bands and individual audio systems with headphone.  There were several stations you went to where you needed to make a decision.  You just put your wrist band up to your choice and your individual information was recorded on your wristband.

Choosing what type of character we'd like to be.

I apologize in advance for the amount of photos in this blog - I took alot of pictures.

In addition to the stations to make choices there were also audio stations when you stepped in the hexagon you heard the audio and usually there was a little movie to watch as well.

What surprised me was the amount of movie memorabilia.  Costumes, models, concept art, puppets etc.  It was a very cool exhibit.

Life-size pod racer

Hayden Christensen's Costume

Costumes that Natalie Portman wore

Here is how our characters ended up looking (from left to right - Bowen, Ashton, Jason and  me)

After a couple of hours at the science centre we grabbed some lunch at the mall and then went to the Waterpark.  We all had a great time - swimming in the pool, having fun in the waves, and riding slides.  I think my favorite part was when Jason took the boys into the pool for a bit and I sat in a deck chair and read a magazine!  About 5 1/2 hours later we were exhausted and hungry and got a bite to eat and then back to the hotel for the evening.

Waiting for food at the food court - tuckered out after a fun and exhausting day!!